Resident FAQ | Smart Move Property Management

Question 1

How do I pay rent?

Accepted Answer

Rent can be paid through your tenant portal, mailed in, or dropped off at the Smart Move office.

Question 2

What if I don't pay rent or pay late?

Accepted Answer

Rent is due on the 1st and is considered late after the 5th. Late fees begin to assess on the 6th. If you need to make a payment arrangement, contact Smart Move in advance. Smart Move may serve 3-Day Notices as early as the 6th to begin the eviction process.

Question 3

Where can I find my tenant portal?

Accepted Answer

Residents can access the tenant portal through the Smart Move website to pay rent, review account details, and manage resident-related items online.

Question 4

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

Rent may be paid through the tenant portal, mailed in, or dropped off at the office. Residents can pay by ACH, debit card, credit card, cashier's check, money order, or personal check.

Question 5

Does every adult in the home need to be on the lease?

Accepted Answer

Each adult occupant should be properly approved and listed according to Smart Move's application and lease requirements. Residents should contact the office before adding anyone to the home.

Question 6

Can someone move in after the lease has started?

Accepted Answer

Residents should contact Smart Move before allowing another person to move into the property. Additional occupants may need to apply, be approved, and be added to the lease before moving in. Unauthorized occupants may result in a lease violation.

Question 7

Can I paint or make changes to the property?

Accepted Answer

Smart Move does not authorize residents to paint or otherwise make changes to the property.

Question 8

Can I work off rent by making repairs or upgrades to the property?

Accepted Answer

No. The lease states that residents are not allowed to make repairs to the property without written consent. Submit a maintenance request if you believe repair work is needed.

Question 9

Who is responsible for paying for repairs and maintenance requests?

Accepted Answer

Routine maintenance is at the landlord's expense. However, if a repair is needed because of tenant misuse, abuse, neglect, or carelessness, the tenant may be responsible for the cost.

Question 10

How do I submit a maintenance request?

Accepted Answer

Residents should submit maintenance requests through the approved Smart Move maintenance request system. For emergencies, residents should follow Smart Move's emergency maintenance instructions.

Question 11

What counts as a maintenance emergency?

Accepted Answer

Emergency maintenance generally includes urgent issues that affect health, safety, habitability, or could cause serious property damage if not addressed quickly. Examples may include water or gas leaks, no heat or a/c during unsafe temperatures, electrical hazards, or unsecured entry points.

Question 12

Can I make repairs myself?

Accepted Answer

Residents should not hire vendors or make repairs without written approval from Smart Move. Unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed and could create lease or liability issues.

Question 13

Am I responsible for changing furnace filters, light bulbs, or smoke detector batteries?

Accepted Answer

Residents are responsible for consumable items such as filters, light bulbs, and smoke detector batteries. Exact responsibilities will be stated in the lease agreement.

Question 14

I want to move out, but my roommate wants to stay. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Contact Smart Move so the team can determine whether the remaining roommate qualifies to stay on the lease alone. If approved, both residents can sign a simple form to remove one person from the lease.

Question 15

Can I sublease my rental?

Accepted Answer

Smart Move does not allow residents to sublease, re-rent or allow unauthorized occupants.

Question 16

What should I do if my roommate moves out without notice?

Accepted Answer

Contact Smart Move as soon as possible. The remaining leaseholders may still be responsible for the lease obligations unless Smart Move approves a formal lease change.

Question 17

How can I renew my lease?

Accepted Answer

Smart Move would love for residents to renew. The team will typically contact residents approximately 60 days before lease expiration to discuss renewal, but residents may contact Smart Move anytime to start the conversation.

Question 18

My lease is ending soon and I want to move out. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

A 30-day written notice is required. Call the office if you have questions.

Question 19

I need to break my lease. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Submit a written notice to vacate. Your lease agreement explains your specific terms. In general, you will need to vacate the home, and Smart Move will begin marketing it once it is rent-ready. You remain legally responsible until the property is re-rented or your lease expires, whichever happens first.

Question 20

How do I submit my notice to vacate?

Accepted Answer

Residents should submit notice to vacate in writing according to the lease agreement. Email or office delivery is sufficient.

Question 21

Can I change my move-out date after giving notice?

Accepted Answer

Residents should contact Smart Move as soon as possible if they need to adjust a move-out date. Approval may depend on the lease, owner approval, and whether the property has already been marketed or re-rented.

Question 22

Can I use my security deposit as last month's rent?

Accepted Answer

No. The security deposit is meant to cover cleaning, carpet cleaning, and damages under the terms of the lease.

Question 23

When will I receive my security deposit refund?

Accepted Answer

Security deposits, along with any itemized deductions, will be returned within 30 days from the end of the lease, assuming tenants have turned in keys and provided a forwarding address.

Question 24

How can I maximize my security deposit refund?

Accepted Answer

Return the property in a clean and undamaged condition. Clean thoroughly, address landscaping issues, repair damage, do not turn off utilities early, leave working batteries in smoke detectors, use matching light bulbs, replace or clean furnace filters, and follow Smart Move's move-out cleaning instructions. Properties and carpets are professionally cleaned after vacancy, so the better the condition when you leave, the less work may be needed.

Question 25

Do I need to provide a forwarding address?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Residents should provide a forwarding address so Smart Move can send the security deposit refund or itemized deduction statement after move-out.

Question 26

Do utilities need to stay on after I move out?

Accepted Answer

Residents should not turn utilities off early. Utilities need to remain in your name through the last day of your lease.

Question 27

What cleaning is expected before move-out?

Accepted Answer

Residents should follow Smart Move's move-out cleaning instructions, remove personal property, clean the home thoroughly, address yard care if applicable, and leave the property ready for final inspection.

Question 28

Are pets allowed?

Accepted Answer

Most of our properties allow pets. Check the rental listing for your property's specific terms or call our office to inquire.

Question 29

Do you have breed restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Due to risk and insurance limitations, Smart Move does not allow guard dog breeds or aggressive dog breeds which are not limited to: Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Presa Canarios, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Wolf-hybrids, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Husky, Sheba Inu and any hybrid or mixed breed of one of the aforementioned breeds.

Question 30

Is there a pet deposit or pet rent?

Accepted Answer

When pets are allowed, a pet acceptance fee generally between $350-$450 and monthly pet rent of $35-$45 will be required based on the size of the pet. Refer to the rental listing for the details.

Question 31

How can I add a pet after I've moved in?

Accepted Answer

First, contact Smart Move to ask whether your home is pet friendly. If the landlord allows pets, you will complete a pet profile with Smart Move's third-party pet verifier, pay a pet fee and monthly pet rent, and sign a pet addendum. If the animal is an ESA or service dog, your proof-of-need letter will be verified by the third-party verifier and an addendum will be signed. Do not bring any animal into the home without completing these steps first to avoid a lease violation.

Question 32

Can I pet-sit or temporarily keep an animal at the property?

Accepted Answer

Residents should not keep, watch, or temporarily house any animal at the property without written approval from Smart Move.

Question 33

Are service animals and ESAs handled differently from pets?

Accepted Answer

Assistance animals may be reviewed differently than household pets. Residents should follow Smart Move's verification process before bringing any animal into the property.

Frequently Asked Questions From Smart Move Residents

Getting Started With Smart Move Property Management