Once you have signed your lease, you will need to submit your utility account numbers to the office to ensure that there will not be a lapse in coverage. Once verified, you will set up a date with the Leasing Coordinator to come to the office to pick up your keys and pay your first month’s rent (money order or personal check). When you receive your keys, you will be given your Walk-Thru forms that must be completed and returned to the office within 7 days. If it is not turned back in, you are liable to be charged for damage that may have previously occurred. You are welcome to take pictures of your home and submit them along with your Walk-Thru form. Pictures must be submitted on a flash drive or stick. (These are kept with your file and not returned).
If you are going to be gone for a period longer than 14 consecutive days, you will need to notify Melrose Realty, LLC. This is so there is no confusion between you being on vacation and possible abandonment of the property. Please leave your thermostat (Heat/AC) as you normally would during the particular season. If a pipe freezes due to the heat not being on in the home, then the tenant is held responsible for any damages. It is equally important during any season to make sure all exterior drains are free and clear of debris to allow rain water to be correctly redirected.
An after-hours emergency call should be made anytime the structure of the property is jeopardized or there is a danger to the occupant. Such circumstances include fire, an active water leak or flooding that is not controlled by cutting off the supply valves, loss of heat when temperatures are below 50 degrees, no electricity (not area related), damaged roof or structure damage from a fallen tree.
Yes, using your tenant portal you can sign up for a one-time payment as well as set up your account for recurring payments to come from your bank account. All the information you need is in your tenant portal. Please be mindful of the fee for using credit cards. Routing and account numbers are always free of charge when rent is paid through the tenant portal.
If you plan on moving out, please contact the leasing coordinator so that we can instruct you on your next steps.
Security deposits are placed in escrow for your account. Per your lease, you must request in writing to recollect your deposit. We have 30 days after your lease termination date to have your deposit in the mail. You can expect to get a full return of the deposit if your account is not in arrears, no damages are assessed by the maintenance department walk-thru, and all final utility bills have been paid.
All of our properties are non-smoking, which is specified in the lease. You, or any guests at the house, Do Not have the right to smoke in, on, or around your home. If there is smoking, legal action is possible along with cancellation of the lease.
A few weeks before winter starts, you should turn on your heat to ensure that it is functioning properly. The water to the exterior hose bibs needs to be shut off, disconnecting any hoses and leaving the hose bibs open. Also, close any storm windows and replace front screens with glass if applicable.
Rent Payments are due on the 1st of the month. If payment is not in our OFFICE by 5pm on the 3rd of the month, a late fee of 10% of the monthly rent will be incurred. If payment is not received by the 5th, we will send a “5-day Pay or Quit Notice” (Additional fees will be assessed). Further legal actions will continue until full payment is made. We are able to work with you more when you communicate with us on when you can pay the rent and what your situation entails. If you know that your rent is going to be late, please contact us. The more information we have, the better we can assist you in fulfilling your lease obligation to Melrose Realty, LLC.
Property taxes are what most homeowners in the United States pay for the privilege of owning a piece of real estate, on average 1.5 percent of the property’s current market value. These annual local assessments by county or local authorities help pay for public services and are calculated using a variety of formulas.
Property taxes on all real estate, including those levied by state and local governments and school districts are usually fully deductible against current income taxes. Check with your tax professional.
Contact your local tax assessor’s office to see what procedures to follow to appeal your property tax assessment. You may be able to appeal your assessment informally. Mostly likely, however, you will have to go through a formal tax-appeal process, which begins with an appeal filed with the appropriate assessment appeals board.
Interest and property taxes may be deductible on a second home if you itemize. Check with your accountant or tax adviser for specifics
An impound account is a trust account established by the lender to hold money to pay for real estate taxes, and mortgage and homeowners insurance premiums as they are received each month.
An appraisal is a professional estimate of a property’s market value, based on recent sales of comparable properties, location, square footage and construction quality. This services varies in cost depending on the price of the home.