Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to rent a home?
Please call our office or the agent listed in the ad to set an appointment to view the property that interests you. Upon viewing the property, you can complete an application with the Leasing Agent. The Agent will also collect the application fee and a Rent Reservation Payment at this time. You are asked to pay a Rent Reservation Payment at the time you apply equal to one-half of one month’s rent to hold the property for you. Alternatively, you can click on the Rental Application link on our website and pay your application fee, and the Rent Reservation Payment will be collected the following business day. If the application is denied, or if you change your mind within 24 hours of the application being submitted, the Rent Reservation Payment is refunded. You can apply for a home without paying a Rent Reservation Payment, however, the property will stay on the market until we have an approved application AND a Rent Reservation Payment. If we have more than one applicant for a home, we will not accept a Rent Reservation Payment until the application that is approved is offered first and then each one following. If you apply and your application is approved, make sure to get us the Rent Reservation Payment quickly, so that someone else doesn’t reserve the home before you.
Who must complete an application and what are the requirements?
All adults age 18 and over must present photo identification and complete an application. The income requirement is three times the monthly rent. We will check your landlord and employment references to determine your ability to pay the rent on time and to take care of the property.
How much is the application fee?
All individuals completing an application must pay a $50 non-refundable fee with the application
What do the application and reservation fees cover?
The application fee will cover the processing of credit, employment and residential history. The Rent Reservation Payment holds the property for you until your scheduled move-in date at which time it is applied to the first month’s rent charge.
What if my application is denied?
The application fee is spent when we process the background check. The Rent Reservation Payment will be returned to you in full.
When will the application and reservation fees be deposited?
The application fee will be deposited as soon as processing starts. The Rent Reservation Payment will be deposited 24 hours after notification of an approved application and becomes non-refundable at that time. We tell any other interested parties that the property is rented and we hold the property for you until the scheduled move-in date.
How much is the security deposit?
Usually the security deposit is equivalent to one-month’s rent. From time to time, some owners may offer special promotions to help lease their property more quickly. The security deposit is paid when you move in and must be paid by certified funds (cashier’s check or money order).
Are there any pet fees?
The pet addendum, and any related deposit or fee is negotiated on a case-by-case basis, but generally starts at $300 per animal. Usually the pet deposit is fully refundable. Our pet addendum requires that the tenant have the property professionally treated for fleas and the carpet professionally cleaned once they move out. We must have a picture of the animal and tenants with a dog are required to purchase pet insurance, which costs about $33 per month.
What will I owe at move in?
The balance of the one-month’s rent and the security deposit are due at move in regardless of the day of the month. If you move in during the middle of a month, the prorated rent charge will be due on the first day of the second month you are living in the property. You are required to pay last month’s rent on most leases, this can be spread out over three months if you qualify.
What are the standard lease periods?’
Generally, our leases are for a period of twelve months.
When is the rent due?
Rent is due on the first of each month. A late fee is assessed if we have not received your rent by the fifth day of the month.
What are the penalties for early termination of a lease?
Most of our landlords, but not all, offer an Early Termination option. If your lease offers the Early Termination option and you decide to move out prior to the end of the lease term, then you will be required to give us 30-days written notice, pay rent through that 30-day notice period, pay a penalty, and leave the property in a clean and “rent ready” condition. The early termination fee is equal to one-month’s rent. If your lease does not offer an Early Termination option, under Florida law, you would owe rent through the end of the lease term or until a new tenant starts paying the same rent (or more), whichever happens first.
What do I do next if I see a property I like?
If you would like to apply to rent one of our listings, please call our office at (941) 923-7200 or email us at info@relaxreatlygroup.com. You can set showings for our listings at showmojo.com as well. We will follow up with you soon. If you send an e-mail or leave a message outside of normal business hours, please bear in mind that our administrative staff works Monday through Friday to process these applications as quickly as they can on a first come, first served basis.