FAQs for Tenants

Getting Started

Are there any Section 8 properties available?
What are your Office hours?
When should I begin looking for a property to rent?
How do I see inside a property that I'm interested in?
Can I make arrangements with the current resident to view a property?
How long are your leases?

Application Questions

Does my application take the property off the market?
How long can a property be held for me?
Can I submit an application on a property that I haven't seen?
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
What kind of credit history do I need to qualify?
How can I obtain a copy of my credit report?
Who may combine income in order to qualify?
We're engaged but not married. Do we need to submit separate applications?
Do you take Co-signers?
I'm self employed. What do I need to provide with my application?
What if I can't come to your office to submit my application?
How long does it take to get a response after I turn in an application?
Do I need to call in to see if my application has been approved?
What do I need to do after I'm approved?
What do I do if I'm declined?
What if I don't have any credit or proper documentation?

About the Property

Which Appliances are included?
Is insurance provided?
What if I have some concerns about the property I'm interested in?

Pets

Do you accept pets?
Do pets cost extra?
How many pets are allowed?
What happens if I don't disclose a pet?

Dollars & Cents

Is the $20 Application Fee per Applicant or per Property?
What are my total move-in costs?
Is there Sales Tax on rent?
Is the Security Deposit refundable?
Are utilities included in the price of the rent?
What is PSN (On-line Rent Payment)?
Do you take credit cards?

Are there any Section 8 properties available?

Yes. Some of the properties we manage are approved for section 8. Please look in the property details page of the property you are interested in to see if the property is approved for section 8, or feel free to call us to ask.

What are your Office hours?

We are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00am to 2:00pm Saturdays. We are closed Sundays and all major holidays. However you may call in for information or to leave a message 24 hours a day at (562) 989-9835; and of course you may always contact us by e-mail at

When should I begin looking for a property to rent?

You should start looking about 30 days before you need to move. Many of Ernst & Haas' advertised properties are still occupied while others are vacant. While we usually can't hold a vacant property for long periods of time, we can take applications on occupied properties.

How do I see inside a property that I'm interested in?

Choose a few properties in your area and price range. Then drive by and take a look at them. Do not attempt to enter a vacant property. Once you have narrowed down your choices, call our office and we will arrange for you to view the interior.

Can I make arrangements with the current resident to view a property?

No. While we may be able to show you the property while the current occupant is still living there, we will contact the existing resident and make arrangements directly with them to schedule a viewing for you.

How long are your leases?

Leases are normally 6-12 months in length. Occasionally a lease can be shortened or extended. Check with our office for details.

Does my application take the property off the market?

No. Until your application is approved, all offers to rent will be considered. However, once you are approved and a deposit is paid for the property, the property is then taken off the market.

How long can a property be held for me?

Once you are approved a vacant property can usually be held for up to 10 days. However, this figure may vary depending on the property. Call our office for details on a specific property.

Can I submit an application on a property that I haven't seen?

Yes. Many of our advertised properties are still occupied and not ready to be shown. If you see a property that is still occupied, you can still submit an application.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Providing the correct documents with your application greatly speeds up the process. Please include the following:

• Recent pay stubs
• Photo ID
• A copy of any military orders
• Documents supporting other sources of income including Social Security, Disability, Child Support, etc.
• Copies of any satisfied court judgments which may still appear on your credit
• 2 years tax returns (self-employed only)

What kind of credit history do I need to qualify?

While credit standards vary by property and by owner, some general credit guidelines are:

• If you have "dings" on your credit, recent trends should indicate an improvement
• Credit problems which may be an issue include unpaid rents, unpaid NSF checks, unpaid utility bills, and outstanding child support payments.
• Credit problems which are considered less serious include medical bills, student loans, and problems from the distant past.
• All bankruptcies must be discharged.

How can I obtain a copy of my credit report?

All applicants are entitled to receive a copy of their credit report. Once you have paid the application fee and we have processed your application, you may request a copy of it at anytime. You may only obtain a copy of your own credit report.

Who may combine income in order to qualify?

Generally, all occupants' incomes are combined to determine income qualifications. Call our office for specific details on your selected property.

We are married. Do we need still need to submit separate applications?

Yes. All persons over 18 must submit a separate application regardless of marital status.

Do you take Co-signers?

Yes. In certain circumstances we do accept Co-signers (Guarantor). Please refer to our selection criteria guide to determine when a guarantor will be accepted. Selection Criteria

I'm self employed. What do I need to provide with my application?

If you are self-employed you will need to provide tax returns for the past 2 years.

What if I can't come to your office to submit my application?

We offer online application and payment processing. Fax and e-mail information is also available.

How long does it take to get a response after I turn in an application?

Normally it takes 1-2 business days depending on how quickly your employment and landlord references are able to respond.

Do I need to call in to see if my application has been approved?

No. We will call you the moment your application is completed. We appreciate your patience; your application is processed with the highest priority.

What do I need to do after I'm approved?

Once you are approved we'll contact you to arrange to receive your Security Deposit (which reserves the property) and to schedule a lease signing and move-in conference. You will also need to begin move-in preparations. For a detailed list of steps, resources, and links please see: General Information for Tenants

What do I do if I'm declined?

While most applicants are approved, an application is occasionally declined. If this occurs we will notify you directly.

What if I don't have any credit or I don't have proper Documentation

It's not as bad as it may sound. Having no credit is usually not a problem. Your credit report will reflect this and usually you will still qualify. If you do not have the proper documentation required, please contact our office for specifics.

Which Appliances are included?

Appliances vary by property. Most appliances that are provided are provided as a "Courtesy Item" and are not warrantied for replacement. Check the on-line listings for details on a specific property.

Is Insurance provided?

While the property itself is insured against fire, flood, storms, etc. your personal belongings are not. We strongly encourage all our residents to obtain renters insurance from their local agent. We can provide you with agent information to assist you.

What if I have some concerns about the property I'm interested in?

We want you to be satisfied with your new home. If you have any concerns, please make them known immediately. We'll always tell you exactly how we can resolve them. It is important that all questions be answered in advance of the move-in conference.

Do you accept pets?

Because each property and each property owner are different, the best answer we can give is "it depends". In a few properties no pets are allowed while in most, pets are allowed subject to the owner's approval. Due to insurance constraints we cannot accept the following breeds of dogs: Chow, Rotweiler, Pit Bull, AKA, Doberman Pinscher, or any close relatives. Pet policies are strictly enforced.

Do pets cost extra?

Pets will require additional deposits, & pet photo.

How many pets are allowed?

In most cases no more than 2 pets are permitted in each property.

What happens if I don't disclose a pet?

Not disclosing a current or future pet at the time of the lease produces expensive and severe consequences. When a non-disclosed pet is discovered (and it always is) it voids the lease and may cause the forfeiture of your entire security deposit. It is critical that all pets obtain prior approval.

Is the $20 Application Fee per Applicant or per Property?

All applicants 18 and over must submit an application and pay the $20 application fee.

What are my total move-in costs?

Your move-in costs will typically consist of:

• Application Fees
• First month's rent
• Your security deposit
• Any applicable pet fees / deposits

Is there Sales Tax on rent?

No. At this time there is no Sales tax for rent.

Is the Security Deposit refundable?

Yes -- provided that the property is left in satisfactory condition at move-out. Most residents receive 100% of their deposit back at move-out.

Are utilities included in the price of the rent?

In a detached home, you are almost always responsible for the utilities (Electric, Water, Gas, Telephone). In a townhome, condo, or apartment, the policies on utilities vary by each individual property. Refer to the individual property listings or speak with a Leasing Agent for more details.

What is PSN (online Rent Payments)?

PSN is a service which allows you to pay your rent electronically each month. Once you enroll, Ernst & Haas automatically debits your account each month for the exact amount of the rent. With PSN there is never a late fee and it's one less thing to remember. Click Here to Enroll in the PSN Program

Do you take credit cards?

We do accept on line credit card payments for application fees; however, rent and deposit must be paid by check, money order or debit card.