Resident FAQs
Answers to Your Common Questions
Can you hold a place before I apply?
Yes, you can pay the security deposit if you are 100% sure you will qualify. Once you pay the security deposit we will stop marketing the property and secure the property for you. Once you pay the security deposit, that deposit is no longer refundable until you move out of the property. If we run your background check and your application is denied, that holding deposit will not be refunded. Most applicants do not want to take the risk of losing the security deposit based on a denied application so they wait to pay the security deposit after they are officially approved for the property.
Do I pay first month’s rent and last month’s rent with my security deposit?
IWM does not collect last month’s rent at your initial move in. On occasions, based on credit, we will require an additional deposit. This additional deposit shall not be confused with last month’s rent and last month’s rent must always be paid at the end of your lease.
How old do you have to be to apply?
You must be 18 years or older to qualify to rent one of our available rental properties.
Is the deposit refundable?
Tenants can get 100% of the refundable deposit back at move out if they make sure that they take care of their rental property and return it to us in the same condition minus normal wear and tear. Dirty carpet is never considered normal wear and tear and will always need to be professionally cleaned at move out. Please see move out checklist.
Who needs a cosigner?
IWM will accept a perfectly qualified co-signer if the applying potential candidate does not meet the rental criteria completely. A co-signer will not be accepted for a denied applicant that has been denied based on criminal background or negative rental history results. A co-signer will be accepted only based on lack of rental history or lack of established credit.
You have a property I want to rent. How do I apply?
If you find a property on our website that you are interested in applying for choose the unit and click “APPLY NOW”. Fill out the application and a leasing agent will contact you for further details. Simple as that.
How do I pay rent?
The easiest way to pay rent is to set up a tenant portal and pay rent online. To request an email to set up your tenant portal click here.
I want to get a pet. What do I do?
Please do not make the mistake of getting a pet before checking with your property manager first. You must get pre-approval before moving a pet into your home to avoid strict pet policy penalties which could result in early termination of your lease. Each property has a different pet policy so please find out what your property pet policy is before moving forward.
I want to move out, but my roommate wants to stay. What do I do?
Your roommate must re-qualify to live at the property on his/her own. The most important qualification is proof of income. If your roommate qualifies to live there based on his/her sole income, your roommate can agree to accept all responsibility of the remainder of the lease and you must agree to forfeit all deposits to the roommate continuing on the lease. Both parties can mutually agree to this by signing a one page addendum at our IWM office.
My lease expiration is coming and I want to move out. What do I do?
You must put your notice to vacate in writing either by e-mail or in person. If you choose to submit your notice to vacate via email you will receive a reply confirmation that it has been received. If you do not get confirmation and move out instruction, then please assume we did not receive your notice. Your notice to vacate must be submitted in writing to us before the 10th of the month in which you are planning to move out.
Who is responsible for paying for repairs & maintenance requests?
Normal wear and tear to a property is considered the owner of the properties’ responsibility to repair and pay for. Some examples are:
- Repair of old appliances’ internal motors, sensors, electrical, plumbing parts, etc.
- Failing roof repairs.
- Extermination or pest control that may cause damage to the property such as mice or rodents entering home by no cause of tenant.
Tenant neglect is the tenant’s responsibility to pay for. Samples of tenant neglect are as follows:
- Q-tips, baby wipes, feminine napkins, toys, toothbrushes or any other foreign objects found in clogged toilets are tenant’s responsibility.
- Any foreign objects other than soft foods found in clogged garbage disposals are tenant’s responsibility.
- Any tubs that are clogged due to long hair is tenant’s responsibility. (Walmart/Home Depot sells hair clog remover tools for $2.50. They are long plastic strips with teeth that fit down drain and pull hair out. Try this before calling management for plumber services.)
- Broken windows/doors
- Basic pest control such as ants and spiders.
- Tenant is responsible for bed bugs and cockroach control costs and must immediately report any sign of such pest to the management company to prevent further infestation.
