Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? You’re in the right place. Our FAQ page covers the most common things people ask us, from how things work to what to expect. Still curious? We’re always happy to help—just reach out.
01
Applications, Rent Concessions & Lease Credits
Q: Is any portion of rent discounted or credited (such as a free month)?
A: Any rent concessions, discounts, or lease credits (including waived or reduced rent) must be explicitly stated in the executed lease agreement to be valid. Verbal discussions, emails, or marketing materials do not override the written lease.
Q: Is the application fee refundable or applied to rent?
A: No. The application fee is a non-refundable fee for a screening service and is not applied to your ledger balance, even if your application is approved or denied.
Q: What are the application requirements?
A: Application requirements are listed in the property’s listing description. Below are the standard requirements. — This may vary by property
Application Requirements
- $75 non-refundable application fee per applicant/tenant over the age of 18
- Minimum credit score of 650+
- No prior evictions
- No past-due rent or utility bills in collections
- Clean background check required
- Net monthly income must be at least 2.5x the monthly rent
Application Status
- If denied: You will be notified and provided a copy of your application
- If approved: You will be notified and sent the lease along with any corresponding documents for review and signature
Lease Fees & Additional Costs
- First month’s rent, last month’s rent, and security deposit are due at lease signing (as stated in the lease)
- $15/month technology fee in addition to monthly rent
- Pets:
- $500 one-time pet fee
- $50/month per dog
- $25/month per cat
- If you have an ESA, please provide proper documentation (Note: ESAs are not subject to any pet fees)
Utilities
- Tenant is responsible for all utilities. Specific utility details will be clearly outlined in the lease.
02
Rent Payments & Online Portal
Q: How is rent collected and when is it due?
A:
- Rent is collected online through the resident portal
- Rent is due within the first 5 days of each month
- Online payment is strongly encouraged for convenience and recordkeeping
Q: Are there fees for paying rent online?
A: If rent is paid by credit card, the resident portal may charge a processing fee.
This fee is collected by a third-party payment processor, not by management.
03
Laundry Access
Q: Does the unit include washer and dryer access?
A: Laundry access—whether in-unit or shared/common area—will be clearly stated in the lease.
If access to an adjoining or shared laundry area is provided, it will be documented in writing.
Q: What if there is no on-site laundry?
A: For properties without laundry facilities, we partner with Xtreme Laundry, which offers Wash-Dry-Fold (WDF) delivery service.
Participation is optional, and tenants are responsible for all associated service costs.
04
Pet Policy, Fees & Insurance
Q: What pet-related fees apply?
A: All pet-related fees are governed by the Pet Addendum and Lease Agreement.
Any applicable one-time pet fee or monthly pet rent will be disclosed prior to lease execution.
Pet fees are non-negotiable unless approved in writing by ownership.
Q: Is pet insurance required?
A: Yes. Tenants with pets must maintain:
- $15,000 in property damage coverage
- $10,000 in liability coverage
Proof of insurance is required prior to move-in and must be maintained throughout the lease term.
Q: Are Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) accepted?
A: Yes. ESA requests must include proper documentation and verifiable veterinary contact information. Documentation will be reviewed and verified prior to approval.
05
Technology / Administrative Fees
Q: What is a Tech Fee and what does it cover?
A: A Tech Fee may cover administrative systems such as:
- Online resident portal access
- Electronic payments and statements
- Maintenance request systems
- Digital lease administration
If applicable, the Tech Fee will be clearly disclosed before lease execution.
Utility responsibility does not impact the applicability of this fee.
06
Snow Removal & Exterior Maintenance
Q: Who is responsible for snow removal?
A: Snow removal responsibility is defined in the lease.
When handled by management, our team makes every effort to address snow removal as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours, or within the timeframe required by the municipality or borough.
Q: What does “tenant-responsible exterior maintenance” include?
A: When exterior maintenance is assigned to the tenant, it includes more than lawn care. This may include:
- Flower bed upkeep
- Shrub and hedge health and trimming
- Branch and tree maintenance
- General exterior upkeep outlined in the lease
07
Common Area & Pass-Through Charges
Q: Am I responsible for common area maintenance (CAM) costs?
A: Any shared costs (such as snow removal or landscaping) will be handled in one of the following ways:
- Included in base rent
- Charged as a clearly defined, fixed monthly fee
- Subject to a cap or itemized billing structure
Open-ended or undefined cost-sharing is not permitted for residential leases.
08
Utilities & RUBS Billing
Q: Are utilities billed using RUBS
(Ratio Utility Billing System)?
A: If utilities are billed using RUBS, this will be disclosed in writing and will specify:
- Which utilities are allocated
- How charges are calculated
If RUBS does not apply, utilities will be billed directly to the tenant or utility provider as stated in the lease.
09
Repairs, Maintenance & Vendor Access
Q: How do I request maintenance?
A: All maintenance requests must be submitted through our Property Maintenance Request system (Property Meld).
Requests submitted outside the system may delay service.
Submit a Maintenance Request (https://app.propertymeld.com/login/?next=/)
Q: Am I responsible for maintenance costs?
A: Tenants are only responsible for damage they cause.
A maintenance professional will determine fault after inspection.
Example: If a plumber discovers a clogged toilet caused by tenant misuse (e.g., toys flushed), the tenant is responsible for all repair and trip charges.
Q: What happens if a vendor can’t access the property?
A: If a vendor is scheduled at a mutually agreed date and time and cannot access the property due to tenant failure to provide access, the tenant will be financially responsible for any trip charge or service fee billed to management.
10
10. Lease Termination & Legal Compliance
Q: Can the landlord terminate the lease early without cause?
A: No. Residential leases are fixed-term agreements.
Any termination provisions comply with Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law and may only be exercised where legally permitted (e.g., lease breach).
11
Habitability, Mold & Legal Rights
Q: Does the lease waive my habitability or legal rights?
A: No. The lease fully complies with Pennsylvania law, including:
- Habitability standards
- Repair obligations
- Mold and moisture disclosure laws
- Legal remedies and tenant protections
No lease provision waives statutory tenant rights.
12
Lease Term, Renewals & Check-Ins
Q: How long is the lease and how is rent calculated?
A: The lease term, start date, end date, and rent calculation will be:
- Clearly stated in the lease
- Reviewed prior to signing
Any non-standard lease length (e.g., 15 months) will be confirmed in writing.
Q: How do renewals work?
A: Leasing experts conduct periodic check-ins, typically around the 6-month mark, to ensure the tenancy is in good standing and to discuss renewal options when applicable.
Our goal is transparency, compliance, and a smooth tenancy.
If you have questions before signing, we strongly encourage you to ask—clarity upfront prevents issues later.
Still need help? Get in touch with one of our dedicated team members.
