Resident Handbook

Thank you for choosing to rent a property through us. We are a property management company that leases and cares for properties for a wide variety of property owners. The following information will be useful to you during the time you reside in one of our properties.

Issuance of Keys

Keys to your property will be issued on the day you are entitled to occupancy during our normal business hours. If the day you are entitled to occupancy falls on a Sunday or holiday, we will issue keys on the last business day before you are entitled to occupancy. All deposits and rent due must be paid prior to issuance of keys as well as security deposits to boroughs and municipalities.

Moving In

We have made every effort to have your home in good condition for your arrival. At the time you signed your rental agreement, you were provided with a Move-In Inspection form. The Move-In Inspection form is for your protection. You should list any pre-existing damage or deficiency in the property. We will utilize this form when we conduct the move-out inspection when you vacate the property. It is therefore in your best interest to carefully complete the form. Should you believe it necessary, you are welcome to provide photos or other documentation.

Payment of Rent

In all cases, your rent will be due on the first day of each month in our office. Rent is paid based on receipt in our office not postmarked date. We do not accept cash,credit cards or MAC cards.Checks or automatic payment from a checking or savings account are the preferred method of payment. Late fees are levied after the 3rd day of the month as stated on your rental agreement. WE DO NOT WAIVE LATE FEES. If we waive a late fee for one person, we are treating all others unfairly if we do not waive late fees for everyone.

Late Fee Policy

If your rent is received one or more days late you will be charged the late fee as set forth in the rental agreement. Your rental agreement states that rent, late charges, and other legitimate charges will be posted to the resident account. Payments received are applied to the oldest outstanding charge first. If there is an outstanding charge on your account when your rent is due, payments will be applied toward the outstanding charges first and then toward the current rent charge. If the payment is not sufficient to cover past due charges as well as the current rent charge, your current rent will be short. If the rent is short you will incur a late charge. To avoid late charges be sure to pay all rent timely and any charges posted on your account by the time your current rent is due.

Returned Checks

Your rental agreement states the amount you will be charged for each returned check. Our current fee is $30.00 for each check returned. You will be charged this fee even if the check clears upon re-submission to the bank. In addition, if the returned check is for payment of rent, you will be charged late fees through the date the check clears the bank .

Deposits

When you signed your rental agreement, you gave us a deposit to cover any potential damage to the property, cost of cleaning at the end of your residency, or unpaid rent. YOUR DEPOSIT MAY NOT BE USED AS YOUR LAST MONTHS RENT.

Generally, we want to receive the property clean, and in substantially the same condition as on your move in, normal wear and tear excepted.

This Refund Policy covers any conditions not identified in the written lease which governs the rights and responsibilities of the tenant. No other written or verbal commitment exists beyond the lease and this written policy.

Water, Sewer and Electric Service Through Ephrata Boro

For the large majority of our properties, the Ephrata Borough will be the water,sewer, electric and trash provider. You are required to submit a security deposit of $150 or $200 if your home heats with electric heat. This deposit is due and payable to Ephrata Borough 124 South State Street, Ephrata, Pa 17522 upon moving into a rental. If not paid within 2 weeks, your electric service will be subject to disconnection. Please call Ephrata Borough at 717-738-9222 with questions.

Maintenance

Maintenance and repairs are generally the items of most concern to our residents. For maintenance emergencies, please call our office at {717-733-4158}. Our voice mail system will give you instructions for reporting the emergency.

Minor maintenance issues should be reported to the property manager . It may take as long as two weeks to complete minor repairs. As property managers, we are required to get permission from the property owner prior to undertaking many repairs.

You will be billed for a service call under the following circumstances:

You scheduled a service call appointment and failed to be present at the scheduled time.
You requested service for a non-existent problem. This includes re-setting a breaker or Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) to restore electrical power and re-setting a breaker on a garbage disposal.
If you run out of oil and the furnace needs to be re-started.
The problem was caused by improper use of the provided facilities. The classic case is the child who flushes a toy or other item and which results in a clogged sewer line.
When you call a vendor directly for service and do not call the property manager first.
We do not send out an exterminator for the presence of ants, bed bugs or spiders.

Specific Maintenance Issues

Please pay particular attention to the following maintenance items:

Washing machine hoses. Should a washing machine hose break on a washing machine provided by you, you will be responsible for the cost of returning the property to good condition. Washing machine hoses are not designed for constant pressure. Water to the washing machine should be turned off at the wall between uses.
Dryer vents should be cleaned out on a regular basis
Lawn care, landscape maintenance and weed control if your lease requires it.
Please be sure to maintain and keep your home as neat and clean as possible.