Tenant Frequently Asked Questions

• What are your Office hours?

  We are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• When should I begin looking for a home to rent?

  You should start looking about 1-2 months before you need to move. Many of our available homes are still occupied while others are vacant. We can't hold a vacant home for long periods of time and we can take applications on occupied homes.

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

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

• Can I arrange to see a rental home?

  Yes. We require tenants to assist in showing a property during their final month in a home; however, this can be difficult to coordinate. Please be considerate of the current resident when viewing the home. But remember, the home may not be in rent-ready condition, and you may want to wait to see it after we have it ready. Zen Rent is committed to ensuring that all of our homes are clean and in good repair before a new tenant moves in.

• How long are your leases?

  Leases are typically 12 months in length. Occasionally a lease can be shortened or extended. Check with you property manager for details.

• Does my application take the home off the market?

  No. Until your application is approved, all offers to rent will be considered. However, after you sign a lease that home will be taken off the market.

• How long can a home be held for me?

  Once you are approved a vacant home can usually be held for up to 1-2 weeks. However, this may vary depending on the home. Call our office for details on a specific home.

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

  Yes. Many of our advertised homes are still occupied and not ready to be shown. If you see a home that is still occupied, you can submit an application conditional on your acceptance of the home.

• 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) 

• How can I obtain a copy of my credit report?

  You can obtain a copy of your credit report www.freecreditreport.com or (800) 366-6573

• Do we need to submit separate applications if we are roomates?

  Yes. We require a separate application for all adults over 18.

• Do you take co-signers?

  We usually only take co-signers when the applicant has insufficient credit history or earning power to pay the rent.

• 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?

  If coming to our office to submit your application is a hardship you can either fax or e-mail it to us (although it must be signed). Please call and confirm that we have received it. However, we cannot process the application until the fee is paid. You can also apply online and submit payment there. To do this click here: How to Apply Online

• 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.

• What if I don't have good credit?

  If it is determined that you have poor credit, Zen Rent Property Management may rent to you. In order to accept your application, Zen Rent Property Management will require a security deposit of 1.5 times the original deposit.

• What if I have a bankruptcy or a prior eviction?

  Depending upon the circumstances, Zen Rent Property Management may rent to you if you’ve had an bankruptcy or eviction but not both. Bankruptcies must be discharged and the eviction satisfied or the application will be automatically denied. However, it is important that after either the bankruptcy or the eviction, there needs to be a history of good rental payment. In addition, Zen Rent Property Management will ask for a security deposit of 1.5 times the original deposit.

• How do I know if I have been approved?

  We will call you the moment your application is completed. We appreciate your patience while your application is processed with the highest priority.

• What do I do after I am approved?

  Once you are approved we’ll contact you to arrange signing the lease, payment of your Security Deposit, and to schedule a move-in date. You will also need to begin move-in preparations like getting the utilities switched into your name.

• When is the rent due?

  All rents are due on the first day of the month.

• Which appliances are included?

  Appliances will vary depending on the home. Most will include a stove, dishwasher, and garbage disposal. Some homes provide microwaves, while some offer refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Check the on-line listings for details on a specific home.

• Is insurance provided?

  While the home 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.

• What if I have some concerns about the home 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 how we can resolve them. It is important that all questions be answered before moving in.

• Do you accept pets?

  Because each home and each homeowner are different, the best answer we can give is "it depends". In a few homes 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, or any close relatives. Pet policies are strictly enforced.

• Do pets cost extra?

  We require a $500 non refundable one time pet fee per pet and $50.00 pet fee per pet per month. We do have a 2 pet max, refer to our pet policies for additional pet information.

• How many pets are allowed?

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

• What happens if I do not 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 causes the forfeiture of your entire security deposit. It is critical that all pets obtain prior approval.

• Is the $49 application fee per applicant or per home?

  The application fee is per applicant.

• What are my total move-in costs?

  Your move-in costs will typically consist of:

  • Prorated first month’s rent
  • Rent Tax (1.5% - 3% - varies from city to city)
  • Your security deposit and pet deposit

• Is the security deposit refundable?

  The security deposit is refundable. The security deposit refund is subject to the condition the property is left in. Any maintenance/cleaning needed will be charged to the deposit.

• Are utilities included in the rent?

  No, the tenant is always responsible for the utilities except in a few isolated circumstances a property may include some part of utilities. Refer to the listing details or speak with an agent for any questions.

• Do you take credit cards?

  We can accept credit and debit cards with our online application payment. We cannot accept credit card payments for move-in funds or first month rent.

• Who do I call to take care of maintenance and repairs?

  All maintenance and repairs need to be submitted to Zen Rent. When you call in a request for service, it is recommended that you give as much detail regarding the problem and phone numbers where you can reached. Our office will give this same information to a repairman or technician. The technician will contact you directly to make an appointment. We also have available a 24 hour emergancy phone line.

• When I move-out, when will I get my security deposit back?

  After you have returned the keys to to our office we inspect the home usually with in 24 hours. You can choose to be present at the inspection but it is not necessary. We will then send the all or part of deposit to your new address with in 14 business days depending on the condition you leave the property in.