Many questions have been asked in regards to the rental process and submitting applications. To better prepare you and help you understand the process, we’ve created a list of frequently asked questions that will hopefully answer your questions. We have also created a website page for this as well on our Charlesgate Rentals site, which we will be adding to as questions come up. If you have a question that isn’t addressed in this post, please do not hesitate to ask it in our Boston apartment rental discussion forum or leave a comment below.  It is after all, our job, to make sure that this entire process goes as smoothly as it possibly can. (We would also like to thank Brie, one of our great leasing associates here, for answering these first few questions. Thanks Brie!)

• What is a certified Check?
  A check from the bank that is for secured funds. A money order can also be used.
• What is notarization?
  A Notary Public witnesses the signature of the document and certifies the identity of the signer.
• What is a guarantor?
  In the event that the tenant named on the lease does not live up to the financial obligations that the guarantor (or co-signer) will take the responsibility, and why – many students are not independently financially qualified to pay for the units they rent and a guarantor is necessary to assure the landlord that they will be paid monthly.
• Why do some landlords require a lease signing to take an apartment of the market, (even though all monies are not due until move in)?
  To assure that the tenants are going to take the unit by signing a binding contract. It is an insurance policy against deals falling through.
• Purpose of Co-signer forms – see above
• Do you Have helpful information sheets regarding setting up utilities, etc?
  We have them here and also have the moving concierge that is sent to all customers that rent with us that assists in the moving and setting up of utilities and cable services as well as mail forwarding and moving quotes.
• Why do we run credit checks for both the applicant and co-signer?
  To confirm the applicant and co-signer’s identities and to check for the total amount of debt and the credit score. Sometimes applicants have student loans that do not show up on the parent’s credit and this is a good gauge of how much will be paid out monthly by the household.

We also have a nice little tab on rental resources and the actual paperwork involved in this process. Feel free to check it out.