Frequently Asked Questions From Prospective Residents

Do you offer individual or joint leases? We offer joint leases at Carriage House Realty.

Do you require a security deposit? For most of our properties, a security deposit is required.
When is my rent due? For all apartment communities and rental homes, rent is due on the 1st of each month and late after the 5th. Your rent may be mailed, hand-delivered, or left in the Carriage House drop box anytime during these first five days of the month.

What happens if my rent is late? If we have not received your rent by midnight on the 5th of the month, a 10% late charge will be applied to the unpaid balance on your rental account. For example, if your rent is $325 and goes unpaid, the late charge will be $32.50. You will receive a late notice on your door with the total balance. If you have any questions related to your individual late charge and/or total balance, you are always welcome to call the Carriage House office.

Can I pay my rent with a credit or debit card? We are currently only able to accept payment in the form of cash, check, or money order. We are researching ways to make rent payment more efficient through the use of credit cards, debit cards, and online rent payment. If and when there is a working system in place, all residents will be notified.

What happens if my rent check bounces? If we receive notice that your rent check has been returned unpaid, there will be a $30 insufficient funds fee applied to your rental account. Please be aware that if the check is returned to us after the 5th day of the month, you will also incur a 10% late fee (because your rent was not paid on time). If your check is returned unpaid, you will receive a certified letter from our office, informing you that your check was returned and notifying you of the total amount due. This amount must be paid within ten days of receipt of the certified letter. All balances resulting from returned checks must be paid in cash or money order. If we receive two returned checks from you during your time as a resident, we will no longer be able to accept personal checks from you.

If I renew my lease, will my rent go up? If you live in a Carriage House apartment community, the amount you pay in rent each month will not change. The rent amount you agree to on your original lease agreement will remain constant for any renewal agreements, regardless of whether the current leasing prices rise or fall. If you live in a rental home or duplex, your rent price may increase at renewal time, depending on the market rates on similar properties at that time. If your rent is scheduled to increase, you will be notified prior to renewal and your renewed lease will indicate the new rental rate.

Am I allowed to have a pet? The following apartment communities are pet-friendly with a $350 pet fee: The Barringtons, Pineview, Shenandoah, St. Andrews, and Whitehall Landing. Pets are not allowed at South Hampton Terrace or South Hampton Village under any circumstances. Individual rental homes and duplexes have their own pet policies, so if you live in a Carriage House rental home or duplex, please inquire about the pet policy before getting a pet. For the purposes of the Carriage House pet policy, pets include cats, dogs, and fish in tanks. Rodents and exotic pets are not permitted.

How do I place a maintenance request? If your apartment or rental home needs maintenance attention, you simply need to call the Carriage House office and let us know! You may also place a maintenance request through our website. We take care of all regular maintenance issues free of charge. Please know that if you do place a maintenance request, there will be a maintenance technician in your home within approximately 24 to 48 hours of your call (regular maintenance issues may take slightly longer during peak times).

Am I allowed to paint my walls? Yes! You are more than welcome to paint the interior walls of your apartment or home, provided you prime the walls before you move out. You may paint whatever color you choose; however, when you move out, the walls must be primed to the extent that the paint color of choice has been completely covered, and the Carriage House painting team can repaint with just one coat of paint.

Can I sublease my apartment? Subleasing is an issue that is between you and your roommates. While we do allow subleasing, we do not get involved in subleasing in any way. There are no contracts or paperwork to sign through the Carriage House office, although you may want to write up a personal contract between you and the person you choose to rent out your apartment. Please be aware that we cannot accept any personal checks from someone who is subleasing your apartment. They would need to pay you, while you would continue to pay your regular rent.