| Our first step
in renting a property is advertising its availability. We provide
yard signs that attract interest from drive-by traffic. We also
advertise in the Seattle Times/PI, Seattle Weekly and the local
paper where the property is located. We receive many referrals
and unsolicited inquiries because of our long-standing presence
in the community. We also display listings on our reader board.
Our office is located in a high traffic area and the reader
board is very visible.
Screening of each prospective tenant is of primary importance.
After we show the property to an interested party, an application
for tenancy is completed. Processing the application includes
verifying employment, talking to at least the past two landlords,
and obtaining a credit report. Normally applicants with poor
credit ratings, collection amounts, public records or poor
tenancy history are not accepted as tenants.
After establishing an acceptable credit history and verifications,
a lease agreement is executed. Leases are normally written
for one year and the first months rent is collected along
with a security, damage, and cleaning deposit in an amount
equal to the rent. The deposit, in accordance with Washington
State law, is held in a trust account. Usually, we do not
require last month's rent. In cases where an owner has allowed
a pet on the premises, a pet deposit is also collected and
the tenant signs a pet agreement.
The lease agreement specifies the tenant's responsibilities
during the term of the lease and upon vacating the premises.
A move in/move out report is completed by the tenant and management
at the onset of each lease. This report becomes part of the
lease and is used to compare the condition of the unit at
the time of vacation. Vacating
the premises prior to the termination date of the lease results
in the forfeiture of the tenant's entire deposit to the owner.
In addition, the tenant is also charged for any cleaning or
repair costs that may be required to return the unit to the
same condition as at the time of possession.
Rents are paid to Apple Property Management.
They are due on or before the first day of each month. If
not received by the fifth day, the tenant is assessed a late
fee of $50.00. The monies are disbursed to the owner each
month after expenses are deducted. Mortgage payments, homeowner's
dues, taxes and insurance may be paid of the owner desires.
Maintenance and repairs are taken care of promptly. In the
event of a major repair, the owner is contacted prior to the
contracting of the work.
Utility bills, such as electric or gas
are billed directly to the tenant. Oil delivery is arranged
by the tenant. The oil tank is measured by the oil company
at the time of possession and the tenant pays for the oil
in the tank. At the end of the tenancy, the oil is measured
again and the tenant is reimbursed for the remaining oil.
In the case of a single family home rental, the water, sewer
and garbage bill remain in the owner's name and are received
by Apple Property Management for forwarding to the tenants
for payment. We are thus able to oversee these bills/payments
to prevent a possible lien against the property for non-payment
by the tenant.
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