What is the Security Deposit?
The security deposit varies per city. San Francisco = 1.5x the rent, Oakland = 1x the rent, Pleasant Hill = $500. There is also a refundable $300 deposit for pets.

I have my own credit report – can you use it?
Our process involves comprehensive combined credit/eviction/criminal checks so it is not necessary for you to submit your own credit report.

How long does the application process take?
Most applications take 1-2 business days if all documents are provided. Delay is usually caused by incomplete applications or not being able to reach references.

What if I come close but don’t quite qualify?
Each application is reviewed on a case by case basis. If you  have excellent credit and references but don’t quite meet our income/verifiable funds requirements, a guarantor may  help you qualify.

I’m a student – can I qualify?
If your income is insufficient to qualify on your own, we require a qualified guarantor.

What is your rent payment policy?
Rent for each apartment must be paid monthly on the 1st of each month by a single EFT (electronic funds transfer) transaction by one of the authorized tenants or the guarantor. Click here for EFT form.

Are there any extra fees for having a pet?
Yes. We experience higher maintenance/cleaning fees, and in fairness, must pass these costs to pet owners.

Do you allow smoking?
No. Laws in several cities already prohibit smoking in the common areas of apartment buildings. Our building and house rules also prohibit smoking in public places, such as the common areas of the building, and near the entrances to the building, in addition to inside the units themselves. When we detect smoking in a unit, the tenant should expect to  be charged for repainting the apartment and replacing the carpet. Smoking, in addition to being a health hazard for the smoker and those around him/her, pollutes the environment for everyone else. Many tenants will not rent an apartment when they detect a smoke smell. We support healthy living for everyone, and urge all smokers to quit.

Will you consider a month-to-month rental agreement?
Because the costs of turning over an apartment are high, we cannot accommodate month-to-month agreements. We do offer 3, 6, or 9 month leases at a premium of $125, $100, or $75 extra per month respectively.

Do I really need renter's insurance?
Yes. In order to protect your belongings from burglary, moisture damage, fire damage and other occurrences, as well as to provide you with liability coverage. The landlord's insurance policy does not cover your property. Once you calculate the replacement cost of all your belongings, you will realize that it is an investment worth protecting.

Can I rent a unit without physically seeing it?
We prefer that you view the apartment before you actually sign a lease to rent it. If you are not able to see the apartment due to distance or logistical reasons, we suggest you send a trusted friend to check out the apartment and neighborhood before applying for it. Please understand that you are taking a risk by entering into a lease without viewing the apartment and walking the neighborhood, and if they do not meet your needs, you will nevertheless be responsible for the rent through the term of your lease. As an alternative, we encourage you to pre-apply, get approved, and then select your apartment after you arrive here and can see your choices personally. This will expedite your rapid move-in, making everything much easier and faster.

When should I apply for the apartment?
Apartments rent quickly, so we encourage you to submit your full application with supporting documentation as soon as possible to enable more rapid processing and approval.

My company is willing to rent me an apartment – do you honor corporate leases?
The strict laws of San Francisco do not allow us to offer corporate leases. We will consider a corporate lease for East Bay apartments only.

What else should I know?

a) To get more of your security deposit back, please return the apartment to us in perfect condition, when you leave. It costs us far more to have an apartment cleaned than it would take you, and we have to charge you for it. We would much rather not have the administrative burden to schedule the work, check it, process the payment and so on - or to charge you for the work.

b) Please make sure that you take away and remove all your belongings from the apartment and from the building when your tenancy has terminated. Do not leave furniture or other personal items in the apartment or in the basement or common areas, as we will charge you for hauling it. It will cost much more for us to haul your stuff than it would cost you, and we will charge you for it accordingly.  We suggest you save money by taking your excess items to a recycling and resale facility, like Goodwill or Urban Ore. Many people also use craigslist to dispose or give away their excess stuff.

c) Be careful to allow free flow of ventilation in areas that may trap moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. It is your responsibility to prevent dampness and mold  by making sure there is plenty of ventilation in your apartment.

d) Also, be careful about what you allow down the drains. Clogged drains are the most frequent complaint -- so please use a hair trap on every drain, and be careful of what you flush down the toilet. If we find that the clog was caused by something you allowed down your drain, we will have to charge you for the plumber's visit  -- and it is not cheap!

e) We invite you to refer your friends to us -- and if they rent one of our apartments, we would be delighted to thank you with a $100 referral check per apartment.


If you still need assistance or have questions, don't hesitate to contact us.