Once you find a place... (Hayward, San Andreas: rental, HOA fees, insurance)

[randocalrissian]

What are some things to look for in the lease before signing?

Is it easy to set up accounts with PG&E? Does one normally do that through the landlord? I saw a place that didn't include garbage. How would one go about setting that up?

I assume renter's insurance is a no-brainer.

Anything else?

[mdwstrnkid]

Give PG&E a call - it should be easy to set up service. Dunno about garbage; my landlord takes care of that (actually the condo HOA takes care of that, but the HOA fees are paid by my landlord, presumably using funds from my rent).

With regard to renter's insurance, note that it will typically not cover earthquake damage. We have insurance, but opted not to get the additional earthquake insurance due to the lousy coverage (high deductible, low coverage amount, high premiums).

[clongirl]

For garbage, call either Sunset Scavenger or Golden Gate Disposal (depends on which side of the City you are going to live) to set up an acct.

PG and E may charge a small deposit if it's your first time opening an acct. The landlord does not usually pay for this. You can set up an acct in your own name. They might charge a small deposit if it's your first time setting up an account (if my memory serves me correctly) which is refundable after you close an account.

I never had insurance but I think it's a good idea just in case something happens (like fire or theft)

[randocalrissian]

I would definitely get renter's insurance. I didn't even think about earthquake insurance...that's scary. How often do we get earthquake's here?

[mayorhaggar]

Not that often...a major one strikes maybe once or twice a century. The Hayward Fault is supposedly due any day for a big earthquake but it wouldn't be as bad as anything the San Andreas could produce, but it could still be really bad depending on where the quake is centered. There's not really anything you can do other than stock some water and food, I wouldn't really worry about it but just be aware that it's always a possibility.

[Ultrarunner]

Depends on where the property is located... some parts of the Bay Area have rent control and some companies like Waste Management have contracts where they bill the property owner for garbage service...

Be sure to read the rental agreement and ask questions if you do not understand.

It takes just a moment to note any deviation/promise on the agreement to make sure there are no surprises later.

Biggest problem I see is work that is promised doesn't happen or drags on for eternity...

So long as both parties understand their obligations and abide by the agreement life is good...

[80skeys]

Ask the landlord to give you the names and phone numbers of the utility companies. Most landlords have these already printed on a sheet of paper.

In California, a rental lease is like, 20 or 30 pages. Just read through it and make sure you agree to the terms. There shouldn't be anything weird.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Not that often...a major one strikes maybe once or twice a century. The Hayward Fault is supposedly due any day for a big earthquake

A day in geologic time could end up being 100 years from now.

Or today.

Never know.

Like stock prices, earthquakes are not predictable.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Not that often...a major one strikes maybe once or twice a century. The Hayward Fault is supposedly due any day for a big earthquake but it wouldn't be as bad as anything the San Andreas could produce, but it could still be really bad depending on where the quake is centered. There's not really anything you can do other than stock some water and food, I wouldn't really worry about it but just be aware that it's always a possibility.

Actually, earthquakes happen around here all the time around here. (See link below.) It's just that the big ones don't happen that frequently.

California Nevada Region

[mayorhaggar]

I know, I meant the ones that actually cause any real damage.