It is sometimes very difficult to reach someone on the telephone. Why?
We receive a considerable number of calls every day. Each caller deserves our full attention to answer their question or resolve their issue. Because of this our response time may be delayed.
To better assist our owners, tenants and prospective tenants, we have invested much time and capital in the development of our website where we have attempted to answer most common questions, provide forms and information that will cover most situations.
We have endeavored to provide as much information as possible online. In the event you are unable to find the information or form you need, please call our office at 910-509-9700 and we will be happy to assist you. If you call and no one answers, please leave a message. We do return all calls.
As a tenant, what are my responsibilities?
Typically tenants are responsible for the following:
When is my rent due?
Rent payments are due on the 1st of the month. Any payment received after midnight on the 5th of the month will be considered late. If you pay your rent after the 5th of the month you will be charged a late fee equal to 5% of the total rent. Any rental payments received after the 5th of the month must be in the form of certified check or money order. No personal checks will be accepted after the 5th of the month. If you mail your payment, it must be mailed early enough to be received in our office by the 5th of the month. We are not responsible for postal delays.
What are acceptable forms of payment of my rent?
Payment can be made by personal check, money order or bank check until the 5th of the month. They may also be made online through your tenant portal. After the 5th of the month we only accept payment in the form of certified funds. We do not accept cash.
What happens if I am unable pay my rent?
Rent payments not received on or before the 5th of the month result in a notice being sent on the 6th of the month that you are in violation of the terms of your lease and payment is due immediately along with late fees assessed. If payment in full is not received by the 15th, eviction proceeding will begin.
What is a Summary Ejectment filing?
A Summary Ejectment filing is the first step in the eviction process and is a serious matter. If a ruling is made in favor of the landlord, it can be reflected on your credit record for up to 10 years and adversely affect your ability to secure future housing and credit. Fees for a summary ejectment can be expensive and are the responsibility of the tenant.
Can I use my security deposit to cover my last month’s rent payment?
No. Your security deposit is used to cover damages only.
What do I need to do when my lease expires?
Your lease contains an expiration date. If written notice of termination is not provided in accordance with the terms of your lease, 60 days unless otherwise stated, it converts to a month to month lease and remains in full force at an increased rate of 15% of the rent amount until proper written notice is provided. You are responsible for all rent monies until the lease has been properly terminated.
How do I terminate my lease?
Most of our leases require a 60 day notice to terminate by either party. You must turn in a completed form.
What do I do if I need to change the terms of the lease?
Your lease is a legally binding contract between you and the landlord and cannot be changed without the written agreement of both parties. If a situation arises whereby you feel the need to change your lease, please contact our office to discuss your circumstances.
What if I need a routine repair or maintenance?
All routine maintenance requests can be submitted using one of the following methods:
What do I do if I have an emergency?
If the emergency threatens life, call 911. When safe to do so be sure to also notify our office.
For all other emergencies consult the information you were provided at move-in or updated in a subsequent notification. There is a manager on call for after-hours emergencies. Please call 910-509-9700 for afterhours emergencies.
Do I have to be present for service personnel?
You do not need to be present unless that is your preference. We only work with insured and where required licensed vendors. Whether using our staff technicians or outside vendors, we require them to exhibit the professionalism in their work and manner. If you wish to be present when the service is being done the technician will make 3 attempts to contact you. If unable to do so the request will be terminated. If the issue is considered to be a peril to either person or property the technician will be allowed access to the property.
How quickly can I expect my request to be acted upon?
There are many factors that affect the scheduling of service requests. We do our utmost to complete service orders as quickly as possible. You will typically be contacted the same day as the request is made to ascertain the scope of the request and determine what action needs to be taken.
What if I want to do the work myself can I send you the bill?
Unauthorized repairs will not be reimbursed.
Can I withhold my rent if I do not like the way repairs were completed?
No. According to the NC Residential Rentals Agreement Act, you are not permitted to withhold rent for failure to fix items. Please contact our office to discuss your issue.
Can I change the locks?
Should you desire to change them during your tenancy, you must first receive written approval from our office. The work must be done by a licensed locksmith and one key to each new lock must be provided to our office within 24 hours of the work being done. All keys must be turned in to our office at the end of your lease. You will be responsible for all costs.
What if I want to paint my home?
You must first receive written authorization from us to paint any part of the property. Paint samples must be provided. Neutral colors are generally approved.
What do I need to do when it is time to move out?
At the time you signed your lease you were given a copy of our Vacating Instructions.
When do I have to return the keys?
Keys must be returned by midnight of the last day of your lease. You are not officially moved out until the keys are returned and you may be responsible for charges until the keys are returned.
What happens to my security deposit after I move out?
Once you have vacated the property, a member of our staff will perform a move-out inspection and take pictures. This inspection will be compared to your move-in report. Your security deposit will be processed according to the NC Tenant Security Deposit Act.
How soon can I get my security deposit back?
We give an accounting of security deposits within 30 days from the date in which your lease expired or the date you moved-out (turned in keys), whichever is later, and correspondences are mailed to your forwarding address on that day.
What if my security deposit is not sufficient to cover my charges?
We will send you a notice along with receipts or estimates supporting the charges. To avoid further action, payment should be made immediately.
What if I do not pay my outstanding charges?
After 30 days from invoicing, your account will be turned over to a collection agency and may become part of your credit history.
What if I disagree with the disposition of my security deposit?
If you disagree with the disposition of your security deposit you must submit your dispute in writing within 30 days of the disposition notice.
