Incoming and Current Residents


Moving into your Apartment:
Before you move in, there are a few things you will need to take care of. Please read this information very carefully to make your move-in go as smooth as possible.

Utility hook-up:
You are responsible for connecting your electricity, gas, and phone service.
Call the utility companies two weeks before your move-in date to ensure you will have power when you arrive.


You do not need to be present to have your electricity, gas, water and phone hooked up.  

You will need to know your apartment number and address before you call.

We will open your water account on your behalf.  National Water & Power will bill you directly.

 

 

 

Your Lease:

You should have received a copy of your lease/rental agreement when you signed your lease.  If you do not have a copy, please visit the leasing office  where you can view and obtain a copy of your lease.  Click here for a sample lease .  Please read it carefully and understand all aspects of your contract. If you have any questions or concerns you may stop by the office, email us, or call us.

  • Remember, if you share the apartment with one or more roommates (i.e. resident(s) on the lease), you are jointly liable for the entire amount of the rent and any damages incurred.
  • When making payments for rent, please specify your apartment number and building name on your check.
  • Rent for each month is due in advance, on or before the first of the month.  Failure to pay by 5 PM on the 4th (regardless of what day the 4th falls on) will result in a late charge as specified in your lease agreement. The late charge policy applies to every resident, no exceptions . Rent charges will be placed directly on student accounts and payment made to the university, in the same manner as rent is handled for USC-owned housing.
  • If you want to add an additional roommate or replace a current resident, please notify us of your intent. The maximum number of occupants cannot exceed the specified number on the lease at any time. The prospective resident has to fill out an application to be approved by management. Upon approval, a new lease will be drawn.  Please note that there will be a $100 lease change fee and all residents listed on the lease must be present for the signing of the new lease.  Please be sure to make an appointment with your property manager at least 24 hours in advance for the lease signing. (213) 740- 5000.
  • The meaning of lease: Under this type of contract, you occupy the premises for a fixed amount of time. You are responsible for all rent payments through the lease term, even if you move out before the lease expires. During the lease term, your rent cannot be increased, nor can other terms of your tenancy be changed. However, upon the termination of your tenancy a new contract with different sets of conditions may be drawn.
  • The security deposit is used for cleaning and damages ONLY after you move out. The security deposit may not apply toward any part of your last month's rent. See "Moving Out" section below for more information.
  • In the event you move out earlier than your roommate(s), Management is not legally bound to return your part of the security deposit until the leased premises has been completely vacated by all residents. Arrangement can be made at the management's discretion.

 

 

 

Moving Out:

Here's what you need to do:

1.  There will be a pre-move out inspection two weeks before you move out.  The inspection will identify damage, if any, which will result in security, deposit deductions.  If you are not present at the time of inspection, a copy of the inspection report will be left in the apartment as well as emailed to all residents.  This will give you a chance to fix the damage to avoid possible charges.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
     
2.  Call the utility companies to to discontinue service as of the last day you will be in the apartment and have the bills taken out of your name. Leave them a forwarding address to send the closing bill. If you do not cancel the service, you will continue to be billed after you're gone, and it will ruin your credit.


3. You are responsible for payment of rent until we receive your keys, even if it is after your lease ends.  For instance, if your lease ends August 7th, you still need to pay a full 7 days of August rent .  Don't forget: You are responsible for rent until the day that you return your keys to the office beyond August 7th .  This means that if you return your keys on August 9th, we will prorate your rent and charge you for the extra days. Once everyone in your apartment has moved out and returned their keys, we'll do a walkthrough of your apartment to assess the damages.  Within 21 days of the later to occur of (a) receiving all the keys, or (b) the expiration of your lease, we will send the security deposit back to the master resident, less the cost of damages and outstanding charges.  *The security deposit check will be mailed to the master resident via regular USPS mail to the master resident's permanent address written on their application.  If the master resident would like the check to be sent to a different address, please send an email to Roderick Dion at leasing@westarhousing.com .

FYI: Your security deposit cannot be used for the last month's rent. You will be charged a late fee as usual if your last month's rent is not paid on time.

Please call the office if you can't remember when your lease expires.

4. Lost your keys? Below is the fee schedule for lost keys and gate clickers:

$50 - if all keys are lost (entire set)

$10 - if just 1 key is missing (gate, apartment, mail etc.)

$25 - if "KEY FOB" key is missing

$50 - if garage door opener is lost
$20 - if laundry card is lost

The above amounts will be deducted from your security deposit.

5. Have your mail forwarded to your new address at least 2 weeks before you leave. We will not forward it for you.

Click Here to Officially Change Your Address with the US Postal Service

6. What you need to do in your apartment before you leave:

You'll have to have your carpets cleaned and get your place professionally cleaned. Make sure to also clean the interior and exterior of the appliances.  This includes stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave in the kitchen.  In the bathroom, you must clean the sink, bathtub/shower, floor and toilet.  All vertical blinds must be cleaned (which also means the interior of the window).  If your wall is damaged and you do not repair it, you will be charged.  If you don't get it done yourself, you can expect a cleaning fee to be taken out of your deposit.
         
Leave all your lights and the A/C off (if the electricity is still on).

 

 

 

What you need to bring to us when you move out:

Keys (apartment, gate, laundry card, mailbox)
Garage door opener
Dish Network Receiver, remote and a smart card (if you have one)

Place the keys and clicker in an envelope. Write the following info on the front of the envelope:

  • Your name
  • The date
  • Your apartment number
  • Building name
  • The master resident's name


Forwarding address and phone # (This is where we will send your security deposit refund if you are the master resident.)

Seal the envelope, and bring it to the office during office hours.  Please return your keys as soon as you move out.  If you hang on to them, you risk losing them.

Make sure to get a receipt for the Dish Network box. Remember, if you don't get that back to us, it'll cost you up to $375 out of your deposit.  Make sure to plan ahead to return the dish network box during office hours (even if it's before you return your keys). You won't be able to leave it for us if you are moving out over a weekend.

Remember, if your keys are returned after your end lease day, you will be responsible for rent for the extra days.  So, if your lease ends July 25th, we must have your keys by July 25th at 6:00 p.m.  If your lease ends on August 7th, then we must have your keys by August 7th at 6:00 p.m.


What if my roommates are moving out but I am staying for the following year?  Will Westar clean the apartment for the new residents?

No.  If a lease has been resigned for an additional year, we do not enter the apartment.  It is the residents' responsibility to ensure that the apartment is ready for any new roommates.  We only turn apartments when it is an entirely new resident group.


Good luck on your exams, and congratulations to all the seniors!

Have a great summer!

 

 

 

Maintenance:

If you require service, please contact us right away.  We are here to help. 

To fill out a maintenance request, please visit USC Housing and fill out the maintenance request form.


If it is an extreme emergency, please call (213)740-4646 and talk to a USC Housing and Maintenance representative.

Please do not stop our Maintenance technicians in the hall to tell them about a problem.  To better serve you, the office can schedule a technician who can address your needs in a timely manner.

 

 

 

Legal Issues:

Everything you ever wanted to know about your rights as a resident (and our rights as landlords).  Check it out at the California Tenants Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities.

Have questions about noise complaints? (Check out the Los Angeles Police Department site for noise complaints.)

Forms

Sample Lease

Application to Rent

Continuing Guarantee

Telephone and Email Form