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Make a great first impression, whether in person or by the messages you leave.

Rules landlords use to qualify you for the rent.

Older Building? Check for safety features that should be in the rental and find out if it’s under rent control.

Essential documents for your rental search.

Some things you’ll learn today

What to know about living in a group household or renting a room in a private home.

IMPORTANT TIP: Please RIGHT click on web links and select “Open Link in New Tab” so you do not close the webinar.

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OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS TO FIND A RENTAL

Most Rentals are Unfurnished & Available Immediately

Some rental owners want to attract visiting scholars/postdocs with rentals that include furniture, linens, and cooking utensils.
These rentals, ranging from rooms to small and large apartments and houses, often are advertised weeks or months in advance of availability.
You can contact the owners of such rentals to see if you can arrange your housing in advance, before you arrive in Berkeley. Negotiations can be conducted long-distance via Zoom, Facetime, Skype, email, etc.
You can check the listing resources daily (described later) for such housing to see what’s new.

New, unfurnished rentals come on the market every day.
Most rentals do NOT have furniture. Resources for obtaining furniture are shown in later slides.
Most rentals are ready for immediate occupancy, so there is such a thing as looking too soon!
Most owners/property managers will want to meet you in person. Contact people who advertise unfurnished rentals starting about 2 or 3 weeks in advance of your arrival to make viewing appointments, so you have rentals to see right away once you are here.
If you have not secured your housing in advance of arriving here, plan somewhere to stay short-term (hotel, motel, friend, relative . . .) to look for your longer-term housing in person.

Some Furnished Rentals are Available in Advance

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THE BAY AREA & SOME POPULAR NEIGHBORHOODS/NEARBY TOWNS �FOR BERKELEY ACADEMICS

For a map that details neighborhoods in and near Berkeley, go to http://tinyurl.com/jqh3v6h.

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SOME QUICK BASICS RELATED TO HOUSING

Families With Children In Brief: Ways To Get Around

Public schools, K-12 require residency in the city in which the school is located.
Postdocs who are married/partnered and/or have children in their household have a very slight chance of housing in University Village Albany: https://housing.berkeley.edu/explore-housing-options/family-student-housing-university-village/family-student-housing-postdoctoral-applicants/
Resources: bananasbunch.org, berkeleyparentsnetwork.org, and ece.berkeley.edu.
Greatschools.org provides school rankings and parent comments.

*The Clipper Card (https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/)

Is a Universal card. Clipper is accepted on buses, trains, and ferries throughout the Bay Area. You can use Apple or Google Pay and ‘tag on’ to pay your transit fares with your phone.

*There are the usual car rental companies and car share programs. Taxi services, Uber and Lyft are also available.

*Berkeley is friendly for walking and bicycling, with designated streets and paths. Many local bookstores sell this biking/walking map that includes a campus map.

*A useful resource is the Parking & Transportation Services office at UC Berkeley: pt.berkeley.edu.

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GET FAMILIAR WITH TYPICAL RENT RANGES

Check the Website “Zumper” for Current Median Rent Information

Tips:

・If you can live 5 or more miles from the Berkeley campus, you are likely to find less-expensive rentals.

・ If you will be working in the Richmond Field Station, rentals in Richmond typically are lower than in Berkeley.

・ Single-family dwellings in the suburban areas east of the Berkeley Hills (along the BART line/Highway 24) may be less expensive than equivalent homes in and near Berkeley.

・Zumper also lists rental vacancies. More websites that advertise rentals are listed later in this webinar.

Zumper’s Median Rents for Berkeley

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/berkeley-ca

Consider viewing median rents for nearby communities:

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/oakland-ca

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/emeryville-ca

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/albany-ca

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/el-cerrito-ca

https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/richmond-ca

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HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR RENT BUDGET, Part 1

From your household income.

From savings you can allocate for the length of your time in Berkeley.

From grants or awards.

Remember to budget for other costs, such as the rental deposit and utility deposits – these are covered in later slides.�

Gather all sources of your income for the year.

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CALCULATING YOUR RENT BUDGET, Part 2

Divide your annual household income by 12 for an estimated monthly income.

Ideally, your target rent budget is 33% of your monthly income. You may have to spend a greater percentage in our rental market.

In an expensive rental market such as Berkeley and nearby communities, many landlords are willing to give some leeway on the ratio of rent to income.

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MOVE-IN COSTS: FIRST MONTH’S RENT+DEPOSIT

WHAT IS A DEPOSIT?

No matter what it is called (key deposit, last month’s rent in advance, etc.) Any money collected in addition to first month’s rent is a DEPOSIT.

WHAT ARE CALIFORNIA’S LEGAL LIMITS FOR THE DEPOSIT?

Effective July 1, 2024, the limit is one month’s rent.

Please see the *Exception below.

DEPOSITS ARE REFUNDABLE

When you move out, your deposit should be refunded within 21 days, less the costs (if any) of cleaning or damages caused by you.

*Exception: For landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties that collectively include no more than four total units for rent, the limit is two times the monthly rent, but only if the landlord is a living human being or a limited liability company (LLC) in which all members are living human beings.

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MAKE A TENANT RESUME

This form is posted on the VSPA website as a pdf for you to print and complete with your financial information: https://vspa.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/vspa_tenant_resume_11052020.pdf
Note the form has two pages – the photo on the right shows page 1.

Complete one for each adult in your household.

The Tenant Resume is a “cheat sheet” for your personal use to help you complete rental application forms.

This is NOT a rental application form. That application form is given to you by the landlord, leasing agent, or the property manager of the rental for which you wish to apply.

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IMPORTANT FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS TO KNOW

Before You Leave Your Country

Contact your bank to inform them that you will be requesting wire transfers of funds to a U.S. bank or possibly to an individual. Find out what their rules are so you can accomplish this.

In case a landlord/property manager asks, have ready:

A picture of your visa.
A copy of the first page of your passport.
Most important: A copy of your welcome letter or email signed by the faculty member to whom you will report, or some other authority in your Berkeley campus department, school, or institute.

A way for a rental owner or property manager to contact the above individual.

Information You May Be Asked For In Order To Be Considered/Approved For A Rental

A copy of recent bank statements(s) that show your name and your current balance. Redact all other information such as account numbers. If emailing documents, be sure to send them securely with a passcode.
A payment for a rental application fee (typically less than $50 per adult). Can be accomplished by wire transfer, U.S. Visa Card or MasterCard if you have one, and possibly via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo.

Suggestion: Ask to run a test $1 payment to ensure the information for the transfer of funds works. If there is a ‘friends & family’ option, pick that. If approved for the rental, find out if you can pay first month’s rent + deposit the same way.

BEWARE OF SCAMS!

Methods to detect and avoid rental scams

are described later in this webinar.

Once you secure a rental, open a checking account in a local bank or credit union with your new address for your future rent payments.

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WHERE TO VIEW FURNISHED RENTALS��

Your name will be added to VSPA’s postdocnet mailing list for a variety of housing listings and related information. This is for both postdocs and visiting scholars. Landlords and others may post housing information on this listserv for you to view.
Sabbatical rentals are furnished places often advertised months in advance of availability. Examine www.SabbaticalHomes.com.�

https://www.furnishedfinder.com

�A resource for “Travel Nurses & other Travel Professionals,” Furnished Finder offers rooms, suites, and apartments close to hospitals and other medical establishments. Some places may be near Berkeley campus or along an easy transit route or bike ride to Berkeley.

Some ongoing furnished rentals may be booked in advance, like a hotel reservation. AirBnB.com may be worth exploring.�
CAL Rentals has a new website that makes it easy to pinpoint rentals on a map and see how close to campus they are. Use the filters to see only furnished rentals. (Note: the website uses the terms ‘Student Rooms’ or ‘Student Apartments’ but many listings are suitable for visiting scholars/postdocs.)

Craigslist for East Bay Area: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/eby/apa?

https://och.Berkeley.edu

https://www.zillow.com/berkeley-ca/rentals /

If you do not have a CalNetID, click on ‘Register Here’ in the Students, Faculty & Staff box, then select ‘Guest House Hunters’ and follow the directions. Visiting during the Summer months? You can examine Summer Sublets without registering.

Use the filters on Cal Rentals, Zillow, and Craigslist to examine only furnished rentals.

Remember, Unfurnished rentals usually are not advertised far in advance of availability.

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SOME FURNISHED RENTALS POSSIBLY AVAILABLE NOW OR SOON

• Single postdocs may apply to Intersection Apartments in Emeryville, 3 miles to campus & with good access to public transit.

https://housing.berkeley.edu/explore-housing-options/apartments/intersection-apartments/

Intersection Apartments

• International House at UC Berkeley is a multicultural residential “living and learning” center of nearly 600 students and scholars from 70+ countries, including the U.S. VSPA affiliates are eligible to apply to I-House for now! Assignments are made on a rolling basis.

Eligible VSPA affiliates include: Single postdoctoral students, visiting scholars and researchers, and Education Abroad Reciprocity students. https://ihouse.berkeley.edu/resident-life/apply-live-here

��

�• Oxford Apartments: small, mostly 1-bedroom units, in north Berkeley near campus. Rents $3,000+. https://www.oxford-apartments.com/�

• University Park apartments north Berkeley, near campus: https://www.universityparkberkeley.com/ �

• Berkeley Parents Network (BPN) Marketplace sometimes posts furnished rentals. https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/about/about-subscribing�

• More resources at the end of the webinar and on the VSPA website: https://vspa.berkeley.edu/additional-housing-search-resources

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WHERE TO GET FURNITURE

Furniture and Appliance Rental Companies

There are three businesses that rent furniture – Cort, Brook, and Rent-A-Center (RAC).
There is also an IKEA store in nearby Emeryville where you may purchase inexpensive furniture, cookware and linens.
Ask to join 1) ‘UC Berkeley University Village Free & For Sale’ page on Facebook,2) Search for ‘Buy Nothing Berkeley’ on Facebook to find several groups offering free items. 3)Subscribe to ‘Berkeley Parents Network’ to view their Marketplace listings, 4) SF Craigslist East Bay ‘For Sale’ postings.
Freecycle is where locals post free items and you can also post requests for things: https://groups.freecycle.org/group/BerkeleyCA/posts/all

For Household Goods and Basic Furniture

Brook and Cort will deliver the furniture you select and take it back when you leave. Check their policies for the minimum number of months required for this service.

www.cort.com

www.bfr.com

www.rentacenter.com

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LIVING IN A GROUP HOUSEHOLD/RENTING A ROOM

NOTE:

Whether virtually or in-person, you should view the space you would be renting and meet the other people living there.
Ask lots of questions to ensure the lifestyle is compatible.
Shared housing and room rental listings may be found on Craigslist East Bay rooms/shares: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/d/rooms-shares/search/eby/roo
Also on CAL Rentals: https://och.berkeley.edu and use the filters to screen for room rentals.

Solo visiting scholars or postdocs might find a bedroom in a group household or in a private home to be an affordable option. (Rooming Houses are typically for undergrads.)

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REVIEW: THINGS TO HAVE/DO/KNOW BEFORE YOU RENT

MAIN TAKE-AWAYS

A suggested strategy is to start prior to your arrival and regularly examine the furnished rental resources discussed in this webinar. If any rentals meet your criteria, reach out to the owners/managers. You might be able to secure your housing before you come to Berkeley.
Be able to demonstrate you can afford the rent. (Tenant Application, backed up with financial evidence.)
Compose a short ‘advertisement’ to leave as voicemail or email when inquiring about a rental. Be sure to mention your affiliation with UC Berkeley, the Department in which you will be working, and when you plan to arrive.

If you have not secured furnished housing in advance of your arrival, continue your rental search and, about 2 – 3 weeks in advance of arriving in Berkeley, include unfurnished rentals in your search.

If you will be coming from another country, find out how to make wire transfers to a U.S. bank. Once you have an address here, establish a checking account at a local bank or credit union. Try to obtain a little U.S. credit as soon as possible and make all payments on time.

When looking at rentals in person, dress neatly and bring only the people involved in the rental. If you can, take a few moments to chat casually with the person who is showing you the rental. Be cordial – the landlord may have other rentals even if you don’t like the place you are viewing.

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APPLYING TO A RENTAL

What’s Legal and Other Tips

The form to the left is an example of an application form to apply for a rental apartment or home. Use your completed Tenant Resume as an aid to completing this document.
The landlord may legally charge application and credit check fees (usually $25-$35 per adult) for processing your application.
You may or may not be the selected tenant.
You may apply to several rentals at a time.
California has very strong anti-discrimination laws when it comes to rental housing and tenant selection. Among them: it is illegal in most housing to deny you a rental on the basis that you have children, and it is illegal to deny you a rental based on your race, national origin, religion sexual orientation, marital status, and other factors. See https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/housing/ for a complete list.

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HOW TO GET A FREE COPY OF YOUR CREDIT REPORT�(U.S. CREDIT ONLY)

If you have U.S. Credit, a landlord might ask you to bring a recent credit report if you view and apply to a rental. Before handing over your credit report, be careful to ascertain the landlord (or property manager) has a legitimate business relationship with the rental.

You can get Free Credit Reports. Only go to: AnnualCreditReport.com.

All three credit report agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) will provide free credit reports WEEKLY.�
Print out your credit report as soon as you see it on your monitor. You may not be able to gain free access to it later. �
After you have your credit report, quit your browser if you are at a computer that is shared or accessible by other people.�

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BASIC HOUSING SAFETY & HABITABILITY

Check for working smoke detectors.
Gas-fired appliances? Must have a carbon monoxide detector on the premises.
Exterior doors should have solid cores and deadbolt locks.
Look in advance for multiple ways to exit in case of emergency.
Dwelling must be habitable, including hot and cold running water, all systems in good order.
Premises (building and grounds) must be clean.
Must have a working toilet, wash basin, tub and/or shower.
Floors, stairwells, and railings in good repair.

Consider obtaining renters’ insurance. The cost should range between $20 - $35 a month. Almost all major insurers offer this insurance. Once you have a rental, call a few companies (such as Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, California Casualty, etc.) to compare rates.

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The Berkeley rent stabilization regulations are primarily to protect tenants from illegal actions by rental property owners.

These regulations cover most Berkeley apartments built prior to 1980.

Check the Rent Board’s website to see if your Berkeley rental is listed.

If covered, your rent should stay relatively the same during your tenancy.

Most newer apartment buildings are NOT covered by Berkeley’s rent control.

BERKELEY RENT STABILIZATION BOARD

2125 MILVIA STREET, BERKELEY 94704

(510) 981-7368; TDD: (510) 981-6903

www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/

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YOUR APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED! Now what?

THE RENTAL AGREEMENT

To the right is a sample first page of the rental agreement form many landlords use, but yours may look different.

A 12-month LEASE is most common.
MONTH-TO-MONTH agreements are rare in and near Berkeley.
What if you will be here fewer than 12 months? A landlord might agree to a shorter term of tenancy, particularly if you will vacate in late December/early January, or in May, June, or July, when more people seek to move here.
Before you SUBLEASE from a current tenant, examine the tenant’s original rental agreement to ensure the rental owner permits subleasing.
Rental agreements may run to 30+ pages with the proper disclosures.
Upon signing, expect to pay first month’s rent plus the deposit. If you must pay with cash, be sure to get a detailed receipt.

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REMEMBER THESE OTHER MONTHLY COSTS

FOOD, UTILITIES, INTERNET, TELEPHONE (MOBILE PHONE)

Berkeley Basic Needs offers emergency food relief with a Food Pantry, offering items such as rice, pasta, milk, cereal, freezer items and fresh produce. The pop-up food pantry location, hours, and other information may be found here:

https://basicneeds.berkeley.edu/pantry

This is open to Postdocs, Visiting Scholars, and Visiting Student Researchers. Please visit the website to schedule a date and time to pick up items and be sure to bring your CAL ID card.

The local Gas & Electric company is Pacific Gas & Electric, PG&E. 1-800-743-5000, pge.com

Most apartment rentals will include trash collection. If not included, search under the city government’s website to set up services.

Wi-Fi, cell phone, and entertainment subscriber services can be expensive. Your costs will vary depending upon your use and the carriers you choose.

COMCAST (1-800-266-2278, https://www.xfinity.com/,) and AT&T (1-800-288-2020, https://www.att.com/) are the “big” internet and phone providers, but there are others that may be more cost-effective.

Most apartment rentals will include water and sewer charges. If not included, contact EBMUD.

1-866-403-2683, ebmud.com

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BE SURE TO COMPLETE A MOVE-IN CHECKLIST

Document all existing defects within one day of move-in

Dated photos are best.
Complete your move-in condition report soon after you take possession of the rental.
Give a dated copy of the report to your landlord/property manager and keep a copy for yourself.
If repairs are needed any time, get a ‘by when’ date it will be fixed and confirm with landlord in writing.

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HOW TO SPOT A RENTAL SCAM�

Check the listing for errors and accuracy. Does the price seem too good to be true compared to other, similar rentals? If it does, it probably is a scam. Is there a watermark or something on the photos that says ‘MLS’ and a year? If so, the photos may have been copied from a condo or home for sale and the listing is likely fake. Input the address in Google Maps to ensure the address exists (and is not, for example, a vacant lot).�
Request a tour of the interior. If your contact has excuses as to why you (or a friend/colleague) cannot tour the property, keep your guard up. If you cannot tour in person, remember that there is technology for virtual tours—such as a video call.�
Do an online search of the rental company, property manager, or contact you're dealing with. You many find there have been previous complaints.�
Expect a credit check or, if you don’t have U.S. credit, a request to contact your UC Berkeley Department to verify who you are. Be wary of someone who claims to be a landlord or property manager and seems willing to rent to just anyone.�
Always sign a written lease. A written lease should clearly outline all the terms of the rental agreement.�
Don't send money until you are certain. When everything is going well and it's time to sign the rental agreement, be wary of pressure to send additional money “to secure the rental.” Remember: Zelle, Venmo, PayPal and other money-sending apps work just like cash — once you send it, it’s gone.

When Viewing Rental Listing Sites, Keep These Tips in Mind

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RENTAL SEARCH IDEAS AND RESOURCES

Consider making a journal of the rentals you contact, noting details.
Take photos of the rentals you view to if allowed (always ask).
Think of questions for the landlord before viewing. Examples: Does the rental have parking for a car? Are any utilities included in the rent?

A FEW LISTING RESOURCES (These and more are on the VSPA website.)

CAL Rentals (och.berkeley.edu). Sign up for a Guest Account (account is not necessary if seeking a summer sublet).

Craigslist (https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/eby/apa?). (Popular among legitimate landlords to list rentals but BEWARE OF SCAMS.)

Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/) may be more reliable than Craigslist.

K and S Property Management (www.kands.com).

ASK Rentals (https://askrentalsberkeley.com/property-list/). (Must be present to view rentals; will not rent to you ‘sight unseen.’)

Kasa Properties (www.kasaproperties.com/).

Premium Properties (www.premiumpd.com/).

Lapham Company (www.laphamcompany.com/).

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THANK YOU

We hope you have a smooth transition to your next place to live.

You’re on your way!

Warm regards,

Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs

University of California, Berkeley

Becky Bishop White

U.C. Berkeley’s Rental Housing Expert for Over Three Decades