AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE

Renting an off-campus house doesn't have to be stressful or complicated, in fact, it's actually pretty simple.  After you tour the property and decide to rent it, there are just four steps before you receive the keys and move in.  And we'll guide you every step of the way!

A preview of our rental application and lease terms appear below

QUICK, EASY, AND STRESS-FREE

After you visit the property and decide to rent it, the next step is the rental application.

Our application is simple, free, and it won’t affect your credit score. Every roommate who plans to live in the house must complete their own application so we can make sure everyone’s on board.

You will receive the application by email through our chosen tenant portal, innago. The subject will be "Starfire Properties has requested your application". Open the email and click the "Apply Now" button to view the application.

It should take 20 minutes or less to fill out, and once you’re done, click the button to send it back. We’ll review it quickly, usually within 24 hours or less, and let you know if you’re approved. Once all roommates are approved, we will generate your lease and send it out for signatures, usually within 14 days.

Following is the information requested in our rental application:

Personal Information

Birth date is requested solely to verify identity and to confirm minimum legal age to sign a lease

• Full Legal Name
• Cell Number
• Email
• Birth Date

Address Information

• Current Street Address
• Apt #, Unit #, Dorm, 
• City, State, Zip

Co-signer

Person signing as your guarantor

• Full Name
• Relation
• Cell Number
• Email
• Address
  

Rent Payment Source

What income source(s) are you using to pay the rent?

• Parent(s), Guardian, Family
• Employed, Self-Sufficient
• Student Loans, Financial Aid
• GI Bill
• Other (explain)

Rental History  (if applicable)

• Previous Street Address
• Landlord Name and Phone
• Move out Date
• Reason for Leaving
  

Emergency Contact

Person who will NOT be living with you

• Full Name
• Relation
• Cell Number
• Email
  

College / University  (if enrolled)

• Name of College / University
• Expected Graduation Date
• Major / Field of Study
• Student ID Number

Roommates

Have you identified all of the roommates that will live with you, or are you still looking for roommates?

• Have All Roommates
• Still Looking for (#) Roommates
  

Vehicle

If parking overnight at the rental property address

• Make, Model, Plate #, State

Background

• Have You Ever Been Evicted?
• Oustanding Balances With Landlords?
• Been Asked to Move for Lease Violations?
• Broken a Lease Before the End of the Term?

No Pets Acknowledgement

Applicant acknowledges that no pets are allowed on the property and agrees not to possess a pet during the entire lease term

• Agree / Disagree
  

LEASE HIGHLIGHTS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Whether you're renting off-campus for the first time or helping someone who is, our lease is built to be clear and easy to read, with no fine print. Every clause is there for a reason, shaped by over a decade of real-life student rental experience.

The overview below gives a quick look at the main topics. The full lease spans 10 pages of core terms, plus standard exhibits and signature pages. It’s designed to prevent confusion and support a smooth rental experience for everyone involved.

The Bottom Line: Pay rent on time, follow the rules, and enjoy a relaxed and stress-free rental experience!

Some rules came from lawyers. The rest came from experience.

(and a few unforgettable messes)

Trashpocalypse

Overflowing bins and the ground that looked like a landfill.

LEASE CLAUSE 38: GARBAGE AND RECYCLING:

"Landlord and Tenant share a commitment to keeping the Property and the surrounding neighborhood clean, safe, and respectful for everyone, including neighbors. Tenant agrees to properly handle garbage and recycling and to follow all local ordinances, as outlined below."

Reality check:  If you want to hold on to your money, DON'T DO THIS!

Beer Box Wall of Fame

Creative? Absolutely.

Lease-compliant? Not quite.

LEASE CLAUSE 14: ALTERATIONS AND PERSONALIZATION: 

"Landlord wants Tenant to enjoy the space and feel at home. Personal touches are welcome, as long as they don’t cause lasting damage or violate the terms below."

What's the problem here?  A hundred pinholes don’t graduate, they get left back as drywall bruises.

The Great Grass Escape

This truck broke free from the driveway and made a run for the turf.

LEASE CLAUSE 29: VEHICLES AND PARKING:

"Parking policies for the Property are as follows: (e) Vehicles may not be parked on the lawn at any time, in accordance with Ewing Ordinance 225-10.3.”

Why this doesn't fly:  Because the driveway called and wants its job back!

We could go on having fun with this, but you get the picture.

The rules are straightforward and clearly laid out. Some are just common sense, the kind of things you wouldn’t do in your family's home ( like sitting on the roof 🤔 yep, that happens )

We’re all about clear expectations and second chances, but if you ignore the rules after all that, what happens next is up to you.

Now let's dive into the highlights.

These key clauses set expectations and keep things running smoothly:

🏠 Lease Basics

• Term:  Defines the start and end dates of your lease.
• Rent:  Explains the total rent amount and when it’s due.
• Prepaid Rent:  Covers the first month's rent payment due at lease signing.
• Rent Payments:  States the required electronic payment method and how payments are applied.
• Everyone Is Responsible for the Full Rent:  Explains joint responsibility among all roommates.
• Lease Guarantor:  Explains who is an acceptable co-signer and their limited guaranty.

💵 Financial Policies

• Charges for Lease Violations:  Explains when payments are due and what they are considered.
• Late Rent Charge:  States the charges for late rent and when they are triggered.
• Security Deposit:  States the required security deposit amount and the due date.
• Utilities:  Describes which utilities the landlord pays and which are the tenant’s responsibility.

🗑️ Property Care & Maintenance

• Property Condition:  Confirms condition at move-in.
• Yard Care:  States responsibilities of landlord and tenant.
• Snow and Ice Removal:  States tenant's responsibility.
• Appliances:  States the appliances that the landlord provides and repair and replacement.
• Garbage & Recycling:  Explains tenant responsibilities for keeping the property clean.
• Extermination and Pest Control:  States the policy on extermination and pest control.
• Alterations & Personalization:  Explains what changes can be made to the property.
• Landlord’s Access to Property:  Describes when and why the landlord may visit.

🚭 Property Rules & Safety

• Use and Occupancy:  States how the property is to be used and who may occupy the property.
• Quiet Enjoyment:  Protects everyone’s right to a peaceful home.
• No Pets:  States the no-pet policy and penalty for non-compliance.
• Smoke-Free Property:  Confirms no smoking indoors.
• Attic, Basement, Roof:  Addresses each of these areas and prohibited access.
• Extended Overnight Stays:  States the days a guest can stay overnight at the property.
• Fire Safety:  Covers fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fireplace, and avoiding fire hazards.
• Vehicles and Parking:  States the parking policy for the property.
• Illegal Acts on Property:  Addresses the consequences of criminal activity on the property.

🔄 Move-In / Move-Out

• Early Loading of Furniture:  States the option to load furniture prior to the lease start date.
• Early Departure:  Outlines the rules for leaving before the end of the lease.
• Option to Renew:  Explains the condition and notification deadline to renew the lease.
• Holdover:  Explains the consequences of staying after the lease ends, without signing a new lease.
• Security Deposit:  States NJ Law for returning your security deposit after vacancy.
• Forwarding Address:  Needed for final communications after moving out.

📎 Exhibits

• Exhibit A: Cleaning, Repair and Replacement Charges:  Lists standard charges for common damages or missing items.
• Exhibit B: Lead-Based Paint Disclosure:  Required warnings and disclosure.
• Exhibit C: Extra Charges You Might Owe:  Lists charges for lease violations that might apply.