Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have questions regarding your relationship with Rent-a-Home. Below we have tried to provide convenient answers to the most frequently asked questions. Use the JUMP TO menu below to quickly get to the questions that mean the most to you. To see the answers, simply click on the question to show them. If you do not find an answer to your question below, please feel free to contact us by email here.
QUICK SECTION LINKS:
Prospective Renters:
Your first step is to visit our website at rentahomeasheville.com to see our current listings! We recommend driving by the units you are interested in to check out the neighborhood and exterior. We keep our website updated daily. We add new listings whenever we take on a new property, or when a current tenant gives notice. We will remove a unit when an approved applicant signs a lease and pays a deposit.
Setting up a tour is easy! Simply give us a call at 828-676-6764 and our Customer Service Team will help you find the soonest available tour! We show Monday-Friday from 9:30am until 4:30pm. We do require that you tour the property in person. If you do not live in town you are welcome to have a friend/family member/ coworker tour the unit on your behalf! Currently we do not allow virtual tours to replace an in person tour.
You will visit our website at rentahomeasheville.com. Under the properties tab you will find the home you toured with us, and you will see a red button that says ‘apply’. Click on that to get the process started! Remember you must tour the unit first before getting the application process started!
To qualify you need to make 3x the monthly rent. We require an application for each adult living in the property. If you and your spouse are applying together, we need a separate application for each adult. If you have a child over 18 who will be living in the property, they will need to apply as well, even if they will not be financially responsible. We will present your credit, criminal, and financial background to the property owner who makes the final decision. We are not first come, first serve. If we receive multiple applications for a unit, we will process all applications and present to the property owner who will make the final decision.
If a property accepts Section 8, it will be listed in the description.
Each property listed will have an available date. Please keep an eye on this as you look through the listings. The latest move-in date we can accept is 30 days from the day you are approved. We will only remove the listing from the website once the lease is signed and deposit is paid.
We understand that your pets are like family, and we agree! A majority of our properties are going to be pet friendly. If there are restrictions for a particular unit, it will be specified on the listing. If you see nothing specifically listed, that means pets are negotiable for an additional deposit. Please note, we cannot have any aggressive breeds at any of our units (pit bull, Rottweiler, chow chow, etc).
We cover all of Asheville and the surrounding towns such as Black Mountain, Candler, Fletcher, Swannanoa and so on!
Application process:
We require a government issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport. You also need to submit proof of income. Typically this is in the form of your 2 most recent paystubs. We also accept Social Security, disability, student loans, and bank statements. You will attach these items to your application as you fill it out. We cannot start your application without these items.
Your application is good with us for any of our units for 60 days from the day you apply.
Yes! Since all of our properties are individually owned, you are welcomed and encouraged to move your application to another property if you are denied for the first home. You must tour the new home you are interested in. Then after your tour simply call our office to move it over to the new property! Click on that to get the process started! Remember you must tour the unit first before getting the application process started!
No, the application fee is not refundable. We require all applicants to tour the home before submitting the application. We want to make sure you like the property before putting any money down.
If a property accepts Section 8, it will be listed in the description.
We notify everyone who applies whether they are approved or denied. We give a call, and leave a voicemail if we are unable to get you on the line. We will also mail/email you a copy of the adverse action letter if applicable so that you can get a copy of your credit report.
Of course! We can use an offer letter as your form of income. Please make sure the offer is on letterhead and shows your name, title, income, and start date.
Approved Applicants:
Rent-A-Home will allow 3 business days from the date of approval to pay the security deposit and sign the lease. We will continue to show until the lease is signed and deposit is paid.
If you need to change your move in date, please contact us at [email protected]. We will do our best to accommodate your move in date change request.
Most of our move-ins are Monday-Friday. We do offer a weekend move-in by appointment only.
The security deposit can be brought or mailed in to our office located at 184 E. Chestnut Street, Asheville, NC. The deposit will be equal to one month’s rent. In some circumstances we may charge up to 2 month’s rent as a security deposit.
When you are approved, we will email you a convenience list. The convenience list will have the names and numbers for utilities that will need to be turned on prior to move-in. You will need to provide proof of utilities prior to picking up keys.
All Rent-A-Home tenants are required to have renters insurance. You will need to provide documentation before moving-in. Rent-A-Home needs to be listed as an additional interest.
If you have questions about the lease, please email these to [email protected] or by calling 828-676-6764.
No, the deposit cannot be paid online. The security deposit will need to be paid in certified funds which means via a cashier’s check or money order.
Current Tenants:
We offer online payments options for the upmost convenience! Online you can use your checking and routing number to pay with no fee. If you use a debit/credit card there is a small convenience fee to pay. Many tenants choose to also set up auto payment online so you never have to worry about rent being late! We also have a Drop Box located at our office to accepts payments. Please make sure payments are dated and in the Drop Box before the 5th of the month to avoid being late.
Rent is due on the first of each month. It is considered late on the 2nd of each month. Fees are accessed after the 6th of the month. If rent is paid prior to when we close on the 6th, no late fee will be added.
The late fee is 5% of your monthly rent.
Putting in maintenance requests are super easy with Rent-A-Home. Feel free to call us during normal business hours to put in a request. You can also put in requests through your tenant portal online. Through the portal you can also check up on your previous work orders to see where we are at with those!
- Securing all utilities prior to move in unless provided
- Lawn care, trimming bushes, mowing and edging, mulch
- Changing HVAC filters regularly
- Minor repairs such as changing lightbulbs, unclogging toilets and drains
- Installing new batteries in smoke and CO detectors
- Pest control including mice
- If your property is on fire or another major incident has occurred, please contact 911. Any other serious incidents, such as a break-in, must also go through the police directly.
- If your maintenance issue concerns water or electrical (heat or A/C) and it is after business hours or on the weekend you will need to call our emergency line 828-575-6686, leave a message and the on-call representative will get back to you.
Per your lease you are required to give at least a 30 day written notice that you will be vacating your unit. If there are multiple tenants on the lease then we will need everyone to sign. There is a form that you need to fill out. Call our office to get a copy of this form emailed to you!
Yes, per your lease we are able to show your unit. We would only show once per day. And we do limit the number of clients per showing to ensure we can stay with the group the entire time. We will also always reach out to you the day before showings so you always know when we are coming!
We do not allow for subleasing. If you need to leave prior to the initial term of your lease you will be responsible to be a remarketing fee of 50% of one month’s rent. You will also be responsible for rent and utilities either until the unit is re-rented or the end of the lease term (whichever comes first).
Previous Tenants:
Keys can be brought into our office, mailed in, or placed in the drop box located on our back door. If you are placing the keys in the drop box, please make sure they are in an envelope along with your name and the property address. There is a key turn in form that needs to be filled out at key turn in. We will email this form to you after notice has been given. Please be sure to include this form when turning in keys.
You may pick up your security deposit from our office. If you desire to pick up your deposit, please let us know at key turn in.
You will receive your deposit within 30-days of your move out date. If we need to file an extension, you will receive your deposit no later than 60-days from your move out date.
If you would like to dispute your security deposit reconciliation, all requests must be made in writing. You can email any/all disputes to [email protected].
Once keys have been turned in, you may not re-enter the property for any reason. Please be sure that all necessary cleaning and repairs have been made prior to key turn in.
Through the portal you can also check up on your previous work orders to see where we are at with those!
If you wish to re-rent from Rent-A-Home, you will need to re-submit an application and pay the nonrefundable application fee. We will require a current photo ID and current proof of income.
If you owe a balance to Rent-A-Home, give us a call and we will let you know how to make the payment. If the balance owed has not yet been sent to collections, you can come into the office to drop off a cashier’s check or money order. If the balance owed has been sent to collections, we will provide you with the phone number and case number in order for you to pay off the balance.
Owners:
If your tenant pays on time, we send out the owner payments/statements about the 10th of each month. If your tenant pays late for that month, it will delay when you receive the payment/statement
No, we do not charge a management fee for vacant units
The reason we ask you to have reserve funds on hand is if we need to pay a vendor upfront for maintenance completed at your property. Some vendors require payment up front, and the reserve funds ensure work will be completed and paid. We also use these funds to pay court fees up front, in the case of an eviction.
Of course! You are able to access your account online at any time at https://rentahome.appfolio.com/connect/users/sign_in
Yes, we have several licensed real estate agents on staff. Please contact either Kerri Person at [email protected] or Erin Williams at [email protected] for more information.
No, we do not pay monthly bills (mortgage payments, property insurance, property taxes, etc.) on your behalf.
Yes, we do have some owners who prefer to be more hands on and handle their own repair requests. If you would like to be notified of all work orders, please call our office and let us know so we can update your account accordingly. You can also let us know if you have preferred vendors you wish us to call for certain requests.
