Tenant FAQs

These are some of the questions commonly asked by tenants that want to learn more about their options. This is a good start, but if you have any additional questions or would like to meet with us, please fill out the form following the questions, or give us a call.

Who pays for property repairs?
If the repairs are a result of your actions, we will bill you for them. Otherwise, you won’t be held liable. Also, don’t forget that you are responsible for your guests’ actions. We’ll hold you accountable for any damages they commit as well.
Who is responsible for taking care of the lawn?
The party responsible for taking care of the lawn is always specified in the lease or rental agreement. Generally speaking, tenants are responsible for lawn care unless otherwise specified. In other instances, especially for complexes, townhomes, and condominiums, the homeowner’s association provides the care and maintenance of the lawn.
How much will I owe at move-in?
You will have 24 hours from application approval to pay your security and pet deposit in full. The first month rent is not due until move in (or lease start date).
What is the rental application process like?
All adults (persons over 18) who will be residing in the property will need to apply separately. The application fee is $45 per person.

The application fee will be used to run background checks on the prospective tenant. Specifically, we run credit and criminal checks. In addition, we also do income verification as well as ask for references from previous landlords. Upon application approval, you will have 24 hours to sign the lease and pay the deposits.

Suppose I sign my lease agreement, but my plans have changed and I no longer want to move in. Can I get my security deposit back?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get the deposit back. Security deposit paid at the time of pre-lease signing is not refundable.
How long does it take to get an application results?
It depends on how quickly we can verify your details. Such details include your current job, credit information, rental references and income. We should be able to tell you whether your application is approved or rejected anywhere between 1 to 3 business days.
What happens if there are multiple applications for the same property?
In such a case, we will present all applications to the homeowner and will let them choose the best candidate.
What happens when I lock myself out of my apartment?
Lockouts, unfortunately, aren’t considered an emergency. If you are locked out during office hours, your property manager will meet you and let you in. We’ll charge you a $100 fee for this. If you are locked out after hours, you’ll need to look for a locksmith at your own expense and provide us with a copy of the new key.
What should I do if the smoke detector begins beeping?
In most cases, it’s an indicator that you need to change the smoke detector’s batteries. You can find these batteries at your local hardware store or market. It is the tenant’s responsibility to replace those batteries. Disconnecting your smoke detector is illegal.
What should I do if I encounter a problem with plumbing?
Turn off your water immediately. The next step is to call our office. We always strive to address the problem as soon as possible. If it’s after hours, just send a text message to our main office. You will then be contacted by our on-call Property Manager shortly.
What are my responsibilities as a tenant?
Your primary responsibility as a tenant is timely rent payments. Other responsibilities are contained in your lease agreement.
What are my options when my lease is coming to an end?
We will contact you prior to your lease ending regarding a possible lease renewal. You are required to give a 45-days’ notice if you choose to move out at the end of your lease.
What should I do if I want to install a satellite dish?
Don’t install a dish without asking for permission first. Most properties are prohibited from installing satellite dishes on the building. You may need to fill out a form.
What is your pet policy?
You can always check whether pets are allowed or not by looking into your lease agreement. If it does allow it, then you must abide by the requirements. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to contact our office before keeping one. You may also need to pay a fee and sign a pet addendum. Depending on the owner’s preference, breed or species restrictions may apply. Contact our office for detailed information.
What is the security deposit amount?
The security deposit amount varies on a case-by-case basis. It must be paid in full prior to moving in.
How do I know if a maintenance issue is an emergency or not?

We ask that you use your best judgment when assessing whether an issue is an emergency or not. All maintenance issues are different. The following are maintenance issues that may constitute an emergency:

  • Clogged toilet: If it is the only toilet in your home, then it is an emergency issue. However, before contacting our office, please try to use a plunger. Please be advised that any plumbing stoppage after 10 days of lease start will be billed to the tenants.
  • Water: If the hot water in your home isn’t working, please contact our office only if it cannot wait until the next business day. If the water in your home isn’t working, please call your local water provider and then contact our office immediately.
  • Heat: If the heat in your home isn’t working, please call our office.
  • Flood: If there is flooding in your home, please call our office immediately.
  • Fire: Contact 911 first then notify us immediately.
  • Personal injury: Contact 911 immediately.
How do I change utilities to my name?
Generally, the renters take care of the utilities if they are part of the rental price. You will be provided a list of utilities to call prior to move in.
How do you handle maintenance requests?
We will require you to fill out a repair request form which is available on our website. Next, we will contact you regarding how we intend to fix them. You can also call us using the contact information on your lease agreement.
Who bears the responsibility of spraying for bugs on the property?
Pest control is the responsibility of the tenants, unless the issue spans to the entire community, in which case please report this to us, so we could contact the HOA.
Can I break the lease before it expires? If so, how do I do it properly?

For breaking the lease, an early termination fee will apply, it is 50% of your regular monthly rent payment. In addition, you will also be required to:

  • Give us 45-days written notice.
  • Pay rent, utilities and take care of the property for the period of time until a new tenant takes over.
  • Pay any expenses the landlord incurs to prepare the place for a new tenant.
  • Leave the property in its initial condition.
What is your tenant painting policy?

Your rental agreement strictly prohibits making any changes to the rental unit. Before making any changes to the property, please obtain a prior written approval from our office.

Will you inspect the property during my tenancy?

Yes, we will. We reserve the right to inspect the property and document its condition. We will always send you a notice prior to inspecting the property. Should we find any serious lease violations during our inspections, we may evict you. Such violations may include criminal activities or keeping unauthorized guests and pets, among others.

Can I have a roommate?

You may have a roommate so long as they have submitted an application with us and it has been approved. Aside from submitting the completed application form, they must also pay an application fee. We reserve the right to approve or deny any application. If approved, then they can be added to the lease and move in with you. You and your roommate will be responsible for adhering to the lease terms.

What is your smoking policy?

We don’t permit smoking or vaping of any kind in our rentals or anywhere within the rental property.

Can we bring our own dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, dryer, and washer?

This depends on the property. It’s treated on a case-to-case basis.  Please do not make any modifications without a written approval from our office.

What do I do if I want to move out of the rental property?

We require you to give 45-days notice prior to moving out. This can be done via an email.

What if I don’t agree with the security deposit amount I received back?

You will be held liable for any property damage that’s in excess of normal wear and tear when you move out. You must return the rental unit in its initial condition as per the terms of the agreement. However, if you feel that you aren’t responsible for the damages in question, then you should contact us immediately.