Tenant Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: WHAT IS YOUR RENTAL CRITERIA?

  A:
  Financial Requirements:
  

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

  Identification:
  

  • All applicants are required to provide current, valid government-issued photo identification at the time of application.
  • For identity verification purposes, applicants must also submit a clear selfie photograph while holding their government-issued photo ID next to their face. The photo must clearly show the applicant’s face and the information on the ID.
  • This verification step is used solely to confirm identity and help prevent fraud. Submitted identification materials are handled securely and used only for application screening purposes.
  • Failure to provide acceptable identification or verification images may result in the application being delayed or denied.

  Application Process:
  

  • Applications are processed in the order received.
  • All persons 18 years of age or older must submit a completed application and pay a non-refundable $65 application fee.
  • Applications must be fully completed and signed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
  • If applicant information cannot be verified, the application may be denied.

  Residence History:
  

  • Applicants must provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of current and previous landlords for the past two (2) years. Rental history will be verified.
  • Applicants may not have a judgment for eviction within the past twenty-four (24) months. Eviction filings without a judgment and older eviction judgments may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applicants must not have any outstanding rental balances owed to prior landlords. Negative rental history, including lease violations, unpaid rent, or property damage, may result in denial or require a higher security deposit. Applicants with limited or no rental history may be required to pay a higher security deposit.

  Security Deposit:

  • Security deposits are required and are determined based on application results. Higher security deposits may be required for applicants with limited or adverse rental or credit history, in compliance with North Carolina law.

  Employment Verification:
  

  • Verification of current employment is required. Self-employed applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to verify income stability.

  Credit Screening:
  

  • A credit screening will be conducted as part of the application process.
  • The standard minimum credit score is 600. Applicants with credit scores below 600 may be considered on a case-by-case basis with additional risk mitigators, such as a higher security deposit or a qualified guarantor.
  • Housing-related collections or unpaid utility accounts may weigh more heavily than other types of debt.

  Criminal Background Screening:
  

  • PPA Properties, LLC conducts individualized criminal background assessments for all applicants age 18 and older to help ensure the safety and well-being of residents and the community. Criminal history is evaluated in compliance with federal, state, and local fair housing laws and is not based on arrest records alone.
  • Criminal history is reviewed based on the nature, severity, and recency of the offense and its relevance to the safety of persons or property.

  Criminal History Review Timeframes:
  

  • Convictions within the past twenty-four (24) months Convictions within the past 24 months for the following offenses will generally result in denial due to demonstrated risk:
    • Felony or misdemeanor convictions involving physical violence or assault
    • Manufacture, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances
    • Harassment, stalking, or peeping
    • Sexually related offenses, including offenses requiring registration
    • Felony convictions involving the use or possession of a weapon in the commission of a crime
  • Convictions occurring between twenty-four (24) and sixty (60) months Convictions falling within this timeframe may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as:
    • Time elapsed since the offense
    • Evidence of rehabilitation or compliance
    • Stability of housing and income since the offense
    • Overall strength of the application
  • Multiple misdemeanor convictions within the past twenty-four (24) months, or a pattern of related offenses within the past sixty (60) months, may also result in denial.

  Additional Review Standards:
  

  • The following will not automatically result in denial:
    • Arrests without conviction
    • Dismissed charges
    • Sealed or expunged records
    • Minor, non-violent offenses that do not present a safety concern
  • Applicants may be given the opportunity to provide additional information or context, including evidence of rehabilitation and supporting documentation. All criminal history is reviewed on an individualized, case-by-case basis in accordance with HUD guidance.

  Renter’s Insurance:
  

  • Proof of renter’s insurance is required prior to move-in and must be maintained throughout the tenancy.

  For International Students:
  

  • Valid passport
  • Current student visa
  • Proof of enrollment (I-20, DS-2019, or equivalent)
  • Proof of financial support for the upcoming academic year

  
  A U.S.-based guarantor may be required.
  Final Approval:
  

  • Meeting the minimum qualification criteria does not guarantee approval. Final approval is based on a holistic review of the application and property-specific requirements, in compliance with fair housing laws.

• Q: How much is the application fee and is it refundable?

  A: The application fee is $65 for each person over the age of 18, and it is non-refundable. We strongly encourage that you give us a call before you apply so that we can tell you how many people are ahead of you in the application process.

• Q: Can you hold a place before I apply?

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

• Q: Do I pay first month’s rent and last month’s rent with my security deposit?

  A: Once you are approved, you have 72 hours to pay the Holding Fee. Once the Holding Fee is paid, you have 14 days to move into your new home. There is a $125 non-refundable administrative fee due prior to move-in.

• Q: How old do you have to be to apply?

  A: You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

• Q: Will I get my Security Deposit back When I Move Out?

  A: It is our goal to refund 100% of your deposit, however refunding the deposit depends on the condition in which the home is left once you move out and whether you have any unpaid charges. Upon move-out, we have 30 days from the end of your lease to return your security deposit. Some cases may take up to up to 60 days to refund but we will send you an interim accounting statement with an explanation.

• Q: Is the Holding Fee Refundable?

  A: As part of our policy here at PPA Properties, LLC, we require the first month’s rent as a holding fee to secure the home after an applicant has been approved. Once the holding fee has been received, the home will be taken off the market during the duration of the time we get the house ready, we prepare your lease documents and await your signature. Should you back out for any or no reason at all, the holding fee is non-refundable based upon the number of days, the house has been off the market, along with a one-time administrative fee of $125.

• Q: Who needs a cosigner?

  A: Cosigners are accepted only for students. The cosigner must have a credit score of at least 650 and meet the income requirement for their current home plus the amount of the rent.

• Q: You have a property that I want to rent. How do I apply?

  A: All of our applications are processed online.

• Q: How do I pay rent?

  A: You must pay rent through your online tenant portal. Rent is due on the 1st and considered late after the 5th at which time a late fee of 5% will apply. We file for eviction on the 16th.

• Q: How do I submit a maintenance request?

  A: All non-emergency maintenance requests must be submitted through your Online Tenant Portal. Please give us as much information as possible and if photos are applicable, please upload those as well. For emergency maintenance, please call us at 919-477-4499 5:30 pm and on holidays and weekends.

• Q: I want to get a pet. What Is Your Pet Policy?

  A: 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.