Rental Guide

Property Management, Tenant placement & consultation services

Westgate Real Estate is here to help you with all your property management needs including finding a tenant for your home, professional monthly management services, or simply answering your questions about rental properties.

• Tenant Placement Services: This option allows you the opportunity to still have a role with your investment property.  We handle the property advertising, meet prospective tenants, conduct the screening process and prepare the rental agreement.  After the tenant is placed, you handle the daily management.
  
  
• Professional Management Services: If you wish less involvement with tenants and issues that arise, professional monthly management is the option for you.  We take care of all the issues and are on the front line when a tenant calls or needs assistance.  We manage from tenant placement to the final walk-through with tenants and you relax knowing we are on the job.
  
  
• Consultation Services: Sometimes you have a prospective tenant and all you need is assistance drafting the required rental documentation. In this instance, we can assist you in a consultative roll.

STOP: Please read and follow the instructions included with the application carefully!

At Westgate Real Estate we work hard to find the right candidate for each of the rental homes we manage. In today’s ever changing rental market it is important to offer a complete picture of you and your situation. In addition to the required elements listed in the application you might include a brief outline of yourself addressing any issues on your record, letters of recommendation from previous landlords and/or a personal resume. Westgate Real Estate needs a comprehensive view of you in order to complete the decision making process.

Westgate Real Estate is an equal opportunity housing provider and complies fully with the Federal Fair Housing Act and all state and local fair housing laws. We do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, mental or physical disability, age, familial status, sexual orientation or national origin.

Please note, for insurance reasons, we may not rent to tenants with the following breeds or mixes of the following breeds: Pit Bulls& Staffordshire Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chows, Great Danes, Presa Canarios, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Wolf-hybrids.

To apply for one of the homes offered for rent by Westgate Real Estate and Property Management, please select the “apply now” option listed with each rental listing.  If you do not have access to a computer or if you are unable to complete the online application you may come to our office at 221 Petaluma Boulevard South and pick-up an application. 

Thank you and we look forward to working with you!

All emergencies must be reported by telephone to our direct office line at 707-762-1565 and followed up with maintenance request form below.   Please complete this form for all the maintenance requests and return it to us via email at [email protected], mail, or drop it by the office in person. There is a night mail-slot on the door for your convenience.

Download Request for Maintenance

Where do I return my rental application? 
All rental applications must be delivered to the Westgate Real Estate office with all required back-up documentation.  Please reference the rental application and guidelines for full details.  Our business office is located at 221 Petaluma Boulevard South, across from Walnut Park.

When is my rent due?
Unless listed differently on your rental agreement, rent is due on the first of month, and technically is considered late as of the second.  If rent is not received at Westgate Real Estate office by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the grace period listed on your rental agreement, a late charge will be assessed.  Never deduct anything from your rent without prior authorization from Westgate Real Estate.

Where do I pay my rent?
All rent payments, general correspondence and notifications must be sent directly to Westgate Real Estate at P.O. Box 2915, Petaluma, CA 94953 and payable as listed on your rental agreement. 

Who do I call for emergency repair?
For an emergency repair, please contact the Westgate Real Estate property management line at (707) 762-1565 and leave a message. You may also call our cell phone at (707) 484-7694 and leave a message.  All emergencies repairs request must be followed up with our Written Maintenance Request Form.

What do I do if I need a repair in the home I am renting?
For non-emergency request for your home, please complete the Written Maintenance Request Form and fax or email it to [email protected]. Please outline the work requested and any important details to ensure we send the correct technician to solve the problem. If possible, attach pictures to the request. Westgate Real Estate will follow up with you with a progress report.

Does the property owners insurance cover my personal property?
No, the property owners insurance does not cover tenants' personal property.  Tenants should obtain renters insurance to cover personal property.  Westgate Real Estate and the property owner are not responsible for any loss or damage of your personal property located on the premises. 

May I make changes to the home I am renting?
Often the property owner will welcome your improvements to the home and yard.  However, tenants must not to make any changes or improvements, even painting, without prior written consent. 

How do I give my 30 day notice?
A written 30-day notice signed by all tenants must be sent to Westgate Real Estate at P.O. Box 2915, Petaluma, CA 94953.  We provide you with a written form on our web site under Property Management.

What do I need to do to have my security deposit returned?
Upon submitting your 30-day notice, Westgate Real Estate will provide a check list of recommended cleaning.  Tenancy will be considered terminated when all keys are returned to the Westgate Real Estate office.  You may request a pre-move out assessment of your home by contacting the property management office.  Be sure to leave a forwarding address so we may forward your deposit and the closing statement.

At Westgate Real Estate we value our tenants and recognize that at times tenants need to terminate their tenancy with us.  As property managers, we want to make the process as easy as possible for you and the owner.  Therefore, we offer our tenants a "Notice to Terminate Tenancy" at the link below.  Please complete the form and fax it our office or email to [email protected].

After we receive your 30-day Notice to Terminate Tenancy, our property management office will contact you to outline the process for vacating the home. 

Download Thirty Day Notice to Vacate