Tenants
Tenant Maintenance Tips & FAQ
Maintenanace Tips
This checklist and troubleshooting guide is provided to help you solve some of the most common problems encountered by our tenants.
Main Water Shut Off: One of the first things you should do after the move is to locate the water shut off valve. The most common place to find this valve is in the garage, close to the water heater (not at the top of the heater), in a closet, or in the utility room along an outside wall. Main property water shut off is normally at the driveway or near the street in a cover box marked WATER.
Circuit Breakers: Usually in the garage or a basement wall, maybe behind a panel door. To reset, simply turn the circuit breaker OFF and back ON again. If you are not sure, try them all. Off—then—ON.
GFI Breaker: One type of circuit breaker found in many properties is the GFI (ground fault interrupter) outlet. There are usually two or three in your house — one is often in the master bath, one in the kitchen, and one in the garage, but there may be others. If you lose power to the plugs in one bathroom, you can bet you have lost all power to the plugs on the GFI. The trick now is to find the circuit breaker. Some houses have the GFI at an outside plug. If some lights or outlets in your house are not working, test and reset EVERY GFI before calling us please.
Disposals: If disposal motor just buzzes, then stop and turn the switch off. Free the disposal by turning the blade backwards and forwards from beneath the sink with a wrench that fits in the center of the bottom of the motor. You may have to stick your hand in and remove any hard items that have jammed it. Push the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and try the disposal again. If the unit turns easily by hand but does nothing at all when turned on, check the kitchen GFI BREAKER outlet. If it's leaking from the bottom, send us a maintenance request right away.
Furnaces: Gas and oil furnaces have an emergency shut off switch within sight of the furnace unit. The switch is often mistaken for a light switch. If the furnace stops working, this is the first place to check. Next, check the thermostat. Some digital thermostats require a battery. Replace the batteries if indicated. Check to make sure you have a clean furnace filter — clogged filters will not allow air flow and will damage the furnace.
Water Heaters: Water too cold or not enough warm water in the Winter? Adjust the heat setting up, but only one or two notches at a time. Too hot of a setting WILL SCALD YOU. Turn the heat setting down in Summer or when you'll be away for several days.
Air Conditioners: Poor cooling is usually caused by a clogged filter. Make sure yours is clean. If not working at all — check outside to see if there is ice buildup on the unit — if so, turn it off and report to us. If the unit does not run at all, check the red furnace switch and the fuse of the circuit breaker. If the unit still will not operate — send us a maintenance request. If water drops from the unit or runs on the floor, or drips through the ceiling (if the unit is in the attic) shut the unit off and clear the condensation drain. Some drains are very easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner or a garden hose used to blow out the line. If you cannot do it yourself — let us know. DO NOT operate the unit until the clogged drain is cleared as the unit will continue to produce water and damage to the property may occur.
Air Filters: Check for location when moving in. Change monthly or more often as necessary to improve performance of furnace or air conditioner.
Tenants FAQ
When is my rent due and where can I pay my rent?
Rent is due on the 1st of each month and is considered late on the 5th. Late fees are applied to all payments that are received in our office after the start of business on the 6th.
Rent payments can be paid on line at your residence portal at RaleighGreatRentals.com. Tenants will be given residence log-in portal to enable able to pay rent on line. Tenants are encouraged to sign up for automatic monthly payments. Please let us know if you have difficulty logging into your residence portal.
Or
Rent can be paid by mail to:
NCG Real Estate, LLC
7404-D Chapel Hill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
Please specify your rental address in the memo field of your check.
What are acceptable forms of rent payment?
Acceptable forms of rent payment are personal checks (from a tenant unless specified by the property manager), Cashier's Checks; Cash and Money Order are NOT accepted.
Who do I make the check payable to?
NCG Real Estate, LLC
How do I make a request for a maintenance problem?
Maintenance Request can be made through the residence online portal at RaleighGreatRentals.com. NO verbal maintenance requests unless it is an emergency and then will need to be followed by an online Maintenance Request.
How long should I plan to wait to hear back from someone regarding a maintenance problem?
In a non-emergency situation, please allow two to three days. If you have not heard from our office in three days, please contact us.
What am I responsible for maintaining in my home?
You are responsible for maintaining heating/cooling filters and fresh smoke detector and CO2 detector batteries at all times. This will mean changing the heating/cooling filters each month and batteries at least twice each year or more frequently as needed. You are responsible for changing light bulbs that are easily accessible. In most situations, all yard maintenance is required; please refer to your individual residential lease.
Do I need approval to paint or change something in the home I am renting?
Any and all changes or modifications to the property must be requested in writing to Ballo Realty LLC for approval before any changes are made.
Do I need renter's insurance?
Your rental agreement will state you are required to have renter's insurance. As Tenants / Renters you are not homeowners, but you still have exposure. Landlord's / Owner's insurance does not cover tenant for personal loss or liability. First and foremost, tenants should be aware their personal property is not covered by the landlord's insurance policy. Tenants are responsible for obtaining insurance for their personal property if they want to be covered in the event of fire, theft, or other type of loss.
Liability coverage why tenants need it …
In addition to coverage for their personal property, a renter's policy also provides liability coverage. Tenants may wonder why they need liability coverage when the landlord's policy has it. The answer is simple: because the landlord's insurance only covers landlord liability. It doesn't cover the tenant's liability.
What happens if I need to move before the end of my lease?
Please refer to your copy of your residential lease; a copy of the lease can be found by logging in ar RaleighGreatRentals.com. Contact your property manager as soon as possible.
What do I do if I need to move out?
It is required that you provide 60 days notice in writing. The Notice to Vacate must be received in the office 60 days before the lease end date. You may also fax/email your notice.
What happens if only one roommate wants to move out?
Contact your property manager directly for the necessary forms to remove one roommate from the lease paperwork and/or have a new roommate added. Your property manager will discuss the roommate transfer fee as well as the procedures for handling the security deposit.
Can I sublet my apartment?
Not unless it is specified in your rental agreement or lease. Most rentals agreements state you can NOT sublet.
I want to move out before the rental agreement is up. Can I get my deposit back?
A: That depends on (1) condition of the unit, (2) the cost to re-rent the unit, (3) and whether or not there is lost rent because of the breaking of the rental agreement. The landlord must make the effort to re-rent the unit, but if they cannot rent it right away, you may be liable for the remainder of the rent.
Can I use my deposit for the last month's rent?
No. It is a security deposit.
I want to move my friend in with me. What prevents me from doing that?
Your rental agreement. It stipulates who are the legal occupants. Check with the landlord or manager about adding new tenants to the rental agreement. If they are allowed, they will have to go through the same procedure you did. Many municipalities have building codes that restrict the number of people in rental property
Sales Division: (919) 400-5668 ♦ Property Management: (919) 400-5661
NCG Real Estate, LLC ♦ 7404-D Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607