Frequently Asked Questions:
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Landlord/Owner FAQs
Q ~ If the tenant fails to pay rent, how long will the eviction take, and do you collect any unpaid rent or unpaid invoices from the Tenants after they vacate? A ~ First, Guardhouse Rentals takes pride in finding quality Tenants for the Landlord, using a thorough screening process, so evictions are seldom. If an eviction is required, the process takes about 57 days, to physically put the Tenant out, if necessary. We handle that entire eviction process for you. We also work with an experienced, local Collection Agency if needed. Q ~ What is your “screening” process, what do you check? A ~ Overall, Guardhouse Rentals is looking for responsible people, who will maintain the rental property in a clean and sanitary condition, and who will pay the rent. Usually, a single blemish found in the screening, will not preclude a person from renting, but our system uses the following checks to accept/reject applications:
Q ~ How do I get paid monthly? A ~ Guardhouse Rentals will send your portion of the rent, less our fee and if there are any other expenses. We generate this payment to you by the 10th of each month. Typically, Landlords provide us with an account and routing number so we can then make a direct deposit into your bank. We can also generate a check being sent to you, but that takes longer to reach you, direct deposit is in your account the next business day. Q ~ Will I get a statement? A ~ Yes! You’ll be emailed or mailed a monthly statement, and then a year-end statement, listing the rent paid, our fee deductions, and showing any other expenses. The statement will arrive sometime after you are paid, but within that same month. Q ~ If there’s a repair, who does it? A ~ Guardhouse Rentals has a crew of handymen, and licensed service repair personnel, and a 24/7 Maintenance Supervisor who works with us continually. We also have a 24/7 automated system which will connect Tenants directly with the appropriate 24/7 repair staff in case an emergency or urgent repair needs to be completed at your property. These contractors provide us estimates, before the work is done, and we pass the estimates along to you. Then, if agree, they invoice us when work is completed. We then pay the contractor by usually deducting from the rent collected. We do not add any charge to your monthly statement for using the contractors who work with us. Our preferred contractors pay us a 10% Administrative Processing and Handling Fee on all invoices. Q ~ Can I use my own repair people to do maintenance? A ~ Yes, but Guardhouse Rentals needs to have your contractor work through us, as we’ll communicate directly with the Tenants, to arrange the repair or maintenance. If your contractor is without a license or insurance, then you are responsible for completing a background check on the contractor. Once the background check is approved, your contractor will need to complete any repairs assigned in a timely fashion. Q ~ How much monthly rent do you think you can get for my property? A ~ We will normally be able to get more monthly rent for you, than you can by advertising & managing the property yourself. And, we’ll save you time! Property owners, please remember: We do all the work and collect the rent. You get paid. |
Tenant FAQs
Q ~ What is your pet policy? A ~ Guardhouse Rentals’ “general” Pet Policy is:
Q ~ Do you take Section 8? A ~ Yes, we work with Section 8, MSHDA, and Community Action Agency, as well as other agencies who provide housing assistance. Q ~ If I move-in on the 15th of the month in March, how much rent do I pay? A ~ Rent is pro-rated in this case. For example, if monthly rent is $700, here is the formula: $700 x 12 = $8400 annually $8400 annually / 365 days = $23.01 daily 17 days remaining in March x $23.01 = $391.23 March Rent Pro-Rated Q ~ How much is your Security Deposit? A ~ The maximum, legal security deposit can be one and a half times the monthly rent. So if rent is $700 monthly, the maximum security deposit can be $1050. Guardhouse Rentals typical security deposit is equal to one or one and a half times the monthly rent. In addition, we may charge fees that are non-refundable, and not part of the security deposit, such as pet fees, cleaning fees, or administrative fees. Q ~ Do you have any house and apartments that include utilities? A ~ Typically rent does not include utilities. Tenants typically pay for all utilities; heat, electric, water/sewer, cable, phone, lawn care & snow removal. Trash pick up is included in most of our properties. In the City of Jackson, there is a $400 deposit for changing the water/sewer to the Tenant’s name. Guardhouse Rentals can save the water/sewer deposit fee by billing the Tenant directly, then the Tenant pays the water/sewer bill when they pay their rent. Saving the tenant $400! Q ~ How much money is needed to at the lease signing and then to move in? A ~ The minimum amount due at the Lease Agreement signing is the security deposit amount. When you are given possession, you will need the pro-rated rent, and possibly the 1st months rent. All of these must be paid in the form of cash, money order, cashiers check, or certified check made payable to Guardhouse Rentals. No personal checks at the lease signing or possession accepted. Q ~ Do I bring the rent in to Guardhouse each month on the 1st? A ~ No, but paying rent is easy! Rent is due on the 1st, and after the 5th day, a late fee is assessed. The Tenant pays all rent at any 5/3 Bank, using a deposit slip with the Guardhouse Rentals Deposit account number. The deposit slip with rent payment, preferably in the form of a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to Guardhouse Rentals (cash is also acceptable); can be mailed, paid in person, or placed in the night deposit box, at any 5/3 Bank location. Q ~ If there’s a problem, or repair or maintenance needed, who do I call? A ~ During normal business hours, you call Guardhouse Rentals at 517-879-4682. After normal business hours, holidays and weekends, you call the Emergency Repair Service number, 517-879-4682. If there’s a burst water pipe, an inoperable furnace during cold months, or a hot water heater that doesn’t work & can’t wait until the next business day, you simply call the 24/7 Emergency Service number and a plumber or licensed furnace service person will respond, usually within an hour, so you can resume normal living! Q ~ How long will you hold a house or apartment for me, until I move-in? A ~ Guardhouse Rentals usually has no problem renting properties right away. But if you bring in the security deposit, and sign the lease, Guardhouse Rentals will usually be able to hold the house or apartment for you for a short period of time, until you can make arrangements to move-in. At this time you'll need to provide the pro-rated amount for rent that month, and additionally the 1st month's rent. Q ~ What do you check on the Rental Application? Do you check credit? A ~ Guardhouse Rentals checks a lot of things, including things about your background, income verification, personal references, former landlords, as well as your credit history. Our system usually will not reject an application because one area is blemished, however Guardhouse Rentals is looking for “overall responsibility”. Is the Tenant a responsible person who will maintain the property in a clean & sanitary condition and, pay the rent on time? If the answer is yes, then our system will likely accept your application. Q ~ Is there an application fee? A ~ Yes, there is a $30 application fee per applicant that is non-refundable. Your application, with the application fee, can be dropped off at any time. Drop off in person, or through the mail slot after hours, at 1211 Greenwood Ave, Jackson, Michigan. DOWNLOAD A BLANK APPLICATION FORM HERE: (click button below) |