Tenant FAQs

No. You may not make your own repairs and you may never deduct any repair costs or inconvenience fees from your rent. However, some minor troubleshooting-such as flipping a breaker or unclogging a toilet-should be done by the resident. But for the most part, residents should not take the risk or liability in attempting their own repairs. For a list of repairs and troubleshooting that are approved, please visit our Maintenance FAQs. Since most repairs do require a professional who is licensed, bonded, and insured, please use our on-line maintenance request to submit your maintenance needs.

Yes. This is the payment method we recommend, and it is probably the most convenient for you. Click here to be directed to our online services. You can set up one-time or continual automatic debits from your checking account by using our no charge online ACH. You can also pay online using a credit or debit card for one time or continual card payments. However, there is a 5 % fee added to your account if you opt to pay by credit or debit card.

Yes, as long as all the rent is paid on or before the 1st of each month. For example, let’s say we are in the month of July and your rent is due on August 1st. You may split your August payment as many times as you want in July as long as your rent is paid in full August 1.

No, the security deposit can only be returned to the resident after a resident has moved out.

At this time UNITED PROPERTIES does not have any program to delay paying all of the security deposit before moving in.

Yes. It is your responsibility to turn in your keys when the house/unit is surrendered.

UNITED PROPERTIES always recommends residents take out their own renters insurance. Renters insurance protects the resident in many different ways and is extremely inexpensive. Renters insurance covers things like:

• Spoiled food if the electric goes out
• Loss of personal property in case of fire, theft or other types of losses
• Personal liability, which may protect the renter from legal action
• Please contact your insurance agent for full details and cost.

Yes. You’ll enjoy the same benefits as would the owner of the property. However, if the community HOA assesses additional yearly fees for those services; such as swimming pools, club houses and carports or garages, you the resident, will be responsible for payment of those fees.

Yes, we treat all applicants/renters alike. The student applicant must still qualify under the guidelines of the property for which they are applying. As stated previously, some properties may require co-signers for a student applicant to qualify – if they lack income, credit and/or rental references. Even though a co-signer may apply for a student with no employment or bad credit, if the student doesn’t qualify due to criminal history or previous rent default, the application will be denied?”

Each adult would have to go through the approval process again to see if they qualify without your income. Assuming they do, an Add or Remove Resident to Lease Agreement will be issued. The agreement must be signed by all residents and returned with a $200.00 administration fee.

For best results, please submit your maintenance request online. However, we urge you to utilize the Maintenance FAQs and troubleshooting guide before submitting your maintenance request.

Depending on the nature of the request, it can be 2 hours for emergencies or a few days for something routine. If you have not heard from our office or our vendor within the above time frame please call our office at 616-965-2300.

United Properties will supply one key per adult upon request. We will provide you with additional keys for $10.00 per key. We do require all keys to be surrendered should you decide to move out.

There is a one-time non-refundable pet fee equal to $300 for one pet, and then an additional $150 for each additional pet. The monthly pet rent is determined after you submit the Pet Screening application and is based on the FIDO score they assign your pet. Please refer to the Pet Policy at www.rentupm.com/prospects for additional information.

UNITED PROPERTIES may offer you an incentive to renew. However, these are different from owner to owner and property to property. Renewal incentives also depend upon how your current rent relates to market rates. When you are about 2 months away from your lease renewal, feel free to contact us to find out what the current incentives are.

Contact UNITED PROPERTIES as soon as you know that you need extra time. This will allow us to make sure we do not have a new resident scheduled to move in. If we do not, then you must submit a new 30 Day Notice to Vacate. Once such a request is received, you will receive notification that the extension has been accepted or denied. You will be required to maintain the property and all utilities during the lease holdover period. There is a $75.00 charge that must be paid with your new 30 Day Notice to Vacate. Your rent will be pro-rated until the keys are turned into the office.

UNITED PROPERTIES uses a national 3rd party screening company and the fee goes towards their screening costs. Unfortunately, the application fee is non-refundable.

UNITED PROPERTIES has no problem with Reasonable Modification requests. A Reasonable Modification is an alteration to the physical premises allowing a person with a physical disability to overcome obstacles that interfere with their use of the dwelling. Because some modifications may require licensing and permits, let UNITED PROPERTIES know in writing specifically what changes you would like to make and we will discuss it with the property owner. The resident is typically responsible for the costs incurred for the changes and bringing the property back to its original condition once the resident moves.

At this time UNITED PROPERTIES does not have any program to adjust the security deposit.

Residents are responsible for maintaining furnace filters, light bulbs, relighting pilot lights if they go out, checking breakers and fuses if the electric is not working, unclogging toilets or sinks and in certain situations, yard maintenance. Please refer to your individual residential lease.

Applicants with a violent within the last 10 years and a nonviolent felony within the last 5 are automatically denied.

A full description of our application qualifications can be found on our web site, Resident Rental Policies page.

You must have written permission to have cable/satellite installed. UNITED PROPERTIES will provide you with an instruction sheet for the contractor giving authorization and details regarding how the service may be hooked up. If a resident allows cable/satellite to be installed and it is not according to the instructions, the resident will be responsible for removal, proper installation and any damage to property caused by the unauthorized hookup. At no time does UNITED PROPERTIES allow satellite dishes or cables to be installed through any roof or aluminum/vinyl siding or building trim.

UNITED PROPERTIES will send you a renewal letter that will give you the following options:

• To renew for another 12 months.
• To switch to a month-to-month lease at an increased amount.
• You indicate clear intent to move.

This is sent to you approximately 60 days prior to your lease expiration as a reminder that your lease is about to expire. All adults on the lease will sign the letter and return it to UNITED PROPERTIES before the actual lease expiration.

With proper notice, both the property owner and UNITED PROPERTIES will inspect the property a couple of times per year. Once, after about 120 days from when you move in and again when any maintenance is done.

The only reason you would have pests in your home is because they have found it habitable to live there. It is very important to remove any food source accessible to them, and keep the home in a clean sanitary condition. Per your lease, treatment of household pests is the resident’s responsibility. If the problem continues, most grocery or hardware stores carry traps and sprays that are specific to the type of pest you may have and they normally resolve your problem in a few days. If the problem continues even after you have attempted store bought solutions, please feel free to contact us. We will do an inspection and give you a list of options to rid your house/unit of the pests in question. See our Maintenance FAQ’s for more information.

A Demand for Possession – Non Payment of Rent is a legal notice that rent is past due and that we have begun the eviction process. If you get such a notice, please contact our office immediately to communicate when you will have the rent paid in full, possibly halting the eviction process.

After your application is submitted, the best way to communicate is via e-mail at info@rentupm.com. We will reply within one business day. You can also call 616-965-2300

The co-signer needs to complete an application and pay the screening fee. For a co-signer to qualify, they must have strong credit and been employed for a minimum of 3 years at the same job.

Do it yourself carpet cleaners cannot begin to do the professional job that a commercial carpet cleaner does. Your lease states carpets must be professionally cleaned. UNITED PROPERTIES has approved carpet cleaners that give us a very competitive price, making it is less expensive to have us do them after you leave than for you to hire a professional once.

Rent is due on the 1st day of each month. Rents not received in the office on or before the 1st will be considered late. The exception to this is weekends and holiday’s in which case the rent is due on the next business day.You may also drop your rent off in our secure drop box in person at:

UNITED PROPERTIES
1348 Front Ave, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. If the office is closed, please use the secure payment drop box near the front door. Acceptable forms of rent payment are personal checks, Cashier’s Checks or Money Orders. We are unable to accept cash.

Depending upon the apartment complex, the heating bills may be included in your rent. However, in most cases the resident controls their own heat and pays accordingly.

As the leader in service, UNITED PROPERTIES works very hard to be the best, professional, knowledgeable, and courteous property management company you will find. We work very hard to provide the highest quality resident services you’ll ever experience. We use professional vendors (painters, handymen, electricians, plumbers, carpet cleaners, etc) to ensure that your unit is in good condition. We give our personal guarantee of speedy response to all questions or complaints.

United Properties understands that when you find something you like, you want to hold it in order to prevent another applicant from getting your desired residence before you are approved. If that is the case, here is what we require:

• You must submit an application with the screening fee
• You must pay a Holding Fee (which is equal to one month’s rent at the desired property, and upon approval transfers to your security deposit).
• You must sign a Property Hold Receipt.

The prospective resident has 24 hours to provide all documentation, (proof of income- last two pay stubs showing a YTD amount or bank statements from the past 3-6 months). A lease must be signed no later than 30 days from when the Holding Fee Receipt is signed.