Tenant Frequently Asked Questions

1.Why should I rent from Austin Property Management inc.?
2.How do I apply to rent a property?
3.Am I required to sign a lease?
4.When is my rent due and where can I pay my rent?
5.How do I get help for a maintenance problem?
6.How long should I wait to hear back from someone regarding a maintenance problem?
7.What am I responsible for maintaining?
8.Do I need approval to paint or change something in the home I am renting?
9.Do I need renters insurance?
10.What happens if I need to move before the end of my lease?
11.What do I do if I need to move?
12.Can I get a pet?
13.What do I do if I have an emergency.

1. Why should I rent from Austin Property Management inc.?

We are a professional, knowledgeable, and courteous property management company.
We work very hard to provide the highest quality tenant services you'll experience.
We care about our tenants and their experience while renting from Austin Property Management inc..

Here are a few other reasons:

We use professional vendors (painters, handymen, plumbers, carpet cleaners, etc) to ensure that your unit is in good condition. We inspect the work performed to ensure that everything is ready before you move in.

We are available 24 hours a day to handle emergency maintenance repairs.

We provide detailed Move-in and Move-out inspection reports for proper documentation of the condition of your rental unit.

When you sign your lease, you have a meeting with your property manager to go over all parts of the lease to help ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities under the lease.

2. How do I apply to rent a property?

When you contact Austin Property Management inc. at 226-798-2420, we will pre-qualify you by asking several questions.
We will then arrange an appointment to view the rental property.
You will then receive an application form to be filled out and returned to us.
We will process your application and let you know the results.

This process generally takes about 12 to 48 hours depending on how quickly your references respond to our requests.

3. Am I required to sign a lease?

Yes, you will sign a 12 month lease that covers ours and your responsibilities throughout your tenancy.
We will go over each part of the lease to ensure you understand it.
After your lease is signed, we'll hand you the keys to your home the day before you move in, at which time both of us will do a final walk through inspection.

4. When is my rent due and where can I pay my rent?

Rent is always due on the first day of each month.

Rent can be paid by email transfer to: Info@AustinPropertyManagement.ca
or by post-dated cheques.

Please specify your rental address in the memo field of your check.

Cheques, money orders, or cashiers checks are acceptable, please NO CASH!

5. How do I get help for a maintenance problem?

All maintenance requests must be made in writing. You may submit your request through our website under tenant services " Work Order" or by e-mailing Info@AustinPropertyManagement.ca
Please use the online maintenance form from our website first.

6. How long should I wait to hear back from someone regarding a maintenance problem?

In a non-emergancy situation, please allow three days.
If you have not heard from us or our vendor in three days, please contact Austin Property Management inc. directly at 1-226-798-2420.
We will make every effort to touch base with you as soon as possible.

7. What am I responsible for maintaining?

Tenants are responsible for maintaining lighting, snow removal from sidewalks, porch and steps and some other items that may be specified in your lease.
This may mean changing these items two to three times a year or as frequently as needed.
Most residents in single family homes are responsible for maintaining their individual lawn care as well, to include watering, weeding, mowing, blowing, pruning and all general upkeep of the yard.
Please refer to your lease agreement for further acknowledgement of yard duties.

When moving out of an Austin Property, the tenants' responsibility grows substantially. Please refer to your lease agreement or call Austin Property Management inc. for further detail.

8. Do I need approval to paint or change something in the home I am renting?

Yes! Any and all changes or modifications to the property must be requested in writing to Austin Property Management inc.
These requests must be approved and sent back in writing to the tenant prior to any changes.

9. Do I need renters insurance?

Austin Property Management inc. highly recommends that all residents carry enough insurance to cover themselves and their personal property.
Renters insurance is very reasonable and will really save you in the case of any disaster.
Austin Property Management inc. does NOT carry insurance to cover your personal property.

10. What happens if I need to move before the end of my lease?

Please refer to your lease agreement for details on breaking a lease and contact Austin Property Management inc. as soon as possible to discuss your situation in detail. We are here to work with you.
There are three ways to get out of a lease agreement.
If more than three months remain, you can pay three months in advance and walk away from your lease with no further financial obligation.
If less than three months remain, you can pay out the remainder of your lease and walk away with no further financial obligations.
You may also attempt to re-lease the property by placing an ad, showing the unit and sending all prospects to Austin Property Management inc. for approval.
Once a new lease is signed with a qualified tenant, you are released from any further financial obligations.

11. What do I do if I need to move?

You must always provide a written 60 day notice to vacate. These can be obtained on our website at www.AustinPropertyManagement.ca or by calling 226-798-2420.
Notices must be delivered a full 60 days prior to your vacating date. Once received by our office the 60 days will begin.

12. Can I get a pet?

Please refer to your lease agreement to see if pets are negotiable at your property. If no pets are allowed then you will not be able to have one at the property.
If pets are negotiable you must submit a request in writing to Austin Property Management inc. and include the type, breed, sex and age of the proposed pet. All of this must be done PRIOR to getting a pet.

13. What do I do if I have an emergency.

Examples of emergencies are: active water leaks, flooding, no heat in winter, fire, gas odors, etc.
For fire, gas or natural disasters, please call 911 first!

Take every measure to prevent damage to the unit for whatever emergency is happening, then call 226-798-2420.