California Home Rental Center

Our experience with this type of service, is that complainants allege misrepresentation of services. Specifically complainants allege: these companies fail to provide refunds, properties were taken directly from websites or the newspaper, that the rentals did not exist or were previously rented or did not meet the complainant's criteria, they infer that they have relationships with landlords when none exists, or they advertise rentals in the newspaper at attractive prices but have no such rentals available. Companies offering rental lists, either as prepaid rental services or as credit reporting services providing free lists, must be licensed by the State Department of Real Estate and maintain a $10,000 bond for each of its locations. To verify licensing call, (916) 227-0931 or visit www.dre.ca.gov. According to California Law, contracts must include the prospective tenants' specifications for the rental property, a clause in bold type letter outlining the small claims court remedy available, and a right to refund in bold capital letters. A full refund shall be made, if the client is not provided at least three rental properties meeting the tenant's specifications within five days after execution of the contract, unless a rental is obtained utilizing the service. The request for return of fees must be made within ten days following the five-day period by delivery or certified mail and all fees over $50 shall be refunded to the tenant, if a rental is obtained other than through the company's services or the client does not obtain a rental. The client must make demand for a partial refund by supplying reasonable documentation within ten days after the contract expiration. For a complete report on this subject, select the Topics of Interest rental section of our website at www.labbb.org.