Tenant FAQs

Need Help? 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My application is approved, now what?

    WPM will email you a link to set up your tenant portal. Once your portal is activated, you can log in to view and sign the Pre-Lease Holding, Lease and pay the holding deposit. WPM is unable to hold a rental for you absent a signed Pre-Lease Holding, Lease and the holding deposit paid.

  • Accepted Payment Methods

    Using your tenant online portal:


    Debit Card: A flat transaction fee of $9.99 will be applied to each debit card transaction.


    Credit Card: A transaction fee of 3.49% of the total transaction amount will be applied to each credit card transaction.


    e-Check: If you prefer to use your personal bank account directly, you can make payments using the e-Check option. A flat transaction fee of $2.49 will be applied to each e-Check transaction. E-Check is the preferred method of payment when using your personal bank account but if needed, you can write a check and use our dropbox located at the base of the stairs at our place of business at 22 E Poplar St, Ste 204, Walla Walla, WA. There is a $2.99 transaction fee that will need to be included in the total amount of each written check.


    Additional option:


    Cash using a PaySlip: We do NOT accept cash at Windermere Property Management but we can print, email or electronically share unique PaySlips for you to pay rent at participating locations such as 7-Eleven, Walmart and Walgreens. A $3.99 transaction fee will apply. Please note that participating stores may have additional fees associated with this payment option.



    Please be aware that the transaction fees associated with each payment method are set by the respective payment service providers. Transaction fees are subject to change, and any updates will be communicated to tenants.

  • I want to add a tenant to my lease. What do I do?

    The first step is to email sking@windermere.com to ensure the unit is not at maximum occupancy (not typical). 


    The second step is for the new tenant to complete an Application to Rent. Once approved, an Addendum will be uploaded to the tenant portal for all tenants (and co-signers, if applicable) to sign adding the new person to the lease.


    A $50 roommate fee will be assessed once the addendum is uploaded. 

  • What is the process for moving in a pet?

    Please visit wpmwallawalla.petscreening.com to complete your pet application. Once the pet application has been processed, WPM will reach out to the owner of your rental with the application results. If the owner approves the pet request, WPM will notify you and the following steps will need to be completed:

    • Pet deposit will need to be paid via your portal. The owner determines the amount of the pet deposit—typically it is $250/pet, however, each owner is different and may request a higher deposit. Pet deposits must be paid prior to bringing the pet home.
    • A monthly pet fee will be assessed. Typically, the monthly pet fee is $25/pet, however, each owner is different and may request a higher pet fee. The monthly pet fee can be paid with rent via your tenant portal.
    • Pet Addendum must be signed via your tenant portal. The Pet Addendum must be signed via your portal prior to your bringing the pet home.
    • Documentation evidencing the pet is licensed in conformity with local laws (dogs only). This must be provided within 7 days of bringing the pet home; and
    • Documentation evidencing the pet’s shots are up-to-date in conformity with local and State laws. If this is not provided with your pet application, it must be provided within 7 days of bringing the pet home.
    • Documentation of renter’s insurance coverage in the amount of $300,000. If this is not provided with your pet application, it must be provided within 7 days of bringing the pet home.

  • What is the process for moving in a service animal and/or emotional support animal?

    Please visit wpmwallawalla.petscreening.com to complete your ESA and/or service animal application. Once the ESA and/or service animal application has been processed, WPM will reach out to you with the results. For approved applicants, an ESA and/or service animal addendum must be signed via your tenant portal. 

  • Do I need insurance?

    As a condition of our lease, we require all residents to carry liability insurance ($100,000) for damage to the landlord’s property during the term of their lease. 


    See our Tenant Insurance Document for more information.

  • I’m responsible for yard care, what exactly does that mean?

    Generally speaking, yard care is defined as mowing the yard weekly, keeping it green and ensuring it is relatively weed-free, including flower beds.  Consult your lease or contact our office if you have questions about your specific responsabilities.  

  • What are the break lease requirements?

    There are two parts to breaking your lease:


    1. There is a break lease fee of ½ month’s rent; and

    2. You continue to be responsible for rent and utilities through the date your lease expires OR  the date we move in a new tenant, whichever occurs first.


    We will start marketing as soon as the break lease fee is paid.  

  • How do I submit a complaint?

    Complaints must be in writing and can be submitted via email to mneissl@windermere.com.

Move Out FAQs

What you need to know for move out

as well as a maintenance and cleaning checklist

General Maintenance & Cleaning Checklist for Move Out

Download Checklist

  • Do I need to cancel autopay?

    Yes, if you have an auto-pay set up, log in to the Tenant Portal and be sure to cancel it. 

  • Do I need to schedule a move out walkthrough?

    No. WPM conducts the walkthrough independently after you have dropped the keys off. 

  • Do I need to deliver keys to WPM?

    If you are in Walla Walla Valley:

    Yes. It is vital that keys are provided to us once you are completely out of the rental. This signifies you are ready for us to do the walkthrough and starts the 30-day clock relative to processing your deposit.


    If you are in the Tri-Cities Area:

    No. Because our office is located in Walla Walla, you will need to lock the keys/garage remotes inside the rental and notify our office when you have done this and are completely out of the rental. Please send a notification via email as soon as you do this, so there is accurate documentation as to the date/time you vacated the rental. The email will signify you are ready for us to do the walkthrough and it starts the 30-day timeframe relative to processing your security deposit. 

  • Can I deliver keys after hours?

    Yes. If you are dropping keys outside of business hours, be sure the keys are marked with the rental address and dropped in our night drop box. The night drop box is located off the parking lot, by the elevator. It is a black box attached to the wall of the building and it is marked “Windermere Property Management”. 

  • Through what date do I owe rent and utilities?

    Rent and utilities will be charged through the date your lease expires or the date we receive the keys from you, whichever is later. Provided however, you are not breaking your lease. 


    If you are breaking your lease, you will owe a break lease fee of a 1⁄2 month’s rent. You will be owe rent and utilities and be responsible for all other lease obligations (i.e. yard care, filter changes, etc.) through the date your lease expires or the date we move in a new tenant, whichever occurs first, regardless of the date you drop keys with us. 

  • How long does it take to process my deposit?

    We have 30 days from the date you drop keys to process your deposit. You will receive either a deposit refund check; a notice stating how much you owe, if charges amount to more than your security deposit; or, a notice stating why there is a delay in processing your deposit. If you dispute any charges applied to your security deposit, you will need to submit your dispute in writing, which can be done via email, mail or fax. Be sure to provide us with a forwarding address on or before the date you drop keys with us. Without this information, the deposit will be sent to your last known address. 

  • How well do I need to clean?

    Download our General maintenance and cleaning checklist.


    If you do not follow these cleaning guidelines, we must schedule a vendor to clean the rental and that fee will come out of your security deposit. 


    Cleaning is charged at a rate of $75/hour. Yardwork is charged at a rate of $45/hour.  General maintenance is charged at a rate of $60/hour. There is a minimum fee of $150 for removing & disposing of items left behind in a rental, no matter how minimal. 

  • Should I turn off the utilities when I leave (power / gas / garbage)?

    No. Utilities should not be turned off when you move out. When contacting the utility provider, let them know that you are a tenant moving out and you would like to transfer the utilities out of your name. Our office has a continuous service agreement with the provider so they will put the service back in Windermere’s name. If the provider says they do not have a continuous service agreement with Windermere, please contact us immediately. We will ensure you only get charged for utilities up until the date you drop keys. Transferring utilities out of your name prior to said date will significantly delay processing your security deposit. You do not have to do anything regarding the utilities through the City of Walla Walla or the City of College Place. 

  • Do I turn off the AC if moving in the summer or the heat if moving in the winter?

    If you are vacating the rental during the summer months, please leave the AC set to 80 degrees. 


    If you are vacating the rental during the winter months, please leave the heat set to 60 degrees to avoid frozen pipes and the resulting damage. 

  • What happens if I leave items behind?

    Be sure to remove all personal items from the rental (i.e. household furniture, furnishings, personal effects, cleaning items and garbage). 


    There is a minimum disposal charge of $150 to remove anything left behind, regardless of how minimal. The storage fee for furniture and furnishings is $10 per day. We are required by state law to retain furniture and furnishings with a value of $50 or less for up to 7 days and a value of over $50 for up to 45 days. We will dispose of the furniture and furnishings after the applicable waiting period unless arrangements are made for you to pay the storage fee and pick up the items. Items left in your unit requiring storage may delay the settlement of your security deposit. 

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