COVID-19 UPDATE:
Idaho has experienced another very challenging month for COVID-19 spread. As of January 24, 181 new cases were recorded that day bringing the total number to 159,506 with 1,669 deaths. As of January 24,93,582 doses of vaccine have been administered to Idaho residents. Idaho remains in Stage 2 Order.
For more information: https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
For Stage 2 Guidelines: https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/stage-2-modified-order.pdf
For Idaho COVID-19 Vaccine information: https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/covid-19-vaccine/
Important Reminders
1) Accounting would like to remind you of the changes to our payment system. We will now be taking your rent payments through your Tenant Web Access. If you have any questions about this new process, please feel free to reach out to Brandy Kerr at rmainfo@rentalsinboise.com
2) All the usual cold weather reminders are still in effect. We may not have snow in the valley, but the temperatures are still dipping below freezing most nights. So, whether you are home or away, keep your heat in the 60s to prevent freezing pipes.
3) Our monthly reminder – have you changed filters recently? If not, please do so right away. Clean filters improve the performance of your furnace and keeps your air quality free of allergens and dust. If you don’t know where to find your filters, or how to change them, call your property manager.
4) If your gutters are full of leaves and debris, you may notice them overflowing when it rains, or sagging from weight, or growing plants. If you witness any of these tell-tale signs, please take a photo of the evidence and submit it to us through the property meld system on our website so that we can issue a work order.
5) Your foundation vents should have been closed up for the winter. This reduces freezing air from creating a hazard to crawl space plumbing and will also help to keep your home warmer. But remember, as it turns to Spring weather to open these vents up to promote healthy air circulation.
If you have any maintenance concerns for your yard or your home, please CONTACT US! All maintenance concerns should be submitted through property meld, accessed on our website, under the Tenant Tab – Maintenance Request – Submit Work Order. Also, there is a “Maintenance Request” link on the dark blue bar at the top.
The Ins and Outs of Our Move In and Move Out Process
By DaNay Salas
Realty Management strives for every home to be clean and in good working order for each new tenant upon move in. Before your move-in, the RMA team conducts several walk-through surveys. We first survey the property immediately after the prior tenant moves out. From that walk through of the property we note the condition of the property from the perspectives of cleanliness, wear and tear, maintenance items, potential tenant damage, and condition of the front and back yard. From this survey we draw up a report and issue any work orders that may be needed. Once the work has been completed by our maintenance and cleaning teams, our office conducts another walk through of the property, prior to a new tenant moving in, to ensure the property is move-in ready.
New tenants will find move-in documents waiting for them on the kitchen counter along with extra keys and any electronic devices for the home. Included in the documents is a Residential Inspection and Acceptance form. New tenants are requested to complete this form and return to RMA within 7 days. This form is important to the tenant, as it allows them the opportunity to document any minor damage, or pre-existing issues they may observe.
By documenting these concerns, the tenant protects themself from the possibility of being held responsible for the item(s) of concern when they vacate the property. When completing this form, please remember there is a distinct difference between “dirty” and “age worn”. There are no circumstances where a property should be rented out in a dirty condition.
When the time comes for a tenant to move on, a 45-day written notice to vacate is required. The terms of the lease agreement require tenants to leave the property in a condition equal to, or better than when they moved in. Tenants are expected to conduct a thorough cleaning of the entire property and to make sure all yard care has been completed. If the tenant wishes to hire professional cleaners, they may coordinate with RMA to hire independent cleaners recommended by RMA. This is advisable so that the tenant is assured the cleaners will clean to standards acceptable to RMA. It is requested that tenants do not try to patch nail holes or damaged walls, repaint, or clean carpets. These items are arranged for by RMA to ensure that carpets are professionally cleaned and walls patched and painted to our standards.
The official vacancy date of the tenant is determined by the date that keys are delivered to our office. Tenants may request a walk through with a property manager prior to turning in keys to note any deficiencies that are in need of correction, however there is a $50 charge to the tenant for this service. In compliance with the lease agreement, RMA has 30-days from the when the tenant has turned in keys to complete the tenant disposition and provide final account balance notice. Any security deposit funds owed the tenant will be released at this time. If a tenant disputes the final disposition notice they have 30-days to submit a grievance in writing to RMA.