Faculty and Staff Rental Policy
Term of Lease
A typical lease term is August through July of the following year and runs all 12 months. Leases may be renewed once, for up to two year maximum. For the second lease only, faculty and staff renters have the option to rent for 6 months and then month to month for up to 6 additional months OR month to month with the monthly rent increasing by $100 per month for no more than twelve months.
According to state law, you must fulfill the term of the lease or lose your security deposit, plus pay out your lease unless the unit is re-rented.
Deposits
Damage deposit equals one month rent. The Security Deposit is paid on the day that the Move-In Checklist or statement is signed and dated by the Landlord, or their agent, and a minimum of one Resident per household and the Resident must receive a copy of the checklist or statement.
Key deposit - $50
Pet Fee
Tenants may have up to two (2) pets. You have to pay a $500 nonrefundable fee. If it has been established that if you acquire a pet and a deposit has not been made, you will be charged the pet fee and expected to pay it within one week. Please note that if your pet does any damage to the house or yard, you will be charged for any repairs over the amount of your pet fee and damage deposit.
Last month rent
Last month’s rent is due and payable at the time you move in. However, if you choose to pay rent via automatic payroll deduction, this payment is waived.
Utilities
Water, sewer and garbage are included in the monthly lease amount. Tenants are responsible for electrical and heat. Please change the utilities as soon as possible (no longer that 30 days) after you move in. After that time, we will charge you a handling fee of $10.00 each time we have to forward your bill.
Pacific Power and Light Co. 888-221-7070
Cascade Natural Gas Co. 888-522-1130
Late charges
Rent is due on the first day of the month. A $50 late charge will be assessed if you don’t pay your rent by the 10th of the month. If the 10th falls on a weekend you need to pay the Friday before.
Insurance
Whitman does not carry insurance on your belongings. We encourage our tenants to obtain renter’s insurance. Our insurance carrier offers individual rental policies for students. Click here for a quote or more information.
Check In Appointment
Tenants must schedule a check-in appointment with Tami Higginbotham or Laura Nix prior to moving into the unit. At the check-in the tenant along with Whitman staff will note the condition of the property and the key for the unit is provided to the tenant. Tenant may move belongings into a residence after the check-in. Check in appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.
Moving Out
At the end of your lease, when you are ready to move out, make an appointment with Tami Higginbotham to conduct the check-out of the residence, by calling 527-5745 or e-mail her at offcampusrentals@whitman.edu. Check-out appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.
All belongings must be removed before the time of the inspection and no later than the last day of the month of your lease.
Keys must be returned during the check out. No inspections will be scheduled after 4:30 pm. If the residence doesn’t pass inspection, you will be charged for any work done on the facility including cleaning, repairs, etc.
Refunds will be issued within 30 days after inspection.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact Tami Higginbotham, Trust Accountant and Rental Property Manager at (509)527-5745 or email offcampusrentals@whitman.edu. Thank you.