a. Smokers make up less than 24% (now 21%) of the rental market and it is declining.  Once a smoker comes into the property, it ruins it for non-smokers.

b. Insurance companies statistics show that people smoking in bed are the major cause of house fires.  4RentSaint's insurance company rates reflect this risk.

c. 9 out of 10 wildfires are started by humans.

d. Try as 4RentSaint has to seal the dividing wall, the wall separating the two sides still transmits odors.

e. First hand smoke, second hand smoke, third hand smoke.  First hand only affects the smoker.  Second hand affects others near the smoker.  Third hand gets in materials and affects anyone who comes into contact with the material.  ["Your freedom ends where my nose begins." ~ unknown]

f. 4RentSaint does not want to have to watch the property continuously.

g. Smokers lie when they say they will only smoke outside.

h. "If you want to kill yourself smoking, go ahead.  There are too many people in the world now.  We need to get rid of a few of them.  Just as long as you do not take me with you." ~ Diogenes Soloman

i.  "Tobacco companies are really smart.  They get you to do something that you do not like (at least not initially).  They get you to do something that is not good for you.  AND they get YOU to pay for it.  Man, if that is not smart, I do not know what is.  I wish I was that smart!" ~ Diogenes Soloman
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 2. Why does each signatory to the Lease Agreement have to have their own email address?

a. MANY times one Tenant(s) does not communicate information to the other Tenant(s).

b. Each signatory has a right to equal access to any information provided by 4RentSaint.

c. When signatories vacate the premises, 4RentSaint may (will) have to get in touch with the Tenant(s) for legal matters including return of the Security Deposit.

d. When the Tenant(s) vacate the premises, the Tenant(s) often go the Tenant(s)'  separate ways and 4RentSaint OFTEN has to clarify conflicts and get in touch with EACH Tenant(s) individually.

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3. Why does the Tenant(s) have to have an email address?

a. An understanding of emails shows a minimum level of knowledge and intelligence that 4RentSaint would like to see in the potential Tenant(s).

b. Email provides a date and time stamp record of communication which a real computer geek COULD possibly change, but it would take a very long time and would probably be very obvious that it had been changed.

c. Emails prevent 4RentSaint from charging the Tenant(s) for Certified Letters on mundane matters.

d. Communication is the biggest problem in most organizations.  Hard copy of communication between 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) seal what was actually stated even though even writing may be interpreted differently which is why the legal system has a court system.

e. Snail mail addresses usually change when the Tenant(s) moves.

f.  Both cell and land line phone numbers can often change when the Tenant(s) moves.

g. Email addresses CAN follow the Tenant(s) wherever the Tenant(s) moves and thus provides a constant communication link to the Tenant(s).

h. Snail mail costs both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) money.

i. Cell phones cost money.  4RentSaint can not justify a cell phone for the rental property.  Phones in general waste time with phone tag.  Voice communication may be disputed in a court of law.

j. Land line phones cost money.  Voice communication may be disputed in a court of law.

k. Computers cost money, but many organizations [libraries, schools, businesses (both for employees [usually for business only although some allow personal use] and customers {Wi-Fi hot spots})] often provide free Internet access.

l. Cell phone service costs money.  Many organizations often provide free phone service, but its use is often for business only.

m. Land line phone service costs money.  Many organizations often provide free phone service, but its use is often for business only.

n. Internet service can cost money, {but DSL can be as cheap as a land line phone}, but many organizations [libraries, schools, businesses (both for employees and customers {Wi-Fi hot spots})] often provide free Internet access.

o. Computer service can cost money, {but DSL can be as cheap as a land line phone}, but many organizations [libraries, schools, businesses (both for employees and customers {Wi-Fi hot spots})] often provide free computer access.  Email saves both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) a lot of time and money.

p. Email allows communication between 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) no matter where either are.

q. Email overrides telephone tag.  People often call with questions that make no sense because they did not read the ads, signs, or fliers correctly.

r. Email does not discriminate.  For new inquiries, 4RentSaint can not tell who is at the other end of the email.

s.  If a Tenant(s) or someone else just tells 4RentSaint something, 4RentSaint may not remember it, one 4RentSaint may not tell the other members, or 4RentSaint may misinterpret what was said (just like Tenant(s)).

t.  4RentSaint can reduce the workload by creating a single email list that contains all Tenant(s)' email addresses.  Such a list also insures that all Tenant(s) receive exactly the same communication.

u.  So 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) can communicate regardless of where each is located.  For example.  4RentSaint went to another state for business.  4RentSaint had some car trouble.  4RentSaint could not find a pay phone.  4RentSaint did not have a cell phone.  Even if 4RentSaint did have a cell phone, the cell phone probably would not have worked in another state.  Most public libraries and many businesses have internet access which 4RentSaint DID use to communicate 4RentSaint's troubles with other people.

v.  For Tenant(s) who want to maintain a US residence, but who travel extensively, email provides a cheap way of maintaining contact with the Tenant(s) residence.

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4. I can not afford to pay for a computer and/or Internet access.  How can I receive emails on an attainable basis?

a. 4RentSaint does not require the Tenant(s) to have a computer or Internet access.  4RentSaint will print out each email that 4RentSaint sends the Tenant(s) and place it in the Tenant(s)'s door at the duplex ASAP to insure that the Tenant(s) gets the email in an appropriate time frame.  4RentSaint wants to keep the Tenant(s) informed of what is going on in order to prevent any time wasted on misunderstandings.  4RentSaint can help the Tenant(s) set up free email accounts and the public library has free computers and free internet access.  4RentSaint will not look when the Tenant(s) types in the Tenant(s)'s password.

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5. Why won't 4RentSaint cut off tree branches?

a. 4RentSaint will and does cut off dead branches, but cutting off good branches weakens the tree by depriving it of its food - sunshine.  Cutting a branch creates a structural weak spot when the branch continues to grow which it will.  Cutting a branch also creates a dead HARD point which really will punch out an eye.  Not cutting the branch leaves a branch tip that is light, flexible, and easily deflected by the eye.

b. Certain types of trees have limbs that naturally fall downward seeking light and no matter how high up one cuts the limbs the branches will always grow towards the ground.

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6. Why does the property have so many trees?

a. Trees create oxygen which humans breathe.

b. Trees act as wind breaks in the winter and air conditioners in the summer.  Landscaping guidelines suggest planting evergreens on the north side of a house to deflect cold north winds and snow, and deciduous trees on the south side to reduce the heat via the leaves in the summer and increase the heat in the winter when the leaves fall off the tree.  Such effects of the trees act to reduce the thermal stress on the building which reduces maintenance and to reduce the temperature extremes in the summer and winter and thus reduce the Tenant(s)'s utility bills, cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.  Trees act as wind breaks to reduce wind damage.

c. The trees in front act as barriers to runaway cars and as a shield against street and neighbor noise.

d. Trees enhance the beauty of the property.

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7. Why won't 4RentSaint let the Tenant(s) work on the property?

a. See "Murphy's Laws"above.

b. Many contractors do not do a good job.  Tenant(s) probably would not either.

c. When 4RentSaint does the maintenance, 4RentSaint sees other things that may need to be done at the same time that would reduce the amount of time that 4RentSaint will have to inconvenience the Tenant(s) and which will prevent even worse problems later on - preventive maintenance.  Most people do not even begin to comprehend the work involved in maintaining ANY property ESPECIALLY property more than 10 years old.  See the movie "The Money Pit".

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8. Why does 4RentSaint require 3 months rent up front?

a. Requiring 3 months rent allows 4RentSaint to rent to people who might not have the best credit or other history in the world.

b. Requiring 3 months rent provides us with an indication that the potential renter has started to use some good financial management, renters who are not just living day to day, but have plans for their lives.

c. The risk in a rental relationship is ALL on 4RentSaint.  Thus, 4RentSaint must cover this risk for people who do not have a good credit history.

d. 4RentSaint figures anyone who can come up with 3 months rent do not require a credit check which saves 4RentSaint and thus the applicant a large rental fee.

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9. What is under the tarp in the driveway?

a. An International Harvester 21 foot cargo truck.

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10. Why is the truck in the driveway?

a. The truck holds construction materials that have been used for the last 6 years working on the duplex.

b.  The truck is being used as a shed and a workshop for the duplex also.

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11. When will the truck be gone?

a. As soon as possible, but work is STILL (always) being done on the property, a new end wall needs to be constructed on the truck, the truck needs to be painted, and a place to move the truck to needs to be prepared.  When the truck leaves, the Side A rent will go to $675.00 and Side B rent will go to $700.00.  The truck has been there for the last 6 tenants and the Side A rent has been $650.00/month for the next to last 5 tenants.

b. One applicant when told the time frame decided not to rent.  Why is it OK for applicants to be picky and not 4RentSaint?  Do not like the truck?  Well, 4RentSaint does not like it either!  But it has to be there for a while.  The truck may be a truck, but 4RentSaint is using it as a shed.  4RentSaint has to get 4RentSaint's money out of the truck some how.  Working on the truck is the same as working on the shed in the back yard.  4RentSaint can not even move the truck until 4RentSaint gets some work done on the property.  The truck has been there for the last 6 tenants and 4RentSaint has been getting $650.00/month for Side A.  Stuff is gradually being moved from the back yard shed to the truck shed so the Tenant(s) can use the shed in the back yard.

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12. Why can over night guests only stay for two weeks a year?

a. Two weeks is a standard in most leases and a standard vacation length.  Anything past two weeks is considered "living at the premises".  Two weeks overnight is the Tenant(s)'s limit not the guests.  If someone wants to stay longer, they should simply fill out an application and 4RentSaint will consider them just like any other applicant.

b. Simple mathematics.  The more people who live at the premises, the more likely damage will be done.

c. Would the Tenant(s) want someone the Tenant(s) does not know living in the Tenant(s)'s bedroom?  Hardly!  Well, 4RentSaint does not want someone 4RentSaint does not know living in the duplex.

d.  ANYONE who lives at the rental property SHOULD be held accountable for the Lease Agreement requirements for both 4RentSaint and any other Tenant(s)'s equality.

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13. Why would 4RentSaint expect the Tenant(s) to pay for damages? (4RentSaint can not believe this one.)

a. ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!!  Free will!!!!  Free enterprise!  People are responsible for their actions in any civil society.   "Your freedom ends where my nose begins!"  Simple geometry shows that there is no such thing as unlimited freedom.

b. Rent barely covers normal wear and tear and 4RentSaint, other property owners, and the legal system interpret this very strictly.  Better mop the floor when you get it wet or dirty.

c. Renting property is NOT the same as owning the property.  Damaging rental property is the same as damaging property the Tenant(s) is NOT renting.  Damaging the property is a criminal matter.  Not repairing or paying for the damage is a civil matter.

d. One of the axioms of economics is that "There no such thing as a free lunch."  Basically, if rental owners can not make money, then there will be no rental property for renters to rent.  All rental property owners are subject to the same Laws of Nature [See the "Declaration of Independence"!] as everyone else; in this case economics.  (See the Wintergreen example above.)

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14. Why is the Tenant(s) required to notify 4RentSaint when guests stay past 11:00PM?

a. Anyone who stays past 11:00PM is considered an overnight guest.

b. So both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) can keep track of how many overnights the Tenant(s) has used.

c. So 4RentSaint can build a trust in the Tenant(s) such that 4RentSaint does not have to drive by every night and every morning to make sure no one is staying overnight.

d. 4RentSaint can not think of a better method to insure that a non-Tenant(s) is not living at the duplex.  4RentSaint welcomes any suggestions to improve this requirement.

e. So 4RentSaint does not accidentally call the police when 4RentSaint sees someone 4RentSaint does not know wandering around the property at night.

f. Many apartments and businesses have doormen (greeters at Walmart), desk clerks (customer service), security guards, and surveillance cameras and actually market these as an asset to the customer.  4RentSaint does not have the resources to have all these items and so 4RentSaint must stop by and/or drive by to keep an eye on the property for maintenance, security, and Lease Agreement compliance.  Having the Tenant(s) call about over night guests can save both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) a lot of headaches.

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15. Why does 11:00 PM define what an overnight guest is?

a. Can an applicant justify any other time to define what an overnight stay is?  If so, tell 4RentSaint!

b. The City of Charlottesville and many governments set curfews (limits) on businesses, drivers, etc. all the time.  Recently, a restaurant was effectively shut down by the city because of complaints by the neighbors.

c.  11:00 PM is not the only criteria defined as "living" or "guest" at the rental property.  ANY continual activity or extended stay at the rental property may be interpretted as "living" or "guest" at the rental property.

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16. Why are Tenant(s) required to AGREE to take drug tests when requested by 4RentSaint?

a. The Tenant(s) benefits from such a requirement.  YES, really.  ALL leases written or otherwise implicitly and usually explicitly specify that the Tenant(s) must obey ALL laws.  Unfortunately, "Innocent until proven guilty!" does not apply to businesses.  Personally, 4RentSaint wishes it did.  Businesses do not have to prove that one is guilty of a crime.  4RentSaint can ask the Tenant(s) to leave if 4RentSaint suspects that the Tenant(s) is violating a law.  As business owners, 4RentSaint does not have to prove guilt.  This requirement actually provides a means for the Tenant(s) to prove the Tenant(s)'s innocence!

b. New Virginia drug laws can tie 4RentSaint's property up in court for years.

c. 4RentSaint does not want police damaging 4RentSaint's property by knocking down the doors and windows.  A smoke grenade could burn the property down.

d. Having drug users at a property can kill any future marketing of the property and significantly decrease its market value.  If the Tenant(s) does not do drugs, the Tenant(s) has nothing to worry about.

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17. Why is the Tenant(s) required to provide an annual or tenure  summary showing specific dates, usage, and cost of the Tenant(s)'s utilities?

a. 4RentSaint uses the data for marketing and maintenance purposes.  [Potential tenants ask for the information.]  If 4RentSaint has to pay for any billing information, the amount will be charged to the Tenant(s)'s Security Deposit.  If the information is not provided on an annual and tenure (a partial year) basis, then $100.00 will be charged to the Security Deposit for each incident.  4RentSaint has absolutely no interest in how much or little of the utilities a given Tenant(s) may use.  That is completely up to the Tenant(s).  The Tenant(s) can allocate the Tenant(s)'s resources however the Tenant(s) may wish.  However, data points need to be specific in terms or dates, amount, and type (gas, water, sewer, electricity).  Although the City of Charlottesville combines the gas, water and sewer data into one form, the usage is broken into sewer and water in both amount and cost and should be reported similarly.  Dominion Virgina Power will only release the data to the bill payer.  Per the Lease Agreement no identity will be associated with the data made public.  4RentSaint also allows the applicant to sign a Utility Information Athorization form to allow 4RentSaint to acquire the information, but the Tenant(s) will be responsible for any charges.

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18. Why is the Tenant(s) required to notify 4RentSaint at least 24 hours before going away for a day or more?

a. So 4RentSaint can schedule maintenance without inconveniencing the Tenant(s).  It is to the Tenant(s)'s advantage to have work done when the Tenant(s) is not there.  4RentSaint assumes that the Tenant(s) wants 4RentSaint to keep the property in good shape.

b. So 4RentSaint can keep an eye (security) on the property in the absence of the Tenant(s).

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19. Why does 4RentSaint only give the Tenant(s) one key to one lock?

a. To keep costs and thus rent down.

b. So 4RentSaint does not have to change every lock in the property and charge the Tenant(s)'s Security Deposit for the change.  Hiring locksmiths can easily cost the entire Security Deposit.

c. The Tenant(s) does not need more keys to be secure.  The rental has storm doors (which a lot of rentals do not have).  When away from the apartment, the Tenant(s) has two locks on the rear entrance and one lock on the front entrance that the Tenant(s) can lock.  When the Tenant(s) is at the apartment, the Tenant(s) has two locks on the rear entrance and THREE locks on the front entrance that the Tenant(s) can lock.  All the (new) windows have locks.

d. Anyway, the Tenant(s) by law is required to provide 4RentSaint with the key to any lock that the Tenant(s) might install.  The Lease Agreement requires 4RentSaint's permission to do any work on the property.

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20. Why does 4RentSaint keep coming over to the property?

a. The History Channel : "Life After People" , i.e. maintenance!  Most people do not realize how much work is involved in maintaining ANY property and how quickly Mother Nature takes it toll on ANY property.

b. Lease Agreement compliance.

c. Preventive maintenance costs less than rebuilding.  Some rental owners bleed the property to death to get as much money as possible out of the property.  4RentSaint is in the property for the long haul and preventive maintenance reduces 4RentSaint's work load in the long term.  However, 4RentSaint is currently trying to get the property into maintenance only stage so that 4RentSaint will not have to work on the property almost every day instead of its current repair stage.

d. When regular maintenance is done by 4RentSaint, 4RentSaint finds more severe problems that need to be dealt with.

e. Different maintenance items have different time frames.  Smoke detector tests, grass cutting, sidewalk cleaning usually is suppose to be or should be scheduled every two weeks.  Furnace filters need to be changed almost every month depending upon the type of furnace and filter.  Newer water heaters are suppose to be drained once a month.  Please see the Maintenance Calendar.

f.  Security!

g. What does the Tenant(s) have to hide?

h. Most people do not even begin to comprehend the work involved in maintaining ANY property ESPECIALLY property more than 10 years old.  See the movie "The Money Pit". Every real estate person knows the problems associated with property more than 10 years.  4RentSaint has been working almost constantly on the property for the last 7 years and STILL has a lot of work to do.  At least, 20 necessary fixes are needed and 3 improvements are desired.  4RentSaint is trying to get the property into reasonably sustainable condition SO 4RentSaint will not HAVE to constantly work on the property.

i.  "This Old House" magazine illustrated the power of Mother Nature by showing a picture of some garden steps that were overgrown.  Then they cleaned the steps and showed another picture of the garden steps about 2 months later.  The garden steps were already completely overgrown.

j.  Public and commercial buildings have to have their elevators and fire alarm-sprinkler systems inspected regularly, usually by the local government.  Autos have to have their oil, radiator fluid, power steering, brakes, windshield wipers, fuel filters, tires, brake fluid, air filters, tire pressure, etc checked and changed on a regular basis.   Even maintenance tools like lawn mowers have to be serviced regularly.  Computers require constant maintenance. The government inspects cars, trains, planes, elevators, sprinklers, houses, businesses, etc.  Why would a tenant think that their accommodations would NOT have to be inspected?  Why would a tenant think that rental property would be any different?  Is it an inconvenience?  Yes.  Is it necessary?  Yes.

k.  Unfortunately, most items that have to be checked or serviced on a regular basis are inside the apartment which is why 4RentSaint needs to enter the apartment on a monthly basis.  Most checks only take a few minutes so doing so should not be that big of an inconvenience.  Other maintenance may take longer, a couple of hours at least, however. 

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21. Why does 4RentSaint require the rent to be provided three days before the first of the month?

a. So that the rent will not "get lost in the mail"!

b. As the eviction process starts immediately, the three day advance provides an alarm to 4RentSaint that something is wrong and so 4RentSaint can get the error fixed before having to start the eviction process.  Maybe the Tenant(s) has been incapacitated or has decided to move out and has not informed 4RentSaint, etc.  There could be a number of valid and reasonable causes for the delay that may warrant a late fee, but not eviction, so the three day advance really protects the Tenant(s) as well as 4RentSaint.

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22. Why doesn't 4RentSaint talk to the Tenant(s)?

a. 4RentSaint, for ethical reasons, keeps 4RentSaint's personal lives and professional lives separate.  Lending money to a friend is the quickest way to lose a friend.  Likewise in any business venture.  When professional relationships develop into personal ones, the Tenant(s) often expects favored treatment which for legal reasons 4RentSaint can not do.

b. 4RentSaint talks to the Tenant(s) as little as possible to maintain a sense of privacy for the Tenant(s).  Emails are less intrusion than personal contact or telephone conversations.

c. Again, communication is the biggest problem in any organization.  By the Lease Agreement, nothing 4RentSaint states overrides the Lease Agreement.  A psychologist actually performed an experiment by lining up a hundred people.  The psychologist instructed the individuals to silently whisper what was told to them into the next person's ear.  The psychologist whispered something into the first individual's ear.  The last person whispered what he had been told into the psychologist's ear.  The information was completely different from what the psychologist had initially said.  The message was "lost in the translation".  Telling 24 people something gets 24 different interpretations of what was said.  "People hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe regardless of what the facts are or what was actually stated." ~ Diogenes Soloman.  Writing is more (but not absolutely) determinant.

d.  For legal reasons, 4RentSaint likes to document all communication.  So should the Tenant(s).

e.  If the Tenant(s) wants to talk that is fine, but 4RentSaint does not have the time to stand there while the Tenant(s) is simply running the Tenant(s)'s mouth.  4RentSaint has things to do.  Many Tenant(s) enjoy talking so much that 4RentSaint can not get a word in edgewise.  Thus, 4RentSaint can not present information about the property to the Tenant(s) in a logical fashion.

f.  Sometimes the information that 4RentSaint has to present to the Tenant(s) is not always viewed favorably by the Tenant(s) and the Tenant(s) begins to yell and/or get confrontational.  A Tenant(s) does not have to like the information presented and can even get mad, but 4RentSaint does not want to be there or on the phone when the Tenant(s) does.

g.  ALL Tenant(s) have an equal right to ALL information transmitted.  By talking to a single Tenant(s), 4RentSaint may communicate something to a single Tenant(s) that 4RentSaint or the Tenant(s) may forget to tell other Tenant(s).  See 49 below.  Even if there is only one Tenant(s), 4RentSaint prefers to remain consistent in dealing with all Tenant(s).

h.  4RentSaint has a tendency to be too nice and that gets 4RentSaint into trouble by promising too much and things that can not be delivered and which 4RentSaint later regrets agreeing to.  The Lease Agreement actually states that NOTHING that 4RentSaint says overrides the Lease Agreement.

i.  Physics, Mother Nature, the human body can create situations where literally what one person says is NOT what the other person hears!  Yes really!

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23. Why does 4RentSaint rent month to month yet require the Tenant(s) to stay at least six months or to sacrifice half of the Security Deposit?

a. The risk factor!  Tenant(s) can do a lot of damage in a small amount of time and 4RentSaint wants to be able to get a destructive Tenant(s) out of the duplex as soon as possible and renting on a month to month basis gives 4RentSaint much more legal leeway.  Good Tenant(s) have nothing to worry about.  ALL rental property owners want to rent property as long and as continuous as possible.

b. The month to month is for 4RentSaint's benefit not the Tenant(s)'s although such a time frame does allow the Tenant(s) to move at a time that may be convenient to the Tenant(s) and not to 4RentSaint.  4RentSaint does NOT want the Tenant(s) to come in for a few months and then leave because of the overhead associated with marketing a property.  However, the Lease Agreement MUST be enforced.

c.  The loss of half of the Security Deposit before a six month stay is required simply to get the 4RentSaint's money back from the marketing and labor costs.

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24. Why does 4RentSaint charge Certified Letters to the Tenant(s)'s Security Deposits?

a. In rental property, enforcement in most rental agreements is kind of an all or nothing deal.  4RentSaint either kicks the Tenant(s) out or lets the Tenant(s) stay.  Sending Certified Letters is a lot of work so 4RentSaint only uses them as a last resort, but the procedures for covering all possibilities have to be in effect upon signing the lease.  Charging for Certified Letters lets the Tenant(s) know that 4RentSaint is serious about enforcing a tenet of the Lease Agreement without having to kick the Tenant(s) out.  But a Tenant(s) can save the Tenant(s) and 4RentSaint a lot of trouble just by reviewing the Lease Agreement occasionally to insure that the Tenant(s) is complying with the Lease Agreement.

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25. Why does 4RentSaint require a copy of an applicant's driver's license?

a. No it is not to keep out illegal aliens although that may be a side effect.  Many people have fake driver's licenses.  Drivers' licenses, although not a fool proof system, do provide some measure of an applicant's identity, honesty, reliability in getting things done on time (like rent payments), etc.

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26. Why does 4RentSaint not give out applications when people visit the property?

a. Marketing material can easily cost $500.00 every time 4RentSaint markets the property.  4RentSaint used to give out fliers and applications when prospective applicants stopped by, but often the sightseers are not really serious.  Thus, 4RentSaint has initiated web and email communication to provide applicants with all the information.  Applicants often take an application and NEVER fill them out.  Copies of the Lease Agreement never seem to return either.  That costs money.

b. 4RentSaint wants applicants to read ALL the information (now) on the web site to insure that the applicants are serious and so the applicants understand exactly what their responsibilities are.

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27. Why does 4RentSaint have so many forms to fill out?

a. Looking on the web, one will find at least 25 forms that property managers use.  4RentSaint only uses about 5 forms.

b. The forms and procedures that 4RentSaint uses are actually to the Tenant(s)'s benefit as much as 4RentSaint's.  Most laws and leases are a two edge sword.  4RentSaint establishes procedures as much as to prevent 4RentSaint from having to evict a Tenant(s) as to evict them.  Yes, really!  Remember 4RentSaint does not want to evict anyone!  Most Tenant(s) are NOT well informed of the Tenant(s)'s responsibilities.  The procedures and forms are also to remind the Tenant(s) so that the Tenant(s) does not do something that will force 4RentSaint to evict the Tenant(s).  Remember, 4RentSaint wants to earn money not evict the Tenant(s).  BUT the Lease Agreement has to be enforced.

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28. Why does 4RentSaint make the Tenant(s) read the Lease Agreement out loud before signing?

a. A copy of the full Lease Agreement is not given to the applicants until the day of signing unless the applicants are willing to read the lease in the presence of 4RentSaint.  Applicants often take a lease to read and then never return it.  Leases cost a lot of money to print.  An old copy of the Lease Agreement is on the web.  Reading the Lease Agreement out loud insures that the Tenant(s) has read the Lease Agreement at least once and thus can not complain that the Tenant(s) did not know what was in the Lease Agreement (as if that was an excuse).  Most people lie and say they have read it when in reality they have not.

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29. Why is the Lease Agreement so long?

a. The Lease Agreement is no longer than any lease that one signs at an apartment complex.  Apartment leases are on legal size paper in print so small that one can hardly read it.  4RentSaint WANTS the Tenant(s) to understand what 4RentSaint's and the Tenant(s)'s responsibilities are.  Thus, the print is large enough to easily read and spaces are included for clarity.  4RentSaint also tries to make the Lease Agreement as specific as possible in an attempt to eliminate any confusion or disagreement.

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30. Why does 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) have to initial each page of the Lease Agreement?

a. To insure that neither party tries to slip in a different page.

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31. Why does 4RentSaint provide a locked mailbox (dropbox) for leaving the rent payment IF the Tenant(s)  desires to do so?

a. The wind can not blow the rent away.

b. The rain or snow can not get the rent wet.

c. No one can take the rent.

d. 4RentSaint can tell if the rent has met the deadline.

e. The Tenant(s) can deliver the rent when 4RentSaint is not available and/or at the Tenant(s)'s convenience.

f.  In case the Tenant(s) does not trust the US Postal Service to deliver the rent on time.  "The check is in the mail." does NOT excuse the Tenant(s) from meeting the three day deadline for RECEIVING the rental payment.  The deadline is NOT the SENT time, but the RECEIVED time.  Because 4RentSaint does not cash any check until the first of the month, the Tenant(s) is welcome to send the check much earlier to insure that it does not get "lost in the mail".

g.  To insure that neither Owner(s) absconds with the check or does not tell the other Owner(s) that it has been paid.

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32. Can the Tenant(s) pay in cash?

a. Yes.  However, in the presence of both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s), any cash must be counted by the Tenant(s) and then by 4RentSaint when being given to 4RentSaint and the reverse when being given to the Tenant(s).

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33. Will 4RentSaint give the Tenant(s) a receipt?

a. 4RentSaint will only give a receipt for cash because a check, certified check, money order could possibly be stopped or forged.  The Tenant(s) also may not have sufficient funds to cover the check.  All checks will show up in the Tenant(s)'s accounts.

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34. Why do ALL Tenant(s) have to sign and initial the Lease Agreement?

a. Because anyone who lives at the apartment who is or becomes during tenancy 18 or older must be a signatory to the Lease Agreement.

b. Because EACH Tenant is responsible for the ENTIRE Lease Agreement and finances.

c.  Free will and accountability.  Every person SHOULD be held accountable for their actions in any society.

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35. Why does the Tenant(s) have to keep the front yard clear?

a. In two words, the neighbors.

b. For marketing purposes.  4RentSaint wants the property to look nice when a potential renter drives by.

c.  For safety reasons, because other people (visitors, contractors, other tenants) often use the common areas and CAN cross the other tenants property in certain circumstances.

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36. Can the Tenant(s) barbecue at the duplex?

a. Yes, but the grill must be at least 30 feet away from the building in the backyard only because black soot coats the building otherwise.  There is plenty of flat area near the rear property line.

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37. Why does 4RentSaint think that 4RentSaint can come into the apartment without a warrant?

a. ALL rental property owners can enter their rental without a warrant.  The rental property is 4RentSaint's property NOT the Tenant(s)'s.  4RentSaint has the right to insure that 4RentSaint's property is well maintained by the Tenant(s).  Indeed, the law REQUIRES 4RentSaint to take care of rental (ANY) property just like 4RentSaint must take care of 4RentSaint's home property.  This requirement provides the rationale for 4RentSaint to have access to the apartment.  Legally, by law and the Lease Agreement, 4RentSaint CAN come into the apartment after giving the Tenant(s) 24 hour notice.  As the Introduction states, what legal authorities can not do is not the same as what 4RentSaint can not do.  4RentSaint does not even want to be at the property, but Mother Nature and Tenant Nature insist on it.

By extension, the Tenant(s) must also be held accountable for the condition of the property which means that 4RentSaint must inspect the property on a regular basis to insure that the Tenant(s) is not damaging the property.  Renting property does NOT give the Tenant(s) the right to destroy the property anymore than the Tenant(s) has the right to destroy ANY property that the Tenant(s) does not own.  Certain types of one's own property can not even be destroyed without permission from the government.  Yes, really!!!!  (Even 4RentSaint finds this difficult to believe.)  4RentSaint would think that the Tenant(s) would want 4RentSaint to maintain the property.  Wait until the toilet flows over and see how fast the Tenant(s) wants 4RentSaint in the apartment.

4RentSaint, as a matter of courtesy, USUALLY gives the Tenant(s) about a week's notice before coming into the apartment.  Such an extended time frame should give the Tenant(s) more than enough time to immediately schedule another date and time for the apartment access IF the original date and time are inconvenient to the Tenant(s).  No guarantees in this regard however.  4RentSaint expects the same courtesy from the Tenant(s).  After notice, 4RentSaint can NOT be kept out of the apartment.  Attempting to do so will only irritate 4RentSaint and get the Tenant(s) evicted really quick.  Also, the Tenant(s) does not HAVE to be present when 4RentSaint comes into the apartment, but the Tenant(s) has the right and is welcome to be present.  Most people do not even begin to comprehend how much work is involved in maintaining ANY property.

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38. Why does 4RentSaint stalk the Tenant(s)?

a.  4RentSaint is NOT stalking ANYONE.  Stalking means following the Tenant(s) wherever the Tenant(s) goes.  4RentSaint does not care what the Tenant(s) does away from the rental property as long as their actions do not affect the rental property when the Tenant(s) returns.  4RentSaint does not have the time or desire to stalk anyone.   4RentSaint does not even want to be at the rental property unless absolutely necessary.  However, 4RentSaint does have to keep an eye on the property for both maintenance, lease considerations, and security.  Most repair books have a regular maintenance schedule for any property.  See the Maintenance Calendar.

b.  4RentSaint does not have doormen, desk clerks, security guards, security cameras, and maintenance personnel to keep a constant eye on the property like some apartment complexes, so 4RentSaint must do it 4RentSaint's self.

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a.  After property taxes, insurance, mortgage payments, normal maintenance, marketing, legal fees, vacancies, etc, most rental property owners are lucky to even break even.  Contractors charge an arm and a leg and 75% of them do a lousy job that is not up to code.  Even the big well known contractors do not seem to know what the Uniform Building Code is.

b. When regular maintenance is done by 4RentSaint, 4RentSaint finds more severe problems that need to be dealt with.

c. Different maintenance items have different time frames.  User manuals specify specific intervals for testing, cleaning, replacing their products.  Smoke detector tests, grass cutting, sidewalk cleaning usually is suppose to be or should be scheduled every two week.  Furnace filters need to be changed and water heaters are supposed to be drained almost every month depending upon the type of furnace and filter.  Please see the Maintenance Calendar.  No one can afford to hire someone to do all these items.

d. Managing contractors takes almost as much time as 4RentSaint doing the work.

e. Some "Honey do list" items are so labor intensive that hiring someone to do them would be so expensive as to make hiring a contractor simply impractical.

a.  Of course not!  Why would anyone think that doing something that is not agreed to in the Lease Agreement would be ok.  The Lease Agreement is just like public laws.  Not all public laws are enforced strictly simply because of resources in time, money, etc., but the lack of enforcement does not make breaking a law legal.  Likewise, with the Lease Agreement.  Resources and cost-benefit tradeoffs influence action.  Eventually, time and resources will usually catch up with a crook and a tenant.  Even though 4RentSaint may not enforce a tenet of the Lease Agreement right away does not mean that 4RentSaint will forget or forgive violations of the Lease Agreement.  Think of the TV program Cold Case Files on A&E.

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54.  Why can't the Tenant(s) expect 4RentSaint to fix a hazardous situation, but 4RentSaint can force the Tenant(s) to stop doing something hazardous?

a.  In management terms, it depends upon the situation including the time frame, when the hazardous situation occurred relative to the signing of the Lease Agreement, to whom the situation is hazardous, and other environmental-logical parameters.

4RentSaint is not required to explain the law or the Lease Agreement to Tenant(s).  Indeed, the Lease Agreement clearly states, "(This is a legally binding contract.  If not understood, seek competent advice before signing.)"  Indeed, the law frowns on non-lawyers giving legal advice.  However, most man made laws are or SHOULD be based upon the Natural Laws of Nature (see the Declaration of Independence), like logic, math, science, etc.  One can pass a law that says that gravity flows up, but that would not make it true.  Thus, 4RentSaint is explaining logic.

There are two states in legal terminology.  Before the contract and after the contract.  Pre-existing conditions and post contract conditions.  Pre-existing conditions are conditions (even dangerous ones) that existed before the contract was signed and that the signatory accepted when the signatory signed the contract. 

For example, skiing, driving, sky diving, scuba diving, mountain climbing, hiking, amusement park rides.  When one gets a driver's license, one accepts the conditions of the automotive transportation system.  One can not sue the government because the roads are winding, steep, rainy, snowy, icy, or in poor condition.  One can not sue Mother Nature either.  Indeed, the government holds the driver accountable for controlling the motor vehicle under ALL conditions.  4RentSaint does not know the legal term for this, but 4RentSaint calls this "reasonable cognizance".  Likewise, when one goes skiing, etc.  Indeed, some people do things BECAUSE of the risk, because the risk gives them a sense of excitement.

b.  Half of the improvements to the property in the last 7 years have been improvements in the safety of the property, so 4RentSaint is definitely concerned about safety, but cost-benefit and responsibility must enter the equation.  Indeed, maintenance is 90% about safety.  See the History Channel "Life After People".  Are there dangerous things at the duplex that still need to be fixed?  Of course.  The slippery porch has almost fixed itself.  Does this situation make 4RentSaint hypocritical about requiring the Tenant(s) to fix dangerous situations that the Tenant(s) has created?  Not at all.  At least 4RentSaint pointed out the problem and was honest about the condition.  Once pointed out 4RentSaint expected the Tenant(s) to use "reasonable cognizance".  The slippery porch was a "pre-existing condition" that the Tenant(s) knew about before hand and agreed to live with. 

4RentSaint has 1. Replaced the handrails on the front driveway steps.  2. Repaired the back porches several times.  3. Painted white stripes on the porch, step edges, and walkways.  4.  Put patio blocks from the driveway to the front steps.  5. Put railroad ties and planted trees in front to stop runaway motor vehicles.  6.  Chopped down a pine tree that might fall on the duplex.  7. Installed motion detector flood lights on the sides of the building.  8. Installed dead bolt locks on all exterior doors.  9. Thrown straw on bare paths to prevent slippage.  10.  Installed smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in most rooms.  11. Installed fire extinquishers in most rooms.  12. Installed grab bars in the Side B bathroom.  13.  Re-enforced the pull down stairs.  14. Put twice the number of supports as required by code under the closet shelves.  15. Put exhaust fans in the attic.  16.  Put FIVE lights in each attic.  17. Put two FIVE light sets of lights in the crawl space.  18. Put locks on all the storage doors.  19. Re-inforced the cracking foundation.  19.  Has trimmed the dead limbs off of trees.  20.  Is constantly sweeping the driveway steps.

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55.  How come my copy of the Lease Agreement looks different from the other Tenant(s)'s copy?

a.  Because it may indeed be different.

b.  Different office software - word processing - (or any similar software for that matter) handles the same information differently.  4RentSaint tries to use free open source software (Open Office) whenever possible to reduce costs (and hence rent) and most office software is often not exactly compatible with other office software such as Microsoft Office.  For example, Open Office can not handle Microsoft Office's margin border art.  Open Office has other attributes that Microsoft Office does not however and is highly recommended.

c.  Even different versions of the same office software (or any software for that matter) may not be exactly compatible (especially Microsoft Office [planned obsolescence!]{Is one version of software really more useful than a prior version?  Sometimes yes, but most times no for the average user.  The user is effectively FORCED to upgrade anyway.}).
 
d.  The environment [legal, technical, economic, Mother Nature, etc.] may require 4RentSaint's documents to change. 

e.  Having printers print multiple copies of a given document often wastes paper and money because the document may not be able to be used in the next contract [especially for small operations like 4RentSaint's].

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a.  Duh!  How else is 4RentSaint suppose to know where to send the Last Month's Rent and the Security Depost?  4RentSaint TRIES to live up to its motto.

b.  The law requires it!  If the Tenant(s) does NOT provide a forwarding address (And believe it or not, some Tenant(s) do not, which is why 4RentSaint requires email addresses.), the law requires 4RentSaint to send a Certified Letter (for which 4RentSaint charges the Tenant(s) a fee) to the old address (the property the Tenant(s) just vacated) with a letter and calculation of the funds to be returned (but no actual funds).  The funds are not to be sent by law until a forwarding address is provided by the former Tenant(s)!   4RentSaint actually got into trouble when 4RentSaint sent the refund immediately!

c.  4RentSaint does not know how much funds to return until after the CheckInOut process has been done and that usually is not done until the Tenant(s) has completely moved out. 

d.  4RentSaint actually spent a month trying to track down a Tenant(s) to give the Tenant(s)'s money back.  4RentSaint wants to be honest, but would rather NOT spend a lot of time trying to hunt someone down.

e.  At the very least the Tenant(s) should put a forwarding address in with the U. S. Postal Service.

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a.  To protect both parties! 

b.  Determining the exact amount of the funds to be returned can not be done immediately without some calculation.

c.  If any difference can not be resolved immediately, or if any differences arise after the fact.  Sometimes a later inspection may point out something that was not seen before.

d.  Prior charges to the Security Deposit have to be prorated from the time of the occurence to return the proper interest.

e.  4RentSaint, as a matter of courtesy, TRIES to get the Security Deposit to the Tenant(s) as soon possible, but the transition from one Tenant(s) to another Tenant(s) can get pretty hectic.  The law actually allows 45 days, but even when one Tenant(s) had a dispute, 4RentSaint was able to get the Security Deposit to the Tenant(s) in two weeks.

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58.  Why does 4RentSaint even have a CheckInOut process?

a. To protect both parties! 

b. The CheckInOut Form provides a hard copy of the actual state of the property as determined by both parties when moving in and when moving out.

c. To provide a common baseline for determining how much damage or loss has been done by the Tenant(s) and, thus, how much funds to return to the outgoing Tenant(s).  [4RentSaint must say that exept for one, all the Tenant(s) have left the property in pretty good shape.  Thank you very much former Tenant(s)!!!!]

d. To resolve any differences between 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) BEFORE moving in or moving out so that both parties feel equally treated by the other party. 

e. No one, 4RentSaint nor Tenant(s), can remember the original state of the property at the time the Tenant(s) occupies the property after a certain amount of time.  The CheckInOut Form provides an agreed proof of the condition of the property at the time that the Tenant(s) moved in.

f.  If for some reason, the property is sold to another owner, the Tenant(s) and buyer both know the condition of the property when the Tenant(s) first occupied the property.

g.  The law requires it.

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59.  How does the CheckInOut process work?

a. The CheckInOut Form has a list of all the aspects of the rental - property and materials (Rental Utility Kit, filters, etc.) - and two sets of spaces for each item.  One for moving in and one for moving out.

b. The lined spaces are for the parties to write down the condition of the items being examined.

c. When moving in, the Tenant(s) goes through the CheckInOut first.  Then 4RentSaint goes through the CheckInOut comparing what 4RentSaint sees with what the Tenant(s) has written.

d. Any differences in what the Tenant(s) writes and what 4RentSaint writes is resolved by both parties.  (Usually 4RentSaint does not see any differences, but sometimes the Tenant(s) does find something that 4RentSaint does not know about and vice versa.)

e. Both parties sign the CheckInOut Form in the spaces for check in signatures.

f.  Copies of the CheckInOut Form are made for ALL parties.

g. When the Tenant(s) decides to move out, the CheckInOut process is repeated in reverse.

h. 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) compare their copies of the initial CheckInOut form to insure that both are the same.

i. 4RentSaint takes one copy and goes through the rental to write down the condition of the items being examined.

j. Then, the Tenant(s) follows behind 4RentSaint to verify what 4RentSaint has written.

k. Any differences in what the Tenant(s) writes and what 4RentSaint writes is resolved by both parties.

l. Both parties sign the CheckInOut Form in the spaces for check in signatures.

m. Copies of the CheckInOut Form are made for ALL parties.

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60. Why does 4RentSaint limit the number of unrelated Tenant(s) to only four?

a.  City building code requires a certain amount of space for each individual so 4RentSaint limits the number of Tenant(s).

b.  The plumbing system is not designed to handle more than four people.

c.  The more Tenant(s) the greater the probability of damage occurring.  
4RentSaint may begin to adjust the rent depending upon the number of Tenant(s) to cover this risk, but will still limit the number of Tenant(s) to four.

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61.  Can a Tenant(s) pay by electronic transfer?

a. If the financial institution that the Tenant(s) does business with can meet all the Lease Agreement requirements, 4RentSaint has no problem with electronic transfer.

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62.  Why does 4RentSaint send the the Tenant(s) so many emails?

a.  It is called "communication".  All organizations have to communicate (to their customers, to their contractors, to their governments, to their partners, to their employees) to run their organizations.  Real estate is a business.  Why would a Tenant(s) think that 4RentSaint would not have to communicate with the Tenant(s) on a constant basis? 

b.  Half the emails are because the Tenant(s) does not do as the Lease Agreement states.  Reading and complying with the Lease Agreement would cut down on a lot of the need to communicate with the Tenant(s) at all.  If the Tenant(s) wants privacy, then read the Lease Agreement.

c.  4RentSaint is constantly doing things to the property or within the organization that might concern the Tenant(s) or affect the Tenant(s) in some way.  As a matter of courtesy, 4RentSaint tries to keep the Tenant(s) informed.

d. 4RentSaint has heard that some people do not like to read.  Well, tough cookies.  How does one expect to get through life without reading?  All legal documents are written for good reason.  Because hard copy is the only way to insure that everyone (not just the signatories) knows what was agreed to.  The Lease Agreement clearly states that email is to be used for mundane communication for both lega, cost (to save both the Tenant(s) and 4RentSaint money on mundane matters), and documentation purposes (within the parameters of the law, technically Certified Letters are required by law but 4RentSaint reserves those for severe communication purposes and are sent only when absolutely necessary).  How can disputes be resolved if there is no baseline from which to start?  Prior emails have explained this in detail.  The only people who oppose using email are those who are too ignorant to use it, want to get away with something illegal, and/or who want to plead "plausible denial".  All organizations must communicate in order to do business.  Rental property is no different.

e.  If one goes to a party, a conference, a meeting that lasts any time at all, and, if every time that one spoke it represented an email, how many emails would one have sent in a few hours or days?  Quite a few surely.  4RentSaint's emails cover MONTHS!  Not hours.  Unfortunately, this example is not the best because for some people there would be only ONE email, but it would be infinitely long because some people NEVER shut up!

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63.  Why doesn't 4RentSaint just call the Tenant(s)?

a. For the same reasons 4RentSaint uses email and does not talk to the Tenant(s) in the first place.  See 22. above.

b. Phone tag.

c. So one Tenant(s) alone will not get the information given without telling the other Tenant(s).  Remember each Tenant(s) has the right to equal access to any information transmitted by 4RentSaint.  See 2. and 3. above.

d. Documentation.  For some odd reason, some Tenant(s) seem to think that 4RentSaint is harrassing them if 4RentSaint sends them a lot of emails.  Telephone calls and personal contact causes more disruption to the Tenant(s) lives than email does.

e. 4RentSaint does not want to accidentally transmit information that has not been agreed to by ALL Owner(s).  See 49. above.

f.  4RentSaint does not need a cell phone for any other reason and the cost is not worth the use 4RentSaint might have for the rental.

g.  Some phone lines and/or communications devices (cell phones, cordless telephone systems, speakers, even regular phones) do not transmit voice very good.  Background noise may interfere with hearing and understanding of what was said.  Some people simply do not speak loud enough to clearly communicate.

h.  For the same reason, 4RentSaint has a web site, to reduce 4RentSaint's work load.

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64.  Does the late fee start on the first of the month or three days before?

a. Three days before.

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65.  Does the eviction process start on the first of the month or three days before?

a. The first of the month.

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66.  What is the Rental Utility Kit?

a. A grocery bag with the following items:

  aa.  A black one inch three ring binder with the following:

     1. StClairDuplex Table of Contents of binder.

     2. StClairDuplex List of Rental Utility Kit contents.

     3. Fire Prevention Cooking Guide

     4. Emergency Utility Procedures

     5. Stove Cleaning Guide

     6. StClairDuplexBKenmoreLaundryCenterOwnersGuideL0512114 14 pages

     7. StClairDuplexBKenmoreElectricRangeUseCareGuideL0310297 26 pages

     8. StClairDuplexBWhirlplWModelDU950PWKQ1UseCareGuide3381196 20 pages

     9. StClairDuplexBWhirlplTopMntRefrigeratorUseCareGuide2302037 11 pages

     10. StClairDuplexBAprilaireOwnersManualdt_8538 16 pages

   bb. Furniture Carpet Coasters (to be placed under all furniture to keep from scratching the floors)

   cc. Roll of fishing line 1 roll (to  be used for hanging pictures gallery style)

   dd. Boxes of hanging clips boxes (to  be used for hanging pictures gallery style)

   ee. Dryer Filter Vent Cleaning Brush

   gg. A bottle of ceramic top stove cleaner. 

b. 4RentSaint sends Tenant(s) PDF files of all appliance instructions to reduce everyone's costs, but some Tenant(s) still prefer hardcopy.

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67.  Is it true that 4RentSaint does not cash/deposit any rent payment until the first of the month and why?

a. The Tenant(s) can give 4RentSaint the rent payment as far in advance as the Tenant(s) wants and 4RentSaint will not cash/deposit the rent payment until the first of the designated month.

b.  Reward.  Such a policy does not punish the Tenant(s) for delivering the rent payment early, and thus helps prevent late delivery of the payment.

c.  No excuses.  The Tenant(s) can not argue that the check is in the mail.  The deadline is the delivery time not the sent time.

d.  Security.  If the Tenant(s) has to go out of town right before the first or has to travel pass the deadline, the Tenant(s) can rest assured that 4RentSaint has the payment in hand.  This policy is especially helpful for Tenant(s) who travel extensively, but still want to maintain residence in the US.

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68.  Does 4RentSaint own any other rentals?

a.  4RentSaint does not even want to own THIS rental.  Rental property provides almost no profit and older property constantly needs work.

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69.  Why does 4RentSaint require vehicle information?

a.  So 4RentSaint will know which vehicle is the Tenant(s)'s and which are trespassers or visitors and thus which vehicle to tow.

b.  To insure that the Tenant(s) has no more than two vehicles on the property.

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70.  Why does the Tenant(s) have to pay utilities?

a.  People who do not have to pay for something usually waste it and that costs 4RentSaint money and 4RentSaint passes any costs on to tenants.

b.  When Tenant(s) pay for the utilities other Tenant(s) do not support other Tenant(s)'s wastefulness.  Would ANY Tenant(s) want to pay for another Tenant(s)'s expenses?  Of course not!

c.   People have different preferences in environmental conditions.  Some like it hot.  Some like it cool.  Some like to take long baths.  Some like to take showers.  Some are rarely home and thus do not use the facilities very often.  Some are home a lot of the time and hence use the facilities a lot.  Some people have the money to waste the facilities.  Some do not.  Dr. Zeus used to live here.  4RentSaint is a firm believer that people should bear the cost of the resources that they use.  It is free enterprise and equitable for everyone.

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71.  Why doesn't 4RentSaint give 24 hour notice before coming on to the exterior of the property?

a.  Doing so simply is not practical.  Half the time, 4RentSaint does not know when 4RentSaint will get a moment to come over to the rental to do some work.  Older property requires almost constant maintenance and refurbishment, but 4RentSaint needs to have the property rented out to pay for the work.  Often materials alone cost one or even two months' rent for a month's work and 4RentSaint has the credit card statements to prove it.

b.  Tenant(s) should encourage 4RentSaint to maintain the property not discourage 4RentSaint.

c.  Because of Mother Nature, the exterior of the property usually requires more work than the interior and usually on a constant basis.

d.  If 4RentSaint has to do some work around or near the windows, 4RentSaint will knock on the door and let the Tenant(s) know.  Because the bathtub-shower has a window, the Lease Agreement actually requires that the Tenant(s) have a shower curtain over the window.

e.  In most organizational buildings, there are public areas {like the street at the front of the property}, visitor areas {determined by either/or both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s) either/or both the particular Side external area and internal area}, employee areas {Tenant(s)}, and security areas [mental - need to know and physical - need to be] {determined by both 4RentSaint and the Tenant(s)}.  Sometimes contractors can go where even employees can not go.

d.   4RentSaint has been working on the property for 7 years and will continue to be almost EVERY single day (TOLD you old houses are a nightmare)!  To have to notify the Tenant(s) every single day that 4RentSaint works on the property would simply be impractical as 4RentSaint would use more time on the notification than working on the property.  EVERY Tenant(s) that has rented the property has KNOWN that 4RentSaint is working on the property almost continuously and is a pre-existing condition of the Lease Agreement.

e.    In an apartment or condominium (where people ACTUALLY own the apartment) complex, can the tenants or apartment owners keep the apartment or condominium employees from walking down the hall?  Do not think so.

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72.  Are pets allowed?

a.  No pets unless specifically allowed.  Acceptance depends upon the Tenant(s)'s confidence in the behavior of the Tenant(s)’s pet.  The Tenant(s) will bear the consequences of any action that the pet may take.  [Is the pet the well behaved?  Is the pet well trained?  Does it obey the Tenant(s)'s commands?  Does the pet chew on furniture or other things?  Does the pet attack other people?  How much does the pet vocalize such that it might disturb other Tenants or neighbors (actually both neighbors have dogs also)?  Does the pet know not to go to the bathroom inside the house?  Does the Tenant(s) walk the pet regularly?  Does the Tenant(s) keep the pet in a cage when the Tenant(s) is not there?  (One Tenant had a friend who came down from Washington on the weekends with a BIG dog, but she also had a BIG indoor cage in which to keep him when she was not there.)  Before 4RentSaint had a lease agreement, the Tenant who lived there for 20 years bought a big Great Dane without telling 4RentSaint. However, he was basically a big lovable puppy and never caused a problem and so 4RentSaint said nothing.  Unfortunately, she then ALSO bought a small dog that barked a lot and was a real hyper handful.  4RentSaint still did not say anything, but 4RentSaint was beginning to be a little concerned.  The PhD Tenant had a kitten.  Personally, 4RentSaint loves dogs, but 4RentSaint has found out from a rental point of view that they can cost a lot of money damage wise.]

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73.  4RentSaint has only had two black people in the apartments.  Is 4RentSaint biased against black people?

a.  At the top of the Lease Agreement it says

"The Property will be shown and made available to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, handicap or elderliness in compliance with all applicable federal and state and local fair housing laws and regulations."

By law as everyone knows 4RentSaint can not discriminate against people because of certain attributes.  Nor does 4RentSaint care.  The only color that 4RentSaint is concerned with is GREEN - the color of money.  (Too bad 4RentSaint does not make any money on the property.)  Education IS a preference however as stated at the beginning of the FAQ.

b.  4RentSaint has 1. Played football and showered with black athletes.  2. Had black male, Chinese male, Indian male, Jewish male professors.  3.  Had black female, Vietnamese female, Caucasian female, Puerto Rican male, Jewish male, Latino male bosses  4.  Has shared a room with an Iranian for two years, an apartment with an Indonesian for a year, and a house with a potential gay person for six months (he asked 4RentSaint to leave because 4RentSaint did not have time to socialize with him).

c.  In a 12Th grade government class, 4RentSaint was quoted this anecdote:  "They came for the gays and I said nothing.  They came for the blacks and I said nothing.  They came for the Jews, and I said nothing.  They came for the spics and I said nothing.  They came for the mics and I said nothing.  They came for the pollocks and I said nothing.  They came for me and there was no one left to say anything." ~ unknown.  That pretty much sums up 4RentSaint's outlook, but act like an idiot and the Tenant(s) will get evicted really fast.

d.  Discrimination in and of itself is NOT wrong.  People discriminate ALL the time when making business decisions like shopping.  Basically, discrimination SHOULD be illegal, based simply on logic and equity (which is what ALL laws SHOULD be based on), for those situations where individuals do not have any control over their characteristics or situation like genetic traits or being born.

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74.  4RentSaint has not had many children in the apartment.  Is 4RentSaint biased against children?

a.  See 73. a. above.

b.  Like dogs, 4RentSaint LIKES kids (up to a point!).  [Kids are extremely funny, but can drive one nuts.  Studies actually show that the greatest cause of stress in people's lives ARE kids.  4RentSaint believes it.]  Realize though that the parent IS responsible for any damage that a child might do.  One woman visited with two boys and the boys immediately started pulling branches off of the trees in front.  If 4RentSaint has to decide between a single applicant and an applicant with a child, then 4RentSaint might choose the single person, but it has nothing to do with the fact that the kid is a kid, but it does have to do with the fact that the kid is another person and the probability of damage is greater with two tenants than just one.  If the decision is between two adults and one adult and one kid, the adult and kid would probably win out because two adults (depending upon the adults) may be more likely to cause trouble than one adult and one kid.  Purely mathematical!!!!!

c.   Although 4RentSaint has no statistics, the probability is probably high that there are more single people renting than families renting and thus most applicants would probably be single people.

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75.  Can payments be sent via snail mail?

a.  The Tenant(s) can send the payment any way that the Tenant(s) desires just as long as the payment reaches 4RentSaint by the deadline.  Remember that 4RentSaint will not deposit the payment until the first of the month so the Tenant(s) COULD send the payment as early as the Tenant(s) wanted without being penalized for doing so.  This approach can be quite useful for Tenant(s) who may have to travel extensively or who might have to leave town suddenly.

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76.  Why don't you offer incentives like other rental property management?

a.  4RentSaint constantly peruses the rent on other properties and deliberately keeps 4RentSaint's properties' rents low consistently such that 4RentSaint should not have to offer incentives.  4RentSaint's rents are already some of the lowest in the area for what is offered.  If you know of a better value, please tell us, being very specific with proof if possible.

b.  4RentSaint is not going to offer incentives to move in, but to STAY.  4RentSaint prefers long term tenants not puddle jumpers.  4RentSaint offers a $10.00 reduction in rent for every 5 years that a Tenant stays (for initial rents of $650.00/month only).

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77.  Why does 4RentSaint video tape the premises during the CheckInOut process?

a.  For exactly that reason.  Video taping is a part of the CheckInOut process to image record the condition of the premises.  It provides an almost exact record of the condition of the premises that a written CheckInOut hardcopy can not provide.

b.  Theoretically, 4RentSaint will provide a copy for the Tenant(s) as well, but, in practice, sending it to the Tenant(s) seem like a low priority item unfortunately.

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78.  If 4RentSaint video tapes the premises, why even bother doing the CheckInOut hard copy?

a.   Image files including CD's degrade in 15 years while hard copy can last for thousands of years depending upon the quality of the paper.

b.   Even the best quality video can not catch every thing.  The human eye is pretty good.  

c.   Plus the cameraman may not video tape every nook and cranny.  

d.   The hard copy process also makes both parties better aware of the actual condition of the premises than someone else video taping the premises.  Human beings interpret things differently and the differences need to be resolved BEFORE the Tenant(s) moves in NOT after.

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79.   Why does 4RentSaint require the Tenant(s) to be in the video?

a.   Obviously so that the video can be associated with the Tenant(s).

b.   The video is for record purposes not marketing purposes.  Why would 4RentSaint want a Tenant(s) in a marketing video?  The emphasis in a marketing video is on "selling" the rental not a Tenant(s).  Indeed, depending upon the Tenant(s), 4RentSaint might not WANT a Tenant(s) in a marketing video.  No offense intended.

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80.   Why does 4RentSaint hold up a newspaper during the video process?

a.   The newspaper has a date on it.  Even if the date is not recorded well in the video, the newspaper images and headings provide an "at least" date of the video.

b.   The electronic time and date stamp of the camera can be changed.  4RentSaint likes technological advances as much as anyone, but hard copy is REALLY hard to beat in random access, perusal access, security, durability, portability, resource usage [IF one considers all of the resources that are used to build the infrastructure that is required to support cell phones, computers, etc much less all of the resources used to build the devices themselves, maybe hard copy is not all that wasteful.  At least trees can be regenerated.]

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81.   Why would 4RentSaint think that 4RentSaint could get away with using the Tenant(s)'s utilities?

a.  Duh!  How else is 4RentSaint or a contractor suppose to get work done?  That is why the Lease Agreement requires Tenant(s) to allow 4RentSaint (and by extension contractors) to use the Tenant(s)'s utilities, basically water and electricity for work purposes, but would ANYONE really expect someone to work all day without having access to plumbing facilities?  Most workers need water to mix before and clean up after painting or plastering.  Most workers need electricity to power their tools (from personal experience 4RentSaint knows that most battery powered tools simply do not have the power to do most jobs [in spite of what one might see on the DIY shows)] and, like oil, most lithium deposits are in other countries.  Besides, the batteries also have to be charged and eventually wasted-recycled.  Contractors COULD use a gas generator to power their electric tools and air compressions tools, but these also generate a lot of noise.  Gas powered tools simply are not reliable enough to allow last minute work and take too much time and money to bring online and to maintain.  4RentSaint spends half 4RentSaint's time just maintaining the TOOLS, time which could be spent maintaining the property which means that 4RentSaint will be there less.  Gas powered lawn mowers are also quite noisy.  Thus, 4RentSaint prefers electric cord tools for their power and relative silence whenever possible.  4RentSaint even bought an electric chain saw and it worked great.  The new propane tank powered lawn mowers seem like a good idea though.  It is basically a trade off between noise and electric use.

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82.   Doesn't all this working disturb the Tenant(s) "peaceable enjoyment" of the property?

a.  Unfortunately, work noise probably DOES bother most Tenant(s)'s, but the law and Mother Nature-Tenant Nature REQUIRES the work to be done.

b.  The whole world knows that 4RentSaint has been working on the property almost every day for 7 years and the Tenant(s) knows this when the Tenant(s) moves in.  The only way the work will get done is if 4RentSaint works almost every day.  At least 20 need to do items and 7 wish to do items remain and that does not include all the interior work that needs to be done on Side A.

c.   Yes, sometimes 4RentSaint has to bang, saw, cut, hammer, etc, but there is no way around these noises.  Even working on the property all the time the noise is usually sporadic even when doing the same thing.  Just to keep spirits up, 4RentSaint occasionally also listens to the radio while working and unfortunately, wearable radios and disc players simply do not cut it when one has to move, bend, squeeze, stretch, crouch, jump, hang constantly.  Usually any sound generated does not violate the law although because of the tool noise, the sound may have to be a bit loud to be heard.  Just ask if you feel it is too loud and 4RentSaint will try to accommodate you if possible.

d.  If someone had to stop working, simply because the noise was too loud, the world would come to a complete stop because some people would demand absolute silence and obviously that simply is not practical.  Thus, the law actually protects construction and traffic noise.

e.  To the best of 4RentSaint's memory, 4RentSaint has never worked on the property before 6:00 AM nor pass 10:00 PM (although 4RentSaint has been at Lowes at 10:00 PM) and usually quits at 9:00 PM simply because 4RentSaint would like a life.  4RentSaint HAS done duplex property PAPER work till 3:00 AM occasionally however in 4RentSaint's office.  Again, most people do not even begin to comprehend how much work is involved in property management even one property.  See CODE OF ORDINANCES CHARLOTTESVILLE VA Chapter 16 NOISE CONTROL .

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83.  Why doesn't 4RentSaint just send a regular letter instead of a hard copy of an email?

a.   The email hard copy has a email web service date and time which 4RentSaint can not change and uses to verify WHEN the letter was sent.  Using both email and snail mail increases the validity of the deliverance of the letter.

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84.  Where is the drop box located?

a.  One, BOX I, is located on the back door railing of one of the Owner's home.  (The address will be provided upon signing of the Lease Agreement.)  THIS drop box is the LEASE AGREEMENT mandated deadline of 12:01 AM.

b.  The second, BOX II, is tied to the Side B fence at the top of the driveway stairs and is ONLY for BOTH Tenant(s)'s convenience.  HOWEVER, THIS drop box has a deadline requirement of 5:01 PM TWO DAYS BEFORE the first of the month and is merely provided for the convenience of the Tenant(s).  One second pass 5:00 PM even if the Owner(s) do not pick up the payment is the same as being late at the Lease Agreement drop box.  NO contractual agreement is made in regard to this drop box.  The Tenant(s) leaves the payment at the Tenant(s)'s risk NOT the Owner(s)'s.

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85.  Which drop box is the Tenant(s) suppose to use?

a.  EITHER drop box MAY be used, but BOX II is at the Tenant(s) risk!

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86.  The property is a duplex.  Whose utilities does 4RentSaint use when 4RentSaint is working on the property?

a.  It depends upon several factors including who pays the least rent.  Is the work inside or outside?  Where is the work located on the outside?  Would using one Tenant(s)'s utilities interfere with the Tenant(s) at a particular time?   etc.  Basically, the utilities of whoever pays the least rent will be used if possible.  If working inside of one apartment or working on the exterior on work that is specifically associated with one apartment, then the utilities of that apartment will be used if possible.  If working on the exterior on common property then the utilities of whoever pays the least rent will be used except where the cord length is too short for where the common property is located , etc.  4RentSaint reserves the right to use ANY Tenant(s)'s utilities for ANY purpose because unknown circumstances which no one can predict may dictate such usage.

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87.  Isn't 4RentSaint trying to kick us out because 4RentSaint does not like us?

a.  4RentSaint does not care if 4RentSaint likes the Tenant(s) or not.  As long as the Tenant(s) does what the Lease Agreement states then the Tenant(s) can stay as long as the Tenant(s) wishes.  Renting is business not personal.

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88.  Why does 4RentSaint put up such a big rental sign?

a.  People can NEVER find the place.  Thus, this web site, the small direction signs, and the huge sign.

b.  Two applicants said that if the big sign had not been up, they would have driven right passed the property.

c.  One applicant, standing in the driveway staring right at the mailbox posts with the house numbers on them, said, "There is no such place as 1144 St Clair Avenue!"  Hot and Cold, Marco Polo, "If it had been a snake it would have bit you!"

d.  One applicant said, when walking BACK between the mailbox posts with the house numbers on them, "You know, it would really help finding the place if you had some house numbers up."

e.  The big sign has a lot of marketing documents which a potential applicant can and SHOULD read before going to the web site or not have to absolutely go to the web site.

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89.  Isn't 4RentSaint suppose to use Certified Snail Mail and/or Certified EMail to communicate with the Tenant(s)?

a.  Technically, yes, but See FAQ 24 above.

b.  See FAQ 62.

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90.  Why does 4RentSaint hand deliver messages to the duplex instead of using email and or snail mail?

a.  The biggest reason is speed!  4RentSaint wants the Tenant(s) to get any communication as soon as possible.  Snail mail can take several days depending upon when 4RentSaint sends the letter and that make be longer than the required time frame by law.  Basically, with snail mail, the letter literally may not arrive at the duplex in time.  Certified Mail may take even longer although refusing to accept and to read ANY communication does not negate the fact that the communication has been delivered in the eyes of the law. 

b.  Certainty.  By delivering the communication hard copy 4RentSaint's self, 4RentSaint KNOWS that the communication has been delivered even if the Tenant(s) does not read it or says that it has not been delivered or received.  When the hard copy is sticking in the door, the Tenant(s) acknowledges receipt just by opening the door.  In rare cases, snail mail may not arrive at all.  4RentSaint has had two credit card statements not arrive in the last year and that caused a lot of headaches.

c.   Sometimes the Tenant(s), like a lot of people, may not check the Tenant(s)'s email every day.  

d.   Sometimes 4RentSaint gets sick of working on the property and does not want to go over to the property.  By hand delivering the communications, 4RentSaint is forced to go over to the property and sees things that need to be done and is effectively motivated to do the work.

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91.  Why do you have a web site?

a.   So that potential applicants can get ALL the information pertaining to the rental property.  If there is any information which is not on the web site which the applicant would like to know, THEN the potential applicant can email 4RentSaint with questions.

b.   So that potential applicants can get information pertaining to the rental property without revealing their legally protected backgrounds and without feeling that they are being discriminated against.

c.   So that potential applicants can get information pertaining to the rental property without letting their current landlords or anyone else know that they are looking for other accommodations.

d.   So that ALL potential applicants get the SAME information pertaining to the rental property.  When communicating the information verbally, via phone, or email, 4RentSaint may not include all the information that all applicants should get.  Although  with email, RentSaint can provide the CURRENT information on the web site.

e.   So that the latest information about the rental property can be collected in one spot (which makes it easier to manage and distribute) and be the most up to date information available to potential applicants.

f.   To save both the applicant and 4RentSaint a LOT of time.

g.   To save money on flyers, handouts, on telephone conversations that lead to no where, and showing the property.

h.   Potential applicants can get a preliminary "look" at the property at any time without having to visit or locate the property (people have a terrible time finding the property) (which is one reason the property is desirable).

i.   See 22., 63.

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92.  Why does 4RentSaint not return phone calls or have a phone number on the website?

a.   Pretty much for the same reasons that 4RentSaint has a web site.

b.   With phone calls it is sometimes possible to tell the cultural background of the caller and 4RentSaint does not want to be accused of discriminating against anyone.

c.    Most phone callers simply waste a lot of time when they have not visited the web site.

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93.  Why does 4RentSaint want potential applicants to read the web site first?

a.    Pretty much for the same reasons that 4RentSaint has a web site.  

b.    See 22., 63., 90., 91., and 92. above.

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94.  Why does 4RentSaint want it "before" as opposed to "on" a given date on the time frame?

a.    Would a movie theater let you pay for a movie AFTER you have watched it?  Would a grocery store let you pay for groceries AFTER you have taken the groceries out of the store?  Would Sears let you pay for a stove AFTER you take it home?  Yes if you are willing to pay interest (a late fee) on a loan, but otherwise demand at least a credit card payment immediately.  Do not pay your credit card and see what happens?  LATE  FEE!!!  Why would anyone think that they could live in the rental property EVEN one second without having paid the rent?

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95.  4RentSaint does not have a cell phone?

a.     No.  4RentSaint tries to keep its costs down so it can keep its rent down and 4RentSaint can not justify the expense of a cell phone for so few calls when a Tenant(s) is renting the property.  4RentSaint can not find a cell phone that meets 4RentSaint's requirements anyway.

96. Why does 4RentSaint charge $650.00/month?

a.   Based upon market research of local ads, $650.00/month is considered a low enough figure to keep the duplex rented out on a continuous basis, yet not attract every Tom, Dick, and Harry.  Indeed, the rent is so low for a 2 bedroom in Charlottesville proper that 4RentSaint could keep it rented continuously if that was 4RentSaint's only goal.  However, 4RentSaint also wants responsible tenants who know their responsibilities as tenants and do not think that they can do anything that they want with the property.  If 4RentSaint goes any lower, irresponsible individuals flood the property.  4RentSaint prefers professionals, but are also seeking individuals who will stay for a long time.  Rarely, does 4RentSaint find ANOTHER 2 bedroom with such a low rent.

97.  Why does 4RentSaint require a Security Deposit?

a.  To cover damages and lack of payment by a tenant.

b.  Unfortunately, tenants are really creative in trying to get out of paying their Lease Agreement liabilities.   4RentSaint wrote the Lease Agreement pretty comprehensive, but even 4RentSaint can not think of everything.  Whenever a tenant shafts 4RentSaint, 4RentSaint rewrites the Lease Agreement to prevent the shafting from happening again.

98.  Why doen't 4RentSaint just buy insurance to cover damages?

a.  4RentSaint DOES buy property insurance, but that is mainly to cover non-tenant related damages like storms, lightning, cars run amok, trees falling, electrical faults, gas leaks, earthquakes, etc.

b.  ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!  People who make mistakes or intentionally damage the property or not pay their obligations SHOULD suffer the consequences of their actions - one of the basic tenets of a civil society.  Why should 4RentSaint or any other tenant have to pay for another tenant's actions either at the property or any other place in society?  

99.  Doesn't Renter's Insurance cover damages by tenants?  Why doesn't 4RentSaint buy some of that insurance?

a.  Renter's Insurance is insurance purchased BY THE TENANT to insure against theft, fire, rain, plumbing, etc damage of THEIR personal belongings NOT damages to the property caused by the tenant.  Renter's Insurance is an expense that the tenant must decide to purchase or not.  In general, 4RentSaint (all owners) are not responsible for what happens to the tenant's possessions.

100.  What is Renter's Insurance?

a.  http://www.insure.com/articles/homeinsurance/renters.html

The basics of renters insurance:

When disaster strikes, it doesn’t differentiate between rented buildings and owned homes. Renters face the same risk as homeowners from outside forces. Your landlord or condo association may have insurance, but it only protects the building structure, not the personal items inside. Renters insurance can protect your belongings in case of disaster.

What standard policies cover

There are several types of residential insurance policies. The HO-4 policy is designed for renters, while the HO-6 policy is for condo owners. Both HO-4 and HO-6 cover losses to your personal property from 16 types of perils:

Fire or lightning
Windstorm or hail
Explosion
Riot or civil commotion
Damage caused by aircraft
Damage caused by vehicles
Smoke
Vandalism or malicious mischief
Theft
Volcanic eruption
Falling objects
Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or automatic fire-protective sprinkler system, or from a household appliance
Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning, or bulging of a steam or hot water heating system, an air conditioning or automatic fire-protective system
Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic, fire-protective sprinkler system, or of a household appliance
Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current (does not include loss to a tube, transistor or similar electronic component)
Floods and earthquakes aren't on the list. If you live in an area prone to either, you'll need to buy a separate policy or a rider. In some coastal regions, where hurricanes might pose a threat, you might also need to buy a separate rider to cover wind damage.

Actual cash value vs. replacement cost

Always tell your agent about the valuable items you own.

One thing to consider is whether the insurance company will offer "actual cash value" (ACV) or "replacement cost coverage" for your belongings. As the name implies, ACV coverage will pay only for what your property was worth at the time it was damaged or stolen. So, if you bought a television five years ago for $500, it would be worth significantly less today. While you'd still need to spend about $500 for a new TV, your insurance company will pay only for what the old one is worth, minus your deductible.

Replacement cost coverage, on the other hand, will pay what it actually costs to replace the items you lost (minus the deductible). In some regions, most insurers write ACV coverage. In others, they'll quote you replacement cost coverage by default. Replacement cost coverage will cost you more in premiums, but it will also pay out more if you ever need to file a claim. Let your agent know about any particularly valuable items you have. Jewelry, antiques and electronics might be covered only up to an amount that won't pay for their replacement.

If you have some items that are unusually expensive, such as a diamond ring, you'll probably want to purchase a separate rider. Without riders for expensive items you can't recover the full loss if it's beyond your policy limit.

Take inventory

To ensure you’re compensated for any belongings you lose from a fire, storm or other catastrophe, you should inventory all of your personal belongings. List each item, its value and serial number. Photograph or videotape each room, including closets, open drawers, storage buildings and your garage. Keep receipts for major items in a fireproof place. To make things easier, the Insurance Information Institute has free inventory software that helps you create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. For more information, go to KnowYourStuff.org.

When your home is unlivable

If your apartment or condominium becomes uninhabitable due to a fire, burst pipes or any other reason covered by your policy, your renters insurance will cover your "additional living expenses." Generally, that means paying for you to live somewhere else.

Additional benefits

Liability protection is also standard with most renters and condo policies. This means if someone in your unit slips and falls, you're covered for any costs, up to your liability limit. If this person sues you, you're covered for what they win in a court judgment as well as legal expenses, up to your policy's limit.

Keeping your premium low

Just like any other type of homeowners insurance policy, your renters insurance premium depends on a number of factors: where you live, your deductible, your insurance company and whether you need any additional coverage.

There are ways to reduce your renters or condo owners insurance bill. Increasing your deductible (the amount you pay before your coverage kicks in) is one strategy. Make sure you can afford whatever deductible you choose. If you're thinking about getting a dog, you might want to think twice. Some insurance companies are reluctant to write policies for owners of certain breeds.

Most insurers offer a discount for "protective devices" including smoke and fire detectors, burglar alarms and fire extinguishers.

Some insurers might offer discounts to policyholders who are over age 55 and retired. Others might offer a discount if you buy both an auto and renters policy (called a multiline discount).

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101.  How does one get the utilities started?

For gas go to


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If you have had service with the City of Charlottesville more than two years ago, you must pay a deposit or provide us with a letter of credit from another utility company. The letter must be from a company where you had service for at least one year in the past two years.

The deposits for residential gas heating customers are $250.00 and $75.00 for non-heating. The deposit for residential water customers is $75.00. There is a $30.00 service charge.

If you have previously had service with us within the last 2 years for at least a year and have good credit, we do not require a deposit. There is still the $30.00 service charge.

For sewer and water go to

http://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?page=685

https://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?recordid=139&page=454

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102.  4RentSaint does not care if an applicant has a criminal record?

In the US, once a person has paid his debt to society for any wrong doing, the person should be treated no differently than anyone else.  Indeed, doing so makes the perpertrator even more guilty than the original criminal.  Discriminating against former criminals is a.  Vigilantism  b.  Lack of due process  c.  Double jeopardy.  Not only is it wrong to discriminate against a former criminal, it is illegal.  50% of the death row inmates in Illinois have been exonerated.  70% of college level male athletes have a violent criminal history after age 18.

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103.  Why so many smoke alarms?

Redundancy.  Backup.  What?  You do not want to be safe?  The smoke alarms are battery powered.  Batteries run down.  Having multiple smoke alarms increase the probability that at least one smoke alarm is working all the time.  It is the Tenant(s)'s responsibility to replace the batteries to insure continuouse operation.

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