Leasing & Screening

From setting rent and evaluating applicants to issuing leases and onboarding new tenants, this section offers guidance on every phase of the leasing process. Explore best practices, legal requirements, and compliance tips to help you lease confidently and screen fairly—no matter the size of your property.

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What's the Difference Between an Addendum and a Separate Agreement?
What's the Difference Between an Addendum and a Separate Agreement?

Learn when to use a lease addendum and when to create a separate agreement—especially for optional services like parking or storage that aren’t included in the rent. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Animals in Rental Housing: Understanding Pets, ESAs, and Service Animals
Animals in Rental Housing: Understanding Pets, ESAs, and Service Animals

Pets, ESAs, & Service Animals - What's the difference, and when can you charge fees? This article breaks it down in clear, everyday language designed to be accessible to rental housing providers, even if they’re not legal experts. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Understanding the "Offer to Rent" Form
Understanding the "Offer to Rent" Form

When to use an Offer to Rent, How it Works, and When You Can Claim Daily Damages Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Understanding the Guarantor Agreement: Rights, Responsibilities, and Communication Guidelines
Understanding the Guarantor Agreement: Rights, Responsibilities, and Communication Guidelines

This article explains the purpose, obligations, and essential legal elements of BPOA’s Guarantor Agreement when used in Berkeley rental housing. This is not legal advice—when in doubt, consult an attorney. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Adding and Removing Tenants in Berkeley: What Housing Providers Need to Know
Adding and Removing Tenants in Berkeley: What Housing Providers Need to Know

Roommates move out, romantic partners move in, or new household members are added. Any time there's a change in household composition, it’s smart—and often necessary—to document it in writing. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


What Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Berkeley
What Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Berkeley

Use the table inside to understand what’s allowed, what’s required, and how to stay compliant when a tenant requests to live with a service animal or ESA. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


NEW! Rent Board Notices Required for Leases
NEW! Rent Board Notices Required for Leases

Required notices to all tenancies in Berkeley, at the inception of the tenancy Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted12/26/2024


Recorded Webinar: The Screening Deep Dive - Detecting Fraud in Rental Applications
Recorded Webinar: The Screening Deep Dive - Detecting Fraud in Rental Applications

A playback recording of our October 24, 2024 webinar, hosted by Kathleen Castro, Product Success Manager, Intellirent. Continue Reading

Postedby Kathleen Castro
Date posted10/24/2024


Recorded Webinar: Internet Rental Marketing Workshop - Create Listings Like a Pro!
Recorded Webinar: Internet Rental Marketing Workshop - Create Listings Like a Pro!

A playback recording of our June 12, 2024, presentation hosted by our Intellirent partners, Kara Hohne and Kathleen Castro Continue Reading

Postedby Kara Hohne
Date posted06/12/2024


Recorded Webinar - Making the Most out of Resident Application and Screening Tools
Recorded Webinar - Making the Most out of Resident Application and Screening Tools

A playback recording of our February 29th, 2024, webinar hosted by Kara Hohne and Kathleen Castro of Intellirent. Continue Reading

Postedby Kara Hohne
Date posted02/29/2024