Tenant FAQ

PROSPECT TENANTS

1. Why should I rent from your company?
2. How do I apply to rent?
3. Will I sign a lease?
   
4. What are your Office hours?
   
5. What documents do I need to submit with my application?
   
6. What kind of credit history do I need to qualify?
7. Who may combine income in order to qualify?
8. We are married. Do we need still need to submit separate applications?
9. Do you take Co-signers?
10. I'm self-employed. What do I need to provide with my application?
11. What if I can't come to your office to submit my application?
12. How long does it take to get a response after I turn in an application?
13. Do I need to call in to see if my application has been approved?
14. What do I need to do after I'm approved?
15. What do I do if I'm declined?
16. What if I don't have any credit or proper documentation?
17. Are there any Section 8 properties available?
18. Can I have pets?

CURRENT TENANTS

1. What am I responsible for as a resident?
2. What if I am unable to reach someone from the office on the phone?
3. When is rent due?
4. How can I pay rent after I move in?
5. What is the free auto-draft option, and how do I sign up?
6. I am signed up for your free auto-draft service, when do you do draft my account?
7. What happens if my check or auto-draft payment is returned?
8. What happens if I do not pay my rent?
9. What is a Tenant Eviction filing?
10. When my lease expires can I just move out?
11. How do I terminate my lease?
12. Can I apply my security deposit to my last month's rent?
13. What happens if I do not pay my last month's rent?
14. Do I need renter's insurance?
15. How do I submit routine maintenance requests?
16. What do I do in an emergency?
17. Do I have to be present for a service technician to perform work?
18. How quickly can I expect my request to be performed?
19. Can I perform the work myself and send you the bill?
20. I do not like the way a repair was done, what should I do?
21. Can I withhold my rent for items not being corrected to my satisfaction?
22. Can I change the locks on my home?
23. Can I paint my home a different color?
24. What do I do if I need to change the terms of the lease?
25. What do I need to do when I move out?
26. When do I have to return the keys after I move out?
27. What do you do with my security deposit after I move out?
28. When can I get my security deposit back?
29. What if my security deposit does not cover my charges?
30. What if I do not pay my outstanding charges?
31. What do I do if I disagree with the disposition of my security deposit?

PROSPECTIVE TENANTS

1.  Why should I rent from your company?

We are a professional, knowledgeable, and courteous property management company. We work very hard to provide the highest quality resident services you'll ever experience.
 

We use professional vendors (painters, handymen, electricians, plumbers, carpet cleaners, etc.) to ensure that your unit is in good condition.
 

We inspect the work performed to ensure that everything is ready before you move in.
 

We are available 24 hours a day to handle emergency maintenance repairs.
 

We provide detailed Move-in and Move-out inspection forms for proper documentation of the condition of your rental.
 

All deposits that are retained by us are kept in a FDIC insured bank.
 

When you sign your lease, you have a meeting with your property manager to go over all parts of the lease to help ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities under the lease.

All of our property managers are licensed real estate professionals according to state requirements.

2.  How Do I apply to rent?

Check out our Application guidelines located in our Application Package to be sure you qualify, then complete our application form and submit it to us along with the application fee for the property you want. We will process it and let you know the results within 72 hours.

3.  Will I be required to sign a lease?

Yes, for most of our properties you will sign a 1 year lease that covers the responsibilities to each other through out tenancy. We will go over each part of the lease to ensure you understand it. After your application is accepted, security deposit collected and your leas signed, we will hand you the keys to your home.

4.  What are your Office hours?

We are open 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Friday and 11:00am to 5:00pm Sundays.

5.  What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Providing the correct documents with you application greatly speeds up the process. Please include the following:

• Recent pay stubs or W-2
• Current Photo ID or Drivers License
• Documents supporting other sources of income including Social Security, Disability, Child Supports, etc.
• Previous 2 years of tax returns (only if self-employed)
• Copies of any satisfied court judgments which may still appear on your credit
• Copies of any satisfied

6.  What kind of credit history do I need to qualify?

While credit standards vary by property and owner, some general credit guidelines are:

• If you have "dings" on your credit, recent trends should indicate an improvement
• Credit problems which may be an issue include unpaid rents, unpaid NSF checks, unpaid utility bills and outstanding child support payments
• Credit problems which are considered less serious include medical bills, student loans, and problems from the distant past.
• All bankruptcies must be discharged

7.  Who may combine income in order to qualify?

Generally all occupants incomes are combined to determine income qualifications.

8.  We are married. Do we still need to submit separate application?

Yes, All persons over 18 must submit a separate application regardless for marital status.

9.  Do you accept Co-Signers?

Yes. In certain circumstances we do accept Co-Signors (Guarantors). Please refer to our selection criteria guide to determine when a guarantor will be accepted.

10.  I'm self-employed. What do I need to provide with my application?

If you are self-employed you will need to provide tax returns for the past 2 years.

11.  What if I can't come to your office to submit my application?

Completed application form and application fee in the form of check money order or cashiers check. to:

All Borough Properties
P.O. Box #244
Brooklyn, NY 11218

12.  How long does it take to get a response after I tern in an application?

Normally it takes 1-5 business days depending on how quickly your employment and landlord references are able to respond.

13.  Do I need to call in to see if my application has been approved?

No. We will call you the moment your application is completed. We appreciate your patience; you application is processed with the highest priority.

14.  What do I need to do after I'm approved?

Once you are approved we will contact you to arrange a time to receive your Security Deposit (which reserves the property) and to schedule a lease signing and move-in inspection. 

15.  What do I do if I'm declined?

While most applicants are approved, an application is occasionally declined. If this occurs we will notify you directly.

16.  What if I don't have any credit or proper documentation?

Its not as bad as it may sound.  Having no credit is usually not a problem. Your credit report will reflect this and usually you will still qualify. If you do not have the proper documentation required, please contact our office for specifics.

17.  Are there any Section 8 properties available?

Yes. Some of the properties we manage are approved for Section 8 residents.

18.  Can I have pets?

Our pet policy varies for each property. A pet addendum and additional deposit will be required.

CURRENT TENANTS

1.  What if I am unable to reach someone from the office?

We strive to always answer the phone, but often our call volume is so high that we cannot answer every call that comes in immediately. Understanding the need for instant information for our clients and customers, we have invested much time and capital into developing a fully encompassing website that answers most routine informational request we receive.

For our current residents, we offer a fully integrated Tenant Login where the account can be viewed, maintenance requests can be submitted and rent can also be paid

For our prospective residents the answer to most questions regarding our application process, screening process, and other pre-tenancy issues can be found on our site or on our application package.

Should the information you are looking for not be available on our website, we welcome your call to assist you in any way possible. If you do not get a live person, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned as quickly as possible.

2.  What am I responsible for as a resident?

Typically all residents are responsible for the following:

• Securing all utilities
• Minor repairs to your home, including but not limited to replacing light bulbs and clogged drains
• Changing the smoke detectors batteries during tenancy (batteries are new when you move in)
• Following the terms of your lease

3.  When is rent due?

Rent is due on the 1st of the month and considered late on the 2nd. 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 payment penalty. If you pay rent after the 5th of the month there will be a $25 late fee, if rent is not received by the 10th of the month the fee is a $50 late fee and if payment is received after Eviction Filing (13th of the month) there will be a $100 late fee. Any current month rental payments received after the 5th of the month must be in the form of a certified check or money order; no personal checks will be accepted after the 5th. Additionally, all payments made after the 5th must include the applicable late fee.

4.  How can I pay rent after I move in?

Rent can be paid by check, money order, debit card or by our free auto-draft option until the 5th of the month. After the 5th of the month we will only accept rent in the form of certified funds.

5.  What is the free auto-draft option, and how do I sign up?

We offer direct draft of your checking account, at no additional fee.
Download a copy of our ACH Authorization Form to sign up.

6.  I am signed up for the free auto-draft payment service, when do you draft from my account?

We initiate the draft on the 1st of each month.

7.  What happens if my check or auto-draft payment is returned?

We will notify you and expect immediate payment. Additionally, you will be required to submit all of your future payments by certified bank check or money order. There are fees, as detailed in your lease, associated with returned payments, as well.

8.  What happens if I do not pay my rent?

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. On the 13th of the month, a second letter will be mailed to anyone who has not paid their rent by that day. Summary Ejectment filings will be made on the 18th of each month should payment in full not be received by then.

9.  What is a Tenant Eviction filing?

A Tenant Eviction 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 7 years and might make it difficult to obtain future housing and credit. A Tenant Eviction filing is also expensive; fees usually start at $1,100 and if found guilty can become the responsibility of the tenant.

10.  When my lease expires, can I just move out?

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.
Download the Move Out Package

11.  How do I terminate my lease?

Most of our leases require a 30 day notice to terminate by either party. They also must terminate on the last day of the month.
Download the Move Out Package

12.  Can I apply my security deposit to my last month's rent?

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

13.  What happens if I do no pay my last month's rent?

You will be responsible for the late fee associated with the non-payment and be subject to the Tenant Eviction process which can affect your credit. A decision in favor of the Plaintiff (landlord) can stay on your record for 7 years and might make it difficult to obtain future housing and credit. A Tenant Eviction filing is also expensive; fees can reach over $1,100 and if found guilty can become the responsibility of the resident.

14.  Do I need renters insurance?

It is highly recommended that all residents carry enough insurance to cover themselves and their personal property. Please consult with your insurance agent for specific details.

15.  How do I submit routine maintenance requests?

All routine maintenance requests can be submitted through our maintenance request page, through the Tenant Login or in writing by completing our maintenance request form and faxing to (718) 374-5073 or by mailing the completed form  to our office.

16.  What do I do in an emergency?

If your emergency is life threatening, dial 911. For other emergencies, please consult the information you were provided in your move-in packet, or subsequent letter. You may also call our office and leave a detailed message.

17.  Do I have to be present for a service technician to perform work?

No, all of our service technicians are screened, licensed (if required), insured, and display the utmost in professionalism. Should you desire to be home when the service is performed, the technician will make 3 attempts to contact you and if not successful, the service request will be terminated and not re-activated. If the situation is deemed to be a risk to the property, the technician will be allowed to access the property.

18.  How quickly can I expect my request to be performed?

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 typically no more than a 5 business day completion.

19.  Can I perform the work myself and send you the bill?

No. Unauthorized repairs will not be reimbursed. Should you wish to perform work on your property, download a copy of our Resident Repair Authorization form. All requests must be approved in writing prior to any work being performed.

20.  I do not like the way a repair was done, what should I do?

Please contact our office immediately so we may investigate the issue.

21.  Can I withhold my rent for items not being corrected to my satisfaction?

No. It is prohibited for a resident to withhold rent for failure to fix items submitted. Please contact our office to discuss your specific situation.

22.  Can I change the locks on my apartment?

Locks are changed immediately prior to each new resident moving in. Should you desire to change them during your tenancy, you must submit the Resident Lock Change form and receive written approval from our office. The work must be done by a licensed locksmith and three keys to each new lock must be provided to our office within 24 hours of the work being done.

23.  Can I paint my apartment a different color?

You must first receive written authorization from us to paint any part of the property. Download the Painting Request form.

24.  What do I do if I need to change the terms of the lease?

A lease is a legally binding agreement and cannot be changed without the consent of both parties. Should you breach the lease by leaving early, typically, you will be responsible for the advertising fee, other costs in re-renting the property and rental payments until the end of your lease, or until the property is re-leased. If you need to change the terms of your lease contact our office to discuss your particular situation

25.  What do I need to do when I move out?

Your lease details the items that you need to accomplish to properly vacate your home. During the first week of the month in which you are scheduled to move out, you will receive a letter detailing your responsibilities to vacate your home. Download Move Out package

26.  When do I have to return the keys after I move out?

Keys must be returned within 24 hours of vacating the property. You are not officially moved out until the keys are returned and you may be responsible for charges until the keys are returned.

27.  What do you do with my security deposit after I move out?

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 NYC Landlord – Tenant Laws.

28.  When can I get my security deposit back?

Per the NYC Landlord – Tenant Laws, you will receive notice of the disposition of your security deposit within 30 days. This will be mailed to your forwarding address.

29.  What if my security deposit does not cover my charges?

We will send you a letter notifying you of a balance due and enclose receipts supporting the charges. Payment will be expected promptly to prevent further action.

30.  What if I do not pay my outstanding charges?

Any outstanding charges 30 days from the date of invoice will be turned over to a collection agency for processing and might become part of your permanent credit history.

31.  What do I do if I disagree with the disposition of my security deposit?

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