INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM)

INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM) Tenant Do’s and Don’ts

1. Do – Be realistic. There is a difference between “Wants” and “Needs”. You or your wife may “want” a 2500 square foot, two story, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family home with a den and attached 2 car garage, that rents for $1,200.00 a month – when in fact you only “need” a 1500 square foot, single level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that rents for $850.00 a month. The higher square footage of the house is usually commensurate with higher cost for rent and higher utilities (especially heating and cooling). A larger yard can mean a higher cost for lawn maintenance; gas and equipment for mowing, trimming, etc. Rental homes with individual pools or hot tubs require electricity to run the pumps and or heaters, and there is also the cost of chemicals. Also consider the location of the home compared to your work. Wanting a home in the county, further away from work will likely cost more in gas (to and from work, shopping, etc.). It can all add up very quickly!

2. Do – Plan ahead by checking different websites to see what the area is like, schools, shopping, entertainment, beaches, etc. But try not to get serious much more than 45 days in advance. Going shopping for rentals more than 45 days in advance can be discouraging in the sense that you “find the perfect house” but then discover it can’t be put on hold till you get there. When rentals become available, they are typically first come – first serve.

3. Do - Prequalify yourself. A good rule of thumb for renters is your gross income (before taxes) should equal or exceed 3 times the rent. This leaves two thirds (2/3) of your income for all those other things like utilities, car payments, credit card, food, clothing, entertainment and hopefully, some savings for the future. Any less money and you don’t have much left for anything else (emergencies). Contact the Property Manager for details in reference to dual income families.

4. Do - Bring applicable Picture ID’s and Documents to fill out a rental application: - Drivers license / Military ID / Social Security card - 6 months worth of Pay Stubs or other Proof of Income (LES for military members). If you are self-employed, Copies of the past two (2) years income tax returns and the most recent six bank statements. - The name and phone number for your previous employer if current employment is less than 6 months. - The name and phone number of your two previous Landlords or Property Manager (including military base housing).

5. Do – Be honest when filling out the application. We are going to check your credit, verify your income and talk with your previous landlord or property manager. So we are going to find out if your credit isn’t great, or if you just started a new job, or if you left your previous place in a mess or owed rent. Let us know what your challenges are; we may be able to help. That said, we cannot guarantee you residence by the fact that you filled out a rental application. Forged or fraudulent information used to gain entry into a lease or exit out of a lease will be reported to the Sheriff’s office and or Military authorities (NCIS) as applicable. = NOTE; IRPM’s fiduciary responsibility is to the Property Owner/s. INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM) Tenant Do’s and Don’ts 6. Do – let us know if you have pets (or want to get a pet) “Before” going to look at rentals. Allowing pets of any sort is entirely up to the property owner/s. Some owners allow small dogs but no cats, others may be opposite while others limit the number of pets. If you are allowed to have pets, it will be written in the lease with the type and number of pets that are authorized as well as the pet fee that was paid. If pets are not allowed or not written into the lease, then No pets should be present on the premises – period. Pet sitting is not allowed. No pets, means No pets (period, zip, zilch, none at all). Having an unauthorized pet can land you in hot water as legally you will be in violation of the lease which can lead to; expulsion of the pet, a fine, termination of the lease (eviction), a combination of - or all the aforementioned. = NOTE-1; IRPM Does Not Allow ANY High Threat Breed Dogs in Any rentals. (i.e. German Sheppard, Doberman, Rottweiler, Pit-bull, Chow or otherwise Aggressive dogs). = NOTE-2; Pet “Fees” are just that – a non-refundable fee (per pet) that is paid by the tenant for being allowed to have their pet on the premises. Fees vary by owner. = NOTE-3; IRPM requires verification of the size and breed of the pet as applicable.

7. Do – Read and Understand all the terms of your lease and any addendums, exhibits, checklist, etc. This is a legally binding contract between you as the tenant and the Property Owner (Property Manager by proxy). If you don’t understand it, don’t sign it till you do. The “I didn’t know or I didn’t understand” usually doesn’t fly with a judge or magistrate. You signed it! - Know your tenant responsibilities and limitations (paying rent, keeping the unit clean, painting, changing air filters or smoke detector batteries, other repairs, septic system do’s and don’ts, etc.). - You can (should) do an inspection prior to move-in to identify and document any flaws or damage (chips, scuffs, marks, gouges, etc) with the property. Doing this after move-in is too late as it becomes very difficult for you to determine who caused the flaw or damage. You can be assured that our property manager has completed their inspection (with date stamped digital photos) before you signed the lease or get the keys.

8. Do – Be prepared to pay one to two months’ rent as Security Deposit as well as the rent or prorated rent for entry into the home/unit (to get the keys). Also be prepared to pay a pet fee if applicable (between $150 and $300 per pet) and security deposits for utilities (water, electric, etc).

9. Do – Pay your Rent On Time. Rent is typically due on the 1st of each month with a short grace period making rent late if paid after close of business on the 5th. This means that rent paid after close of business on the 5th of the month is late and will incur a late fee regardless of weekends or holidays. Late fees can be a flat fee or a percentage of the rent (typically not more than 5% of the rent). This should be outlined in your lease. If something unavoidable has come up, providing as much notice as possible to the Landlord or Property Manager is a good idea. This does not imply that you will not incur a late fee, but it may postpone the eviction process. Ask your property manager about the different ways your rent can be paid.

10. Do – Consider “Renters Insurance”. The property owner has to carry insurance that covers damage to the house and liability. That insurance ONLY covers the House and the INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM) Tenant Do’s and Don’ts Owner “NOT the Tenant or Tenants Personal Property”. By design, Renters Insurance does cover the Tenant and Tenants personal belongings against theft and damage depending on the level of coverage. Renters insurance is very inexpensive and highly recommended.

11. Do – Report maintenance issues as soon as possible. Let us help you assess whether it is an owner or tenant responsibility. Electrical, plumbing, roofing, appliances, heating and air-conditioning are a few areas that are normally repaired at the owner’s expense (as long as the needed repair is not due to tenant negligence). Tenant negligence can be twofold: - One; directly (themselves) or indirectly (children, pets or friends) causing the damage. - Two; not reporting a problem.

12. Do – Ask Questions! It’s better to ask now than to assume or try to beg forgiveness later!!! INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM) Tenant Do’s and Don’ts 1. Do NOT – Be less than Honest (Lie) on your rental application. Lying on a rental application will not work in your favor. As previously stated, we are going to check your credit, verify your income and talk with your previous landlord or property manager. So we are going to find out if your credit isn’t great, or if you just started a new job, or if you left your previous place in a mess or owed rent. Let us know what your challenges are; we may be able to help. That said, you are Not guaranteed residence by the fact that you filled out a rental application. Forged or fraudulent information used to gain entry into a lease or exit out of a lease will be reported to the Sheriff’s office and or Military authorities (NCIS) as applicable.

2. Do NOT – Be less than Honest (Lie) in reference to the condition of the house or property. Our Property Managers conduct thorough inspections that include date stamped digital photos of every property upon being vacated to account for wear and tear, cleanliness and or damages by the previous tenant. The same process is repeated before a new tenant moves. This will prove repairs were made and set a new benchmark for the overall condition of the house; being able to gauge wear and tear, cleanliness and or damages.

3. Do NOT - Be less than Honest (Lie) in reference to Pets. If pets are not allowed or not written into the lease, then No pets should be present on the premises – period. We are going to find out if you have an unauthorized pet as dogs bark, cats jump in the window, bags or tins of pet food are in the trash and the neighbors likely know that no pets are allowed and will report you. Pet sitting is Not allowed. Pets of friends or relatives are Not allowed. No pets, means No pets (period, zip, zilch, none at all). Having an unauthorized pet can land you in hot water as legally you will be in violation of the lease which can lead to; expulsion of the pet, a fine, termination of the lease (eviction), a combination of - or all the aforementioned. = NOTE-1; IRPM Does Not Allow ANY High Threat Breed Dogs in Any rentals. (i.e. German Sheppard, Doberman, Rottweiler, Pit-bull, Chow or otherwise Aggressive dogs). = NOTE-2; Pet “Fees” are just that – a non-refundable fee (per pet) that is paid by the tenant for being allowed to have their pet on the premises. Fees vary by owner. = NOTE-3; IRPM requires verification of the size and breed of the pet as applicable.

4. Do NOT – Ignore your tenant responsibilities. Tenant responsibilities are outlined in the lease and or addendums. Your failure to perform the tenant responsibilities could cause you to be fined (deducted from Security Deposit) or even evicted. Tenant responsibilities under “reasonable care of the property” include, but are not limited to: - Lawn care. Lawn care can include cutting the grass, edging and trimming as applicable. - Changing the air filters (at least every thirty days). Failure to change the air filter can result in higher electric bills as the air handler needs to work harder to pull air through a dirty filter and could cause the fan motor to burn out. - Cleaning. General cleaning from dusting the mini blinds and vacuuming to having the trash disposed of on a regular basis (i.e. curbside pick-up). - Changing light bulbs when needed. - Changing the battery in smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.

5. Do NOT - Make repairs to the house without first checking with the Property Manager. Deducting the cost of a repair from the rent is not authorized without prior written approval. INDEPENDENCE Rentals and Property Management (IRPM) Tenant Do’s and Don’ts Let us help you assess whether it is an owner or tenant responsibility. Examples include: - The water heater stops working and resetting the electrical breaker doesn’t help. In this case a professional plumber will be called to decide the problem; the heating elements may need to be replaced (best case) or the whole water heater may need to be replaced (worst case). This was no fault of the tenant and would be an owner responsibility. - If your son or daughter uses a permanent marker on the wall, you are obligated to repair that wall at some point (prime and paint to match the existing room color). - Your “authorized” pet dog chews on and damages a mini-blind, you are obligated to replace the mini-blind with one of the same color and style. - The Garage door opener stops working and resetting the electrical breaker doesn’t help. When it is determined that there is no damage to the opener, it will be an owner responsibility to replace the opener.

6. Do NOT – Abuse the Septic System or by extension the plumbing drains. Septic systems are really individual wastewater treatment systems that use the soil to treat small wastewater flows, usually from individual homes. Many people mistakenly think that once something is flushed and leaves the house it becomes the “cities problem”. It’s not flush and forget with a septic system. Everything that is flushed or goes down the drain stays on site (in the septic tank and or seeps into the ground on the property). If you live with a septic system, you Do NOT: - Run water excessively. Keep showers short (not more than 10 minutes per person) or do all your laundry (3 or more loads) on one day. All this can saturate the soil making it difficult for liquids to leach (be absorbed) into the soil, especially if it has rained recently. - Park on or drive vehicles over the tank or leach lines. - Use a garbage disposal as this will introduce an excess of solids into the tank. - Use your tank as a trash can; oils and grease, disposable diapers, plastics, cigarette butts, excessive toilet paper, kitty litter, tampons, condoms, paints, chemicals, etc are ALL Bad for the system! - Plant trees, shrubs or gardens in the vicinity of the tank or leach lines.