Renting - A User Manual

Read Renting - A User Manual - text version

Download Renting - A User Manual (pdf format)  

Watch Renting - A User Manual (streaming video) - Need Flash Media Player

To order brochures or the film, please contact CAA at 800.967.4222 or download the order form (pdf format).

The California Apartment Association is a private, non-profit, trade association representing management companies, property owners and apartment managers. CAA is not a state agency and has no regulatory authority. If you have questions about your rights, or a complaint about your landlord, call the California Department of Consumer Affairs at 800.952.5210 or the California Department of Fair Housing at 800.884.1684.

Why is the California Apartment Association educating renters?

The CAA brochure "Renting - A User Manual" and its companion 15-minute film are the cornerstones of a public affairs campaign to improve the image of the rental housing industry.

Nobody knows more about the ins and outs of renting than members of CAA, so who better to reach out to renters, prospective renters, community leaders, and elected officials to tell them about our industry? And that’s the whole idea behind an exciting new brochure and Speakers Bureau program offered by CAA.

The decision to produce a consumer education brochure grew out of two related efforts underway within CAA—the work of the Local Government and Community Affairs Committee to develop a brochure to help educate first-time renters, and CAA’s public opinion and survey research efforts that indicated there was a tremendous need for materials that public officials and other opinion leaders could use to understand our industry and assist renters and other who came to them for help.

“CAA members have always been committed to helping renters and to making their properties an asset to the community,” said Tom Bannon, CAA’s Chief Executive Officer. “This brochure gives us a way of demonstrating that commitment in a tangible way.”

How is the brochure being distributed?

Speakers Bureau

An important component of CAA’s efforts to begin changing the public’s perception of the rental housing industry will be the implementation of a proactive CAA Network Speakers Bureau. The Renting Brochure is the centerpiece of the CAA Speakers Bureau program and will be provided free of charge to participating speakers for distribution to their audiences.

Designed to localize and personalize CAA member concern for residents in their neighborhoods and communities, the Speakers Bureau will serve as an effective tool for educating the public about their responsibilities before, during and after a tenancy. It will also facilitate a two-way dialogue between the rental housing owners and managers and the public, further demonstrating member commitment to the communities where their properties are located.

As students prepare to graduate and their focus turns to college and careers, their attention also turns to finding their first apartment. Nobody knows more about answers to these questions than CAA members. That's why CAA has begun aggressive efforts to secure speaking engagements in California High Schools and Community Colleges using CAA's Renting Brochure and Renting Film. The Speakers Bureau serves as an effective tool for educating students about their responsibilities as a renter.

Get Involved with CAA's Speakers Bureau and Educate Your Potential Renters

The CAA Network is seeking professionals who enjoy young people and public speaking. This may include independent owners, management company executives, and regional/corporate managers. If you know of someone who might be interested in participating, please contact CAA at 800.967.4222.

CAA Members

CAA members can help in our campaign by using this affordable brochure as part of your application process.

Copies are available for members to use in tenant application kits, among other member uses. Individual copies (up to 5 max) are available to members free of charge by contacting CAA. For additional copies (minimum order is 50), the pricing is 10 cents per copy plus shipping and handling charges.

To order, or if you have any questions about ordering or using the brochure, please contact CAA at 800.967.4222 or download the order form (pdf format).

Local Associations

Limited copies will be available for each local association of CAA free of charge for prospective distribution to city council members, county supervisors and other important officials in their area. Instead of appearing before city councils only to express concerns about a problem, this brochure will give participants the opportunity to appear before them regarding a positive issue, with a brochure that will help them deal more effectively with constituent concerns. For additional copies (minimum order is 50), the pricing is 10 cents per copy plus shipping and handling charges.

California Apartment Association

At CAA, we have sent copies of the brochure to the Governor, the Capitol and district offices of every state legislator. Additionally, copies have been sent to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Fair Employment and Housing Commission, the Department of Housing and Community Development, Western Center on Law and Poverty, California Rural Legal Assistance and every state office that deals with housing or tenant issues. We have also provided copies to consumer reporters, assignment editors and others to develop media interest in the brochure.

If you have any questions or need further brochure ordering information, please contact CAA at 800.967.4222.