TOP TEN FAQ’s FROM LANDLORDS
1. How do you screen prospective tenants in Reston, Ashburn, Herndon, Sterling, Chantilly, and NOVA?
We screen all tenants in accordance with all applicable local, state and Federal laws.
First, let it be known that we can not screen based on Color, Race, Sexuality, Religion, Handicap or
challenged, Elderliness or Familial status.
Yes, we even had someone ask us to look for specific sports fan loyalty...LOL:) 
However, we use the NTN www.ntnonline.com to screen all applicants. They are able to provide
the most concise reportwith a rental rating score for the most reasonable cost. The applicant is
required to pay $50.00 for the application fee and you as the owner do not need to cover this. The
tenants need to pay since this helps screen serious applicants.
We require the following before we can assess the eligibility of the prospective tenant.
- Completed application, credit reporting documents, etc.
- Application fee(Covers credit, tenant skip trace, criminal and address
verification)
- First months rent in the form of a Certified Bank funds or Cashiers Check.
- Documentation of income such as Paystub, military LES, Job offer, etc.
- Verification of identity such as copy of one for each applicant. (license, military
ID, passport)
We will ensure that you able to screen every applicant and be able to make a sound
decision on your new prospective tenants. We will also provide you a “quality grade” on
your prospective tenant.
2. What are your fees for property management?
In general we can make adjustments depending on how much we need to do and we also honor our military and foreign service.
a. What services you need us to provide?
b. Condition of your property?
c. Location of your property?
d. Have you referred business to us?
e. Are you a repeat and loyal customer?
f. Are you in the foreign service or military?
Please view our website HPE Property Management Reston
3. Do we need to provide appliances for tenants?
We recommend that you ensure that you have all the required kitchen appliances in your
rental property. Not to mention in a very appealing condition also. Most renters in the HPE
DC/Northern VA are working professionals and seem to have very detailed viewing
capacity. Basically, if your house has old equipment this will turn off most prospective
tenants and keep your home on the market longer.
We also recommend you have a washer and dryer which is working practice in this area to have
included in the rental.
4. Do we need to change our ” home owners policy”?
Ensure that your insurance agent is aware that your property is a rental policy. Also, we
at HPE will ask you name HPE on the policy as “additional insured” and or under a
“property management endorsement”. This is especially important if your going to be out of
communucation range like deployed, etc. Most experienced insurance agents understand this.
If your property is newly vacant then you need to ensure that your policy is upgraded to
cover vandalism and other potential hazards or losses.
5. Can we require the tenants to have a “renters policy”
Yes, we will require before move that the new tenants will have a copy of the “renters
policy” that covers their property contents and liability. However, please note we can of course
require them to pay the policy once the move in and they can cancel it.
6. What about allowing pets in our rental property?
Well, this is certainly a tough call. This depends on your tolerance for risk and your
ability to allow your property to be vacant longer. In the NOVA area a property that
allows pets certainly appears to fill quicker.
Here are some items to consider.
a. Contact your home owners insurance agent and find out about what pets may not
be allowed under your policy.
b. Ensure you have a pet security deposit. In Virginia you can have up to two
months total deposits(security, pet, keys,etc)
c. Non Refundable pet fee can also be considered but i recommend against thatd.
d. We do not recommend dangerous dogs like pit bulls and several other breeds due
to obvious liability reasons.
e. Have the tenants provide a photo of all pets in your property.
f. Have the tenants provide a written request for any new pets.
g. Ensure tenants read all association docs regarding pets.
h. Provide tenants with any local contacts for dog licenses, etc.
7. Do the tenants need to have the carpets professional cleaned?
Yes, we will require tenants have your carpets cleaned by one of our screened cleaners.
The tenants will sign this acknowledgement twice since we will “withhold or deduct” the
amount to clean the carpet if the tenants do provide a receipt from an approved company.
This carpet cleaning needs to be even if they do not have pets, smoke or have children.
8. What are the typically rental prices we can fetch and will it cover our mortgage?
This is the magic question in the NOVA area. We have many customer owners that are
backwards on their properties for whatever reason. So if you are backwards (Meaning
that your monthly PITI (payment, interest, taxes, insurance) are higher than the market
rents you can get.) we recommend that you seriously review your financial situation. Not
only will your tenant be sending us a rent check but we will require you maintain the
difference of your payment to us quarterly if we need to make payments on your behalf.
We can do a rental CMA on your property for you over the phone to provide you a
“rent range”. However, to accurately provide you the more detailed analysis we would
need to view your property for the condition, safety and amenities.
You can get a fairly good estimate of your property rental value here.
http://www.rentometer.com/us or http://www.zillow.com/
9. What can we do if a tenant wants to buy our rental property?
Well lets see here are a few options.
a. Have your tenant obtain a mortgage.
b. Have you provide “owner financing” to your tenant if you can.
c. Work on a Lease Option Contract with your tenant. (HPE can help)
10. What about Security deposits and what do we need to do with these?
First, lets say that the courts take these very seriously. We maintain an Escrow account
and follow all applicable local and state laws. If we manage your property we will worry
about this and not you.
Please consult your attorney or even please view the Fairfax County FAQs on Tenant Landlord relations.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer/tenant/tenant_landlord_faqs.htm
Have a great day!
"We REALLY do appreciate all your referrals"
Joseph Holbrook , Associate/Concurrent VA Real Estate Broker
HPE Properties @ Keller Williams Realty Reston
Phone (703) 651-9169
Fax: (703) 651-9170
It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves.
--Henry David Thoreau
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