Bright and sunny east-facing in-law unit, 4 houses from Berkeley/Oakland in the west Orinda Hills (below the Tilden Park Steam Trains). The lower-level apartment is furnished and carpeted, with a mid-wall functional fireplace (and firewood), TV, ceiling fans, kitchenette, full bath, and large bedroom with laundry room. A separate area under the stairs communicating with the upstairs is for tenants' use. Tenants will likely spend much time outside, at the glass dining table and chairs, hammock, gas grill, and assorted seating areas. The bocce ball (boules or petanque) pitch is non-regulation and playing is a creative enterprise. Gardening opportunities abound! The expansive yard with patios is fenced, with a communicating gate to the upstairs yard, and one to the entry stairway. Tenants are expected to assist with watering the downstairs and side yard plants.
The bedroom has a very large closet, lots of storage, and the washer/dryer. The landlord will require access to the laundry room every 1-2 weeks. We have found that this peculiarity makes for good relations upstairs/downstairs. We are located at the end of a short road with space for two tenant vehicles in the spacious driveway. A side stairway leads to the apartment entrance from the driveway.
The landlord has two medium-sized dogs. Tenants are welcome to have a well-behaved non-barky dog or a cat. Bear in mind that the area is remarkably rural and we live with coyotes, turkeys, rodents, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, deer, and other friends.
Terms: six-month lease, then month-to-month rent. Utilities included for the first two months while we evaluate the usage. First month's rent and security deposit required. We are on septic and conserve water (efficient showers please). We are a composting and recycling home.