Source: https://www.fortworthpropertymanagement.com/faq
Timestamp: 2018-10-17 07:30:54
Document Index: 392009348

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Why 1st Choice Property Management?
We are a professional, knowledgeable, and courteous property management company. We use professional vendors (painters, handymen, 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 have a system in place that allows you the Resident to be able to submit work orders 24 hours a day and can handle emergency repairs as necessary. We provide detailed Move-in and Move-out Inventory 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 the properties listed on our website are available to rent. However, until we have signed a lease all properties are still listed on the website. So it is possible that we have approved an application for a property, but because we have not signed the lease, we keep them listed. If you find a property that you are interested in and find out that it is no longer available, our agents will gladly tell you about other properties available or other properties coming on the market soon. The best way to make sure a property is still available is to call our office at 817-281-1300.
Within our website, click on the TENANTS tab and then open the Rental Application. You can then download and print both Part 1 and Part 2 of our Rental Application. (Part 2 has two separate items to download.) We need all three items to have a complete application. If we do not have the complete application, it will not be processed until it is complete. The three items are: 1. Our Leasing Policies, Pet Policies, and Criminal Background Policies 2. Our 4 page Residential Lease Application 3. Our Information About Brokerage Services. You will also have to bring your Application Fee and Security Deposit (both of these must be in separate Money Orders or Cashier’s Checks. The Security Deposit will be returned to you, in full, if the application is not approved.
A full description of our Leasing Policies is Part 1 of our application as shown in the TENANTS tab and is Part 1 of our Rental Application.
Most applications take 2 to 3 work days. The biggest delays are due to improperly completed applications, landlord slow response, and employer slow response. Please insure that the contact information you give us is current and that you have given your landlord and required notice that you are moving.
You will not hear from us unless there is a problem with your application, or we are calling to notify you of approval/disapproval.
1st Choice and the Property Owners we work with will comply with all applicable laws. Because some modifications may require licensing and permits, let 1st Choice know specifically what changes you would like to make and we will discuss it with the property owner and our vendor.
Unless the property is federally funded, the tenant is typically responsible for the costs incurred for the changes and bringing the property back to its original condition once you, the tenant, moves away.
Normally we do not hold any property. 1st Choice Property Management understands that when you find something that you like, you want to hold it. Until we have a signed Lease, Security Deposit, and a confirmed move in date, all properties are still available for Lease.
Rental prices are set at market rate. However, if you want to make a specific offer, you must submit a complete application along with the appropriate application fees and the Security Deposit. We will then present your offer to the property owner and if they are willing to accept your offer, we will then, and only then, process your application. If they are not willing to accept your offer, all fees and the Security Deposit will be returned to you intact. Please remember that our obligation is to the Owner of the property and we will continue to show the property until we have an approved application and a signed Lease Agreement.
Rent is due on the 1st day of the month and is considered late on the 5th. Rent can be paid by mail or in person to: 1st Choice Property Management 5750 Rufe Snow Dr., Ste 160 North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. If the office is closed, please use the mail slot on the front door to pay rent. Please make sure that your name and address are on the envelope. We do not accept checks from third parties, only from the persons on the lease. Please specify your rental address in the memo field of your check.
Renters still have exposure to the same types of losses a homeowner has. That is why there is a special type of insurance called renter’s insurance. The Property Management company’s nor the Home Owner’s insurance policies cover tenants personal losses or liability.
Tenants are responsible for obtaining insurance for their personal property if they want to be covered in the event of fire, theft, or other type of loss. 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. Renters Insurance is cheap and we recommend that you contact the company that insures your automobile.
In addition to coverage for their personal property, a renter’s policy also provides liability coverage. Tenants may wonder why they need liability coverage when the landlord’s policy has it. The answer is simple: because the landlord’s insurance only covers landlord liability. It doesn’t cover the tenant’s liability. Renter’s insurance covers the tenant’s liability up to a set limit, as long as the tenant did not intentionally cause the loss. Liability coverage isn’t just limited to damage to others or others’ property that occurs inside the tenant’s residence. It also covers legal defense expenses and the renter’s liability outside the home. A common example we have seen is where a tenant moves in and hooks up the washer and dryer incorrectly, which floods the home. We have seen claims of up to $15,000. Because the tenants had insurance, the insurance paid it, instead of the tenants. Remember, its cheap and it protects you.
Each of the properties managed by 1st Choice Property Management is owned by a different owner. Each property owner has their own criteria. Some allow pets, while others do not. Some allow cats, but no dogs. If the listing on our website indicates that the property does not accept pets, the owner has already made their decision not to accept pets. If the listing indicates that the property does accept pets, we adhere to our company policy of one pet per property. If you submit an application and have more than one pet, we will go to the owner and ask them to make a decision. Your application will not be processed until the owner says OK. If they say no, your application and all monies will be returned to you. Please read our Pet Policy as shown in the first download of our application for further information. All 1st Choice Property Management properties accepts Support or Companion animals as defined by law and no additional rent or deposit is required.
1st Choice does not negotiate the deposit. Unfortunately we cannot accept split payments.
1st Choice does not charge a pet fee. We do charge a Pet Deposit and that is covered in our Leasing Policies which is Part 1 of your Application.
In some cases, depending on how bad your credit is, we may be able to approve your rental application with a qualified co-signer or by you paying to put up a larger Security Deposit. If your credit does not qualify you for any of those options, unfortunately, your application will be denied.
Please refer to our Leasing Policies which are Part 1 of our Application. Additionally, applicants that lie on their application can be denied as well.
1st Choice Property Management utilizes a 3rd party screening company to process all of our applications and the application fee goes towards those screening costs. Therefore, the application fees are non-refundable.
If the co-signer wishes to be removed from the lease, contact our office about 3 months prior to the lease termination. We’ll review your payment history, run a new credit report, verify current income, and if whatever condition caused us to require a co-signer is no longer applicable, you can renew without the co-signer.
Each of the properties managed by 1st Choice Property Management is owned by a different owner and each owner has a different opinion. If you are on section 8, we recommend that you email us asking if this specific property owner accepts section 8. If they do, feel free to apply. If they don’t, we will recommend any properties that are currently available that do.
1st Choice Property Management follows the general 2-plus-1 rule accepted by HUD. That means two occupants per bedroom, plus one additional occupant per household. Occasionally a home may have an additional room that can be considered a bedroom under this rule. If your needs differ from this standard, simply make that request known and we will work with HUD and the property owner to accommodate you.
Late fees are 10% the first day and $5 every day thereafter. If you are going to be late, please contact your Property Manager. Otherwise, 1st Choice is required to begin multiple actions to collect rent, which will incur more fees as well as the possibility of eviction. We don’t want to evict you anymore than you want to be evicted. So please, work with us if things get difficult.
Why are you charging for serving a Notice Terminating Right of Occupancy?
Due to your not paying rent, we incur a lot of extra expense and time in delivering these notices that should be spent doing more productive work and not extra work that we don’t have to put forth for tenants that pay on time.
What is a Notice Terminating Right of Occupancy?
A Notice Terminating Right of Occupancy is a legal notice that rent is past due and that we can begin the eviction process. If you get such a notice, please contact our office immediately to either correct an error on our part, or to make an acceptable agreement to pay the rent in full.
Unfortunately this cannot be done as it creates an accounting nightmare, plus any late rent payment will incur a late fee. If you are late or expect to be late, the best thing to do is to contact your Property Manager. Communication at this point is the key. You can contact us at 817-281-1300.
Absolutely. Acceptable forms of rent payment are personal checks, Cashier’s Checks or Money Orders. We are unable to accept cash. You can either use your banks Bill Pay service or use the Tenant Log-In Portal on our web site at http://www.1stchoicepm.com Checks and on line payments are a privilege and the privilege will be revoked if your check or on line payment is rejected by your banking institution.
1st Choice will supply two keys per home. If you want to have additional keys made, you may do so at your own expense.
With proper notice, both the property owner and 1st Choice Property Management have the right to view the property. The owner will have to make arrangements through us to view the property and we will accompany them. You will get, at a minimum, 24 hour notice of any such visit. 1st Choice does do an Occupied Viewing every year about 75 days prior to the anniversary date of your lease. You will be contacted in writing before this occurs.
This is covered very thoroughly in your lease agreement. Please call your Property Manager if you have additional questions at 817-281-1300... Read More.
Make sure that you are not breaking you lease. If you are breaking your lease, that is a whole different story. It is required that you provide a 30-day written notice using either 1st Choice’s official notice form or you may submit your own via mail, email, fax, or hand deliver it.
Your lease agreement spells this out very clearly. Please read your lease agreement and then contact us 817-281-1300.
You may not sublease in accordance with your Lease Agreement.
I have submitted my Notice of Tenant’s Intent to Vacate that I will be moving, but I need to retract my Notice of Tenant’s Intent to Vacate, what am I supposed to do?
We are glad that you have chosen to stay. Just like your notice to vacate, your notice to stay needs to be in writing and sent to the office right away. The fastest approach would be to email, fax, mail, or hand-deliver your retraction to your Property Manager (our FAX number is 817-281-1918). There is always a chance that we may already have secured new tenants, so once you have sent your retraction, you may also want to call to confirm its receipt and to make sure that the lease can be extended.
No. Due to requirements of the Texas Property Code and Lock Laws, the home will be re-keyed. Please leave at least one key on the kitchen counter. Our policy is to have it re-keyed immediately. Remember to not leave anything you want as everything will be considered trash and disposed of accordingly.
The property’s carpets were professionally cleaned prior to your tenancy and must again be professionally cleaned. If you do have the carpets cleaned, we will not accept Chem Dry as an acceptable service. Also, you must provide us a receipt for the professional cleaning.
Shortly after we perform our Occupied Viewing of your property (approximately 75 days prior to your lease anniversary date) we will send you one of two letters. If the owner does not wish to renew the lease, you will be notified that you must vacate the home by the last day of your lease and return it to us. The other letter will offer you three options and you will need to return it to us with your option initialed. Option 1 will offer you a year extension to your lease for X dollars per month. Option 2 will offer you a six month extension to your lease for X dollars per month. Option 3 will offer you a month-to- month extension to your lease for X dollars per month. Your last option is to provide us your notice that you will not be renewing your lease and will be vacating the home at the end of your lease (don’t forget that you must submit your Notice of Intent to Vacate.
Please refer to your lease, especially the paragraphs about Default and Early Termination. Remember that calculations will vary depending on the circumstances. You can also call your Property Manager at 817-281-1300, and they will go through this with you.
Any additional occupants that are 18 years and older, must submit an application and application fee to be approved. 1st Choice Property Management does this for your safety. We will conduct the following checks on them – Criminal Background Check and the Last 2 years Tenancy. If the results of the screening are acceptable, we can email you the documentation that needs signed or we can schedule a time for all of you to come in and sign the lease amendment.
Any change to your lease must be in writing. If someone has moved out, it might be to your best interest to keep them on the lease, as they are as responsible for the rent payments as you are. However, if they have moved out or in the process of moving out, we simply need something in writing from both the departing tenant and the remaining tenant requesting the change. If the remaining tenant qualifies on their own accord, we will gladly make the change. If they don’t, the remaining tenant may have to pay a higher deposit or keep the vacating tenant on the lease until it terminates. 1st Choice Property Management can email you the paperwork or you can schedule a time to come to the office to sign the new documents. Please contact your Property Manager at 817-281- 1300 to work out the details.
1st Choice Property Management does not allow someone to take over your lease. Refer to your lease agreement, specifically the paragraphs about Default and Early Termination.
Per your lease agreement, your deposit will be refunded, less any charges authorized in your lease, within 30 days of the time you vacated the property. If you fail to give proper notice and a forwarding address, your deposit will be mailed to your rental address with instructions to please forward.
Yes, if it is received after the 5th day of the month.
1st Choice Property Management charges late fees and we are sorry, but they are not be waived. But, please communicate with us and keep us in the loop or we will have to start eviction proceedings if we don’t hear from you.
I paid rent at 5:30 in the drop box on the 5th, will I be charged late fees?
Your lease agreement specifies that your rent is due on the first and you have a four day grace period. We check the mail and the drop box the morning of the 6th (even on weekends and holidays) and if the rent is not there, you will be charged late fees.
I’m going out of town and won’t be back until the 8th. Can I make arrangements to pay my rent upon my return? If not, what do I do?
Rent is due on the 1st and late fees are accrued for all rents received after the 5th day of each month. To avoid late fees, you should pay your rent before leaving, but if you can’t, please contact us and let us know when rent will be paid so that we know and don’t serve an eviction notice.
Per Texas laws, we will immediately return any and all Deposits we hold to you as soon as it is confirmed that our Principal (the Owner) has truly been foreclosed upon.
First you still need to apply to ensure that you meet our acceptance criteria such as credit, income, and criminal background. Our Acceptance Policy is on our website for your review. We will also need a written notice from your health care provider confirming your animal’s companion status and normally your Service Animal will have a certification that we need to get a copy of.
My pet has passed away. May I get a replacement pet?
Most of us at 1st Choice Property Management have lost a pet and we know how devastating the loss of a pet can be. The terms and conditions of your lease agreement continue unchanged until we amend the agreement. Before finding a replacement pet, you must get our permission and we will have to give approval for that pet and complete a new Pet Agreement. Requirements regarding any pet restrictions at your property still stand with the new pet.
All Maintenance Requests must be in writing. For faster service, please submit your maintenance request online at our web site under the TENANTS tab and Maintenance. But before submitting a Maintenance Request, please refer to our TENANTS tab and the Tenant How-To link therein. Many minor repairs can be accomplished by following those How-To tips.
Once you have submitted a Maintenance Request, the repair person should be there within two business days, or should have at a minimum, made telephone contact with you. Phone requests are only accepted for absolute emergencies, such as flooding or structural damage to the home. If you have not heard from our office or our vendor in three days, please contact your Property Manager at 817-281-1300 and follow the prompts for an emergency. The phone call will be forwarded to the On-Call Agent.
Examples of emergencies are active water flooding and anything you believe to be dangerous to your heath that can’t wait until the next business day. No heat in the middle of winter or no air conditioning in the middle of summer are a priority call, but are not considered an emergency by the Texas Property Code. **For FIRE, GAS or Natural Disasters, call 911 First!**
You are responsible for changing heat and air filters and fresh smoke detector batteries at all times. Light bulbs that are easily accessible also need to be maintained by the residents. Yard maintenance is your responsibility unless you were informed otherwise at the time of your lease signing. Please refer to your lease.
No, you may not deduct repairs from your rent. Some minor repairs/troubleshooting should be done by the tenant, such as flipping a breaker or unclogging a toilet. But for the most part, tenants should not take the risk or liability in attempting their own repairs. For a list of repairs and troubleshooting that are approved, please visit our TENANTs tab and visit the Tenant How-To section. Since many repairs do require a professional who is licensed, bonded, and insured, please use our on-line maintenance request form to submit your maintenance requests.
Any and all changes or modifications to the property must be pre-approved by 1st Choice and the property owner. All requests must be in writing and if you are requesting a paint color change, we must have a sample to present to the owner. In most cases, at the end of your tenancy, you will be required to return the home to the original colors (your property manager will let you know about this prior to approval).
Prior to your moving in, the home was treated by a professional exterminator therefore you should only observe insects/pests that are dead. If you experience live insects the first week of your tenancy, our exterminator will retreat the home. Please contact us at 817-281-1300. Per your lease agreement, the owner is responsible to treat for wood eating insects (Carpenter Ants and Termites). Other than that, treatment of insects is the tenant’s responsibility.