FAQ

The lease start and end dates are selected by you.  For insurance reasons, we cannot rent a room out for less than 3 months.  (There is an exclusion on our policy preventing us from doing short term rentals).  You are welcome to stay here for a 3 month summer internship, a nine-month school year or even multiple years.  You select the term length.    We also understand that life happens, so we make it easy for you to break the lease.  Please download the sample contract for more information.

Yes.  All utilities are included in the rent.   The list includes water, sewer, garbage, electricity, internet.  Upon request, we can provide access to our TV streaming services such as Netflix, Prime, Disney+, DirecTv.   The list of streaming services is subject to change. 

$500 dollars.   Our goal is to make living here easy and enjoyable.  We were both students and understand it is difficult.  So, we really want to support you and help as much as possible. 

A husband and wife live in the primary suite.  The other two rooms are rented on a first come first serve basis without regards to gender - or any other protected class. 

Yes.  However, there are limitations for the safety of others.   Also, there is a limitation on the number of guests and length of stay.  Download the house rules for more info - located at the bottom of this page. 

Yes.  However, we respect each other and our neighbors.  Keep music and noise to a respectful level especially after 9:00 pm.  We are heavy sleepers and should not be bothered if you host an event.   Please keep your indoor gatherings small (5 or less) and the outdoor parties to 10 or less people.

Of course, you pay good money to live here.  We have a gas stove/oven and a convection microwave.  I expect you to do normal living activities such as cooking, eating at the dinner table, using the barbeque, playing with the dog, checking your mail.  Make yourself comfortable. 

Yes.  But, we have to coordinate our schedules.   The home office is the yellow building in the backyard.  It is 186 square foot building with a fridge, bed, TV and a sit/stand desk.  The building is not intended for living in.  However, you are welcome to use it to study, watch tv, play loud music, etc.  I prefer not to have people sleep in the building overnight. 

The house has 3 bedrooms.  The front two rooms are rented to students.  The back 1/2 of the house is the "primary suite".  Residents share common areas such as the kitchen, living room, basement, laundry and all outside areas.  The primary suite has a separate laundry room, we only use the shared laundry for large items. The goal is to treat others like you want to be treated.  So, we respect everyone and their belongings.   Additionally, we all do our best to keep common areas clean.

There is on street parking.  Unfortunately, it is getting harder and harder to find a spot.  Sometimes you have to park about 100 feet away from the home.

Each room has a bed, desk, chair and at least one dresser.   We can also provide bedding and bathroom towels -- if requested.   See the bedroom photos for the exact furniture provided in each room. 

We provide the normal household items found in a kitchen - such as cups, plates, pots, pans, silverware, etc...  We provide cleaning items and toilet paper upon request. We try to make it easy for you to move in by providing a fully furnished house.

We are directly adjacent to Domocillio apartments - which is across the street from the university.  Look closely at the photos of our back yard and you will see Domocillio.  The easiest way to get to school is to cross the Alameda at Portola and walk (or ride your bike) towards Safeway.

Sometimes.  We like to hire housekeepers when both rooms are rented - at no extra cost to you.  This of course is not guaranteed unless otherwise stated in your rental agreement. 

We hire a gardener to maintain the yard.  The only expectation is that you cleanup after yourself when using the facilities. 

My wife is retired, so she is often at home.  When home, she spends most of the time in the bedroom.  However, she does like to garden and take the dog for walks.  For safety reasons, we can discuss our schedule in more detail only if needed. 

My wife has a degree in Computer Science, did an internship at the Weizmann Institute in Iseral, and worked for Alan Greenspan in the Federal Reserve.  Prior to retirement, my wife worked as the director of engineering at a local company.  Early in her career, she helped NVIDIA dominate the graphics market by doing the layout of graphics chips from an office in our garage. 

I have a masters in computer engineering and write embedded software.  I have formerly worked at Philips Semiconductor, Cisco Systems, and Intel Corp.  I like to write software that touches hardware.  My favorite job was writing Assembly code for a satellite TV receiver.  At Cisco, I wrote the BIOS for their servers.  I continue working full-time but I like to keep the name of the company on the down low because I still hope to strike it rich!   I can say that the software I write has impacted millions of lives.

Unfortunately for us, we did not get rich at NVIDIA.  We took cash instead of the stock.  So, now we need you to live with us!  Don't feel bad, we have had it great and continue living life to the fullest as an older couple.