FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you accept pets? And what are the additional charges?

We are DOG Friendly, however we are sorry, but we no longer accept cats in any of our properties.  Many people are allergic to cats, and the potential for costly damage is much greater with a cat than a dog. The decision to accept or decline a dog will be on a case by case basis.  Our general criteria is:

Your dog must be over one year old, be neutered or spayed, current on vaccinations and have no prior history of aggressive behavior towards other animals or humans, or a history of excessive barking. We also require recent pictures of the animal and a veterinarian certificate for rabies vaccination and certification of non-aggression.

Most of our homes’ HOA regulations prohibit more than 2 pets per household, and we reserve the right to place additional restrictions, depending on the particular property. We may not accept some breeds or mixes thereof: If you do decide to have a dog, we must approve the animal prior to its being brought to the residence. You will also need to increase the liability portion of your renters’ insurance to $500,000 and sign a pet agreement before a dog will be allowed. An additional pet deposit, sanitation fee and nominal monthly pet rent may be required. Please note that pets belonging to your friends, family members or co-workers are not allowed on premises without our permission.

What amenities are included?

This home is unique in that it has an On-Site Deer Creek Elementary School.  Grove Valley Elementary is highly acclaimed with a rating of 10/10.  In addition, there are 3 resort style pools, 2 of which are life-guarded.  There are 2 beautiful clubhouses with very well equipped fitness centers and Great Rooms that you can rent for your exclusive use for a nominal fee.  To top it off, there are 3 playgrounds, a soccer field, a basketball court and walking trails.   All of our properties have some type of amenities; they will vary in different neighborhoods.

What is the neighborhood like?

The Grove is a master planned community that will be one square mile when fully built out and has amenities that you will not find anywhere else.  The sense of community is a huge draw to our tenants.  You will find your neighbors friendly and welcoming — they embrace diversity and are always willing to pitch in and help each other.  There’s even bus service to the school provide at no charge.  Community activities are frequent such as parades and holiday events, and there are even adult get-togethers in the clubhouses.  The area is serene and peaceful, and you will feel as if you are out in the country, yet you are just minutes from major shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

Are any appliances included?

This VALUE ADDED home comes equipped with our deluxe Easy Transition package which includes FULL appliances and will save you approximately $225.00 per month if you were renting appliances.  If you are moving from an apartment or relocating from another area, then it’s a super deal for you, and you won’t have to sell or lug heavy appliances when it’s time to move.  There are stainless appliances in the kitchen including a smooth top electric range,  a built in microwave, dishwasher, large side by side refrigerator with ice and water in the door and a garbage disposal.  In addition we have added a large capacity washer and dryer to the laundry room.  All appliances are covered under an extended warranty paid for by us.

Why should I choose a home with a storm shelter?

When the safety of your family is in your hands, you want to know you’ve made the best choices possible. Oklahoma City Metro is no stranger to the F-5 tornado, and the peace of mind a tornado shelter can provide to your family is immeasurable. When sirens sound, seconds count; your family may not have time to get to a community shelter. Just knowing that your family, and even your pets, have a safe and secure place to go without ever leaving their home can provide that extra measure of security. We care enough about our tenants to install storm shelters in our properties, and we hope you will see and understand the clear advantages of choosing a rental home with a shelter vs. one without.

Why choose us over a property management company?

Often there is a big difference between the level of resident services provided by a private landlord and that of a property management company.  As a private landlord, we offer more personalized service and always attempt to make sure the house is a good fit for our tenants.  We consider various factors in recommending the house that will best fulfill your needs.   We have a vested interest in making sure our tenants move into an immaculate house that has been fully inspected and all repairs completed and remain happy through the entire tenancy. 

We won’t just hand you the keys and a stack of paperwork to fill out.  Our property assistants are present for your move in and make sure they answer all your questions and personally inspect the house with you.  On the other hand, many property management companies often have you pick up your keys at an office and after that, you are on your own. 

With us, you will receive a personal Welcome phone call after your move in, and you will have an additional week to notify us of any issues that may have been overlooked during your move in.  You will also have a direct line straight to us for any needed repairs or problems, whereas most property management companies will need to go through all the red tape before any repairs are performed.  We really DO try hard to be the best landlord you will ever have.  Check out our testimonial page!

Is there an application fee or holding deposit required?

The application fee includes our cost to run credit/background checks. This varies with your particular situation and history. We strongly suggest that if you are interested you submit an application ASAP. We do not take the home off the market until we have an approved application and a option to rent deposit.

Each resident age 18 and over must fill out a separate application, including part time residents who are college students. Incomplete or unsigned applications will not be processed; please make sure you have filled out ALL requested information and provided names and phone numbers of former employers, landlords and personal references. An application checklist is provided at the end of the application describing what documentation is needed. Color copies of Drivers License or Government Issued Photo ID MUST be clear and legible; it cannot be faxed. Scanned and emailed applications and documentation are highly preferable.

How do you prioritize when you pick between applicants?

Borah Rentals complies with all federal fair housing guidelines and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, or family status.  We apply the same screening criteria across the board for all applicants.

Do you have a waiting list?

YES we do! As soon as we know there will be a vacancy, we will send an email notification to those on the waiting list.  So, please send us a quick email to add you to our list.  Please specify if you want a 3 or 4 bedroom home, when your target move date is, how long a lease you want, what pets you have and if you want the Edmond or Deer Creek Schools. There’s no fee to you.

How Do I Pay My Rent?

Paying your rent is very convenient. You will pay your rent and any other fees by depositing the funds directly in our Chase Bank account by utilizing the Chase Quick Pay or Clear XChange system. This is a FREE and Easy system, and you don’t even need a Chase Bank Account to use it. Any U.S. bank account can be linked to Quick Pay, and you will be up and running within just a few days. With Chase Quick Pay you can schedule all your rent deposits in advance so there are no worries. You are encouraged to save a screen capture of the payment, however, whatever date and time Chase says the transaction occurred is the date we will all use whenever the date or time of a payment is an issue.

What this means for you is that you don’t need to worry about envelopes, stamps, mail delays, hunting down your landlord, running out of checks, etc. You can now pay your fees 24/7/365 from anywhere in the world!!

What if I have credit problems?

As long as you are honest and upfront with us, we are willing to work with you. Most people don’t intentionally mess up their credit. There is usually a reason for the drop in credit rating; sometimes it’s a serious medical issue, a divorce, a job loss, a bankruptcy, etc. We understand there is a huge difference between someone having misfortune and someone who has handled their finances irresponsibly. If you are in the process of rebuilding your credit, have stable employment, then we will not hold that against you. We may, depending on your individual circumstances, request that you find a suitable co-signer who resides in the state of Oklahoma. All co-signers must submit an application including a clear, color scan of their drivers licenses and pay for a credit check. All co-signers must have their lease signatures notarized.

I literally have no credit; will you still accept me?

All tenants must be over the age of 18 unless they are dependents. In the case of no prior rental history and/or credit history, we would ask for a suitable co-signer who resides within the state of Oklahoma. All co-signers must submit an application including a clear, color scan of their drivers licenses and pay for a credit check. All co-signers must have their lease signatures notarized.

I’m a college student with roommates; can I still rent from you?

Mature students are always welcome in our home. All students, unless employed full time with sufficient income, will be required to have a qualified co-signer who resides in the state of Oklahoma. All co-signers must submit an application including a clear, color scan of their drivers licenses and pay for a credit check. All co-signers must have their lease signatures notarized.

What type of reference and background check do you run?

With your signed authorization, we submit your information to a licensed credit bureau to check. Credit history, criminal background and evictions are checked. In addition, information may be included from various online sources and databases.

Does a prior conviction affect my chance of renting the house?

It depends on the severity of the crime and the length of time since the conviction. Traffic offenses and most misdemeanors should not pose any problem.  Again, we follow all rules and regulations applicable to the Fair Housing laws.

What if I have part time occupants?

All occupants who will be either full or part time residents must be noted on application and lease. (i.e. college students, enlisted military, split custody arrangements, parents or other relatives who visit for part of the year.)

How much is the security deposit?

Security deposits are determined by the applicant’s credit report, rental and employment history, debt to income ratio, pets, etc. Typically the base security deposit is equal to the monthly rental amount of the home being leased. In some cases, we may ask for an increased amount to offset risks determined during the screening process.  We are sorry, however we cannot accept installment payments on the security deposit.

How long can you hold a property until move in?

Our maximum holding time is 2 weeks once we collect the security and other associated fees from the applicant. Within those 2 weeks, the Lease must be signed & the first full month’s rent paid. Because the home is taken off the market at the time the security deposit is collected, the deposit is at risk of forfeiture if the Lease agreement is not executed by the agreed upon date.

What are the Lease terms, conditions & requirements to move in?

Our Leases are typically written to terminate or renew during the months of June or July. Our standard Lease term is one year, however lease terms up to 4 years are available on a case by case basis. Under certain circumstances we may consider a short term lease at an increased premium on the rental price. Please note: the quoted rental amount includes both an Early Pay discount and a Direct Deposit discount. These discounts will save you $75.00 per month. Direct deposit into Chase Quick Pay on or before the 27th. of the month preceding the rent month will earn you the discounts.

When Move-in (possession) occurs in a partial month, the pro-rated amount plus the first full month’s rent and any applicable remaining security deposit will be due prior to Move-in.

Prior to Move-in:

• Leases must be notarized by each resident and, if applicable, co-signer, and emailed to Landlord
• All missing documentation must be received by Landlord
• All remaining funds due must clear Landlord’s bank
• Renter’s insurance binder with approved coverage must be received by Landlord
• Utilities must be transferred into Tenants’ names & alarm permit registration must be completed

Do I need to purchase insurance?

Yes, you will be required to purchase an approved renters’ insurance policy naming us as additional interest/insureds. The minimum liability coverage is to be $300,000 ($500,000 if you have a pet), and the med-pay provision should be $10,000. This insurance is usually very inexpensive, about $20.00 – $30.00 per month, and it will protect you as well as your belongings. Some insurance companies do not provide adequate coverage. We will be happy to provide you with referrals to insurance companies who have written acceptable policies in the past. Prior to receiving your keys, you will need to have your agent email or FAX us a binder of your policy.

What will I be responsible for while I am a tenant?

Besides the obvious of taking good care of the property and doing no damage, you will be responsible for abiding by the subdivision CC&Rs (rules and regulations), maintaining the lawn and landscaping, either by doing the work yourself or hiring a gardener, and following all the terms of the lease. All utilities are your responsibility. Activation of the alarm system is optional, however the annual permit fee must be paid by you. If you want pest control service you will be responsible for that too. You will also be responsible for changing HVAC filters, proper winterizing, lighting pilots, handling tenant caused plumbing issues and allowing access and/or supervision during inspections and repairs.

What will you take care of?

As property owners, we strive to maintain our homes in great condition. We take repairs seriously. In turn, we expect you to inform us immediately if there are any needed repairs, leaks, etc. We are responsible for exterior maintenance, heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing and appliances that come with the home. Repairs to any of your personal appliances will be your responsibility.

Can I run a home business out of the rental home?

This will be covered in detail under the terms of the lease. If your occupation includes telecommuting and you can do the entire job from home with your phone and computer without any clients coming to the house, it would most likely be acceptable. Obviously, babysitting, animal care or grooming, personal beauty services, etc. would not be appropriate. We must approve all businesses in advance. As part of your lease, you will sign that you have read the CC&R’s for this development. You can download these from the “Contacts” page of this website. Any business that increases our liability, creates a nuisance to neighbors or a parking problem would not be allowed.

Are there any other move-in fees?

There is a mandatory, one-time carpet cleaning fee. This fee is charged at the beginning of your lease, and covers BASIC cleaning. Unless there is excessive soiling, pet odor, staining and/or damage, we will not deduct a carpet cleaning fee from your deposit when you vacate. This fee will not be waived even if you have a “super duper” professional vacuum and/or carpet cleaner. If you have a pet there is also a one-time sanitizing fee charged at the beginning. You will also be required to pay the annual alarm registration fee, as required by the city of Oklahoma whether or not you activate the system.

Is smoking allowed outside?

NO! All our properties are SMOKE FREE, and smoking is prohibited anywhere on the property including the exterior.  Our tenants appreciate that we have that policy.

Can I look at a lease?

You are always welcome to review a copy of the lease and the addendums upon request.

Borah Rentals complies with all federal fair housing guidelines and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, or family status.