Pinon Properties offers homes for lease in the greater Santa Fe area, Albuquerque and Los Alamos:
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What is the age limit to apply for a lease?
No one under 18 can apply as a party to a residential leasing agreement. Everyone over the age of 18 that will be residing in the home
must complete an application and pay the $30 credit/background check processing fee per adult. Any roommates being added to an existing
lease must submit an application and pay a $75 plus tax application fee per adult.
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What about application fees and deposits?
There is a non-refundable credit/background check fee of $30.00 for each adult applicant over 18 who will be residing in the house.
This fee is to cover our credit screening, criminal background check, and eviction check processing cost payable to the screening entity
(not Pinon properties) once the tenant initiates that process. If your application is approved and we process a lease, there will be a $
25.00 plus tax lease processing fee payable to Pinon Properties at time of lease signing.
Once you have found a home that you want to rent you must put a deposit down on this home to reserve it. This deposit is equal to 100% of the
security deposit. This deposit must be paid after you have been notified that you have been awarded the property. Once the application
is accepted the applicant must execute a lease within 48 hours of receipt when esigning or signing in person. If the application is accepted, and
the applicant does not sign the lease within 48 hours or fails to move in to the property, 50% of the applicant’s deposit will be forfeited
to reimburse the owner for lost rents and the property will be placed back on the rental market
The application process (filling out the form and receiving a response) takes 24 – 48 hours. Applications can be downloaded by visiting our
Rental Application page.
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Do you do criminal screening and what is involved in the criminal background check?
Yes, there is a criminal as well as a background check run during the application process. Pinon Properties criminal background checks
search the database of 50 state and several governmental agencies. Pinon Properties will automatically deny any felony conviction for
which less than five (5) years has passed from sentence release date to the date of rental application. Felony convictions can be cause
for denial; however, per federal regulations, drug-and-alcohol-use felonies can be waived with proper documentation. Regardless of
conviction date, no applicant with a felony conviction for an act of violence, sex crime, or illegal manufacturing or distribution
of drugs will be accepted.
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Do I have to have verifiable rental history and what is involved in a residential screening?
Yes, Pinon Properties does not rent to applicants who have no verifiable rental history or mortgage payment history.
Pinon Properties will contact the applicant's previous landlords and obtain written references as to the applicant's payment history, late payment,
damages, pet history and other related factors that pertain to tenancy. Applicants with a pet must have an appropriate pet reference as to the
condition of the property where the pet has previously resided. You must place contact name and contact numbers for your previous landlords
on the rental application or we will be unable to process your application.
If the applicant was a previous homeowner and does not have a prior landlord, we will review the mortgage payment history to confirm payment history.
Please provide mortgage company name and contact information when you complete the application.
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What is involved in employment screening?
Pinon Properties will contact your present and previous employers to obtain written references for employment dates and salary.
You must place the contact names and numbers of your previous employers on your rental application or we will not be able to process
it. If you are a new hire and relocating to New Mexico, bring your "Offer of Employment Letter" with you when you complete the
application. Applicant's current income should be at least three times the rental amount.
For self employed and non-employment income we verify sources and amounts: tax returns,
bank and business references, government documents.
For self employed and non-employment income we verify sources and amounts: tax returns, bank and business references, government documents.
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What is involved in credit screening?
The screening process includes running a credit report on individuals and a joint credit report on married couples. Pinon Properties,
through its screening company, uses Experian, one of the three major credit reporting agencies to conduct this process. The credit
check can take a few hours to complete.
This credit check looks at your current credit and past credit history. It will list any evictions, bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens
or judgments that have been awarded against you. At Pinon Properties we are not looking for impeccable credit, however we must protect
our owners and find tenants who will pay their rent on time. Our experienced licensed agents will look at each credit history with a
trained eye. Each credit situation will be given individual attention.
If Pinon Properties approves an applicant who has had a bankruptcy and/ or credit problems they will be required to make advance rent payments.
This credit check will also search some court records and often any criminal activity or arrest will be listed.
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Can I have pets and what is your pet policy?
It is at the owner’s discretion to determine if he/she will allow pets in their rental homes. Some owners will not allow any pets; others
may approve only small dogs or cats. Some owners will allow only one pet and others will allow multiple pets. Some homeowners will allow
cats, some will not, and others will allow cats only if they have been declawed and spayed or neutered. We have a limit of 2 pets per
property and a weight limit of 70 pounds.
Tenants must get written approval for any pet occupying the Property by executing a Pet Addendum prior to such occupancy.
We charge monthly pet rent of $25 for the first pet and $10 for each additional pet. This rent is non-refundable.
Any damage to the property or to the neighbor's property that is caused by any pet will be the sole responsibility of the tenant
The following dog breeds are specifically restricted from all of our rental properties: Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, Akitas,
Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, Presa Canarios, Wolf-hybrids, German Shepherds, American Staffordshire Terriers, Mastiffs, St.
Bernards, Great Danes, Karelian Bear Dogs, Dingos or any dog(s) crossbred with the aforementioned dogs. Additional restrictions
include: reptiles, rodents, insects, exotic or poisonous animals or other animals as restricted by city ordinances. Any fish
tank over 21 gallons will be considered a pet and a $150 non-refundable pet fee and a $25 per month pet fee per pet will be required
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Can I get a pet after move-in?
You must execute a written Pet Addendum prior to any pet occupying the Property. The pet will have to be approved by the owner of the home
prior to occupying the property. If approved, a $25.00 per month pet rent for the first pet and $10 for each additional pet will be required
and the pet(s) will be added to the lease.
Please note: There is a $150 per month fee for the entire lease term for any unauthorized pets found to be visiting or occupying the property for any length of time without written approval.
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Can I install cable or satellite at my property?
Generally, yes. However, you must obtain a consent form signed by your property manager. We have this form available to you on our
webpage on the Tenants/Current Tenants page. Print that form out and fill in all the appropriate information and bring it to Pinon's
office for your property manager's signature. The cost of installation is the tenant's responsibility. Some COA’s/HOA’s do not allow
the satellite dish to be visible from the front of the home or from the street, please check with your property manager before the
installation date.
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Do I need Renters Insurance?
Yes, renters’ insurance is required under the lease. The owner's insurance does not cover the tenant's possessions and any loss
incurred by a tenant will not be covered. Typically, renter's insurance is very affordable. Ask us about the options available through
Pinon Properties. You can sign up for insurance via your portal or you may use any company of your choosing
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What am I responsible for maintaining?
See the Addendum to your lease for your maintenance responsibilities. Tenants are responsible for replacing air conditioner filters,
filling water softener, and replacing light bulbs and smoke detector batteries. Smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector batteries should
be changed twice a year or more if needed. Proper yard maintenance (watering, weeding, cleaning up after pets, etc.) is required as well.
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How do I get help for a maintenance problem?
All maintenance requests must be made in writing through your portal. We cannot accept emails, texts or phone calls for maintenance.
Fill out all of the required information and submit the online form. See our
Maintenance Request Guidelines.
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Does Pinon Properties allow sub-leasing?
No, we do not allow sub-leasing in our properties.
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What is an HOA (Home Owners Association) or COA (Condominium Owners Association) and how does it apply to tenants?
Some neighborhoods or condominium complexes have casual HOA's/COA’s and some have very formal HOA's/COA’s. Home or condo owners
associations are created by builders and developers to help ensure that all owners or their tenants living in a particular
neighborhood will take care and pride in their property. The HOA 's/COA’s purpose is to monitor the neighborhood or complex and
make sure that everybody is keeping their yards clean, removing trash cans from the curbs, not setting up business in their homes,
not parking on the sidewalks or having loud and annoying parties. These are just some examples of items that an HOA/COA tries to control.
To do their job, an HOA/COA employee or contractor drives throughout the neighborhood/complex several times a month looking for infractions.
Once they find a home that is in violation of the HOA/COA rules, they send out a letter of violation to the owner. This letter is usually
followed up with a second letter within ten days, if the problem has not been addressed and fixed.
As the tenant living in a home where there is an active HOA/COA, you are responsible for any violation that occurs at your rental property.
Once the HOA/COA informs the homeowner, Pinon will send you a written notice to fix the problem. If the problem is not fixed within seven to ten
days, the HOA/COA may assess the owner a fine. These fines can range between $50 and $250. Once you have been notified and if you have not fixed
the problem, you the tenant will be responsible for paying this fine.
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What is Pinon Properties policy regarding pest control?
Our policy regarding spraying for insects is that the owner will provide one spray, if requested, thereafter it is the tenant's responsibility and cost for each subsequent spray.
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How do I check for registered sex offenders?
Go to
www.familywatchdog.us
It is the sole responsibility of each prospective tenant to determine if the neighborhood they are interested in renting and living,
meets their standards. Pinon Properties does not do a criminal or sex offender search on the neighborhoods where our rental homes are
located. When you sign your lease, you will be given phone numbers to call to check on registered sex offenders on your own if you request it.
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What is the policy on roommates?
Every adult that applies to reside in a rental home must pay Pinon Properties a $30 fee when submitting the
rental application.
We allow up to two persons per bedroom in accordance with Housing & Urban Development guidelines. Any roommates being
added to an existing lease must pay a $75 plus tax application fee per adult when submitting their application.
If roommates have to move and want to be taken off an existing lease, the new replacing roommate must sign an addendum to
be added to the lease. The new roommates must also have their credit checked and qualify as an applicant. The security deposit
will not be refunded until the end of the lease term and then will only be distributed to the current names that appear on the lease.
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What do I have to do to move out of the property?
To officially begin the move-out process, you need to send or bring in a written thirty-day notice. Go to the
Tenants/Current Tenants page on our website and complete the 30 Day Notice to Vacate Form and fax or email it
to us. Also print out a copy of the Move-Out Instruction sheet.
This notice to vacate must be given at least 30 days in advance of the time that your term of lease is expiring in the event that you
decide not to or do not have the option of lease renewal. Please note that this does not allow you to “break” your lease – move out before
the expiration of your natural lease term.
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When does the thirty days Notice to Vacate start?
The 30 Day Notice of Vacate becomes valid when it is received in our office. 30 Day notices must be received on or before the 1st of the month that you wish to vacate.
If it is received after the first it will be effective for the following month.
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Can I move out before the thirty days is up?
Yes, once you have sent in the thirty day notice you make take as much or as little of that time as needed to move-out with in the 30
day time frame. However, you are responsible for rent payment for the entire thirty days unless a new tenant moves into the home
during that time. If this occurs, the pro-rated difference will be refunded to you.
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How do I get my full security deposit back?
There are a number of things that must take place to receive a full refund of the security deposit. All wall to wall carpeting and window
coverings need to be professionally cleaned. The interior of the home must be cleaned thoroughly. Please go to the
Tenant/Current Tenants page on our website to read the Move-Out Instruction sheet
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How long after I move out until I can expect to receive my security deposit?
You will receive your security deposit within thirty days of the end of your rental period. This is determined to be: when all keys and garage door
openers have been returned to Pinon Properties, and expiration of the lease has occurred. If expiration of the lease has not occurred and the
keys and garage door openers have been returned - you have not reached the end of the rental period. You will be sent an Itemized Deposition of
your security deposit which will state all the charges and any remaining funds from your security deposit which will be returned to you.
The remainder of the deposit will be sent along with the Deposition. If a balance is due to the owner, it must be submitted within
fifteen days or the account will be sent to collection.
Special circumstances apply in the event a lease has been broken. A termination fee will apply in that case.
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How do I dispute the Security Deposit Deposition?
If you choose to dispute the Itemized Deposition of Security Deposit, you must do so within fifteen days of receipt thereof.
Check your lease, any addendums, and the information notice given to you at the time you signed the lease for further information.
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Can I break the lease before it has expired?
When you sign the lease before moving into the home, it is binding, so although breaking a lease is possible, it does carry consequences.
Read the lease carefully before signing it and be aware of the responsibilities of renting a home. A termination fee equal to 50% of
one month’s rent plus tax will charged and the tenant is responsible for rent, utilities and any other applicable charges up to the date
a new tenant assumes occupancy of the property.
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Can I rent a carpet cleaner and clean the carpets myself?
Yes, but the cleaning must be done by a professional cleaning company and a receipt must be provided to Pinon. Alternatively, the
carpets will be professionally cleaned by a Pinon approved vendor and the cost for the cleaning will automatically be deducted from
your security deposit.
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Do I need to be present for a move-out inspection?
No, the property managers will conduct their move-out inspections from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday through Friday. You will be notified
of the results when you receive the Disposition of Security Deposit that will make note of any damage to the property. Please see the
Tenant /Current Tenants page on our website to obtain the Move-Out Instruction sheet
and 30 Day Notice to Vacate form.
