The Castle Difference: How Our Leases Help You

November 11, 2011 6:02 am

Castle is here to protect your assets and help grow your business. That starts with having the right lease.

Our commercial properties use leases from the AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of real estate brokers. These forms are the industry standard in California, and are used throughout the country; most of our clients and tenants have seen them before, and they know that AIR leases are clear, comprehensive, and tailored for commercial needs. Best of all, they’re free, and we’re happy to pass the savings along to you.

For residential properties, Castle has created a custom lease. In this varied market we feel it’s best to incorporate our knowledge and values directly into the lease, which is vetted yearly by two attorneys and updated as laws change.

We don’t shoehorn you into terms, either. Whether you’re a commercial or residential customer, lease amendments are easy.

Clear, comprehensive leases, tailored to your business and backed by decades of experience. It’s all part of the Castle Difference.

Category: Renting and Retention Tags: , , ,

It’s Hard to Smoke Anywhere in Richmond or Pleasant Hill

November 3, 2011 6:03 am

As of this year, two Bay area towns are among the toughest places in California to be a smoker. After getting failing grades from the American Lung Association, Richmond and Pleasant Hill have cracked down on public smoking in an effort to stop the spread of toxic secondhand smoke. The ban extends to multi-family housing, so be warned: those caught lighting up may not be the only ones facing hefty fines. If landlords and property managers are lax with enforcement, it could be them, too.

In Richmond, smoking is prohibited in all multi-family apartments and condominiums. This includes common areas like patios and decks. Smoking must take place at least 25 feet from the building.

Pleasant Hill bans smoking in all multi-family residences over four units. Even if your building is smaller than that, smoking must occur away from doors and windows, and it's restricted to common areas over 20 feet from a protected apartment.

Fines for violators start at $100, so make sure an experienced property manager is on site to communicate with tenants and mitigate problems before they get out of hand.

Castle works with the California Apartment Association's political action committee to prevent more cities from adopting laws like these. While they may seem healthy for our tenants, such laws can't be enforced fairly, and they place an unfair burden on apartment managers.

Category: CA Renting Practices

Green Landscaping Helps Everyone

October 27, 2011 6:02 am

At Castle, it’s our job to save owners money. We also make sure our residents have comfortable, beautiful homes.

If we can do it and help Mother Nature, too? We can’t resist.

Several of our properties incorporate bio-swales. These low-lying areas, sprinkled with soil and planted with native vegetation, are designed to keep rainwater out of storm drains and return it safely to the ground. This not only guards against flooding and pollution; it creates a lush garden for everyone to enjoy. To sweeten the view, Castle adds California wildflowers like poppies and lupins.

Bio-swales keep water where it belongs: outside, feeding a natural wonder on the doorstep. It’s all part of the Castle Difference.

Category: Going Green Tags: , , ,

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