The Welcome Policy for all new leases and tenants.

It is our pleasure to welcome you as our new tenant.  We hope that you will enjoy your home.  We believe that if you are familiar with some of our policies regarding tenant/manager responsibilities, most misunderstanding will be avoided, and consequently, a better relationship will be established between us.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT:

Our regular business hours are as follows:

Property Managers:

We believe that we can best serve the interests of our owners by offering complete, courteous, and prompt service to you, their tenants.  However, both parties to any lease or rental transaction have certain obligations and responsibilities.  Please remember that we are bond by legal contract with our owners, as well.  It is requested that you read the Lease Agreement signed with this office in detail.  It is a legal document and is binding to all parties who sign.  We, as Property Managers, do not have the authority to deviate from this contract.  THESE ARE OBLIGATIONS THAT DO NOT LIE SOLELY WITH THE OWNER OR HIS PROPERTY MANAGER.  Please do not ask us to breach any of the covenants contained in the lease.  We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have concerning the Lease Agreement.


PAYMENT OF RENT:
Your rent is due in full on the first day of the month and is considered delinquent after the fifth.  Rent may be paid by check or money order (No Cash).  Please make your checks payable to Ford Property Management.  Payments may be mailed to :

MAINTENANCE:
Normal, routine upkeep of your residence is a tenant responsibility.  If you are at a location where the lawn is a tenant responsibility, it should be mowed and trimmed on a regular basis.

The responsibility of maintaining the working condition of the property and appliances does not lie with the owner in cases of tenant neglect, misuse, or willful damage.  In such cases, the tenant will be charged for repairs.

THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS WILL BE USEFUL IN KEEPING MAINTENANCE COSTS TO A MINIMUM:
The heating/air conditioning unit contains one or two air filters.  IT IS THE TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THESE FILTERS CLEAN AND CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS.  If this is not done, the heating/air conditioning unit will not operate as efficiently causing you excessive electric costs.

Keep your drains free of grease, food, etc., which can clog them.  The owner will pay only for stoppages that are caused by faulty construction or by tree roots.

If a service call is found to be unnecessary, or no problem is found, the tenant will be billed for the service call.  Normal care and maintenance on the property is the responsibility of the tenant.

If you require service, be sure to contact a Property Manager during regular office hours.  If you have an emergency (PLEASE EMERGENCIES ONLY!), you may contact a Property Manager at home.  Additional numbers are listed in case a Property Manager cannot be reached.  Please only use these numbers when there is an absolute emergency and a Property Manager is not available.

KEYS:
Copies of keys should only be made and distributed with full knowledge of this department.  Only those who are listed on the Rental Application as residents should possess a key.  It is vital that we have at least one key to each lock at your residence, in case of maintenance and emergency needs.  All keys are turned in at the time the tenant vacates the property.  If you are locked out after regular office hours, a fee will be charged for providing a key.  $10.00 initial fee, $25.00 after 10:00 p.m.  THIS FEE WILL BE ENFORCED.

LOCKS:
Entry and dead bolt locks may be changed or installed at the expense of the tenant, but a key must be provided to the Property Management Department.  Owners will only be responsible for the repair or replacement of a lock only due to malfunction.

UTILITY BILLS:
Any issues regarding utility deposits, service, or bills should be addressed to the appropriate utility company.  Phone numbers are provided below for your convenience.

 NOISE:
Although the premises are well constructed, they are not completely soundproof and reasonable consideration for neighbors is important.  Either inside or outside of the premises, no tenant or their guest shall use, or allow to be used, any sound-emitting device at a sound level that may annoy, disturb, or otherwise interfere with the rights, comforts, or conveniences of other tenants or neighbors.  Particular care must be taken between the hours 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

PATIOS/BALCONIES AND ENTRY AREAS:
Patios/balconies and entry areas are restricted to patio-type furniture and are to be kept clean and orderly.  No barbecues or similar cooking devices may be used on the premises without advance written approval.  No items may be hung from the premises at anytime, and all entryways and walkways must be kept free from items that could be a hazard.  Owner reserves the right to require that items that detract from the appearance of the premises be removed immediately upon request.  No unauthorized storage is allowed at any time.

TRASH:
Tenant is responsible for keeping the inside and outside of the premises clean, sanitary, and free from objectionable odors at all times.  Tenant shall ensure that all trash, papers, cigarette butts and similar items are sealed in trash bags and placed in appropriate receptacles.  No trash or other materials shall be allowed to accumulate so as to cause a hazard or be in violation of any health, fire, or safety ordinance or regulation.

INSURANCE:
The Owners insurance coverage offers no protection for the tenants personal property or any liability claims against the tenant.  The tenant should obtain renters insurance coverage for fire, water, wind, vandalism, theft, earthquake, hurricane, tornado or other damage.  This includes your vehicles, furnishings, and all other personal property.

RIGHT TO ENTER:
Owner reserves the right to enter the premises with 24 hours notice with or without the tenant’s permission at any reasonable hour for any lawful reason or without notice in the event of an emergency.

All tenants will post a deposit.  This deposit is made to indicate your good faith to abide by all covenants of the Lease Agreement.  If you do not fulfill your part of the contract, the deposit will be forfeited to the owner for any loss due him.  If the deposit should be inadequate to cover the loss, you will be billed for the balance.

1. THIRTY-DAY NOTICE prior to the date you intend to vacate is always necessary.  If you must move without being able to give the required thirty days notice, we will make every effort to re-rent the property.  If this is not possible, you will be responsible for the full thirty days rent.  Also, WE WILL SHOW YOUR PROPERTY DURING REGULAR OFFICE HOURS DURING YOUR LAST THIRTY DAYS OF RESIDENCE.  Our objective is to keep continuous tenancy at each property.
2. CARPETS must be vacuumed and have no stains, tears, or odor.  Cleaning by steam or shampoo method is required and should be done by tenant at his expense.  In the case of a pet, the carpet should also be sprayed for fleas.  (Please provide receipts.)
3. FLOORS must be swept or vacuumed and have no stains or marks and must be waxed, if necessary.
4. WALLS AND CEILINGS must have no stains, holes, tears, scuff marks, etc.  The paint and/or wallpaper must be left in original condition, unless this department has approved alterations.
5. KITCHEN APPLIANCES are to be cleaned.  This includes the stove, oven, vent-a-hood, broiler pan, drip pans, and rings.  Please check under the drip pans and check the vent-a-hood filter.  Other appliances such as dishwasher, refrigerator, trash compactor, etc., should be emptied and properly cleaned as well.  Countertops, cabinets and drawers should be wiped clean and be free of food and residue.  Remove all shelf paper as well.
6. WINDOWS AND MIRRORS should be cleaned and have no cracks or breakage.  All windowsills should be dusted and should be free of splatters, residue, etc.  All windows and glass doors should be cleaned inside and outside.  Window screens should be cleaned and be free of holes.  Screens should be secured on doors and windows.
7. BATHROOM FIXTURES-showers, tubs, enclosures, toilets and vanities must be cleaned with appropriate cleanser.  Non-abrasive cleansers should be used on fiberglass.  All vanity drawers and shelves should be wiped clean.  Be sure to check walls for soap scum or water spots.
8. TRASH, GARBAGE & DEBRIS is to be removed from the premises prior to inspection.  Any personal items that are left behind will be removed at the tenant’s expense.
9. EXTERIOR AREAS are to be hosed down and swept.  Lawn is to be mowed and trimmed where applicable.  Fireplaces are to be cleaned and all ashes removed, including outside dump.
10. ANY MISSING ACCESSORIES such as ice cube trays/bins, screens, broiler pans/rings, sink stoppers, etc. will be replaced at the tenant’s expense.  This also includes items such as keys or garage door openers.

At the time the tenant is ready to vacate and property is prepared for inspection, keys and a forwarding address should be turned in to a Property Manager.  It is assumed that all work has been completed prior to inspection, and any additional cleaning or repairs will be done through this office, at the tenant’s expense.  We will begin processing your deposit as soon as possible and will forward your portion (hopefully all) within the next sixty (60) days.  Deposits for roommates will be in all names contained on the lease.  We will be glad to provide copies of all bills for required work at your property.

NOTE:  Any defects must be reported in writing to this office within five days of occupancy or Lessee will be held responsible.

We will be glad to provide tenants with the names and phone numbers of cleaning services and will obtain estimates for any work that needs to be done to prepare the property for inspection, at the tenant’s request.