Q: How do I see a property? Simply complete the form on the Contact Us tab to provide the property that you would like to view. We will contact you to schedule a day/time for the showing. Alternatively, you may schedule a showing with any licensed NC Realtor. We highly encourage every applicant to inspect the specific unit he/she is interested in before submitting a Rental Application. If it is impossible for you to personally inspect the home (or have someone do it for you), you will be required to complete a form confirming that you agree to rent the home Sight Unseen. Please note that your security deposit is non-refundable.
Q: What are the Application Requirements? All adults 18 years of age or older intending to live in the property must submit an application and pay the application fee. Application Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Submit a complete application form. Include two (2) years of rental history with complete landlord information and contact numbers. Each applicant must submit the following documents with their application: Valid ID with Picture, 30 days of Pay Stubs/Proof of Income, and Employment
Q: Can you briefly describe the Rental Application Process? Find a property; inspect the interior; submit an application; sign a lease; post a security deposit; pay the first month’s rent Inspect the interior of the unit you are interested in. Everyone must inspect the specific unit he/she is interested in before submitting a Rental Application.
You will need to have a valid Photo ID and have a valid Social Security Number. Our Application Fee is $50.00 per adult. We accept application fees via the online application site. We process each Rental Application as quickly as possible. Generally, all background checks are completed within 2-4 business days. This often depends upon how long it takes your employer and previous landlords to get back to us. Assuming all vacancy repairs are completed, you can move into your home one week from the time your lease is signed. Approved applicants will be given 48 hours from the time the lease is sent to sign and return it. Once the lease is signed and returned, the applicant will be given 24 hours to pay the security deposit and any applicable lease fees. If the applicant does not complete these actions in the specified time frames, Carolina Realty Link may continue to move forward with other applicants. Each Applicant is required to post a security deposit, sign a lease and pay one month’s full rent before moving into their unit. The amount of the security deposit varies by property and rental rate but is typically equal to one month’s rent. Keys will be released on the first (1st) day of occupancy as stated in the lease agreement. Request for keys earlier must be accompanied with additional pro-rated rent and must have Carolina Realty Link Property Management’s prior approval. If you are approved for a property, there is a one-time lease preparation and administration charge that is due prior to move in. This is separate from the application fee due upon submitting your application. This charge is not per person but a single charge for the preparation of the lease, itself. If you want to move into the home within several days of being approved, this lease preparation fee may be higher.
Q: How long does the Application Process take? Completing the application takes about 15-25 minutes. Processing the application generally takes 2-4 days, but we must have all of your documentation. The timeframe also depends upon how quickly your previous landlords or employers respond to our requests for information.
Q: How can I check the status of my Application? Contact the office staff for an update on your application.
Q: How do you handle multiple applications for the same property? We do our best to process applications as quickly as possible to minimize the chance of receiving multiple applications on the same property. Therefore, it is our policy to evaluate ALL submitted and paid-for applications for a home until an applicant has been approved and we have received the signed lease and full security deposit. ALL APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. The best way to ensure you get approved for a home is to fill out your application accurately and completely, send all of the required documentation and pay your application fee. Once you receive notice that you’re approved, send us your lease administrative fee, security deposit and signed lease as quickly as possible. Our properties are either Available or Leased. We do not consider a home off of the market until a lease has been signed and a security deposit has been received. If a home is shown then it is still available for rent and we will evaluate your application.
Q: What if I submitted my application but someone else rented the home? We do our best to try and avoid this situation. Nobody is happy when this occurs. We will always review all applications and will offer the home to the most qualified applicant first. If they are unable to pay their deposit or execute the lease quickly, then we will offer the home to the next best qualified applicant and so on, until we’ve received an executed lease and security deposit. You may see our approval criteria here. If you meet our rental criteria but another applicant executed a lease, you may use your application towards another one of our homes for rent that you meet the qualifications. We will consider your application valid for a period of thirty days after it has been received.
Q: Does Carolina Realty Link accept VISA/MasterCard? Only for application fees. We also offer online payment via electronic check for your monthly rental payments. You may also pay personal check or money order at our office. Another option is to mail your rent payment by personal check or money order to the for delivery. DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL.
Q: How much is the Security Deposit? The Security Deposit varies by property and rental rate, but is typically equal to one month’s rent.
Q: Briefly describe your Income, Credit & Rental History policies.
Minimum Income: Applicants must have a combined gross income of three (3) times the monthly rent, but a minimum of 2.5 times the monthly rent may be accepted with an increased security deposit.
Employment History: 30 days of Pay Stubs/Proof of Income and Employment. Self-employed applicants are required to produce two (2) years of signed tax returns or IRS 1099 forms. Non-employed applicants due to retirement or disability must provide proof of income with a current award letter. Unemployment is not accepted as income.
Rental History: A minimum of two years residential history is required. Rental history must be rated satisfactory or better, with no record of evictions for the past 2 years. If there are ANY eviction filings in the past two (2) years, this is grounds for declination.
Credit History: A minimum Fico score of 600 is required to consider applicants. Credit history and/or Civil Court Records must not contain judgements, eviction filings, collections, liens or bankruptcy within the past two (2) years. We will not provide you with the credit report or tell you of its contents, however, we will provide you with the name of the credit reporting agency so you may receive a copy from the credit bureau. All information collected for the approval or denial of this application is considered confidential in nature and for company use only.
Criminal History: Applicants must have a clean criminal record. Applicants with any violent or forgery history will automatically be denied.
Each applicant must submit a valid picture ID and all required documents. We reserve the right to require a co-signer and/or a higher security deposit. Co-signers are accepted at the managers discretion only and must meet all requirements.
Q: How long will you ‘hold’ a unit? We will generally not hold a unit for more than two weeks, but this is a determining factor in evaluating your application. An applicant that can move in more quickly will get preference over another similar applicant.
Q: What do I do if I see repairs that I want made? Applicants must personally inspect the property and, as part of the application process, request any repairs they desire. We do our best to ensure that our vacant homes are ready to rent when they are listed for rent. Please let us know immediately of any repairs that you think need to be made. Any cosmetic repair request will need to be approved by the owner of the property.
Q: How long are your leases? Generally, 12 or 24 months. Leases revert to month-to-month tenancy at an increased rental rate at the end of the initial term unless the owner and the resident agree to a longer term.
Q: What about pets? The owner of each property reserves the right to prohibit or limit the number, size and type of pet allowed at the property. A picture with the pet MUST be submitted with the application. Typically, no more than 2 pets are allowed, even in single-family houses. If the owner and agent agree to a pet, an additional pet fee and signed Pet Addendum will be required. The following dogs are considered vicious due to insurance liability and we can NEVER – under any circumstance – agree to allow one of these pets at a property – Akita, Chow, Pit Bull a.k.a Staffordshire Terrier, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Sharpei, German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher and Wolf Hybrids.
Q: What about utilities? Generally, utilities are turned on prior to your move-in date so that we can verify the proper operation of the mechanical systems (heat, a/c, hot water, drains, outlets, etc). You need to make sure that utilities are transferred to your name no later than the first day of your lease (we encourage you to have them put into your name the day before your lease starts). YOU SHOULD CALL THE UTILITY COMPANIES AS SOON AS YOU HAVE AN EXECUTED LEASE. In winter months it can take the gas companies 7 -10 days to turn on your gas once it has been shut off. We have no control over this and there’s nothing we can do to expedite the process. Please make sure you call the gas company as quickly as possible once your lease is executed. Tenants MUST provide Carolina Realty Link with documentation from all utility companies that the services have been transferred into the tenant’s name prior to granting access to the property for move-in.
Q: Do I need Renters Insurance? Yes, as a way to protect your furniture, clothing, appliances and personal belongings.
Q: When can I get the keys to the home? Keys will be released on the first (1st) day of occupancy as stated in the lease agreement as long as the first month’s rent has been received. Requests for keys earlier must be accompanied with additional pro-rated rent and must have Carolina Realty Link’s prior approval. We schedule final cleaning, utility shut-offs, final walk-throughs etc., based on your indicated move date and need at least one week’s notice if you’d like to move in earlier. Lease modification charges may apply if we are able to modify your move-in date.
