Tenant FAQ

TENANT FAQ

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions from prospective and current tenants. 

FUTURE TENANTS


  • What is your rental criteria?

    Our rental criteria can be found on the tenant pulldown menu link named rental criteria.


  • How do I view a vacancy?

    Please call and text the phone number listed on each vacancy posting.


  • Should I apply before seeing the unit?

    No. All applicants must first meet the site manager in person at the property for a tour of the unit being offered for rent before applying.


  • How do I apply for a unit I toured?

    Once you have toured the vacancy, please visit the For Rent page on our website. Find the property you just toured, then begin your application by following the apply now link. Please have copies of your driver’s license, social security card, last three months paystubs or bank statements, ready to upload before applying.


  • Who should apply for the unit?

    All persons 18 years of age or older who intend to live in the unit.


  • How much does it cost to apply?

    $40.00 per adult applicant which covers all housing provider costs associated with running your credit report through the credit reporting bureaus as well as all the time it takes to conduct background checks and speak with previous housing providers and employers.


  • By applying am I my guaranteed the unit?

    Submitting an application does not guarantee the vacancy being applied for will be rented to you nor are applications processed on a first come first serve basis. All applications are processed for the most qualified candidate. Housing provider reserves the right to process all applications received to determine who best fits our company rental criteria. Some applications may take up to 10 days to process depending on how responsive your current and previous housing providers are with our requested rental history questionnaires.


  • If I apply, but do not get the unit applied for will I receive a refund on my credit application fee?

    If your credit is run but you are not selected to occupy the vacancy you will not receive a refund of your application fee as housing provider will have paid for credit reporting bureaus to provide copies of your credit report, however, upon request we will gladly furnish you with a copy of your credit report.


  • How much is the security deposit?

    Security deposits will never be less than the equivalent of one month’s rent and never more than the equivalent of two months’ rent. The amount paid depends on various factors which include but are not limited to credit score, rental history, job longevity and pets.


  • What utilities and appliances are included?

    Please refer to the vacancy posting description for all details regarding the property’s amenities.


  • Do you accept service animals?

    Yes, Service animals are accepted. All applicants will need to complete a pet screening application. This includes applicants with service animals, applicants with pets and applicants without pets.


  • Do you accept section 8?

    Yes we do accept section 8. Section 8 applicants must also meet housing providers rental criteria which can be found on the tenant pulldown menu link named rental criteria.


  • How long does it take for my application to be processed?

    Applications generally take 5 to 10 days to process. Delays are normally caused by previous housing providers not responding to our rental history questionnaires.


  • Do I need renters insurance?

    Yes, you will need a renters insurance policy in place before you are given access to the home. 


CURRENT TENANTS


  • How do I pay rent?

    The preferred method of paying rent is through your online portal. We do also accept personal checks, money orders and cashier’s checks to be delivered to our office during normal business hours. 


  • When is the rent due?

    Rent is due on the first of each month.


  • When is rent considered late?

    Rent is considered late at 12:00 AM on the fourth of each month unless alternate arrangements have been made in writing between yourself and the Housing Provider.


  • What happens if I do not pay rent on time?

    You will be assessed a 6% late fee and you will receive a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit.


  • What is my current balance due?

    Please visit your online portal where you will find your tenant ledger with balance due. Alternatively, you may contact our office at 619-741-0052 during normal business hours to speak with one of our staff members.


  • I paid rent but was still assessed a late fee.

    Per your lease agreement the order in which funds are applied are as follows: 

    (1) Rent payments received by Housing Provider shall be applied to the earliest amount(s) due or past due. This includes but is not limited to; any non-rent obligations of tenant including late fee charges, periodic utility charges, charge-backs for repairs, brokerage fees, and bounced rent charges, then to rent, regardless of any notations on a check.

    (2) Rent payments received that are applied to past due amounts will result in underpayment of rent due for the month paid which will result in a Late Fee.

    (3) Check your balance due before making your monthly rent payment or call the office for your total balance due before making your monthly rent payment in order to avoid late fees.

  • Am I allowed to have a pet?

    Each property and their owners have different requirements especially if living in a HOA community setting, so no new or additional pets are allowed onsite unless agreed to in writing between yourself and Housing Provider. Please contact your site manager should this become a matter of consideration.


  • Am I allowed to have additional roommates?

    Yes, however, no additional persons are allowed to occupy the premises, unless agreed to in writing between yourselves and Housing Provider. Please contact your site manager should this become a matter of consideration.


  • How long may I have a guest stay in my rental?

    Guests are not permitted to stay more than 5 days without Housing Provider’s written consent. (Same guest may not move in and move out every 5 days)


  • What if I need to change roommates?

    Please refer to your Early Termination of Lease or Change in Roommate(s) Addendum for procedures and costs.


  • What happens if I need to leave early and break my lease.

    Please refer to your Early Termination of Lease or Change in Roommate(s) Addendum for procedures and costs.


Maintenance


  • How do I submit a maintenance request?

    Please submit maintenance requests through your online portal. The portal allows you to also attach photographs which will expedite the time in which maintenance and repairs occur. Please then also contact your site manager to notify them of your maintenance request.


  • Can I use my own repairman and deduct the cost from my rent?

    You may not use your own repairman then deduct costs from rent. Doing so will result in underpayment of rent resulting in a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. 


  • Can I change the locks?

    You may not change the locks unless you have received written permission from the housing provider. If given permission, you will be responsible for all associated costs and must immediately provide management with a copy of the new key. 


  • What do I do if I lock myself out?

    During normal business hours please call your site manager and / or the office to request a duplicate key. If it is after normal business hours please call a locksmith. 


  • Can Housing Provider or vendors enter my home when I’m not there?

    Housing provider will provide a 24-hour notice to enter before entering the property. In the case of an emergency, such as Fire and Flood, housing provider, vendors and/or civil servants may enter without permission in order to suppress the emergency. In such a scenario, all efforts to contact you via calls, text and email will be made.


  • If I am experiencing an emergency what should I do?

    Fire and Smoke: Please call 911 immediately. Please also contact your site manager and submit a maintenance request via your tenant portal with photos.


    Gas and Electrical: Turn off gas or power at main breaker and immediately call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343. Please also contact your site manager and submit a maintenance request via your tenant portal with photos.


    Plumbing, Sewer or Water: If water is continually running from a faucet or toilet please shut off the angle valve and submit a maintenance request via your tenant portal. Angle valves are found behind toilets and under sinks. If you are experiencing an active leak or a leak from a source that cannot be shut of using an angle valve please shut off water to your premises. Main line shut offs are usually found outside. Please also contact your manager and submit a maintenance request via your tenant portal with photos. Per your move in walk through you should be familiar with all shut off valves.


    *For weekends, holidays and after hour emergencies (7:00 PM - 7:00 AM) please contact 619-820-1241. *All calls are logged.


  • If I am experiencing a non-emergency what should I do?

    Clogged Drain or Toilet: Once a maintenance request via your tenant portal has been received we will immediately schedule a plumber to assess and clear the clog. (Please do not continue using the clogged drain or toilet as you will inevitably cause a flood)


    Heater and Air Conditioning: Once a maintenance request via your tenant portal has been received we will immediately schedule an HVAC vendor to get your heating or air conditioning working as fast as the vendor is able to do so. (Please note that during times of excessive heat or cold HVAC technicians are very busy which may result in some delay, however we always request priority service) 


    Refrigerator: Once a maintenance request via your tenant portal has been received we will immediately schedule an Appliance Repair vendor to assess and repair the refrigerator or if recommended the unit will be replaced. (During this time, please keep your refrigerator doors closed to preserve contents).


    All other Appliances: Once a maintenance request via your tenant portal has been received we will immediately schedule an Appliance Repair vendor to assess and repair the appliance or if recommended the unit will be replaced. (Please check your lease for Owner maintained appliances).


    For all other non-emergency maintenance requests please submit a maintenance request via your tenant portal with photos and your request will be addressed in a timely manner.

  • What happens if I fail to report a Maintenance issue?

    You will be held financially responsible for allowing excessive damage to occur. 


MOVING OUT


  • What type of notice do I need to provide in order to move out?

    All notices from tenant to Housing Provider must be a minimum of 30 days’ notice prior to moving out even if you have an expiring lease agreement. Please refer to your Lease Termination Procedures Addendum for directions on how to terminate your lease. 


  • When is the pre-move out inspection?

    You will be given the opportunity to conduct a pre-move on inspection within 2 to 4 days of your notice of intent to move out. The pre-move on inspection must occur no less than two weeks prior to your move out.


  • Do I have to do a pre-move out inspection?

    It is recommended you do a pre-move-out inspection to understand what deductions, if any, will be made to your security deposit. You may also waive your right to this inspection.


  • When is the final is the final move out inspection?

    The final inspection occurs on the move out date indicated in your letter of intent to move out. At the conclusion of the final inspection, you will turn over keys and you will no longer have access to the premises.


  • What condition do you require the property to be in when I move out?

    Property condition at the time of move out should be in the very same condition as received at the time of move in. Please refer to your move-in inspection report as a guideline on what is to be expected.


  • Will I receive my security deposit back if only I moved out, but others did not?

    Security deposits are never returned in partial. You will need to pursue your portion of security deposit directly from the remaining tenants or if you are being replaced by another tenant as in the roommate switch, both yourself and the incoming tenant need to agree to the handling of your portion of the security deposit. 


  • If everyone moved out when can we expect our security deposit?

    Per California civil code, security deposits are mailed out no later than 21 days of final move out by all occupants.


  • How will our security deposit funds be issued?

    A single check will be written to all persons named on the existing lease agreement unless housing provider receives in writing from all parties an agreed upon alternate disbursement request.


  • What are common security deposit charges?

    Per your pre-move out and final move out inspections, charges to a security deposit include but are not limited to repairing damages, paint, flooring and cleaning.


  • How do I get my security deposit back?

    Anytime from your original letter of intent to move out through the final inspection, a forwarding address must be provided to housing provider.


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