Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I rent with LA Empire?
Ready, set, rent! LA Empire is the simplest, fastest way to rent a home.
Here’s why renters are choosing LA Empire:
Flexible leases: enjoy flexible lease terms, meaning you can rent for 1–18 months, and can choose to extend your lease at any time.
Furnished spaces: choose to rent any room or the entire home fully furnished.
Shared or entire homes: live with roommates or alone, whatever works for you.
Quick move-in: find housing as soon as you need it. Discover, tour and apply for a new room in just a matter of hours.
Resident services: submit maintenance requests, and get 24/7 support through our Resident Portal.
How do I become a LA Empire resident?
Apply entirely online in a matter of hours.
Step 1: Discover homes by browsing our website. Refine your search with our additional filters to fit your exact specifications.
Step 2: Find something you like? Get a closer look. Tour homes either in-person or virtually by clicking “Book a tour” on the listing you’re interested in. Or skip this step if you’re satisfied by the pictures.
Step 3: Like what you see? Put your name in the hat! Simply click “Get started” to begin your application and submit the required documentation.
Step 4: Complete your application by verifying your identity and meeting financial requirements. These may include, but are not limited to: a government ID, employment/student status, bank statements, tax returns, pay-stubs, and visa/work permits (if applicable).
Step 5: Sit tight! Your application will receive a response within 24 hours max. Once approved, you’ll be electronically sent an agreement to sign and an invoice for your upfront payments. After signing and paying, you’re officially a LA Empire Resident.
Which cities is LA Empire available in ?
You can rent with LA Empire in Cambridge (MA), Somerville (MA), Philadelphia (PA), and Cape Coral (FL). More cities are coming soon!
Does LA Empire offer co-living?
LA Empire is not a co-living company. We offer studio, one-bedroom and multi bedroom apartment leases in major US cities. For larger (multi bedroom) apartments, we focus on groups of roommates. If you're an individual and don't have a roommate, don't worry - we will help you find potential roommates through LA Empire platform.
How is LA Empire handling COVID-19?
Your health and safety is of the utmost importance to LA Empire. In light of COVID-19, we continue to take the following precautions:
Home tours are conducted virtually as often as possible, through quality video conferencing with a caring team member.
Extra sanitization has been instituted in all shared homes, and quality professional cleaning strictly implemented before and after stays. Remote check-in and virtual support is available via our phone and email.
It is our policy that all new residents notify LA Empire if they are COVID-19 positive. To mitigate any spread, we advise positive residents to quarantine as per CDC guidelines .
To learn more about symptoms and prevention, please visit the official overview outlined by the World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
Process & Policies
How do I qualify as a resident
Here’s what you’ll need in order to qualify as a resident, based on the city you want to live in.
Applications for homes must include:
Proof that your monthly income is 3x the monthly rent or proof that you have 60x the monthly fee in cash assets. You can prove cash assets by providing banking statements
An above 650 credit score
What if I dont qualify as a resident?
If you don’t meet the resident requirements to qualify for a home on your own, we have a few options for you:
Apply for a home with a guarantor who will co-sign your lease. Refer to the next question; “What is a guarantor? ” to learn more about this option.
Book a short term stay for under two-three months and enjoy a simplified approval process: no income or savings requirements and you will only be required to pay the amount due upfront.
What is a guarantor ?
A guarantor, usually a parent or guardian, is someone who meets certain financial requirements and will co-sign your lease in order to guarantee your rent will be paid. By co-signing, they commit to paying your rent during your lease if for any reason you can’t make the payments yourself. The financial requirements for guarantors are -
Proof that their monthly income is 5x the monthly fee or proof that they have 80x the monthly fee in cash assets
A credit score of at least 650
Are requirements different for international residents?
Yes. Application credit score requirements only apply to individuals with credit history in the US. If you are an international resident, you or a guarantor must provide proof of financial status - such as bank statements or proof of funds in a trust - in your previous country of residence.
Documents in a foreign language are accepted, but a version translated in English may be requested. Please note: each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis but must generally meet the above terms.
Can I tour the home in person?
Yes! Approved applicants can view up to two homes in person. And you can always view the bedroom layout and common areas of the home by taking a 3D tour on our website.
Can I extend my lease?
We’re thrilled you’d like to stay with LA Empire longer! The price on your new lease–for a continuous stay in the same room–will depend based on the current market rates. Please contact our team at info@laempires.com to get the most updates lease extension price based on your lease extension duration. If you’ve already agreed to accept a priority offer,* then your extension price will be the rate of that offer.
Please ensure to notify your intent 60 days before lease end date, at which point your room/house will be started to be marketed for next tenant.
What if I want to terminate my lease early?
Plans change, we get it. If you need to move out earlier than the dates of your agreement (or the date you already told us you are moving out), we require a 30-day notice and one month's rent as a termination fee.
All this is subject to applicable law
Can couples rent with LA Empire?
Our rooms are meant for single occupancy only, unless it's a studio or 1B1B unit. This ensures overcrowding of common spaces and bathrooms.
Are LA Empire homes pet-friendly?
Most of our units are not pet-friendly.
Are LA Empire homes visitor friendly?
Yes! Visitors are welcome between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM. If you’re having more than a couple of visitors over at once, be sure to let your roommates know. A friend that stays past 10:00 PM is considered an overnight visitor.
There is a maximum limit of 3 consecutive nights not more than twice per month. If the visitor stays for more than this period per month, the host shall be charged the daily rate of the host’s room price for their guest, in addition to their license fee. LA Empire Residents must take full responsibility for their visitors. Any violation or damage caused by a visitor is considered the resident's violation, and LA Empire policies apply accordingly. Please exercise care when inviting people into your shared home.
What is the move-in process like?
Before your move-in date you’ll be notified via email about your move-in instructions like door codes or how to get access to keys, and an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
We uphold a noon move-in policy for several reasons, but most importantly to ensure that your move-in is as smooth as possible. In the case that the previous resident may be moving out the day you move in, we need time to inspect and clean the room, ensuring you will be moving into a space that meets our standards.
If you need to move in earlier than noon, we may be able to accommodate this on a case-by-case basis for an additional fee - just email our team with your request.
Pricing and Payments
What upfront cost should I estimate ?
Your upfront costs are first month rent, last month rent and security deposit. Please note all upfront payments are due within 5 days of your signature date.
Security Deposit
First month's pro-rated or full charges
Last month rent
If your stay is for two month, regardless of your move-in date, we will require your full stay to be charged upfront, including your security deposit. Please note this upfront payment policy applies to relocations as well.
How much is security deposit ?
Security deposit is $400, which is refunded withing thirty days after you move-out contingent upon inspection.
How do I make rent payments?
All LA Empire rent payments can be made through Rentlr and Square. Please note that these payment methods charge transaction fees for different payment methods, over which LA Empire has no control. Payments made through checks or third-party platforms other than Rentlr or Square will not be accepted.
Rentlr charges different transaction fees for different payment methods: each ACH/direct deposit transaction is charged a $1.95 fee, each cash transaction is charged a $3.75 fee and each card transaction is charged a 2.99% fee - with the exception of Visa, for which the 2.99% is calculated based on scheduled charges.
Square sends invoices via email through which payments can be made directly by entering card details. They charge a 3.5% transaction fee and an authorization form must be filled and signed.
Living with LA Empire
What types of homes does LA Empire Have?
We list both shared homes with roommates as well as studios and one bedrooms for rent. These homes range from recently refreshed units in older, historical buildings to brand new homes, and all have been decorated by our expert design team. When you rent a shared home, you will be sharing the space with other roommates who LA Empire will help find for you. If you rent a studio or one bedroom, you will not share that apartment with any roommates.
How does shared home work?
Many tenants in major U.S. cities prefer to rent with roommates as it's usually more cost efficient to rent this way. LA Empire finds roommates and move into the same apartment. Please note that according to local housing regulations, you are renting a bedroom in the whole aprtment.
You and your roommates will share the cost of the rent for the whole apartment and the prices you see on our portal are the portion of rent you are agreeing to pay.
Who are my roomates and how are they vetted?
The average age of our residents is 25, and they are generally professionals and graduate students. Rest assured that all LA Empire residents are vetted with background and credit checks, and we speak with them on tour either virtually or in person. However, we can only see what we see and we can't make any promises about their behavior or how they will be as roommates.
Can I meet my roomates before moving in?
Due to privacy restrictions, LA Empire is unable to share identifying information about current residents.
Can my roomates change during my lease term?
Yes. To give you an idea of our resident rotation, LA Empire residents typically stay for an average of six - eight months. If you are getting a new roommate, we will inform you when their application has been approved.
What if I have issues with my roommate?
We encourage all residents living in shared homes to practice respect and communication with each other at all times. If you are experiencing serious issues with any current roommates, you can reach out to us to submit your lease termination based on the lease guidelines.
What if I have maintenance issues?
Let us know! You can report any maintenance issues or submit general questions about maintenance by sending an email to maintenance@laempires.com. Our team will get in touch with you.
Can I have the contact details of my landlord?
LA Empire has designed a system that negates a need to contact your landlord directly. We step in to fulfill the responsibilities your landlord usually would, with a Support Team who is available online to help with anything you may need, from maintenance requests to general questions about your building. Your comfort is our priority and we work directly with landlords to resolve any issues that arise.
What happens if I lose a key or get locked out?
If you need a replacement key we’re available to help you out by ordering a replacement key which takes 2-4 business days depending on the location and a key replacement fee depending on the key type is applied. In the event you are locked out and a LA Empire representative is called to resolve the issue, there is a $100 lock out fee applied during business hours. Outside business hours and holiday, you have to order a locksmith and bear the charges to get it unlocked.
Do you show my home to other during my stay?
Yes, we allow potential approved residents to see any home in person, during reasonable hours on weekdays and weekends. We always give advance notice of future showings and appreciate your understanding of this. Rest assured that in-person tours will abide by all safety regulations due to COVID-19.
Trash responsibilities
Residents shall comply with all applicable recycling and trash disposal laws. Residents must also separate trash as designated by LA Empire and in accordance with local laws, and take out the trash on an as-needed basis. All fees/city fines associated with incorrect trash disposal will be charged to Residents.
What is included in a furnished home?
In shared homes all common spaces are by default furnished (the kitchen will have plates, glass, silverware, knife set, appliances such as coffee maker, toaster, microwave will be provided). The rooms will be furnished with a bed, mattress, pillow, comforter, study desk, chair and lamp. Common area will have couch, coffee table TV lamp and decorative ornaments.