FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 3

Q: We have locked ourselves out, what do we do?

If you are locked out of the house, or your room, you may need to call a locksmith. You will be totally responsible for any fees and charges. If the lock and/or door has to be broken, you will be responsible for any damage. If we are available and have the key you need, we will come to the house to let you in for a $200 fee. We will not guarantee that we will be available. Don’t lose your keys!

Q: What if our check bounces?? (NSF)

If your check is returned NSF, we will charge you an additional NSF fee of $35 plus late fees. We are not responsible to let you know if your check was returned NSF although we will contact your unit to advise that rent has not been paid in full.

Q: My rent check is late!

Rent checks are due on the 1st of the month and we have a generous grace period until the 5th of the month. Rent paid after the 5th is considered late is billed at $100 late fee plus $50 each day late. So rent paid on the 6th carries a $150 initial fee. Rent paid on the 7th is $200 total fee. Late fees must be paid as well to stop ongoing daily charges.

Q: Can we paint rooms or common areas?

In many cases yes but please check with the property manager first.

Q: How to sublease my room? How do I remove or add myself from a lease? (READ EVERYTHING!!)

Please email the property manager for details if you are considering this. Sublets and Lease additions/deletions are different processes and we allow both. Please email the property manager for an explanation. You can also refer to your lease for fees associated with this. We do not get involved with internal money exchange for a sublet or a lease change. We do not refund security deposits until the end of the lease and only to those tenants who are still on the lease. We recommend you enter into a sublease contract with your sublessor but this is not required. We do not provide this contract. Sublessor may NOT move in until application of sublessor is reviewed and the application fee is paid. Once accepted the property manager will email you written approval you can move forward.

Q: One of the renters has moved out?

If someone moves out, the group is responsible to collect the rent from the party who leaves or find an acceptable (to us) renter/replacement. You are jointly responsible for each other.

Q: Can I have a deadbolt lock for my room door?

Yes, but with rules and at your expense!. You need a non-keyed turnlock on the inside of the door (single cylinder deadbolt). We do not want locks in the door knob as they can be accidently be locked when leaving. We need a copy of the key, labelled clearly and mailed to us. If there is a deadbolt in the door already, you may get it rekeyed, as long as you use a single cylinder. Single cylinder means keyed on outside, turn key on inside.

Q: How many people may we have live in each unit?

Normally, we allow one person per bedroom. On occasion, we will allow additional renters to share a bedroom in some of the larger units but this is only with our specific permission. There will be a charge of $400 per month per additional renter. This needs to be brought to our attention at the time of the application. After move-in, no additional renters are allowed without our express approval.

Q: I like a property. What will secure the lease for my group?

To start, we will need completed applications for the new tenants plus the $45 application processing fee for each new potential tenant. We process the applications once we have all the applications and fees. Generally we can get back to you within 24 hours regarding acceptance. We operate on a first come-first serve basis for available units. Note: If applicant is coming from the dorms at UW they need only to contact arhfs@u.washington.edu See applications for Students Living in Dorm in FAQs. If your applications are approved, we will email you a copy of the lease for your review. At lease signing we collect only a holding deposit (which is roughly equal to one months rent). The holding deposit converts to a refundable security deposit after move in and the completion of the property condition report done on the same day as move in. Once the lease is signed and the deposit has been paid the unit is reserved for you until move in.