Tenant FAQ
Got Questions?
Well we've got all the answers here.
(If not call us and we will make some up)
Most of your rentals are for three years, what if I want to move in two?
In most cases you can move out on 60 days notice.
What is this Lease Option stuff? I only want to rent.
We set up the houses as lease options because the owners want to sell them,
we can't make you buy them!
On one of your listings I did not see where it said Lease option, can I still buy it.?
Some of our owners don't want to sell their homes, so the short answer is No, if it does not say lease option, the home is not for sale.
I have been pre-approved for a mortgage, can I still do a lease option?
Sure...we can sell you the home now...or you can wait 12 months and get half your rent back towards the purchase. A home is a big decision. Make sure it's what you want!!
There must have been 50 people in the house when I got there...should I even bother to call and make an appointment for an application?
You know it's funny. We can have 50 people through a house and dozens saying that they will call us and the phone doesn't ring. Another day we can have 5 people through that don't say anything and we'll make 5 appointments. You just never know. So in other words
IF YOU THINK YOU WANT THE HOUSE CALL US AND MAKE THE APPOINTMENT!!!
Depends. Great answer huh? We take pets on an individual basis. The owner of the property makes the final decision.
On the site the only day I see for showing houses is on Sunday. Can't I see the houses any other day?
The short answer is NO! The long answer is yes but it is a real pain in the...well never mind. In order for you to see any of our rental houses on days other than Sunday we would 1. Have to get you an agent who is willing to spend their time showing you a rental house 2. Have vacant homes for rent. and 3. Somehow get the keys to the other agent. And 4. Pre-qualify you over the phone. The agent showing the rental will probably want to charge you a showing fee of $40.00 because we won't pay them anything for showing you the house. (Yup, were cheep) So there you have it. Your best bet is to come see us on Sunday.
(We are not all bad though...we will put that $40.00 towards the application fee if you decide you want one of the houses.)
Do you take Section 8 vouchers?
Nope, sorry.
Do you do applications by Fax?
Nope. We do "face to face" app's
What do I need to bring with me to the showings?
Nada, just bring yourself. We don't want any information or money during the showing. If you want the house call us later that evening and set up an appointment to sit down and do a "face to face" application.
How do I get information on leases, and what I need to move in?
Come see us on Sunday at the open houses and we will give you a "Pink Sheet" that will explain everything you need.
I am a very disorganized person and I want to start looking for the things I need for the application now.
OK, good for you. You will need a Drivers License (or State ID), W-2, Bank Statement (Checking, Savings, Money Under Pillow), A Copy Of Your Last 6 Canceled Rent Checks (Or money order receipts, bank statements showing cashed checks, computer printout from landlord, cash receipts), A Pay Stub, and a Electric Bill With Your Name On It.
Uhh, I don't have one of the things listed above, what do I do?
Bring what you have and if we need more we'll ask for it.
I can't understand Ed's tape what do I do?
Look at the houses on this site. They're the same.
What if I feel the desperate need to talk to you about the houses? How do I get in touch with you?
Our phone number is listed on this site somewhere but you have to find it.
Just remember when you call that we have the short term memory of a turnip, you'll be lucky if we can remember how many bedroospacer a particular house has. Just to reiterate, most of your questions will be answered if you come to the open houses.
How long does it take to know something after I sit down and do an application?
About 3 days, sometimes less.
Are you going to paint and replace those carpets before we move in?
In most cases, NO! We usually rent properties "as is". In other words what you see is what you get.
How much is the electric for this place?
Don't know but you can call delmarva and they will tell you.
I can't find the house, even with your excellent directions.
Get yourself an ADC Map book. They are about $10.95 and you can find them at most 7-11's or Wawa's. On the site you see those strange letters and numbers? E.g..(N010J05) Those are the map coordinates. They mean New Castle County Map Book, Map Number 10 (Not the page number), coordinate J (Letters on top of the map), 05 (Numbers on the side)
Are you guys crazy? I ain't paying that!
Crazy is such a harsh word. Yes, we are a bit off, but hopefully with a lot of counseling and the advent of new pharmaceuticals we will get better.
You have more questions?
Just come see us on Sunday, the "Pink Sheet" should answer the rest of your questions. If not, well you are way to inquisitive.
Tenant Find Service
Finding a good, qualified tenant is probably the hardest part of having a rental property.
At CENTURY 21 Gold Key Realty's Property Management Division we try to make it easy.
In order to find you a good tenant we
advertise in the Rentals section of the News Journal and on this web site, which
generates about 100 calls per week
on our rental hot line (302) 453-1619 or hits on our site.
We show the homes on Sunday
(and by appointment during the week) for
approximately 15 minutes each which
can bring in anywhere from 5 to 70
people during the open house. During the open houses we hand out individualized "Pink Sheets" (Yes they are pink) to the prospective tenants that should answer all their questions about the property and how to lease it.
After showing the homes we set up
face to face Rental Applications for the following
Day or Evening.
We use FHA Guidelines to qualify
- - Credit Report
- - Last 6 Canceled Rent Checks
- - Pay Stubs
- - W-2 Previous Year
- - Bank Statement
- - Drivers License
- - Electric Bill
You, the landlord, make the final decision!
If you approve of the tenant we sit down with them and sign a lease specific to your property.
** Sure it sounds easy but if you have never done it yourself you know the truth.
The Fine Print
Our lease conforspacer to the Landlord Tenant Code Aug 96.
Our lease conforspacer to the Lead Paint disclosure.
We supply a copy of the Lead Paint Form (Federal) a copy of the New Castle
County Tenants Guide and a copy of the Delaware Landlord Tenant Code (Required by Law)
OK, so you are going to get me a great tenant. But I am out of town quite a bit and if something goes wrong with the house I may not be here to take care of it. Can I get some information on PROPERTY MANAGEMENT also?
Property Management
Sure it's easy as long as the tenants live up to their part to the bargain.
At Century 21 Gold Key Realty's Property Management Division we make them, or out they go.
Just a few of the things that Property Management does for you:
- Monthly Owner Statements. Along with net proceeds. (We'll even put the money in the bank for you)
- - 24 Hour emergency line for Tenants or Owners.
- - If the tenants are not living up to their part of the bargain..?
Late notices sent out on the 5th.
- - If the tenants are really not living up to their part of the bargain..??
5 day intent to evict notices sent out.
- - The intent to evict notices usually make the tenants straighten up and fly right.
If not... Off to court we go.
- - If they don't vacate we coordinate with the Sheriff and Locksmith and have them removed.
- - Plus much much more...