Tenant Handbook
Thank you for choosing Carolina Forest Rental Properties to serve your rental needs. The following information will be useful to you during the time you reside in one of our properties.
We make every effort to have your home in good condition prior to move-in. You will be contacted as soon as the unit is available. You are required to provide a security deposit, administrative fee and pet fee (if applicable) on or before the 1st day of your lease. Payments can be made online using our Tenant Portal. If needed, you may also mail or hand-deliver a cashiers check or money order to our office. We do not accept cash or personal checks. Once all monies have been collected, you will receive keys to the property and a Move-In Inspection Form. You must complete this form and return it to our office within the first 2 weeks of move-in. If you fail to complete this form, you will be charged for all damages found within the first 2 weeks of tenancy. These charges will be deducted from your security deposit.
Rent is due on the 1st day of each month. For your convenience, you can make payments online using our Tenant Portal. This is our preferred method of payment and CFRP does not charge you for this service. If needed, you may also mail or hand-deliver rent to our office in the form of a personal check, cashiers check or money order. Rent is considered late by the close of business on the 5th day of each month.
If payments are received after the 5th day of each month, a late fee equivalent to 20% of your rent will be charged to your account, as stated in your rental agreement. Monies received will apply to the oldest outstanding charge and the remaining balance will then go towards rent. If payment does not cover fees and monthly rent, you will be charged an additional 20% late fee. WE DO NOT WAIVE LATE FEES. Failure to pay rent will result in a file for eviction.
As stated in your rental agreement, there will be a $45 fee for each check that is returned. If a check is returned after close of business on the 5th day of the month, tenants will be charged a 20% late fee. If a check is returned after re-submission, eviction will be filed for failure to pay.
When you signed your rental agreement, you provided a deposit to cover any potential damage to the property. The deposit will be held in a trust account until you vacate the property. Please be aware, YOUR DEPOSIT MAY NOT BE USED AS YOUR LAST MONTHS RENT.
Unless otherwise noted in the rental agreement, the tenant is responsible for all utilities. Prior to move-in, tenants must transfer all services into their name. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for paying any bills owed as well as a $100 administrative fee. CFRP will provide all tenants contact information for the appropriate companies.
Tenants
We are excited to offer the latest in customer support. Tenants can login to their accounts to pay rent, review statements and submit maintenance requests.
FAQs
For non-urgent maintenance items please submit a work order request on-line via the Resident Login portal or call the office Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For police or fire emergencies, dial 911 before calling us.
Yes, if the maintenance issue is determined to have occurred because of your fault or neglect, you will be responsible for the costs associated with the repair. A good example is not changing air filters. If you report an HVAC issue and the technician determines that you have not been changing the air filter on a monthly basis, you will be responsible for the maintenance cost.
Generally yes. However, you must first obtain written permission from us. At some units you may be prohibited from installing a satellite dish in any location where the dish is visible from the ground or from any other unit in the area. Any cost of installation is an expense of the resident.
Generally yes. However, you must also obtain written permission from us. All costs of installing extra phone lines are the responsibility of the resident.
Sub-leasing is strictly prohibited under your lease agreement.
No. Your rental agreement provides that all carpets must be professionally cleaned.
Generally, yes. However, you must contact our office prior to placing the pet in to the property. We will then obtain approval from the owner of the property and determine if a pet is allowed under HOA regulations. There will be a $250.00 – $500.00 non-refundable pet fee that must be paid immediately after approval. Furthermore, an addendum to the lease will be required.
It is important to refer to your lease for the specific terms in your own residential agreement. In most leases, notice to vacate must be received in our office in writing on or before the first of the month. Most leases require a minimum 30-day notice and run for a full monthly period.
The rent is due on the first of the month. If the rent is not posted in our office by the eleventh, we serve a 3-day notice to pay what is owed or vacate the property. If we do not receive funds after this time period, formal eviction will be initiated.
No. We do not waive late charges. Fair Housing laws require that we treat all our residents equally. We cannot decide if one resident is more deserving than another of paying late charges, therefore we enforce late charges equally, for everyone.