Getting Started
WHAT IS THE NEXT THING TO DO?
We invite all prospective applicants over 18 years of age to check our website periodically to see what is available on our current listings. We ask that you drive by any potential properties, to ensure they are in the location or school district you approve. Directions may be found at the bottom of every property listing. Additional information about the property can be obtained by calling our agents. Please also inform the agent whether you will have pets or other criterias you would like for us to consider.
MEETING AN AGENT...
All of our agents will provide you an application for you to fill out at the time of the appointment. You may also print the application from the link at the bottom of this page. You must provide the necessary documents listed above in order to start your application process.
APPLICATION PROCESSING
All of our properties are owned by different owners, and we process each application on a case by case basis. Generally, we pull an Equifax Credit Bureau Report. We understand that some applicants have gone through hard times, and we do not expect perfect credit. We look for your report to show stability and responsibility . We can also assist you if you have not yet established credit. No credit is better than bad credit!
We verify total household income using your paystubs, W2's or other proofs of income. This is the important factor! We expect the total household monthly income, including all alimonies, disability or insurance compensation, and/or child support to be at least or exceed three and a half (3.5) times the monthly rent of the property you are qualifying for. This will ensure that you can pay the monthly rent, as well as take care of other monthly expenditures (food, car, clothing, monthly bills, utilities, etc.).
We verify your current place of employment for growth and stability. If you are relocating or are in the middle of changing your place of employment, we would like to have the most recent paystubs from your previous employer, and/or an acceptance letter from your future employer. If you are self employed, you must provide a financial statement of your company or your most recent W2 statement. Other additional documentation may be required regarding your self employment. If you received your wages in the form of tips or cash compensation, you must provide us a financial statement showing proof of deposit and/or a letter from your employer on company letterhead explaining your average wages.
Lastly, we also verify any previous rental or monthly mortgage payment history. We may search your records up to 5 years from current owners, landlords, or mortgage companies. This is final proof of responsibility.
Bankruptcies are treated differently by every owner. Determining factors include the chapter of bankruptcy filed, when filed, when it was dismissed, who filed, and how much debt was included. The owner has the discretion to increase the security deposit or add special stipulations to the leasing contract, based on those factors.
Applications with non-derogatory evictions will be accepted. Examples of non-derogatory evictions are: Homeowner or landlord decides to sell your lease home or wishes to move back in the home, Homeowner or landlord decides to abandon the property by not maintaining the property, Homeowner or landlord files bankruptcy, etc.. Applications with derogatory evictions will not be accepted. Here are a few examples: You did not pay rent and skipped out, judgements placed by the State Court, abandonment of the property by not maintaining or upkeep of the property, Homeowner or landlord decides not to renew your lease due to numerous complaints from your neighbors, or rental issue with you.
The application process may take anywhere from 10 minutes to several days. If you wish to have your application expedited, please ensure that we have all of your documentation, as we would love to get you in as soon as possible!
APPLICATION APPROVAL
This is what we would like to say to every applicant! At this point, it is all downhill from here. We will need to get the exact move-in date, which must be within 2 weeks from the date the application was submitted to us. Your security deposit is due by your move in-date and is calculated by taking the security deposit (or increased deposit) less (-) any holding deposits or additional monies pre-paid to us, plus (+) pet deposit or additional deposits. This equals (=) the security deposit balance.
Rent is calculated as follows: If the move-in date is the beginning of the month, the rent is the full months rent. If it is other than the 1st day of the month, we calculate the pro-rata rent by dividing (รท) the full months rent by 30 days. According to law, 30 days is the average number of days in a month on a 12 month calendar. This will equal (=) the daily rental rate. Take this daily rate and multiply (x) it by the number of days left in that particular month starting from the move-in date. This equals (=) your total rent or pro-rata rent for that month.
THE SECURITY DEPOSIT BALANCE AND THE TOTAL/PRO-RATA RENT MUST BE PAID SEPARATELY IN CERTIFIED FUNDS (CASH CASHIER'S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER) ON THE INITIAL MOVE-IN!!!!
SECURITY DEPOSITS / FEES
The security deposit is normally the same amount as the monthly rent, unless otherwise specified in the Rental Listings. However, than can only be confirmed af running an application. If there are any credit issues, or if the credit scores (FICO / Beacon) do not meet or exceed our standard criteria, it will necessitate a higher security deposit. The security deposit is to be paid in full in Cash or Certified Funds (ie. cashier's check, money order and/or bank check) by your move-in date. It is held in a non-interest bearing escrow account as per Georgia Real Estate Licensing Laws by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. Please see MOVING OUT regarding security deposit disbursements.
$200.00 OF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS A NON-REFUNDABLE ADMINISTRATIVE AND RE-KEY FEE WHICH WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE DEPOSIT AT THE TIME OF MOVE-IN.
MOVING IN
Upon signing the lease agreement, all tenants will be given a copy of the leasing agreement, rental insurance information, Move-In/Move-Out (MIMO) Condition Report, and of course, the keys! Any questions regarding the lease may be asked at this time. The MIMO must be completed within the first 15 days of move-in, a blank MIMO will be used and will automatically assume the property is in excellent condition. All utilities must be turned into your name or they become additional expenses as part of your rent.
MOVING OUT
We value our tenants, so when one requests to leave, we like to know the reason for the departure. We have built many relationships with our tenants, and tenants have built relationships with property owners. Sometimes the owner may show their gratitude by offering deals and discounts to those who have paid on time, or who have remained faithful tenants. If tenants feel that they have earned this, we invite them to call us to contact the owners. When tenants depart, we ask for a 60 day written notice 60 days prior to the departure date. Once the tenant has vacated the property, Georgia Law requires that all Landlords or Property Management companies to disburse the Security Deposit (with the exception of the administrative and re-key fees) back to the tenant, or apply it to any damages to the property or outstanding balances within 30 days from the Tenant's departure date. The MIMO report will be checked against the same MIMO report upon move-in to determine an estimated cost of damages or services on the home.
PETS
Most of our properties allow pets with a non-refundable pet security deposit of $150.00 per animal (Under 25lbs) or $250.00 per animal (Over 25lbs). IMPORTANT NOTE: The following breeds will require a $350.00 security deposit and special insurance: Pit Bull, Doberman, German Shepherd, Rottweiller, Chow, or any mix of these breeds.
No more than two pets total are allowed, and must be of the dog, cat, or bird species. Applicants must state how many and what size animals they are bringing onto the property. Any additional pets or animals found beyond what the tenants claim autmatically forfeits their pet and security deposits. If a tenant wishes to bring an animal or pet onto the property during their tenancy, they must immediately contact us and pay the non-refundable pet deposit.
This policy is subject to change and we reserve the right to change this policy as needed.
UTILITIES / SERVICES
Tenants are fully responsible for turning on/off and maintaining their power, water, gas, telephone, cable, satellite, security system or any other services required to occupy their residence, unless a utility is included with the monthly rent. Tenants are also fully responsible for maintaining lawn care, ie. cutting grass, trimming bushes, weeding, watering, fertilizing, seeding, and pruning. During drought periods, tenants are also required to follow guidelines to the local water restrictions.
RENTAL PAYMENTS
Rent is due by 12pm on the 1st day of every month and is considered late thereafter. However, after 12pm on the 1st of every month, rent is considered and documented as "late", regardless of it being a business day, holiday, or weekend day. If a payment is made after 12pm on the 3rd day of the month, a 10% late charge of your monthly rental rate will automatically be applied and the 1st notice is sent out. If payment is not made by the 7th day of the month, the 2nd notice is sent out. On the 10th day of the month, 3rd notice is sent out, along with an additional $100.00 of late rent is charged. Our systems will automatically charge late rent for every day late from Day 1, until it is paid in full. If payment is not paid by the 10th day of the month, our computer systems are programmed to contact the Clerk of Courts to file an eviction in the County where the tenant resides. We do not like charging hefty fees and putting stress on our relationship with our tenants, and we stress for every tenant to pay on time, as we cannot stop the clocks on our computer system to avoid charging these fees.
$50 will be charged for any personal checks that are returned by the bank, and the rent will be considered unpaid from Day 1. Late charges will be applied as if no rental payment had been made.
Payments are made to Property Services of Atlanta, Inc. and the form of payment will depend on the tenant's credit application. We may require future rental payments in the form of cash, cashier's check or money order. Payment may also be submitted online currently via direct debit from your financial account with an additional service charge.
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