Prospective Resident FAQs

• How can I schedule a showing?

  Please view our list of available properties on the Listings page. From there, you can view property information, photos, and schedule a showing.

• How long is the lease term?

  Lease terms vary from property to property. The minimum lease term will be listed in the property's description on the Listings page.

• How quickly can I move in?

  Your application must be completed, processed, and approved before we schedule move-in. However, once approved, we will work to get you moved in according to your timeline.
  
  Please expect 2-3 business days for us to process your application. This time may be longer or shorter, depending on how quickly we can obtain responses from your references.

• What qualifications are required to rent?

  Before applying for one of our units, please carefully review the minimum qualification standards below. Co-signers and guarantors may be considered at the property manager’s discretion.

  • Household gross income must be at least 3x the monthly rent. Income must be verifiable.
  • A credit score of 650 or higher is preferred. Applicants with lower scores will be considered if they meet or exceed other criteria.
  • No prior evictions or unpaid judgments/balances from previous landlords
  • All applicants must be non-smokers
  • Must have positive rental references from previous landlords for the most recent 7 years of rental history
  • Must have or obtain renter's insurance prior to move-in
  • Occupancy is limited to 2 people per bedroom
  • All occupants age 18 and older must submit a separate application and pass a background, credit, and eviction screening. Disqualifying offenses include, but are not limited to past evictions, lifetime sex offender registration, recent violent, property damage or drug-related felonies.

  Acceptance of pets and Section 8 vouchers is determined on a property-by-property basis. Please refer to the unit description to verify if the property is pet-friendly or accepts Section 8 vouchers.

• What is the application process?

  Step 1: Apply
  If you wish to apply to rent this property, we will request: the past 2 years of employment history, the last 7 years of residence history, the most recent 3 months of paystubs or bank statements, and a background check (includes criminal, eviction & credit score records). Each occupant over the age of 18 must submit a separate application. Additionally, all applicants should complete a profile on dossandspaulding.petscreening.com. There is no additional fee for assistance animals or people applying with no pets. Ideal applicants should meet or exceed the minimum qualification standards. Incomplete applications will not be processed and applications with false information will be disqualified. Please allow 2-3 business days for application processing, reference checks, and document verification.

  Step 2: Pay Holding Fee
  After your application is approved, we will reserve the property for 48 hours, allowing time for you to pay the holding fee. Once the holding fee is paid, we will de-list the property and hold it until the mutually agreed upon move-in date. After meeting all move-in requirements and signing the lease, the holding fee will be applied towards the rent. If the holding fee is not paid within 48 hours of approval, we will return the listing to the open market and continue processing applications.

  Step 3: Complete Move-In Requirements
  Upon approval and prior to occupancy, you are required to complete ALL move-in requirements, which include providing all necessary move-in funds (security deposit, first full month’s rent, and any other applicable fees/deposits), proof of renter's insurance, and utility transfer. Additionally, the lease must be signed by all parties. More details will be provided upon application approval.

• Who needs to fill out an application?

  Any adult over the age of 18 will fill out an application and pay the non-refundable application fee of $70.

• What documentation do I need to submit with my application?

  1. Valid government-issued ID & SSN for background/credit check
  2. Most recent 3-months pay stubs or 3-months of bank statements
  3. Most recent 7 years of residence history (property address, landlord's name and contact information)
  4. Most recent 2 years of employment history (employer's name and contact information)
  5. Non-refundable application fee paid at submission of application
  6. Every occupant over the age of 18 must complete an application
  7. Please list all dependents (children and pets) if applicable

• Do you run background checks?

  Yes. As part of your rental application, we will order a background check that includes criminal, eviction, and credit history.
  
  If you have any concerns about what may be on the background check, please discuss this with us prior to submitting your rental application.

• What if I have a low credit score?

  Strong applicants should have a credit score of 650 or higher. However, adding a co-signer or paying an additional deposit may help strengthen your application if low credit is the only issue.

• How long does it take to process applications?

  For applicants who provide all required documents and information up front, we can usually complete screening (other than references) within one business day. The remaining steps—like verifying employment and speaking with prior landlords—typically take 2–3 business days, depending on how fast third parties respond.

  Applications can take longer to process when information is missing or incomplete, such as: references with no contact info, insufficient income documentation, or gaps in rental or employment history that require clarification. The most common causes of delay are slow or non‑responsive references and the time needed to properly review and verify any service animal or ESA documentation in compliance with fair housing guidelines.

• Do you require renter's insurance?

  Yes, proof of active renter’s insurance is required before move-in. Your policy must carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage. You must add, “Doss & Spaulding Properties LLC” to the policy as a certificate holder/additional interest. You cannot pick up your keys until proof of this coverage is provided to us.

  Renter's insurance covers your belongings in the event of a fire, theft or other covered loss. Renter's insurance also covers the cost of putting you into temporary housing if the property becomes inhabitable due to a covered loss.

• Do you require a security deposit?

  Yes. In most cases, the minimum security deposit is equal to one month’s rent. The final amount may be adjusted based on factors such as the applicant’s qualifications, lease term length, and whether the home is furnished or unfurnished.

• How often is rent due and how can I pay it?

  Rent is due on or before the 1st of each month, with a 5‑day grace period before any late fees are charged. If your rent is paid after the 5th of the month, a late fee will be added in accordance with your lease, so please plan ahead to avoid extra charges.

  You can pay rent through the online resident portal using a credit card, debit card, ACH (eCheck bank transfer), or cash payment at a participating location using a barcode generated in the portal. ACH payments do not leave your account instantly, so you must keep sufficient funds in your account until the payment fully clears to avoid a returned (NSF) payment and any related NSF fees.

• If we are not approved, is the application fee refundable?

  The application fee is non-refundable.

• How do I secure the property once approved?

  Once approved, we will hold the property for 48 hours to give you the opportunity to decide whether to move forward.

  If you decide to proceed with renting, then we ask that you pay the "Holding Fee" which will be credited towards your first month's rent upon move-in.

  Once the "Holding Fee" is paid, we will delist the property from the open market and hold it until the agreed-upon move-in date.

• Can my rental application be used to apply to other properties?

  Yes, if we manage the property, you can transfer the application to another property for up to 30 days without reapplying.

• If I do not move in on the 1st of the month, how is the rent payment handled?

  All residents are required to pay at minimum, the security deposit and one full month of rent prior to move-in. If your move-in date does not fall on the 1st of the month, then your second month will be prorated to reflect the number of days you occupied the property during the first month.

• How can I pay my rent, security deposit, and other fees?

  For your initial rent payment, security deposit, and any move‑in fees, we accept cashier’s checks or bank checks. You may also pay these through the resident portal, as long as you allow enough time—typically 3–4 business days—for the payment to fully clear before your move‑in date.

  After move‑in, monthly rent should be paid through the resident portal for accuracy, convenience, and faster processing. We do not accept cash or personal checks directly; if you prefer to pay with cash, you can download your unique barcode from the portal and pay at a participating PayNearMe retail location, where your payment will be applied to your account.

• Why should I rent with you?

  We focus on providing well‑maintained homes, clear communication, and prompt follow‑through on questions and maintenance requests so you feel heard and taken care of throughout your lease. The goal is to make your renting experience smooth, predictable, and respectful from application to move‑out.

  If you eventually decide that buying a home is the right next step, our team can help you explore that path and guide you through the process. In some situations, when you purchase through our company, we are able to reduce or even waive certain early termination fees as part of helping you transition from renter to homeowner.

• Do you have any Section 8 properties?

  We manage properties for the property owner. If the owner decides to rent their home under the Section 8 program, it will be listed in the property description.

• What does the resident portal do?

  The Tenant Portal is an online tool provided for you at no cost. You will be able to:

  1. Pay your rent online.
  2. View your previous and upcoming payments.
  3. Add your renter's insurance information (if needed).
  4. Submit and track maintenance requests.
  5. View your lease and other signed documentation.

Current Resident FAQs

• When is rent due?

  Rent must be received on or before the 1st; if it is received after midnight on the 5th, it is considered late and a late fee will be charged in accordance with your lease and North Carolina law. Paying rent on time helps you avoid late fees and keeps your account in good standing.

  If your rent is still unpaid after the 5th, you will receive a formal “Notice to Pay or Vacate” for the rent and any applicable late fees. If the full balance is not paid by the 10th, eviction papers are typically filed between the 11th and 13th of the month, following North Carolina’s summary ejectment process.

  Paying rent on time is critical to avoiding fees, legal notices, and the risk of eviction, so please plan your payments accordingly.

• How do I submit a maintenance request?

  Please enter all maintenance requests in the resident portal rather than calling or texting individual team members, since direct messages can be missed or buried among other conversations. Requests submitted through the portal are visible to the entire team, allowing us to route the work order to the right vendor and respond as quickly as possible.

  When you submit a request, include a clear description of the issue and attach photos or short videos if you can, as this helps our maintenance team diagnose and resolve the problem faster. For most non‑emergency issues, our goal is to respond within about 24-48 hours with next steps or scheduling information.

• What is considered an emergency maintenance request? What's considered high priority?

  An emergency is any situation that poses an immediate threat to life, safety, or the property and cannot wait. Examples of emergencies are:

  1. Fire and/or smoke inside the property

  • Leave the home immediately and call 911 first. Once you are safe, text or call us at 336‑494‑1710 to let us know what happened.

  2. Gas odor or carbon monoxide alarm sounding

  • Exit the home right away and call your gas company or 911 from a safe location. After contacting them, text or call us at 336‑494‑1710.

  3. Active break‑in or compromised security

  • If someone is breaking in or you believe your safety is at risk, call 911 immediately. Once law enforcement has been contacted, text or call us at 336‑494‑1710 so we can help secure the property after the situation is safe.

  Urgent requests affect essential services, habitability or can quickly lead to damage, but are not an immediate life‑safety emergency. For these situations:

  • 1. First submit a maintenance request through the Tenant Portal.
  • 2. Then follow up with a call, text, or email so we can prioritize the work order.

  Urgent/high‑priority requests include:

  • No heat when outside temperature is below 50°F
  • No air conditioning when outside temperature is above 85°F
  • No hot water
  • Refrigerator not cooling
  • Major water leaks or burst pipes (first turn off the main water supply if you can safely access it)
  • Extensive mold or mildew growth on walls or ceilings

  Using the portal plus a follow‑up call, text, or email ensures your urgent issue is logged, tracked, and escalated as quickly as possible.