If you’re applying for an apartment in California right now, the timeline you’re working with has changed. Under AB 2493, landlords must either refund screening fees to unsuccessful applicants within 7 days of notifying the selected tenant or 30 days of application submission — whichever comes first. That deadline alone reshapes how long the whole process can take, and it’s not the only new rule affecting your wait.
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This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. For your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.
These aren’t suggestions — they’re legal requirements. The law also forces landlords to give you written rental criteria upfront, including minimum credit scores and income thresholds, so you know exactly what you’re up against before you pay a fee. What that means in practice is that the old “wait and see” approach is gone. Here’s what you actually need to know.
The central concept here is sequential processing, which is one of the two paths a landlord can take under AB 2493.
What I tend to notice is that most applicants don’t realise how much control the landlord’s chosen option has over their wait time. If the landlord uses sequential processing, your application might sit in line behind others for days. If they use the refundable-fee route, they can review everyone at once and pick the best fit — but then they owe refunds to everyone else within that 7-day window.
What the new timeline actually looks like for applicants
The fastest approval I’ve seen under the new rules takes about 3 to 5 business days, assuming the landlord uses digital systems and the applicant has all documents ready. But the law builds in several deadlines that can stretch things out. The landlord has 7 days from receiving your credit report to give you a copy. They have 7 days from notifying the selected tenant to refund fees to unsuccessful applicants. If they don’t select anyone within 30 days of your submission, they owe you a refund anyway.
Here’s the trade-off: a landlord using sequential processing might take longer to work through applications, but they don’t have to refund fees to anyone except the applicants they skip over. A landlord using the refundable-fee model can move faster but then has to process refunds for everyone else. The table below breaks down how these timelines compare.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Stage | Sequential Processing | Refundable-Fee Model |
|---|---|---|
| Application review begins | After previous applicant is rejected or accepted | After application window closes |
| Typical review time per applicant | 1–3 business days | 1–2 business days (batch review) |
| Fee refund timeline | 7 days after notifying selected tenant | 7 days after notifying selected tenant |
| Maximum wait for refund | 30 days from submission | 30 days from submission |
| Credit report delivery | 7 days of receipt (3 days if ICRAA requested) | 7 days of receipt (3 days if ICRAA requested) |
The real cost here isn’t just the application fee — it’s the time you lose waiting. If you’re applying to multiple places, you might be stuck in a sequential queue at one while another landlord using the refundable model has already approved someone else. Understanding deposit refund disputes can help you avoid similar timing surprises later on.
Common mistakes that slow down your application
Not having documents ready before you apply
AB 2493 requires landlords to provide a checklist of required documents at the time of application. But many applicants still show up without pay stubs covering a 30-day period, bank statements, or prior landlord contact information. The landlord has to verify your income is at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent, your rental history for the past 2 to 5 years, and your employment through direct employer contact. Every missing document adds a day or more to the process. My first move would be to gather everything before you even fill out the form — the checklist is there for a reason.
Assuming the landlord will accept a reusable screening report
You can submit a portable tenant screening report to avoid paying multiple application fees, but landlords are not required to accept it under AB 2493. If you assume yours will and don’t prepare to pay separate fees elsewhere, you could end up stuck in a slower queue at a property that doesn’t accept portable reports. Always ask before you apply.
Ignoring the written rental criteria
The law now requires landlords to give you written criteria upfront, including minimum credit scores (often 650 or higher), income thresholds, and rental history requirements. If you apply without checking these, you might waste time and money on a property you were never qualified for. The landlord must also document reasons for rejection and provide written explanations — but that only helps if you actually read the criteria first.
Not requesting your credit report under the ICRAA
If you specifically request a copy of your consumer credit report under the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, the landlord must provide it within 3 days instead of the standard 7. Most applicants don’t know this, so they wait the full week. A simple request can cut that wait in half.
How the application process actually works under AB 2493
Before you apply: what the landlord must tell you
Before you submit anything, the landlord must provide written rental criteria, including minimum credit scores, income thresholds, and rental history requirements. They must also disclose application fees, security deposit amounts, and any additional fees upfront. The application form itself must specify move-in dates, lease terms, pet policies, and whether the landlord uses Option 1 (sequential processing) or Option 2 (refundable fees). If any of this is missing, you’re within your rights to ask for it before paying a fee.
Submitting your application: what goes in
You’ll need to provide your social security number and government-issued ID for identity verification. The landlord will verify your income through recent pay stubs covering a 30-day period, contact your employer directly, and check your rental history for the past 2 to 5 years. They’ll also run a credit check, a criminal background check (disqualifying violent crime convictions within the past seven years), and an eviction history check. Personal references and character assessments are also part of the screening. The landlord must provide a checklist of required documents at the time of application to avoid delays — use it.
After submission: the waiting period
Once you’ve submitted, the landlord has 7 days from receiving your credit report to give you a copy. If you request it under the ICRAA, that drops to 3 days. The landlord must document and communicate application status changes promptly. If they use sequential processing, they review applications one at a time and must accept the first qualified applicant. If they use the refundable-fee model, they can review all applications at once but must refund fees to unsuccessful applicants within 7 days of notifying the selected tenant — or within 30 days of submission if no one is selected.
Emerging rules: credit reporting for rent payments
AB 2747, referenced alongside AB 2493, requires landlords to offer credit reporting for ongoing rent payments. This means your on-time rent could help build your credit score. It’s not yet mandatory in all cases, but it’s a shift worth watching. If you’re a tenant, this could turn a monthly expense into a credit-building tool — assuming the landlord complies.
For landlords managing multiple applications, a digital safe for storing applicant documents can help keep sensitive information secure during the review process.
Frequently asked questions about apartment application processing time
Can a landlord take longer than 30 days to process my application? ▾
What happens if the landlord doesn’t provide my credit report within 7 days? ▾
Does sequential processing mean I have to wait for everyone ahead of me? ▾
Can I apply to multiple apartments at once without paying multiple fees? ▾
What counts as a qualified applicant under AB 2493? ▾
Does AB 2493 apply to all landlords in California? ▾
Why the 30-day rule changes your strategy
The single most practical change from AB 2493 is the 30-day refund trigger. If a landlord hasn’t selected a tenant within 30 days of your application, they owe you your fee back. That creates a natural limit on how long you’ll wait for an answer — but it also means landlords have an incentive to process applications faster to avoid mass refunds. If you’re applying in a competitive market, the landlords using the refundable-fee model are likely to move faster because they don’t want to refund everyone after 30 days.
Remember: this article is general information only. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a qualified professional.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Understanding leaseholder cooperative agreements in Canada.
Sources and Further Reading
Common mistakes in rental lease agreements in Canada — A practical look at what tenants and landlords get wrong in lease contracts, with tips to avoid costly errors.
Hermitage PM (2025). California’s New Landlord-Tenant Law Impacts the Rental Application Process. 🔗
Stowers Real Estate (2025). How AB 2493 Is Changing the Rental Application Process in California. 🔗
Skyla Tower (2026). How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for an Apartment in LA? 🔗
TenantCloud (2025). California Rental Application. 🔗
