HOW TO RENT A HOME IN SAN DIEGO

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1 HOW TO RENT A HOME IN SAN DIEGO You have probably heard that San Diego is a wonderful place to live. Well it is, but finding a home to rent can be challenging. The plunge in vacancy rates is a direct result of recent job growth and population expansion combined with little new construction of rental properties in the recent years. The following is a hands-on guide to help you in your efforts in finding a home to rent in this competitive market. Target preferred neighborhood areas Take into consideration commute time. Try driving your work route morning and evening to get a sense of time, congestion and distance. Drive through areas you believe would be suitable for you. Get a feel for the neighborhoods for such things as shopping, parks, noise, well kept homes and yards. By scanning newspapers you can get a feel for rental prices for the areas you may want to live in. Choose areas that seem to fit your budget and have some availability. If possible, try not to focus on only one area as this will limit your choices and lengthen your time to find a home. If you have children, you may want to consider where the schools are in your area. We have maps and reports of districts that may help in this matter. Again, try not to be too specific on any one school, as this will extremely limit your housing choices. Have your paperwork in order Anytime you are out looking for rentals, you should have the following documents with you, as you may be able to talk with an owner. Company references or offer letter: This should contain your position, company contact person, salary, starting date of employment, etc. Identification: Social Security number; driver s license; past references from landlords, bank account information and credit card statement. Personal references are good as well and even a photo of your family. If you are coming from out of the country bring a credit report from you last home as these are not accessible from the U.S.

2 Be financially ready Have monies available in your checking account to place a deposit on a home you want. Most landlords will want the deposit and first month s rent in a cashier type check you can buy from your bank. Security deposits are generally one to two moths rent on houses, townhouses, and condos. Apartments are generally half that amount. Pet deposits will also increase the amount by several hundred dollars. Remember, until you have been approved by the landlord and have signed a lease and given your monies, the home is still subject to continued showings to applicants. Looking good More than likely there are many other people looking to rent the same property as you. Make a good impression on agents and owners. Be well-groomed and charming. This can really make the difference with your application. Introducing yourself It is important to try and sell yourself when calling or meeting property managers. They are looking for the most qualified tenants possible to reduce their risk of non-payments and damage to their properties. Knowing that there are many other people looking for the same type of property it emphasizes the importance of selling yourself. Be prepared to explain clearly what you are looking for: a house, townhouse, or condo. In addition, the time frame of when you need to occupy the property, how many bedrooms and baths you want, garage, yard, and the maximum monthly amount you will pay in rent. Tell them how many people will be living there and how you can be reached by telephone. Let them know whom you work for and what your title is. Be available to see property when appointments are made. Less than 10% of properties accept pets. If you have one, make sure to ask if they will accept one before you make an appointment to view the property. Property descriptions Single family home: Stand-alone house with no common walls. They usually have the largest yard, garage, and sometimes even your own pool or spa. Single family homes are also the mostly likely to accept a dog. They are, however, the highest in cost in general terms. Townhouse: These have one or two common walls. Most townhouses are less than 2000 square feet and often have two stories. They often have small yards and decks, and often a community pool. Condominium: Multi-story building similar to apartments but usually upgraded and larger. Underground parking or carports are the norms, as are small patios or balconies. A community pool and other amenities are also common. Apartment complex: These are the most common rental housing in all areas. Apartment complexes are owned by a single entity (often management companies or corporations) rather than separate individuals.

3 They vary greatly in regards to the size of a unit, age, and amenities such as pools, gyms, parking, and laundry. Apartment complexes are usually multi-story buildings and usually have the best availability for rentals. On-site managers and maintenance are common. Apartment complexes are generally the least expensive place to live. Unlike other properties, once you have placed a deposit with an apartment community, the unit is pulled off the rental market, eliminating competition from other applicants. Options: Since all categories of housing can differ greatly, keep in mind what amenities come with each. Some may have refrigerators, washer and dryers, microwave ovens and air conditioning. Others may not and you will need to rent or buy some of these appliances. This can add to your monthly expense. Check for covered parking, pools, gyms, and other amenities that add to its value. Apartment communities When looking for apartments the most efficient way is to consult the rental ad magazines offered for free at many grocery and convenience stores. We also have a list of major complexes by area that may be of help. The best apartments would include on-site management, which allows you to view apartments immediately without having to make appointments. But before you set out, call the complexes you wish to see, in order to check availability and current rates. Make a list of the complexes you will visit and in what order. If you find an apartment you like, be prepared to place a holding deposit for 24 hours while you continue to look. Make sure to ask if it is refundable and under what terms. Get a receipt! Deposits for apartments are generally less than for privately-owned condominiums. Leases House, Townhouse, or Condominiums: A twelve (12) month lease term is the norm for these privately owned properties. After that term you can often rent month-to-month or sign another lease. By signing another lease you protect yourself from rental increases during the next year or six months. Leases can be difficult to break if you need to move during its term. This, however, varies greatly from landlord to landlord. Apartments: A six, nine, or twelve month lease is common to most communities. A shorter lease may mean a higher rental rate verses a year long one. Once again, longer leases protect you from rental increases for that period and sometimes even offer special incentives to do so. Steps for securing a lease: First is the application process. This is the who you are and what you do part. This will include all your personal information and history. A processing fee will be requested to accompany the application. $25.00 to $40.00 per adult applicant is common. After a day or two, you should be notified whether you have been accepted or not and contacted to set up a meeting to sign the lease and place your deposit and/or rental money. (Cashier checks) Walk-throughs: All types of rental property will have you do this. It is the process of checking the property both inside and out for damage or non-working appliances prior to you moving in. Be sure to notice all areas including carpets, vinyl floors, countertops, windows/screen, and the blinds. This includes dirty areas as well. Also look for evidence of any unwanted pests. If so, have the landlord correct the problem. Make sure it is complete and accurate, as this will be your baseline when you vacate!

4 Your active search for a privately owned home The San Diego Union-Tribune runs a Rental Review every Sunday in a special section. The daily editions will contain rentals as well, and you should check them daily. This paper is also available on the web. San Diego Union/Tribune: The North County Times paper is a good source for areas in the northern part of the county. North County Times: San Diego Reader is a weekly paper published on Thursdays. You may find it at convenience stores, gas stations, and coffee shops. TIP issue is available on Wednesdays via the Internet for a head start! San Diego Reader: For Rent signs you may see when touring an area are just as good. Write down the address and phone number and call as soon as possible to set up an appointment to view. Reading classified ads in local/community newspapers (La Jolla Light, Coronado News, etc.) is also a good ways to find a place.

5 Sample Property Management Websites: North County Coastal North County Inland Central Beaches: Downtown Other-General: San Diego Roommate Resources San Diego Union Tribune: San Diego Reader: San Diego Roommates: San Diego Rental Apartments: Roommate Finders: Roommate Resource: Roommate Express: Roommate Service: Roommate Locator: Metro Rent: College Sublease: Craigslist on-line Community:

6 Utilities Almost all properties you can rent do not include utilities such as electricity, gas, phone, or cable TV. Some may include water, but generally not. Gas and electric: You should have the gas and electric set up approximately one week before you plan to move in by calling SDG&E. They may require a deposit if you have had no service with them. Telephone: Call SBC several days before your move to activate local and a long distance carrier, (AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.). After you have received your phone number you must call your long distance carrier and sign up for a calling plan. If you don t, you will have no long distance service. See our list of utilities and their numbers. Cable TV: You should be moved in to your new home before having this service connected, as a technician will need to come to your home. You should also have a TV as well. Cable providers vary from area to area and some offer high-speed cable computer modems and Internet service as well. Water: This should be a billing change only. There are many water districts in the county so make sure to ask your landlord which one to call. Services: If you are renting a house or townhouse make sure to ask if gardeners are included in the rental price. The same goes for pool and spa services if it has them. Renter s rights: You can find an extensive bill of rights at the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs web page. It deals with the legal aspects of renting. Find it at: We trust that this rental guide will make your house hunting in San Diego considerably easier. Remember that we at Relocation Coordinates are always available to answer your questions.

7 UTILITIES GAS & ELECTRIC SERVICES San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Clairemont District Office Toll Free: (800) Genesee Avenue, #103 Fax: (858) San Diego, CA Meter deposit is generally twice the average monthly bill. If client can prove good credit with a former electric company for at least one-year deposit may be waived. Letters of credit reference can be faxed by other utility companies to SDG&E. WATER & SEWER SERVICES City of San Diego Phone: (619) C Street Fax: (619) San Diego, CA City of Del Mar Phone: (858) Jimmy Durante Boulevard Fax: (858) Del Mar, CA City of Encinitas Phone: (760) S. Vulcan Avenue Fax: (760) Encinitas, CA City of Poway Phone: (858) Civic Center Drive Fax: (858) Poway, CA WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES City of San Diego Phone: (858) Within San Diego city limits, property owners do not pay for garbage pick-up; it is covered by your property taxes. Outside the city limits you must use one of the private Waste Collection Companies listed below, charges vary. Edco Waste & Recycling Services Serving: Bonsall, Coronado, Escondido, Phone: (619) Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Miramar, Mira Mesa, National City,

8 Rancho Santa Fe, and Spring Valley Serving: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia, Phone: (760) and Olivenhain Serving: Encinitas, San Marcos, Phone: (760) Solana Beach (part), Valley Center, and Vista Waste Management Serving: Carlsbad, La Costa, Del Mar, Phone: (760) Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach (part) Serving: El Cajon and Santee Phone: (619) Serving: Oceanside Phone: (760) Escondido Disposal Serving: Escondido Phone: (760) Pacific Waste Services Serving: Clairemont Mesa Phone: (858) Serving: Bonita and Chula Vista Phone: (619) Vista Household Hazardous Waste Facility Serving: Vista Phone: (760) TELEPHONE SERVICES SBC Pacific Bell Calling within the state of California Phone: (800) Calling outside the state of California Phone: (714) To order ISDN service Phone: (800) To order Directories & Yellow Pages Phone: (800) Little Tokyo Service Center Phone: (800) (Japanese Speaking Information Line) There is no deposit required at this time. Basic connection/activation fee is approximately $35. Long Distance Service Providers AT&T Long Distance Service Phone: (800) Including One Rate International service MCI Long Distance Service Phone: (800) Including MCI World Com service

9 Sprint Long Distance Service Phone: (800) CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES Call the company that serves your area in San Diego County to verify cable service coverage at your street address. If your address falls in a different service coverage area they will direct you to the appropriate cable provider. Cox Communications Cable Services Phone: (619) Serving: parts of Bonsall, Central San Diego, East County, Point Loma, parts of Poway, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, San Marcos, South Bay and Vista Daniel s Cable Vision Phone: (760) Serving: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Carlsbad, Del Mar, parts of Encinitas, Fallbrook, and Solana Beach Time Warner Cable Phone: (858) Serving: Coronado, Clairemont, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, Morena, North County, Pacific Beach, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Sorrento Valley, and parts of University City University Cable Phone: (858) Serving: parts of University City TRANSPORTATION SERVICES SD Commute Phone: (800) COMMUTE provides recorded information on bus, rail, trolley, coaster, train, ride-share, carpooling, bike, highway agencies and conditions. Taxi Services Yellow Cab - San Diego County Phone: (619) San Diego MTS Phone: (619) Access services for Seniors and Handicapped Carpooling Information Phone: (619) Transportation may be arranged from your residence to work or school. Service is provided for all of San Diego County, Orange County and parts of Los Angeles. Buses & Trolley Route and schedule information Phone: (619) Info Express Line (taped information only) Phone: (619)

10 Amtrak Santa Fe Depot Phone: (619) General information and Reservations Phone: (800) Coaster Connection Phone: (800) or (619) Department of Motor Vehicles General Information: Phone: (800) It is recommended to call ahead of time and make an appointment for driver s licenses, vehicle registration, and other miscellaneous needs. Standing in line without an appointment can take anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES San Diego Union Tribune - Daily paper for San Diego areas Union Tribune Publishing Company Phone: (619) P.O. Box 191 San Diego, CA North County Times - Daily paper for North County areas 207 E. Pennsylvania Avenue Phone: (800) Escondido, CA GENERAL INFORMATION For all emergencies dial 911 **You can dial 911, at no charge, from any pay phone in the county that has a dial tone. For non-emergencies Sheriff s Dept. (County Office) Phone: (858) Police Dept. (San Diego City) Phone: (619) Fire Dept. (San Diego City) Phone: (619) Ambulance Phone: (619) Paramedics Phone: (619) Poison Control Information Center Phone: (800) CRISIS TEAM 24-HOUR HOTLINE Phone: (800) General Public Services Attorney Referral Phone: (619) Better Business Bureau Phone: (858) City Attorney Office Phone: (619) City Council Information Phone: (619) Convention and Visitors Bureau Phone: (619) Department of Consumer Affairs Phone: (800) Employment (taped message/job listings) Phone: (619)

11 Health Department (County) Phone: (619) Mayor s Office Phone: (619) Noise Control Phone: (619) Parks and Recreation Phone: (858) Aquatics Center (Coastal) Phone: (619) Aquatics Center (Mission Bay) Phone: (858) Pools (Locations) Phone: (619) Golf Phone: (619) Coastal Phone: (858) Torrey Pines Phone: (858) Surf Information Phone: (619) Public Information Service Phone: (619) Amusement & Theme Parks Balboa Park Phone: (619) Legoland Phone: (760) San Diego Wild Animal Park Phone: (760) San Diego Zoo Phone: (619) Sea World Phone: (619) Sports San Diego Chargers (Football) Phone: (619) San Diego Gulls (Hockey) Phone: (888) ETM-TIXS San Diego Padres (Baseball) Phone: (888) MY-PADRES San Diego Spirit (Women s Soccer) Phone: (619) San Diego Sockers (Soccer) Phone: (619) San Diego Sports Arena Phone: (619) Arts & Entertainment Convention and Performing Arts Center Phone: (619) San Diego Symphony & Orchestra Phone: (619) San Diego Opera Phone: (619) Civic Theatre (Box Office) Phone: (619) TELESEAT Reservation Number Phone: (619)

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