Landlord Resources

If you have an applicant who is an international student or visiting scholar, you may be wondering how you can qualify them as a tenant.

Consider the fact that in order for a student or scholar to get a visa to study in this country they had to show the U.S. consulate in their country a guarantee of funds for the first academic year for an F-1 Visa, and for the entire duration of their stay for a J-1 Visa.

You can ask for:

• A copy of their F-1 or J-1 Visa. All international students and visiting scholars need one of these visas to come to this country to study and work. It also shows they do not have a criminal record. The most common visa for degree-seeking students is the F-1; for specific education exchange programs like the UC Education Abroad Program and visiting scholars, most get a J-1. The families of visiting scholars get a J-2 visa.
• If the academic year is in progress, the International Student Services or International Faculty & Scholar Services office at UCSC will give verification of the student/scholar.
• An ‘Income Certificate’ or ‘Certificate of Deposit Balance’ from their country of residence – You might need a currency converter (easily found online or download a free app). Most international students won’t be working.
• A copy of their passport and an international driver’s license if they drive.
• A security deposit. You can learn more about security deposits in the California Courts Self-Help Guide.
• A UCSC Renters Workshop Certificate. This will show they have studied California rental laws and common practices.

• Have your tenants perform a thorough inspection of the property within three days of moving in and have them complete a Condition of Rental Property Checklist (PDF). This is the best way to ensure fair deposit returns and avoid disputes. Both you and the tenants sign the completed checklist and each keep a copy. 
• Notify your tenants in writing of their right to a pre-move out inspection (PDF) and of their right to be present at it.
• Do the pre-move-out inspection (PDF) early enough to give the tenant reasonable time to ‘cure’ any problems. You must give them a list of items you believe need cleaning, repair, or replacement in writing at that inspection and give them time to clean or fix them. This inspection must be done no sooner than two weeks before their move out date.
• Provide the tenant with an itemized list of any cleaning or repairs for which you retain money from their deposit. You can learn more about security deposits in the California Courts Self-Help Guide.

• Be well informed about your rights and obligations as a landlord. Our Landlord Rights and Responsibilities page offers a quick overview of some of the most important issues to understand as a property owner or manager. 
• Clear communication is the foundation of a successful tenant-landlord relationship. It is important that tenants feel comfortable coming to you right away with any issues relating to the rental unit or the terms of their rental agreement. If an issue does come up, meet with your tenant to discuss the problem and see if a resolution can be found.
• Put all promises and agreements in writing. If you or your tenant agree to something verbally, follow it up with a brief letter or email outlining the agreement. Always keep a copy for your documentation.

• The Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County offers free housing mediation services to landlords and tenants with rental housing disputes. Mediation takes less time and is less costly than going to court, and can result in improved lease compliance.
• The Santa Cruz County Law Library provides free online full-text PDF access to hundreds of self-help publications provided by EBSCO, the Legal Information Reference Center. Most are by Nolo Press. Log in from site to access database.
• The California Tenants Guide is a comprehensive resource covering tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities.