Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Essential Housing program?

​The Essential Housing program sets rental rates based on the local average median income rather than the highest market rates. This means your rent will be determined by your household size and gross annual income, potentially resulting in a lower rate than what you see advertised online. To find out which tier you qualify for and how it affects your rent, check out our Essential Housing page on our website.

Is this community a low-income or below market rent (BMR) community?

​No, our community is not low-income housing or below market rate (BMR).

How do I know if I qualify?

​To check your eligibility, you have two options. You can visit the Essential Housing page on our website and access the "What's my Rental Tier" PDF. Alternatively, you can reach out to one of our leasing agents for direct assistance. To determine your eligibility, make sure you have your household size and gross annual income information handy.

Does the tier I qualify for change my rate from what I see online?

​It does. Our program is designed with multiple tiers that take into account your family size and gross annual income. This means that those with lower incomes will have lower rental rates. You can explore the specific price differences on our Essential Housing tab for more details.

What happens if my household's gross annual income is more than the maximum income allowed?

​Please note that if your income exceeds our maximum limit, you won't be eligible to reside in our community. To check the maximum income levels, simply visit the Essential Housing tab on our website and click the "What's my Rental Tier" button.

Does every new resident have to qualify for the Essential Housing program?

​Yes, it's important to note that every new resident must meet the qualifications of the Essential Housing program in order to move in.

Do community specials apply to all tiers, or just the highest rental rate?

​Certainly, our special offers apply to all tiers. This means that even if you qualify for the lowest rental rate we offer, you can still take advantage of active specials.

How do I apply for the Essential Housing program?

​Applying for one of our Essential Housing program apartments is easy and friendly. Visit our website and click on "Apply" in the navigation bar. You'll be directed to complete an online application, which usually takes around 10 minutes. During the process, you'll provide information about the specific unit you're interested in, details about your household size, any pets you have, your car's license plate number, and your household's gross annual income. We've designed this process to be as straightforward and user-friendly as possible.

Are there other Essential Housing communities in California?

​Yes, there are! If you'd like to explore other options in your area, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We're here to assist you in finding additional locations that may suit your needs.

Does it cost anything to take a tour?

​Our tours are always free of charge, so you can explore our community without any cost.

Do I have to make an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?

​While walk-ins are certainly welcome up to one hour before our closing time, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment for a more convenient and personalized experience.

Do you offer self-guided tours?

​Yes, we offer self-guided tours via Tour24.

Do you offer guided tours with a leasing agent? How long are they?

​Yes, we offer guided tours with our leasing team. They take 30 minutes.

How can I apply for an apartment?

​Joining our community and the Essential Housing program is a straightforward and entirely paperless process. To get started, simply visit our website and click on "Apply" in the navigation bar. You'll then be directed to complete an online application, which typically takes around 10 minutes. During the application, be prepared to provide details such as the specific unit you're interested in, information about your household size, any details about pets, your car's license plate number, and your household's gross annual income.

What is the timeline from application to approval?

​Once you have submitted your application and uploaded the applicable documents for income verification, you will enter screening. From there, our team will review all information within 72 business hours. After they review, they will contact you to discuss your qualifications for the Essential Housing program and, depending on your qualification, the resulting rental rate, as it could very well be lower than the advertised price you see online. If you'd like to understand our pricing tiers, visit our website's Essential Housing page.

Do you accept guarantors?

​Due to our Essential Housing program, we do not accept guarantors.

Can I change my application after it's been submitted?

​Yes, you may log back into your application to make changes, or call our office directly to have the leasing team make changes on your behalf.

What if I'm not ready to apply, what other options are there?

​If you're not quite ready to apply, we're here for you! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have, or even better, stop by for a visit to our community. Keep in mind that our pricing and availability can change, so applying sooner rather than later is a great way to lock in the current rate.

What are the lease terms that are offered?

​We offer 12-month leases in our community, but we may offer shorter or longer terms based on availability. Speak with the leasing office if you need something specific.

Can I get a price reduction if I sign a longer lease or pay for rent a year in advance?

​No, we don't provide discounts for longer lease terms, and we don't permit paying a year's rent in advance.

Do I get refunded if my application is canceled or denied?

​If you change your mind about living with us, your holding deposit is refundable up to 72 hours after you've submitted your application, not including days the office is closed, and the application fee itself is non-refundable.

What are your rental requirements?

​Income requirements vary between AMI tiers. Lower AMI tiers require prospects' monthly gross income to meet or exceed two times the monthly rental rate. Higher AMI tiers require income to exceed the income limits for all lower AMI tiers, while not exceeding the maximum income limit. Households with incomes exceeding the maximum income limit are not eligible for the Essential Housing program. You will be asked to upload income documents for verification, and a valid government ID is required for each applicant aged 18 or older. Due to our Essential Housing program, monthly rental rates and income requirements will vary based on household size and gross annual income, with limits on maximum and minimum gross annual income. Visit our community website's "Essential Housing" page.

Do you do any background, credit or criminal checks?

​Regarding screening, we do a hard check on each applicant’s credit. We also look at rental history, employment history, and criminal background.

Do I need to verify the income that I state in the application?

​Yes, you will be asked to verify your income via our partner, Snappt.

Are utilities included?

​All utilities are paid separately from rent.

Is renter's insurance required?

​Yes, we require residents to carry a minimum of $100,000 in Personal Liability Insurance coverage through the provider of their choice.

Do you accept section 8 vouchers?

​Our community accepts Section 8 housing vouchers as long as the income requirements are met. However, the community itself is not low-income housing or below market rate (BMR). We are an Essential Housing community, and all applicants outside of Section 8 join our program upon move-in.

What fees can I expect to pay upon application submission? E.g. application fee, security deposit

​The application fee is $35 per applicant, and you will also be asked to pay a holding deposit of $250 upon submission of your application. The holding deposit will apply toward your total security deposit upon move-in. Our security deposits start at $600 and are based on credit and your chosen floor plan size.

Do you have furnished apartments?

​No, we do not offer furnished apartments.

Do all your apartments include washer and dryer?

​Only some units include in-unit washer and dryers. We do have 14 touch-to-pay laundry facilities on-site.

When were these apartments built? Have there been any renovations?

​Our apartments were built in 1980. There have been renovations to our amenity spaces and units as early as 2023.

What type of flooring do the apartments have?

​Our apartments have hardstyle flooring throughout the living areas and bathrooms, and carpet in the bedrooms.

What kind of kitchen appliances are in the apartment? Are stoves gas or electric?

​Our apartments homes come equipped with stainless steel energy-efficient appliances.

Do kitchen sinks have a garbage disposal?

​Yes, our apartments come equipped with a garbage disposal.

Do apartments have dishwashers?

​Yes, our apartments come equipped with a dishwasher.

Does the apartment come with a microwave?

​Yes, our apartments come equipped with a microwave.

Is there a bathtub or just a shower?

​Our bathrooms offer both showers and bathtubs.

Do the apartments have air conditioning?

​No, we do not offer air conditioning but each apartment does come equip with ceiling fans.

Are there community quiet hours?

​Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 8 AM

What is the parking policy? (Are there garages?) Include guest parking)

​We offer assigned parking spaces throughout the community, including within our gated underground parking structure, for $75/month. We also offer uncovered parking spaces free of charge.

What is the smoking policy?

​It's important to us that our community be a wonderful place to live for all who live there. As a result, we are a smoke-free community. If you need a designated smoking area, one of our leasing agents can share those locations with you.

What is your renter's insurance policy?

​We require residents to carry a minimum of $100,000 in Personal Liability Insurance coverage through the provider of their choice.

Is there a fee to break a lease in your community?

If you opt to move-out before the end of your lease, you will be charged a lease break fee of two months rent along with your 30 day notice.

Will I be allowed to sublet my apartment?

​No, we do not allow sublets.

How long can guests stay at my apartment?

​Guests staying over 72 hours must check in with the leasing office. For longer stays, they should be added to the lease through our leasing team.

Is there a fee to transfer to a different unit?

​If you opt to transfer units before the end of your lease, you will be charged a lease break fee of $200.

What schools are you zoned for?

​We are assigned to Burbank Elementary, Bret Harte Middle, Hayward High

What is your pet policy?

​We welcome two pets per apartment home. Cats and dogs are welcome, while poisonous and exotic animals are excluded. There is no weight restriction, but breed restrictions apply. Fees include $500 for the first pet and $250 for the second. There is also a monthly pet fee of $50 per pet. You are welcome to add new furry friends that join your family at any point in your lease. Additionally, after you submit your application you will be asked to set up a profile on PetScreening.com, regardless of whether your pet is an assistance animal or not. Non-assistance animals will be charged a non-refundable animal application fee of $20 paid directly to PetScreening.com. Breed Restrictions: Akitas, Chowchows, Dobermans, Malamutes, Pit Bulls, Presa Canario, Rottweilers, Wolf-Hybrids and Staffordshire Terriers. Any hybrid or mixed breed of one of the aforementioned breeds.