RESIDENT FAQ'S

 

 

 

I am getting ready to move out of my rental. What do I do?

1. Fill out a 30 Day Notice to Vacate Form and send it to the office

2. Look at our move out requirements. This should prepare you for the move out inspection.
3. Call the office to schedule a move out inspection (you can do this upwards of a month in advance)It is       recommended to schedule this inspection for the day prior to move-out.

 

   

How do I request maintenance?

If you have a maintenance issue simply fill out the maintenance request form or call our office at 559-732-8800 or email our maintenance department at maintenance@equitygroupinc.com.

 

I accidentally caused damage, what do I do?

We are all human, so we certainly understand if you accidentally damage something.  You can repair it yourself as long as you do a good job or you can hire us to repair it.  If we do the repair, there will be a cost and we will work out a payment arrangement with you.

 

What happens if I cannot pay the rent in full?

Your lease agreement states that rent is due on the 1st day of each month and considered late and subject to a late fee if not received by 5:00 a.m. on the 5th.  We also accept Mastercard and Visa (there is a convenience fee for this, but it is much less than a late fee!).  Come into the office to arrange this type of payment or use PAY RENT NOW to make a payment right away.

If an unforeseen circumstance arises that causes you to be unable to pay rent by then, please come into the office and complete a written payment arrangement.  We have certain restrictions, but if we can, we will work with you to get the rent paid.  By law, we must serve you with a 3 Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit form when your rent is late; so do not be surprised if you get a legal notice on your door.  As long as we have a written payment plan and you follow through as you said you would, we will work with you. 

Please understand that if you do not follow through, we will have no choice but to commence eviction proceedings.  This is a last resort, and we do not want to have to evict you and your family, so communicate with us as soon as you know there will be a problem with paying on time.

 

Can I add or change the people on the lease?

Yes.  The lease requires that all persons living on the property be listed on the lease.  We know that sometimes things change.  Any additional people will need to complete the application process and be approved prior to moving in.  We will perform the same background check on them (income, credit, landlord, and criminal checks) that we did on you.  As long as they meet our guidelines and your occupancy is still within HUD guidelines, we will amend the lease. 

If one or more of the approved occupants changes during your tenancy, we may allow them to be removed from the lease.  The remaining occupants must still qualify for the property, and we will need to visit your home, ensure that there is no new damage, and make written arrangements to clarify how the security deposit will be refunded at the end of the remaining/new occupant’s tenancy.

 

Can I have a pet?

Possibly.  No pets are ever allowed on the property unless they have been approved in writing prior to being brought in.  We rarely allow pets in apartments, but if your home is one that previously allowed pets, it might be okay to add.  Please come talk to us to find out if your home will allow a pet.  If a dog is allowed, it cannot be one of the aggressive breeds, and you will be required to have renter’s insurance with extended liability coverage.  In all instances, you will need to properly vaccinate the animal, keep it in good health, remove waste promptly, and accept responsibility for any and all damage. 

 

What happens if I have to break my lease?

If you are unable to fulfill the terms of your lease, we will do everything we can to get the property re-rented; however, residents who do not complete the full term of their lease shall be responsible for the following liquidated damages under the lease:

1. Rent until the unit is re-rented or the end of the lease whichever is shorter;
2. Utilities for the unit until it is re-rented or the end of the lease whichever is shorter;
3. Costs associated with re-leasing the property (showings, advertising, etc.)
4. Cleaning and rekey costs as allowed by the lease;
5. Damages excepting normal wear and tear;

Come in and talk to us as soon as you know you will need to leave.  The more time we have to work together to get the property re-rented, the less your cost will be.

 

I am going to be moving, what do I need to do?

Thank you for allowing us to be of service!  We know that losing you is just a part of the cycle, and we wish you the all the best!

Your lease requires that you give us 30 days WRITTEN notice prior to vacating and that you plan your move-out for the last day of the month.  In order for that notice to be acceptable for the end of the current month, we must receive it by the close of business on the 1st of the month.  Here is the form you can use.  If you have not fulfilled the term of your lease or do not give notice by the 1st of the month, there could be additional expenses, so please be sure to carefully plan your move-out.

Once you give notice, do not be surprised that we place a sign and lockbox on the property.  We will begin advertising and showing the home to prospective residents right away.  Please be sure we have the best telephone or email contact information for you as we will notify you the day before of any viewings we set up.  You will not need to be home when we show it, but you do not need to feel that you have to leave, either.  You can rest assured that one of our staff will accompany viewers room-to-room while you live there. 

The lease also requires that you return keys to our office by noon on the day you agreed to move out.  Before you leave, please be sure you have removed all of your belongings (remember to check all closets and cubbies), repaired any damage (if you need a copy of the move-in checklist to verify condition, please come to the office to request a copy.

Carpets will need to be professionally cleaned, but we can do that and deduct the charge from your deposit.  The advantage of having us arrange it is that it is one less hassle for you, can be done after you are all done, and if we use our cleaner, we know the quality of their work will meet our standards.  You can hire your own professional cleaner and provide us with a receipt at the time you turn in keys as well.  Please note that renting a machine and doing it yourself will not be acceptable because the machines are just not powerful enough to suck the water and dirt out.

Arrange with the utility providers to transfer service out of your name on the last day of the month.        

Once you have returned keys, we will go in and check out the property.  If you wish to be present, you can arrange an appointment for a time during business hours (sorry, no after hours appointments unless you are willing to pay for staff overtime). 

The security deposit disposition will be calculated once all bills are in and typically takes at least 14 days as we wait for subcontractor bills.  The lease provides for up to 21 days to return the deposit which conforms with California law.  Please be sure we have your new address so the form and check get to you!