Lisa Perrault, Office Manager 
Paul Havlicek, Bookkeeping

Dawn DeRose, Susan Napier, Victoria Griego, Fatima Vasquez, Admin Assistants

Manny Andrade, Acting Broker

Kevin Simas, Owner

Step 1: View the Property  

We highly recommend that a prospective tenant view the property of interest prior to submitting a rental application to make sure it will suit their needs and expectations. In most cases, you may come to our office between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to check out the key. Please call our office at (510) 538-8789 so that we know to expect you. A valid photo I.D. and $20 cash deposit will be required for key check out. The key must be returned the same day at which time your deposit will be refunded. Our larger apartment complexes have on-site managers available for showings. Their phone number is included in the listing.

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Rental Application/Credit Authorization

Applications for available rentals are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that we are not in the practice of collecting multiple applications and selecting a tenant from a pool of applicants. If the first application submitted is approved, that applicant has first option to accept the property. You may download the application and credit authorization form from this website, or pick it up in our office. The following is required of each adult aged 18 and older who will be living in the property.

1) Complete & sign the Rental Application/Credit Authorization Form, 
     which includes:

      - Employment Verification
      - Resident Verification

      - Credit Report Authorization

 

 

2) Copy of valid Driver's License or state issued I.D.

3) $60 Credit check* fee per applicant (non-refundable) 

4) Proof of income: Gross income requirements = 3 x monthly rent 
      -  Most recent payroll stub with year to date (YTD) total, or 
      -  Last 6 months bank statements, or
    - Federal income tax return

We make our best effort to process your application as expeditiously as possible. Credit checks and verifications will be processed immediately upon submission. Please be sure to thoroughly complete and sign the application, as incomplete or inaccurate information may cause delays in your approval or result in your application being denied. We are usually able to process an application and have a response of approval or denial the same day. However, on occasion, we may encounter minor delays waiting for responses on verifications. 

Step 4: Deposit to hold the property

Upon approval, you will be offered the option to proceed with renting the property at which time the security deposit will be due in the form of cashier's check or money order. The maximum time a property can be held is 2 weeks.

Step 5: Move-In

A renter's insurance policy covers all of your personal possessions against covered losses including furniture, computer and stereo equipment, electronics, clothing, jewelry and more. Most renter's policies are named peril policies and the losses that are covered will be clearly stated in the policy.

 

Renter's insurance also includes liability coverage in case someone is injured on your property. If you are sued due to an injury that happens in your apartment, your policy may even pay for your legal defense. There is also the option of a medical payments coverage that will take care of the medical expenses of people who don't live with you but are injured at your home. Medical payments coverage does not require that you be sued or that you have a judgment against you in order to pay out for the medical expenses.

 

Renters insurance policies are affordable, and if it is with the same company as your auto insurance, a multi-policy discount can really make the renter's insurance a bargain.

 

When you purchase a renter's insurance policy, the most important thing you can do is make an inventory of your possessions in case of a covered loss. It is difficult to remember all of your possessions after a loss, so you may want to begin by making a video walk through of your apartment, getting all of your possessions recorded including all the brands, model numbers, and serial numbers where appropriate. This way, if a loss occurs, you are prepared with a list of what you need to be reimbursed for.

 

Ask your agent if you have a choice between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage on your renter's insurance policy. If you have an actual cash value policy you will only get back the amount of money for items they would be worth today, and that may not be enough money to replace all your possessions.

 

Excerpted from http://www.superpages.com/supertips/renters-insurance.html.

 

Call (510) 538-8789