Tenant Documents
Leasing Information
Move In Information
Move Out Information
Things You Need to Know
Click on a link below to view or download the following documents
- Rental Housing Application
- Sample Lease
- Sample Parental Guaranty
- Parking Application
- Rules and Regulations
- Move Out Procedure
- State College Borough Nuisance Property & Point System Information
- State College Guide for Renters
Leasing is a pretty easy process. Follow these simple steps and review the questions below and you'll quickly be on your way to renting from us. The steps are...
1. Find a place you would be interested in checking out
2. Set up a tour
3. If you like it, download a Rental Application
4. Call the office to hand in completed applications and security deposit to secure the house
5. Sign the lease
Can we get a tour to check out the inside of one of the houses or apartments?
To see the inside of one of our houses or apartments, call our office at 814-238-6656 to set up an appointment to tour the property. We need at least 24 hours to give the current tenants notice that we are coming over.
When can we sign the lease?
If a house is available for next year (there may be seniors in the house now who will be graduating), we can sign the lease after all of the applications have been handed in and approved and the full security deposit has been paid.
Do you know which houses are available for next year?
We usually have a good idea what's going to be available by the middle of October. Our current tenants get the first shot at renewing their apartments.
We know which house we want to rent. What should we do?
If you think you want to rent one of our places, have your group ready and organized and call our office immediately. The time you spend getting your group together is the time that someone else may be renting your place. Please remember that it is our policy to NOT "hold" apartments or houses while people assemble their groups.
How much money do I have to bring to the lease signing?
You need to bring the security deposit (equal to one month’s rent) to the signing as a good faith measure that you aren’t going to change your mind about living there. This deposit is non-refundable and you will lose it if you do change your mind after signing the lease.
We have most of the money but not all of it. Can we still sign the lease?
We'll review this on a case by case basis. If you have most of the money, and need a few days to get your parents to send the balance, We can probably live with that.
Is there anything else in addition to the security deposit that I should bring to the lease signing?
Yes. Please bring:
1.) Your driver’s license
2.) Your checkbook
3.) A completed application form for each person (found on this website)
4.) A $25 application fee for each person (this is used to pay for credit checks etc.)
Do we all have to be there for the signing?
That would be best. However, if someone is missing due to a schedule conflict, the lease can be signed by the rest of your group and the missing party can sign later.
Who has to sign the lease?
Everyone who is going to live in the house must sign the lease. In addition, you will need to get one parent per person to co-sign the lease in the form of a "Parental Guarantee". After we get done signing the lease, we'll email everyone copies of the lease. Then we'll send a "Parental Guarantee" to each of your parents. Your parents can then mail the original notarized "Parental Guarantee" back to us for our files.
Why do my parents need to co-sign the lease?
We realize that the parents are the ones paying for the housing, in most cases. If we don’t get the rent check, we can always track you down, but you don’t have any money. To get unpaid rent, we've found that parents are usually a good resource.
My parent’s won’t co-sign the lease, will you still rent to me?
If your parents don’t trust you to make the rent payment, should we? To remedy this, we offer the option to prepay your rent for the year. If done before August 1st, we usually offer a discount. Call the office to ask about this.
How long will it take to sign the lease?
It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on how organized the group is when we meet.
Where do we meet?
The HUB, Starbucks, Panera etc. Someone from the office will coordinate this with you and pick a place that is convenient for all.
Can we prepay our rent?
Yes. Many people choose to do this each year. Prepaying your rent is a large convenience to both PSU Houses and you. If you do it by August 1st, we'll probably give you a discount. Call the office for details.
Is parking included in our rent?
Parking is available on site at all of our properties. At some properties it is included in the rent at others it's available for a fee. Check out our parking spaces page to see what's available and download an application.
Where do we do our laundry?
If you are renting an entire house from us, washer and dryers are located in the basement. For those renting on West Beaver Avenue or Barnard Street, the laundry room is located at the back of 433 West Beaver. For those renting on West College Avenue, luandry facilities are located across the street at 701 West College Avenue.
Ok we've signed the lease, what's next?
Is our apartment or house furnished?
When can we move in? Can we move in early?
How do we set up utilities?
Your gas and electric is provided by Allegheny Power. You can contact them at (800) 255-3443 or www.alleghenypower.com
Water
Water service is provided by State College Borough Water Authority. You can reach them at
Cable/Internet
Comcast is available in State College. You can reach them at
Cable and internet is also provided by www.windstream.com
Where do we put our garbage?
All of our properties that are rented as units in a home will have access to a dumpster directly behind your building or right nextdoor. If you are in one of our 6 bedroom duplex homes, you will have trash cans behind your home on the alley.
What about recycling?
The recycling for State College is handled by the Centre County Solid Waste Authority. All of your recycling questions can be answered here.
What day and time do we need to be moved out of our apartment or house?
Your move out date is printed clearly on the first page of your lease. All leases end at noon on the final day of your lease.
Is the full month's rent due for August?
Yes, you signed a lease for twelve equal payments due the 1st day of each month. We do not prorate August rent.
Can we use our Security Deposit to pay our rent for July?
No.
When will we get our security deposit back?
Your security deposit will be returned within 30 days of the end of your lease. An itemized list of deductions will be included with the check.If you decide to trash the house on the way out, we will take digital photos and send them to you and your parental guarantor.
Can you send separate security deposit checks?
No. We only send out one check per house.
Do we have to clean the house when we leave?
Yes. The house needs to be cleaned, including kitchens, bathrooms, stoves and floors. If you have carpets, they must be professionally steam cleaned. Please leave the house empty. Do not leave anything behind including clothes, cleaning supplies, canned food etc. You will be charged for removal of these items.
Can we leave furniture behind?
No. We charge to remove furniture. If you are leaving the furniture for the new tenants you need to inform us and mark the furniture with a post-it note so we don't haul it away.
What are the most common security deposit charges?
- Missing keys. (Put all entry keys on the counter.)
- Missing keys. (Put bedroom keys inside of deadbolts.)
- Cleaning.
- Stains and Cigarette burns on carpet. (If the carpet is ruined, you bought it)
- Missing or destroyed furniture.
- Scratches on hardwood floors.
- Anything that ruins the paint job on the wall.
- Garbage, personal items and furniture left behind.
- Repainting rooms back to Sherwin Williams Dover White from any other color.
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What if I get locked out?
Getting locked out stinks and during normal business hours you will not be charged a lockout fee. M-F 9:00-5:00 p.m.However, if you call after hours, we will charge $100.00 to let you in. Our charge is cheap compared to most locksmiths. Please keep track of your keys. If you happen to lose your keys, it might be cheaper to call your roommates or to sleep on the couch for the night.
Please be aware that our property mangers have families and there might be a chance you will have to wait until the morning.
Bugs/Mice
It is actually very rare for our homes to be infested with pests. Pests typically stop by for one reason and that is for food. If you clean up your garbage and wipe down your floors that will help prevent ants and rodents. If you call our office complaining about bugs or rodents and we find that your housekeeping, or lack thereof, is the reason you are having problems, you will be paying for the exterminator's visit.
Carpets
One suggestion for keeping clean carpet would be to have parties at your friend's house. If you do have a large party and lots of beer gets on the carpet it is a great idea to have the carpets cleaned immediately. Google can help you find a good carpet cleaner in State College
Hardwood Floors
Many of our homes have hardwood floors. It is your responsibility to clean these floors. Please use Murphy's Oil Soap to clean up any party residue on hardwood floors. You will be charged if the floors become beer damaged. If your hardwood floors have been restored it is your job to maintain them. This also includes picking up furniture when you are moving it on the floor. Do not drag or push furniture on hardwood floors. You will be charged for any scratches that occur during your lease term. If you bring your own furniture it is your responsibility to put felt on the bottom of the legs so they do not scratch the floor.
Cleaning
It's easy for a rental to get out of control because of lack of cleaning and it causes issues between rommates. It's cheap for you to have a cleaning company come through from time to time. If you divide the cost by the number of roommates in the house, it's probably less than a trip to the bars. Call the office and we'll get you in touch with our cleaner.
Inside Furniture Found Outside / Fire Hazards
If you find your couch missing from the front porch, you should also expect to get a bill for hauling it away. There is a city ordinance against interior furniture on front porches because it is a serious fire hazard. Also excluded from use on front porches are Tiki torches, lighter fluid, charcoal grills, etc. Having lost a property to fire in the past, we have a zero tolerance policy on this issue. If we find that these items contributed to the cause of your house catching on fire, you'll assuredly be hearing from our insurance agent. Again, charcoal grills are strictly prohibited. Gas grills may be used but must remain 20 feet from the house.
House Parties / Damages
We realize that college students like to have parties. Please do so responsibly. There is a point system in place in State College that targets nuisance properties. Once a property accumlates a certain amount of points, PSU Houses can lose it's rental permit. If you accumulate points against your property, you will be charged $100 per point. If we lose our rental license, you will be responsible for all lost rental revenue until our license is restored by the Borough.
Please clean up after your parties. State College Borough routinely sends out inspectors on Sunday mornings to give out fines to people with trash and party debris in their yards and on their porch. Yes, they will come up on the porch to inspect. This violation is one that results in points being applied to a property.
If you have a party and damages occur, you will be responsible for paying for the repairs. Large holes in walls, broken windows, and other obvious damage are billed at labor cost plus materials.
Roof Access
Climbing on the roof is strictly prohibited. Not only can you damage the shingles, you might kill yourself if you fall off.
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This site is for informational purposes only. It is reviewed for accuracy and updated frequently. Contact our office to verify all rental information. Your signed lease is a legal, binding document. Please read it carefully before signing. This site is not associated with any college or university.
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