Tenant Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE CAN I GET A LIST OF YOUR PROPERTIES FOR RENT?

You can view all our properties for rent by going to our website. www.amoriss.com

HOW CAN I VIEW THE INSIDE OF ONE OF THE RENTALS?

The first step to seeing one of our rentals is to drive by the property to see if it is in a location that is suitable for you. If the property is occupied, please do not disturb the current residents. Once you have driven by the property, you can schedule a viewing by going to our website.

DO YOU REQUIRE AN APPLICATION FEE?

Yes. Each adult who intends to live in the rental property must complete and submit a rental application. The cost for processing the application is $42.00 per adult for an online application, or $48.00 for a paper application submitted to our office.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED FOR APPROVING AN APPLICATION?

Our Rental Criteria is located on our website, under Rental Search and clicking on Rental Criteria.

DO YOU REQUIRE A SECURITY DEPOSIT?

Yes. We require our residents to pay a refundable security deposit once the application is approved. In general, the security deposit will be equal to about one month's rent, but can vary.

DO YOU REQUIRE A LEASE?

Yes. We require a written lease agreement on each of the properties that we manage. Our normal lease period is one year, however at certain times of the year, we can be more flexible with shorter term leases.

HOW IS A LEASE TERMINATED?

At the end of the lease, or beyond, you may terminate the lease by giving AMORISS a thirty day written notice prior to moving.

WHAT IF I NEED TO MOVE BEFORE THE LEASE EXPIRES?

You should notify us in writing of your intent to move as soon as possible. We try our best to work with tenants in this situation.

WHAT HAPPENS IF ONLY ONE ROOMMATE WANTS TO MOVE OUT?

If your roommate moves out, a written notice must be submitted to AMORISS by both the remaining tenant and the departing tenant. The remaining tenant must release the departing tenant from any financial obligation for the unit. The departing tenant must submit a notice to vacate. Remember that tenants are jointly and severally liable to ensure that the rent is paid. You must have written permission from AMMORIS to substitute a roommate and there is a $75 fee to add a new, approved roommate to your lease. (It is not the responsibility of AMMORIS to arbitrate or mediate problems between multiple co-tenants.) Security deposit reimbursements to departing roommates are handled by the remaining tenants. No portion of the security deposit will be refunded individually.

CAN I SUB-LEASE THE PROPERTY?

No. The lease agreement clearly states that the resident shall not sublet any portion of the property or assign the agreement without written consent from AMMORIS.

WHEN IS MY RENT DUE AND HOW DO I PAY IT?

No. The landlord cannot evict you from the home unless you breach the lease agreement that you sign. Even if the owner needs to move back in to the property, or sell the property to a buyer, or your lease will be honored through the expiration date. The only time this may change is if the house falls into foreclosure, and after it has gone to auction, the new owner decides that they would like you to vacate the property. They still however have to give you a 60 day notice.

CAN THE LANDLORD FORCE ME TO MOVE DURING MY LEASE?

WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF RENT PAYMENT?

AMMORIS accepts online payments or Electronic Cash payment. Paper payments ( check, money order or cashiers check ) are acceptable with a $10 admin fee.

HOW DO I PUT THE UTILITIES IN MY NAME?

Your lease will detail which utilities you are responsible for paying. You must put any such utilities in your name immediately upon moving in. Provide the utility company your lease start date along with any other information they require. AMMORIS Pm will assist with this.

CAN I GET A PET AFTER I MOVE INTO THE PROPERTY?

Occasionally this is an option based on the criteria for your particular property. For more information, please refer to your rental agreement or contact your property manager.

WHAT OTHER PET POLICIES ARE THERE?

No property owners will approve an occupancy for the following breeds of dogs: Rottweilers, Pit bulls, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows, Akita’s, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Presa Canarios, Staffordshire Terriers, Wolf Hybrids and German Shepherds.Exception: Properties located Inside the limits of City of Tacoma.

CAN I INSTALL CABLE OR SATELLITE TV AT THE PROPERTY?

Generally, yes. However, you must first obtain written permission from AMORISS. At some properties, you may be prohibited from installing a satellite dish in any location where the dish is visible from the ground or from any other unit in the complex. Any cost of installation (or damaged caused by the installation) will be an expense of the resident. Satellite dishes may not be installed on the roof. If a satellite is installed during tenancy, it must be removed before tenant turns in their keys at move out, or it will be removed, any damage repaired, and charged to the tenant.

CAN I PAINT OR MODIFY SOMETHING IN MY RENTAL PROPERTY?

Not unless you receive written permission from AMORISS prior to making a change., Otherwise, you may not alter the property in any way. If you desire to alter the property you should submit your request in writing, and wait until you receive written consent before making alterations.

HOW DO I REPORT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM?

To report all routine maintenance, please complete a maintenance request on your Tenant Portal or call the office. ALL routine maintenance requests must be in writing. If it is an emergency, you may call the office at 253-315-1767 x 1, and we will dispatch it out. For after hours emergencies, call the office and when the recording comes on, press 1 and you will be directed to our after hours maintenance division, where they will determine if your issues meet the emergency criteria that have been set and will proceed accordingly.For fire, gas or natural disasters, dial 911 before calling us!

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY?

Examples of emergencies are active water leaks, flooding, sewer backups, sparks from appliances, gas odors, fire, etc.

CAN I BE CHARGED FOR MAINTENANCE AT THE PROPERTY?

Yes, if resident damage or neglect causes the maintenance problem, you will be charged for it. Also, you may be billed for a service call if you miss a scheduled appointment with one of our service technicians.

HOW LONG SHOULD I PLAN TO WAIT TO HEAR BACK FROM SOMEONE REGARDING A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM?

In a non-emergency situation, please allow three days. If you have not heard from either someone in our office or a vendor dispatched to your property within this timeframe, please contact us.

WHAT AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING IN MY HOME?

You are responsible for maintaining heating filters and fresh smoke detector and CO detector batteries at all times. This may mean changing them at least twice each year or more frequently as needed. Light bulbs that are easily accessible also need to be maintained by the residents. In most situations, yard maintenance may be required. If your home has a fridge that contains a water filter; you are responsible for replacing it when it needs to be replaced. Also, any unclogging of pipes is your responsibility, however you are NOT to use any Draino type products as they can damage the plumbing lines. Please refer to your individual residential lease.

DO I NEED RENTER’S INSURANCE?

AMORISS require liability insurance. This does NOT cover Tenants personal belongs. We always recommend tenants get their own renters insurance. However, if proof is not provided we will provide the liability for them.

I DON’T WANT THE OWNER TO COME IN AND DO INSPECTIONS?

With proper notice, both the property owner and AMORISS. have the right to inspect the property. In some cases, the owner is required by the IRS and their insurance company to make at least one inspection per year.

WHY SHOULD I RENT FROM YOUR COMPANY?

Steady Property Management is a professional, knowledgeable, and courteous property management company. We work very hard to provide the highest quality resident services. We use professional vendors (painters, handymen, plumbers, carpet cleaners, etc.) to ensure that your unit is in good condition. Additionally, we offer many services and conveniences (online application, online rent payment, auto-pay for rents, etc.) that our tenants enjoy and appreciate.

CAN I USE MY SECURITY DEPOSIT AS THE LAST MONTH'S RENT?

No. We’re sorry, but the security deposit is to cover any agreed upon fees or damages to the property and cannot be used for other reasons.

WHEN I MOVE OUT WHY CAN’T I CLEAN THE CARPET MYSELF?

Unfortunately, not all carpet cleaners are the same. Also, some tenants have rented carpet cleaners from grocery stores or used residential cleaners and caused more harm than good. The property’s carpets were professional cleaned prior to your tenancy and must be cleaned again by a vendor that is approved by AMORISS PM.

WHY IS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT SO HIGH?

The property owner is handing you the keys to a property worth 100 to 300 times the cost of the security deposit. This is required to ensure some level of protection.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO NEGOTIATE THE DEPOSIT? CAN THE DEPOSIT BE SPLIT UP?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept split payments. The security deposit is the tenant’s way of proving their ability to perform per the lease. Not having the funds to pay the security deposit up front is a sign that should hard times arise, non-payment of rent is likely.

IS THE APPLICATION FEE REFUNDED IF I AM DENIED?

AMORISS Property Management utilizes a 3rd party screening company to process all of our applications and the application fee goes towards those screening costs. Therefore, the application fees are non-refundable.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME PAYING RENT LATE. CAN YOU WAIVE MY LATE FEE?

No. AMORISS does not waive late fees. Fair Housing laws require that we treat all our residents equally. AMORISS does not decide if one resident is more deserving than another of paying late fees. We enforce late fees across the board.

WHAT IS THE MOVE OUT PROCEDURE TO GET BACK MY SECURITY DEPOSIT?

If you are terminating the tenancy, you must give AMORISS at least a twenty-one days advance notice in writing. Once you completed the walk out requirements, on or before 5pm on the last day of the month, leave all garage door openers and keys in the house, in a kitchen drawer. We will conduct a final walk through within 1-2 days of receiving the keys. Deductions are normally for rent that is due, any past due monies owed, necessary cleaning of the premises, professional carpet cleaning, chimney cleaning if applicable, landscaping not done, utilities and damages above normal wear and tear. Rent is usually charged up to the date that you deliver possession of the premises to our office, unless you are breaking a lease and no other arrangements have been made.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND?

Within 21 days of your lease expiring.

DO WE HELP PEOPLE FIND RENTAL HOMES?

Generally no, unless it’s a house in our inventory. The value we could bring to helping find a rental is very small. The sources we would use are all available to the public. Best sites to find a rental property are craigslist.com, hotpads.com, zillow.com and trulia.com.

WHAT PROTECTION DO I HAVE THAT MY RENTAL WON'T BE FORECLOSED UPON?

If the lender of any of our client’s properties initiates the foreclosure procedures, they will do so by posting a note on the property. If any such notice or communication is ever posted on the property, it is imperative that the tenants notify us immediately, as we will most likely be unaware.

IF THE PROPERTY GOES INTO FORECLOSURE, DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY MY RENT?

Yes. Per AMORISS’s management agreement, we are required to collect rents as the agent of the owner, until the property is no longer the owners’. Per the rental agreement, the tenant is required to pay rent until the term of the lease is fulfilled.

WHO MUST BE ON THE LEASE?

All applicants 18 years old and older must complete a lease application be approved by our standard lease application process, and documented on the lease agreement prior to occupying a property.

CAN THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR REPRESENTATIVES ENTER THE HOME WHEN I AM NOT THERE?

Yes, however we make every reasonable attempt to schedule an appointment with you if we need to enter the property. Per the Washington State Landlord Tenant Law the Landlord or anyone authorized by the Landlord must provide a 1-day notice if entering to show the property to real estate agents, prospective tenants or buyers, inspectors, fire marshals, lenders, appraisers, or insurance agents. A 2-day notice is required to make any repairs or conduct an inspection. survey or review the Property's condition and take photographs to document the condition.

MY BROTHER IS GOING ON VACATION AND WANTS ME TO WATCH HIS PET. IS THIS OK?

No. You are not allowed to have any pets on the property without a pet agreement and deposit. Having a pet on your property - even on a temporary basis - is a violation of your lease and penalties will be assessed.

WHAT IF I NEED A FEW EXTRA DAYS TO MOVE OUT OF THE PROPERTY?

Late fees are specified in your lease. If you are going to be late, please contact info@amoriss.com immediately. If we do not hear from you before the 3 day pay or vacate notice that is sent to you/posted on your door expires, we will have to move forward towards eviction. We don’t want to evict you anymore than you want to be evicted. So please, work with us if things get difficult.

WHY ARE THE LATE FEES SO HIGH?

Late fees are set to encourage on-time payment and discourage late rent. The property owner’s mortgage payment is due on the first and in most cases; they depend on the rental income to make that payment. Additionally, it takes a great deal of extra time and effort on our part to collect late rents.

WHY ARE YOU CHARGING ME FOR SERVING A NOTICE TO PAY RENT?

There is additional time, effort, supplies and gas and travel time that goes into collecting late rents. This is extra work that we would prefer not doing, but if we have to do it, we need to be compensated for the extra work that we don’t have to put forth for tenants that pay on time.

WHAT IS A NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT? (AKA 3-DAY PAY OR VACATE NOTICE)

A notice to pay rent or quit is a legal notice that rent is past due and that Lighthouse Cove Property Management can begin the eviction process. If you get such a notice, please contact our office immediately to either correct an error on our part, or to communicate when you will have the rent paid in full.

WHY CAN’T THE OWNER PAY FOR THE UTILITIES?

Not every tenant or family uses the same amount of utilities. If the property owner were to pay utilities, they would have to increase the rent based on an average over a number of years. That wouldn’t be fair as each tenant uses utilities differently. Therefore, the tenant’s pay their own utilities. If they are conservative, they pay less and if there are more tenants in the unit, they probably pay more. It is the fairest way to handle it.

CAN I MAKE REPAIRS AND DEDUCT THEM FROM MY RENT?

No, you should not make your own repairs and you should never deduct any amount from your rent, ever. Some minor repairs/troubleshooting should be done by the tenant, such as flipping a breaker or unclogging a toilet. But for the most part, tenants should not take the risk or liability in attempting their own repairs. Since most repairs do require a professional who is licensed, bonded, and insured, please go online to your tenant portal to submit a maintenance request or contact alec@amoriss.com to discuss your maintenance needs.

TENANT FAQ

Tenant Frequently Asked Questions