What is a Co-Signer?
Since we have individual leases, we require a Co-Signer for each Tenant.  Since most of our Tenants are students with little of no credit, the Co-Signer's credit is used to secure the property.  The Co-Signer would agree to pay the rent in the event the Tenant was not able to pay their balance.  Typically the Co-Signer is the Mother or Father of the Tenant.  In rare cases, where there was a good reason, we have used an Aunt, Uncle or Grand-Parent.  

The Co-Signer does not need to come to Harrisonburg to sign the lease.  The Co-signer can fill out the Co-Signer application and fax it to us or the Tenant can fill out the Co-Signer application with the co-signer's permission.  We send the final leases to the Co-signers for them to sign and simply mail back to us.

Which group gets the property?
We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, sexual preference or familial status.
We do discriminate based on previous credit history and previous rental records of both the Tenant and Co-Signer.  We also reserve the right to refuse renewal to Tenants or Co-signers with a poor rental record.

There are two ways to hold a property for your group:

1. Fill out a Hold Agreement for the property at our office and pay a $45 per Tenant hold fee.   This holds the property for two days to allow prospective Tenants to get their application package together.  If the items on the Application Package (see details below)  are received within the two day hold period, the $45 per person application fees will be waived. The hold fee is a non-refundable fee.
   
   --  OR  --

2. Turn in a completed Application Package and set a lease signing appointment.  The application fees are non-refundable fees.

What is in an Application Package?
1: Each Tenant should fill out a Tenant Rental Application.
2: Each Co-Signer should fill out a Co-Signer Application, (note:  the Co-Signer must be a parent of the Tenant)
3: Application fee check for $45 per person made payable to Castle Property LLC.
4: A $100 earnest payment for each Tenant.
4: One completed House Manager Worksheet which lists the rent amounts and room numbers for each Tenant and the name of your House Manager.
All of these forms are available on our web site in the Documents section or available at our office.

Can the current Tenants "RESERVE" a house listed on the web site as "AVAILABLE" ?
No.  Sometimes current Tenants will tell interested Tenants visiting their property that they are planning to renew their lease and that the property is not available.  They may genuinely be considering renewal or they may be trying to "pass" the house on to friends or members of the same club, organization or major.  If the property is listed on our web site as "AVAILABLE" it is available to the first group that either makes application or puts a hold on the property without regard to their current Tenant's possible future plans.

How much is the Security Deposit?
The security deposit is equal to 1.5 times the monthly rent.   For example if the monthly rent is $500.00  the security deposit is $750.00.  This deposit is used to pay for physical damages at the end of the lease.  Within 45 days of the end of the lease, Castle Property will refund the security deposit.  If there are any deductions there will be a full accounting included with the refund check.

When is the Security Deposit due?
Half of the remainder of the security deposit (the deposit minus the $100.00 paid at application) is due within 10 days of signing the lease and the second half is due 40 days after signing.  At the lease signing appointment, all Tenants and the Landlord sign the lease.  A copy of the lease is sent to the Co-Signers for their signature.  The co-signed copy of the lease and the remainder of the security deposit are due at our office no later than 10 days after the lease signing date.  All Tenants/Cosigners have the option to break the final security deposit payment into 2 parts.  The first part would be due within 10 days of signing the lease, the second within 40 of signing the lease.  There is no additional cost to break the deposit into three payments.

Where are these Applications and the lease located?
Applications and leases can be printed directly from the web site or can be picked up at our office.  To print, select one of the documents listed above or go to the forms and documents section of the site for a complete list of printable documents.  CP will fax or send applications to prospective Co-Signers or Tenants upon request.

What is the fastest way for my Co-Signer to submit their credit application?
If you Co-Signer is not in the Harrisonburg area, the fastest way for them to submit their credit application is by Fax or to send a scanned copy by e-mail.  Co-Signers can print a copy of the Co-Signer application off our web site, or at your request we will e-mail a copy to them.  After filling out the application they should Fax or e-mail it back to our office (Fax:206-203-1820). 

If the Co-Signer does not have access to a fax machine, the Co-signer can scan the completed application with a smart phone scanner app or simply take a photo of the completed application and e-mail it to our office.  The Tenant can also fill the application for the Co-Signer with their permission.  There is a space at the bottom of the Co-Signer application where the Tenant can sign the Tenant's name affirming that the Co-Signer has given the Tenant permission to submit their information.

We encourage Co-Signer to also print a copy of the lease off the web site so that their questions can be answered before application or a hold is made for the property.

Do we have to sign the lease during normal business hours?
No, even though each person signs an individual lease, there are some decisions about the property that need to be made as a group.  It is for that reason that we need to set a time when the House Manager and most or all of the Tenants can meet.  We are able to sign leases during the day, however most of the time evenings and weekends are more convenient for the Tenants.  We need at least 24 hours to prepare the leases once the House Manager worksheet is received.

What if I change my mind about the property before the lease signing appointment?
Please be sure to communicate with your group so that they can find a replacement Tenant before the lease signing date.  The group will need to have a lease signed for each room within the 4 days of turning in the House Manager Worksheet.  The sooner your group knows that you may not be able to sign, the easier it will be for them to find a replacement Tenant.  Another Tenant can submit an application to take your place. 

Where can I see the lease?
We recommend that everyone reads the lease prior to deciding to rent a property.   You can print  the lease  from our web site or can pick up a printed version at our office.

Who else should I check with before submitting the application?
Since a Co-Signer is required on all leases, it is advisable to get a copy of the lease to your Co-Signer (or give them our web address) so that their questions or concerns can be addressed before you commit to a property.

The Off Campus Life Center will review leases with you free of charge. Simply print a copy of  the lease from our web site and they will be happy to answer any questions.

Who is the House Manager and why does (s)he get a monthly rent discount?
Each person will sign an Individual lease and will be responsible for their own rent and internet and cable.  Each group will select a House Manager to act as their representative throughout the year.  We recommend that the group chooses the most responsible person that could meet us at the property during the day as needed.  The House Manager is not responsible for collecting rent from the individual Tenants.  The House Manager will be the point of contact when we schedule inspections, repairs or showings.  It is the House Manager's responsibility to communicate this information to the others in the house.  Should there be any fines or repair charges that the entire house or several Tenants will split, the House Manager's account will be billed and (s)he will divide the charges accordingly and collect from the Tenants.  If during the lease  maintenance service is needed at the property, the Tenants and Co-Signers should contact the House Manager and (s)he can schedule with the office.  

Since the House Manager has some additional responsibility we feel it is justified to give that person a discount on their monthly rent.  The discount is typically $5 per person on the group agreement.  (6 person house = $30 monthly discount to the house manager).  For smaller units such as 2 bedroom apartments, we do not list a discount however the Tenants are free to work in the discount when selecting the rent assignments on the house manager worksheet.

Does it matter what bedrooms are listed on the Application Package?
Yes, since we write individual leases it is important that the bedroom number and rent amounts are correctly listed on the Application Checklist.  Please be sure that your group decided together which room each person will have and their monthly rent amount.  Your group can decide to split the rents differently than they are listed on the web site as long as the total rent for the property is the same.  Any changes to the bedroom numbers or rent amounts after lease signing will require writing new leases.  Tenants will be charged for the time needed to rewrite the leases so it is cheaper to decide before you turn in your Application package.  Take a few minutes to review the floor plan and figure out room assignments to avoid any lease change fees.

Encourage your Co-Signer to read through the lease.  If they have any questions please suggest they look up the information on our web site or call our office.   Remind them that we must receive the scanned copy of the signed lease within 3 days and the hard copy with deposit payment within ten days of the lease signing.  Please allow three or four postal days for the lease to arrive at our office unless your Co-Signer is using a commercial express carrier or hand delivering the lease.

If you or your Co-Signer has changed their mind and would prefer to not sign the lease, please let our office know as soon as possible.  Keep in mind that during  leases signing period, cancellation of one member affects the entire group.  As soon as you know that their may be a problem with the completion of your lease, be sure to let both Castle Property and your roommates know.  The sooner you let others know, the easier it will be to find a replacement Tenant.  A substitute Tenant can take your place and the remaining Tenant's leases will not be affected.

We will contact the group as soon as all paperwork has been received for your group.  We will also notify if we have not received either your paperwork or if someone else in your group has incomplete paperwork.  As soon as all leases are completed and received by Castle Property, each lease will be an Individual Lease and any cancellation after that date with be handled on an individual basis.

Since most Tenants sign their leases 8-10 months before their lease begins, we don't expect you to remember every deadline.  Before the end of the current Spring term, we will send a move-in package that includes your payment envelopes, a tenant information sheet to update any contact information that may have changed and information about your payments.  We also include information about renter's insurance and remind you of the rent payment schedule.  This information package is sent to your permanent address.  If this changes from the time you sign your lease, please keep us informed.