Tenant FAQs

Your rent is ALWAYS due on the first day of each month.  It is considered late thereafter.  However, we will waive the late fee if the rent is paid by 6 p.m. on the 5th.

We have several ways to pay rent.  The preferred way is through our Tenant Portal.  Payments are secure and are credited to your account the moment they are initiated.

There is a $2/month convenience fee to pay rent online.  If the payment is set up to withdraw automatically from the bank account each month then the fee is waived.  However, bounced check charges can quickly wipe out any savings from this option, so be careful.  If your bank balance bounces around close to zero then the monthly option is likely the better one.

Other ways are:

• by mail
• personal dropoff

Please note that rents with these latter two options are considered paid when received (and not when mailed).

If you are having difficulty paying your rent contact your property manager IMMEDIATELY.  We want to help.  We are not your usual type of property manager who bangs notices on your door.  Your problem is our problem, and we want to help you solve it...together.  It does neither of us any good to let the situation continue.  Please contact us so we can discuss payment options.  If left unattended you will be forced to move either voluntarily or through eviction.

If this is an emergency dial 9-1-1.

Otherwise, sign into your account on the Tenant Portal and click on the link to submit a new Work Order.  If you cannot log in, then contact your property manager.  In an emergency call 206-203-4414.

After submitting a work order you will be contacted usually within a few minutes.  You will be asked several questions to help get more information about the problem.  After that, depending on the situation, the work will be scheduled.  It is really helpful if you give permission for us to enter the premises to perform the repair even if you are not there.

An emergency is defined as a maintenance issue that compromises the safety of residents, will cause significant damage to the property, or requires fixing within the next 24 hours.   Examples include:

• Water leak from a broken pipe or water heater
• Sudden electrical sparking or shorting
• Gas smell (call the gas company immediately)
• A broken toilet in a unit that has only one.

For power outages, call the electric company first.

Items that are NOT considered an emergency include:

• Broken toilet in a unit with more than one.
• Non-functioning dishwasher.

You start by leaving the home as clean as you found it.  That ensures you will get all of it back.

If you have tenant-caused damage, relax.  Our Resident Benefits Package protects you up to $250 per quarter ($1,000 maximum).  BUT, the repair must be done BEFORE you terminate your lease.  Call your property manager immediately and tell him/her of the damage so a repair can be scheduled before your move-out.

We will deposit the funds into your account electronically (if you pay rent using the Tenant Portal) within 21 days after we take possession of the property (usually at the move-out inspection).  We will also send you an email with the accounting of any charges against the deposit.

If you do not pay your rent through the Tenant Portal then the security deposit and accounting of it will be returned via U.S. Mail.  Please be sure to give your forwarding address.  If you do not then you may not receive the deposit refund.

You can call a locksmith at your expense, or give us a call during business hours and we will let you in.  Understand there will likely be a lockout fee you will be charged for our staff to come out and let you in.  (This is usually a cheaper option than a locksmith.)

To add a roommate, that individual will first need to apply, pay the application fee, and be approved.

To remove a roommate, it may require the remaining roommate(s) to re-qualify on income.

In either situation, we have a lease addendum that will need to be signed.  Tenants named on the lease cannot simply move without being removed.

Unfortunately it is not.  We cannot control who knows how to paint and who doesn't.  So rather than take that chance we just say 'no painting'.  You can, however, ask your property manager if the owner will let us paint it for you (at your cost).

In most cases the answer is 'no'?  Most of the units we manage have a "no pets" policy.

Contact your property manager immediately and he/she will assist you with the process.  Expect to have to pay to break a lease.

You will be contacted several months before your lease expires to do an inspection and begin the lease renewal process.  If you have not been contacted and are getting a bit worried then please get in touch with your property manager immediately.

If you plan on paying your rent after the 1st, no worries.  We waive the late fee through the 5th.  If you are planning to pay after the 5th, then please contact your property manager immediately and let him/her know, and make arrangements.  Communication is the key.

Always communicate.  We can help you, but only if we know what is going on.  We do not want to get involved in any drama.  But we can possibly make payment arrangements or help in other ways.  The best thing to do is ask.  We want to help.