Tenant FAQs

Financial Requirements:

• Applicants must have a combined gross household income equal to at least three (3) times the monthly rent. Income can be verified by recent pay stubs, offer letters, benefits statements, or bank statements. Self-employed applicants may require additional documentation.
• Qualified guarantors may be accepted on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate sufficient income and creditworthiness.

Identification:

• All applicants must provide current, valid government-issued photo identification with the application.
• Applicants must submit a selfie photo holding their government-issued photo ID next to their face. The photo must clearly show the applicant’s face and the ID details.
• This step is solely for identity confirmation and fraud prevention. Images are handled securely, used only for screening, and not shared.
• Failure to provide acceptable identification/verification images may delay or result in denial of the application.

Application Process:

• Applications are processed in the order received.
• All individuals age 18+ must submit a completed application and pay a non-refundable $65 application fee.
• Incomplete or unsigned applications will not be processed.
• Applications may be denied if info cannot be verified.

Residence History:

• Applicants must provide names, addresses, and phone numbers for landlords covering the last two (2) years. Rental history is verified.
• No eviction judgment within the last 24 months. Earlier cases or filings are reviewed individually.
• Outstanding rental balances to prior landlords, serious negative rental history, or unpaid rent/property damage may result in denial or a higher deposit. Insufficient rental history may also require a higher deposit.

Security Deposit:

• Required deposits are based on application results, and may be higher for applicants with adverse credit/rental history per NC law.

Employment Verification:

• Current employment will be verified. Self-employed must provide evidence of income stability.

Credit Screening:

• Credit screening required; minimum credit score is 600. Applicants below 600 may be considered case-by-case with risk mitigators (higher deposit or qualified guarantor).
• Housing or utility collections weigh heavily compared to other debt types.

Criminal Background Screening:

• Individualized criminal background assessments for applicants 18+ in compliance with all laws. No denial based on arrests alone.
• History is reviewed for nature, severity, recency, and relevance to resident/community safety.

Criminal convictions in the last 24 months for: violence/assault, drugs/distribution, harassment, peeping, sex offenses, or felony weapon crimes generally result in denial. Cases within 24-60 months are reviewed individually considering rehabilitation, stability, and full application strength.
Multiple misdemeanors in the last 24 months or patterns in the last 60 months may also result in denial.

• Arrests without conviction, dismissed charges, or expunged/sealed records do not result in automatic denial. Applicants can provide rehabilitation evidence or explanations. All reviews comply with HUD guidance and fair housing law.

Renter’s Insurance:

• Proof required before move-in and must be maintained for the duration of tenancy.

For International Students:

• Valid passport
• Current visa
• Proof of enrollment (I-20, DS-2019, or equivalent)
• Proof of financial support for the upcoming academic year
• A US-based guarantor may be required.

Meeting the minimum qualification criteria does not guarantee approval. Final approval is based on holistic review in compliance with fair housing laws and property requirements.

The application fee is $65 for each person 18 and older, and it is non-refundable. We strongly encourage you to call us before applying so we can let you know if there are other applicants ahead of you in the process.

We are unable to hold properties without payment of a Holding Fee.

Once you’re approved, you have 72 hours to pay the Holding Fee. After that, you have 14 days to move in to your new home. There is a $125 non-refundable administrative fee due prior to move-in.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

It’s our goal to refund 100% of your security deposit, but the refund depends on the condition of the home when you move out and whether there are any outstanding charges. We have 30 days from your move-out date to return the security deposit, but in some cases it may be up to 60 days, in which case you’ll receive an interim accounting statement with an explanation.

At PPA Properties, LLC, the first month’s rent is required as a holding fee to secure the home after an applicant has been approved. Once paid, the home is taken off the market while we get it ready and prepare your lease. If you withdraw for any reason, the holding fee is non-refundable based on the number of days the house was held, plus a one-time administrative fee of $125.

Cosigners are accepted only for students. The cosigner must have a credit score of at least 650 and meet the income requirements for both their living expenses and the rent.

All of our rental applications are submitted and processed online.

Rent must be paid through your online tenant portal. Rent is due on the 1st of each month and considered late after the 5th, at which point a 5% late fee is assessed. An eviction filing may occur after the 16th.

All non-emergency maintenance requests must be submitted through your Online Tenant Portal. Please provide full details and upload photos if applicable. For emergency maintenance, call 919-477-4499 after 5:30pm or on weekends/holidays.

EVERY individual must confirm with the property manager that pets are permitted on the property. Then, complete a third-party screening and review process through petscreening.com. This essential step helps us document your acknowledgment of our pet-related policies, compile a record of any pets you have, and validate the authenticity and accuracy of the provided information. Please be aware, however, that not all our rental properties are pet-friendly. It is mandatory to seek prior approval from PPA Properties, LLC before bringing any pet into your rental unit to confirm if the specific property owner allows pets. Although there are breed restrictions in place, which include Pit Bull, Doberman Pincher, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Staffordshire Terrier, and Bull Mastiff, please note that certain property owners might be open to making exceptions. Such exceptions, however, need to be explicitly agreed upon before the lease signing. Regarding pet weight and quantity restrictions, we allow a maximum of three pets per unit, each not exceeding 80 lbs. A non-refundable pet fee of $200 per pet is applicable at the time of registration. Some properties may charge a monthly $25-35 per pet fee instead of the upfront fee. Additionally, PPA Properties, LLC reserves the right to perform at least one pet inspection annually for all pet-approved units. An inspection fee of $75 will be charged and added to your tenant ledger.