Current Tenant FAQs

Q:   What am I responsible for as a tenant?

A:   Typically all residents are responsible for the following:

• Securing all utilities for home, unless otherwise provided
• Lawn care, unless otherwise provided
• Changing the furnace/air conditioning filters regularly
• Replacing burned out light bulbs
• Changing the smoke detector batteries during tenancy (these are new when you move in)
• Pest control
• Complying with all Homeowner Association Rules, if applicable
• Following the terms of your lease.

Q:  When is rent due?

A: Rent is due on the 1st of the month and is considered late on the 6th. Rent must be in our office by the end of the business day on the 5th of the month in order to not incur a late fee.. 

If you pay rent after the 5th of the month there is additional rent that is assessed equal to $15, or 5% of your total rent, whichever is greater. Additionally, all payments made after the 5th must include the applicable late fees.

Q: How do I pay my rent once I have moved in?

A: Rent can be paid by check, money order, credit card or our free electronic check option through your resident portal.  We do not accept cash payments for rental payments.

Q: How do I pay with a debit/credit card online:

A: You will need to login to your resident portal on our website to initiate the payment by credit card. Our credit card provider does charge a convenience fee for this service. Fees will be detailed prior to you selecting pay. Please let us know if you need assistance with setting up your portal.

Q:  What happens if I do not pay my rent?

A: If your rent is not received on, or before, the 5th of the month, you will receive a letter notifying you that you are in breach of your lease and payment must be made promptly.  If payment and applicable late fees have not been received before the 10th day of the month you will receive a 10-day notice to satisfy your outstanding debt or turn the propery back over to us.  If you fail to comply with the 10-day notice then a summary ejectment may be filed in court.

Q:  What is a Summary Ejectment Filing?

A: A Summary Ejectment filing is the first step in the eviction process and should not be taken lightly. A decision in favor of the Plaintiff (landlord) can stay on your record for 10 years and might make it difficult to obtain future housing and credit. A summary ejectment filing is also expensive; fees can reach over $200 and are the responsibility of the tenant.

Q:  Can I just move out when my lease expires?

A: No. Even though the initial term of your lease expires on a certain date, it converts to a month to month lease and is still in full force until proper notice is given by either party. A notice to move out must be given in accordance to your lease.  They must terminate on the last day of the month.  A full months notice is required.  Example: If your desire to vacate the home in July, you must have your notice in writing to our office no later than June 30th for an end date to reflect move out by July 31.  The move out date will always fall on the last day of that month, providing that you gave the notice in time.  Please refer to your residential rental contract section #1: "Termination and Renewal" for more details.

CURRENT MAINTENANCE FAQS

Q:  How do I submit routine maintenance requests?

A: In compliance with the NC Residential Rental Agreement Act, all routine maintenance requests must be submitted in writing.  We encourage you to utilize your tenant portal to submit these requests, however you may also send them to our general inbox at info@neighborsassociates.com.  Please note that it is not just our policy, but the law, to not take routine maintenance requests verbally.

Q:  What do I do if there is an emergency?

A:  If the emergency is life threatening, please dial 911.  Otherwise you may call our office and leave a message.  Our voicemail is monitored 24 hours/7 days a week.   One of our property managers will call you back.  Examples of emergencies: No water, busted water line, roof leak, no plumbing services, no heat, and/or damage to rental property.

Q:  Do I have to be present for maintenace staff/service technician to perform work?

A: No, all of our service technicians are screened, licensed (if required), insured, and display the utmost professionalism. Should you desire to be home when the service is performed, the technician will make an attempt to contact you.  If the situation is deemed to be a risk to the property, the technician will be allowed to access the property.  Periodic Inspections: Notice is sent to you via email, and access to the rental property is allowed so long as notice is given.  We shall attempt to contact you the day before going to conduct a periodic inspection.  These inspections are for the sole purpose of inspecting the structure of the home to ensure safe living conditions for all tenants. 

Q:  How quickly can I expect my maintenace request to be performed/completed?

A: There are many factors that go into each request and we cannot set a firm schedule. However, we typically contact you the same day we receive the request to assess the situation and determine the proper course of action. Our goal is to complete all requests as soon as possible.

Q:  Can I withhold my rent for items not being completed to my satisfaction?

A: No. Under the NC Residential Rentals Agreement Act it is prohibited for a resident to withhold rent for failure to fix items submitted. Should this occur, communication is key! Please submit an email to info@neighborsassociates.com and contact our office to discuss your specific situation.

Q:  Can I change the locks after I move in?

A:  No. Locks are changed prior to each new resident moving in.  Please refer to your Maintenance Addendum that was signed along with your lease for more details.  

CURRENT TENANT MOVE OUT AND SECURITY DEPOSIT QUESTIONS

Q:  Can I apply my security deposit to my last month's rent?

 A: No. Your security deposit is held in a Trust account and can only be used for outstanding charges after you vacate the property.

Q:  What do I need to do when I move out?

A: As a reminder, depending on the terms of your lease, the following may be required prior to the end of your lease term:

• Cooperate with the showing of the residence for sale or rental, keeping it in presentable condition
• Begin to discard all unwanted items for trash or special pick-up—avoid piles of debris in front of your residence on moving day
• Remove all food, debris and other personal belongings
• Clean (and defrost if necessary) refrigerator
• Clean stove, oven and any other appliances
• Replace any burned out light bulbs
• Install new filters in the HVAC returns
• Clean all floors and/or carpeting
• Be sure grounds and lawn are trim, clean and free of weeds and leaves
• Report any and all damage in writing
• Upon leaving, please be sure to fully secure the rental by locking all windows and doors .  
• After you have vacated the residence, it will be inspected for compliance with yourlease/rental agreement. Costs for cleaning or repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear, if any, will be charged against your security deposit. You will be provided with an itemized list of any charges incurred.

Q:  When do I have to return the keys once I move out?

A: In accordance to your residential rental agreement, all keys must be returned to our office by your indicated move out date.  If keys are not returned, this is subject to go against your security deposit.

Q: What happens to my security deposit once I move out?

A: Immediately after you vacate the property, one of our agents visits the property and performs a move-out inspection to assess the condition of the property in comparison to your move-in report. We then process your security deposit in strict accordance with the NC Tenant Security Deposit Act.  Security deposits are released within thirty days from the time we receive keys back from you to the property.  Until we have the keys returned or notification that you are out of the property we are not in possession of the property, and you will be charged for any days that you remain in possession.  Any notificaton must be in writing to info@neighborsassociates.com.

Q:  When will I get my security deposit back?

A: Per the NC Security Deposit Act, you will receive notice of the disposition of your security deposit within 30 days. This will be mailed to your forwarding address.

Q:  What if my security deposit does not cover my charges?

A: We will send you a statement, via email, notifying you of a balance due and with details supporting the charges. Payment will be expected promptly to prevent further action.

Q:  What do I do if I disagree with the disposition of my security deposit?

A: You must submit your dispute in writing within 30 days from the date of your security deposit statement notice.