Common Tenant Misconceptions

Over the years, we have found that there are some common tenant misconceptions that seem to repeatedly appear. No matter how much the terms of the lease are explained verbally, marked in bold on the paperwork, or explained in detail in the tenant handbook, somehow many of the same things come up again and again. It's unclear where the myths come from, but it's safe to say that this era of online, instant information and social media are at least partially to blame. Do you know what is required/allowed as a tenant of Select Rental Services?

Here, we will debunk some common myths:

MYTH: Tenants can follow the Property Manager around the house during a Move-in/Move-out inspection.

FACT: Tenants DO NOT accompany Property Managers for Move-in/Move-out inspections - it is not optional, it is simply not allowed. The Property Manager will do a full, thorough inspection and document the findings with photos and/or videos, and an inspection report. The tenant and landlord will then be supplied with this documentation once the inspection is complete.

MYTH: The landlord takes care of ants, roaches, or other pest problems.

FACT: After providing a tenant with a pest-free rental upon move-in, further pest control is the responsibility of the tenant. Tenants who submit maintenance requests for pests in the home will be reminded of these obligations and directed to seek pest control services directly from a licensed and insured vendor.

MYTH: The landlord is responsible for all heating and cooling system maintenance.

FACT: While the landlord is responsible for providing a working HVAC system, the tenant is actually responsible for one of the most important parts of system maintenance - the air filters. Tenants are required to change the filters regularly. Select Rental Services makes this easy and convenient by enrolling our tenants in an automatic filter delivery program. Filters arrive to the tenant's home every 60 days, and they are date-stamped to show the date the filter is due to be installed. If a tenant fails to change air filters regularly, and the HVAC technician determines that a system malfunction was caused by dirty filters, the tenant will be charged for the cost of the repair.

MYTH: As a tenant, I should be able to keep my home as cool (or as warm) as I like if the HVAC system is functioning properly and I am paying the power bill.

FACT: While it is true that you are paying for the power usage, an air conditioning (or heating) unit cannot overcome severe outdoor temperatures at all times, even when it is functioning perfectly. For example, if it is 100 degrees outside, your air conditioner will not usually get the home down to an inside temperature of 60 degrees - the systems are just not that efficient. Furthermore, overloading a system in that manner can cause it to break down completely. Take care to keep temperatures at a reasonable level and don't expect more out of the system than it is designed to give.

MYTH: If I told my Property Manager about a maintenance issue over the phone, that's all I have to do. The landlord will be responsible for the cost of repairs/maintenance.

FACT: Maintenance requests MUST be submitted to our 24-hour Maintenance Hotline, either by phone or via your Tenant Portal. Calls and/or emails to the Select Rental Services office or to your Property Manager DO NOT constitute official notice for requested maintenance - and this is not because our staff is lazy or unconcerned about your maintenance issues. By starting with our official Maintenance Hotline, you enter a specific, intentional system to resolve the issue. For example, the Maintenance Hotline can provide troubleshooting options for many maintenance issues, and can sometimes even help you resolve the issue completely without the need for a vendor to visit your home. If a vendor is needed, the Maintenance Hotline will notify the Property Manager and it will be handled accordingly. The system is carefully designed to create an efficient, cost-effective, safe way to handle maintenance, so it MUST be followed. When considering the cost of repairs, it cannot always be assumed that the landlord will be responsible for the bill. The landlord does carry the responsibility to provide a habitable dwelling. However, if a maintenance vendor determines that the damage was caused by tenant neglect, misuse, or abuse, the tenant will be charged for the cost of the repair. Tenants are responsible for the upkeep of the property, including but not limited to lawn care, weeding flower beds, trimming trees and shrubs, cleaning out gutters, and keeping the property clean and safe (inside and out).

MYTH: I can put a trampoline in the back yard as long as I take it down when I leave.

FACT: Tenants must have WRITTEN permission before ANY changes or improvements can be made to the property - this includes painting, pools, trampolines, gardens, etc. Even when permission is granted, the property must be returned to its original condition upon move-out unless otherwise specified in writing.

MYTH: A tenant may choose whether or not to have renters' insurance coverage.

FACT: Renters' insurance is REQUIRED to rent a property from Select Rental Services, as it is in both the tenant's and landlord's best interest. For example, if the refrigerator stops working and a tenant had just purchased hundreds of dollars of groceries, the spoiled food is NOT the landlord's responsibility. Renters' insurance coverage can help recoup the costs of the tenant's lost groceries. Likewise, some renters' insurance policies even cover the cost of a hotel stay if there is a problem that makes the home uninhabitable (i.e. no heat, no water, etc.).  There are many kinds of renters' insurance policies, and they all cover different things, so it is imperative to research the details and choose a policy that covers the most important items.

MYTH: "Utilities" mean electric service.

FACT: The term "utilities" does include electric service, however it also includes all other forms of service required at the home - natural gas/propane, water, cable/internet, phone, etc. The tenant is responsible for connecting all forms of utilities that are needed at the home. Additionally, if the main heat source is fueled by gas, the tenant MUST connect and maintain gas service. The use of electric space heaters as a main heat source is NOT allowed.

MYTH: Tenants will not be charged for any days beyond the lease expiration date as long as they have moved out.

FACT: Even after moving out of the home, the final step in surrendering possession and ending the lease is actually to turn in the keys to Select Rental Services. Until keys have been turned in AT THE OFFICE, the tenant remains responsible for pro-rated rent. Select Rental Services even provides a dropbox for keys to be turned in after business hours. If keys are not turned in, the tenant may even face an eviction proceeding as a holdover tenant, which goes on record and could hinder future rental applications.

MYTH: My rental house is on fire - I must call Select Rental Services to get help!

FACT: In the case of emergency (such as a fire or break-in), tenants MUST CALL 911 first to get help from the appropriate authorities. After the emergency has been secured/contained, then the tenants must report the issue to Select Rental Services for follow-up.

MYTH: Once a tenant turns in keys, the security deposit will be refunded immediately.

FACT: While we make every effort to efficiently and swiftly process security deposit refunds, the Property Manager has 30 days after keys have been turned in (or 30 days after the lease expiration date) to process the security deposit by NC law. Tenants must leave a forwarding address and should not count on being able to pick up a refund check immediately after keys are surrendered. In cases where the property was left in poor condition and multiple vendor bids are required, NC law allows the Property Manager to extend the refund period an extra 30 days with written notice to the tenant. The better the property condition at move-out, the faster the processing time for a security deposit refund.

MYTH: If a tenant owes money, Select Rental Services must keep hounding the tenant to pay.

FACT: Select Rental Services, in cooperation with the landlord, can (and will often) submit unpaid tenant balances to a third-party collection service. Even if a judgement is granted by the court for the unpaid balance, Select Rental Services can still pursue collection of the unpaid judgement.

MYTH: If tenants break their lease (move out and turn in keys prior to the lease expiration date), they are no longer responsible for the lease.

FACT: Tenants remain responsible for all lease terms (rent, utilities, lawn care, etc.) until a new tenant is placed and a new lease is signed, or until the lease expiration date, whichever comes first.

MYTH: The landlord must change the locks between tenancies.

FACT: The tenant is responsible for changing locks if desired; however, if locks are changed, a new key MUST be provided to Select Rental Services immediately.

MYTH: Prospective tenants cannot hold/reserve a property.

FACT: APPROVED applicants may pay a holding fee (equal to one month's rent) to hold a property off the market. The holding fee is refundable for 5 calendar days, or once the lease has been executed (whichever comes first). At lease commencement, the holding fee is converted into a security deposit. However, if the tenant backs out of the lease prior to taking possession of the property, the holding fee covers the loss to the company and the landlord for having to re-market the property and find a new tenant.

MYTH: Tenants can bring pets as long as they pay a pet fee.

FACT: This one is partially true, but needs more explanation. Pets are only allowed with landlord approval. Additionally, a non-refundable pet fee of $300 per pet is required (this is not a deposit that will be refunded later...this is a fee for the convenience of allowing a pet in the home; damages from pets may still be deducted from security deposit funds). There is a maximum limit of two pets for any Select Rental Services property; however, some landlords prefer to either prohibit pets altogether, or they may only allow a single pet, or a certain type of pet. Prospective tenants should inquire about the pet fees for the specific property of interest prior to making application.