Frequently Asked Questions

For resident-occupied homes, residents submit a maintenance request via the online portal or our 24-hour maintenance line. Our portal allows residents to submit a work order request by describing the issue and uploading photos when appropriate.

Owners are kept updated on requested maintenance work. Our goal here is full transparency of everything going on with your property. Residents can also track the status of their requests online.

When a request comes in, we assess it and see if it needs immediate dispatch or if we can proactively troubleshoot the issue with the resident. There are many common repair requests for which our team is trained to troubleshoot.

If the problem cannot be resolved by the resident him/herself with our team’s guidance, we assign the work order to one of our preferred vendors. We make sure the cost of the repair is fair and that the job is completed satisfactorily. In most cases, the management agreement allows us to approve repairs under $500 without having to bother our clients.

Larger repairs expected to cost more than $500 often require owner approval; for those we will contact the client in advance. Exceptions to the $500 approval guideline include properties with higher maintenance minimums, and emergency maintenance and habitability issues. If we must act quickly to protect persons or property, we will do so when possible.

Yes, if an owner has a specific provider they wish to service their property, Real Property Management Advantage will note it in the maintenance system and contact them first for service. In these cases, work orders are sent directly to the specified vendor for coordination and completion.  When the property is vacant, owners can handle the work needed to make the property “rent ready,” if they choose.

It is generally recommended to take advantage of Real Property Management’s preferred vendors to ensure leasing deadlines are met, as we manage these projects and work with these vendors regularly. Our vendors are reliable, trusted, and we know what to expect.

Does the tenant pay you, and then you pay me?

Residents pay their monthly rent to Real Property Management Advantage, and we deposit it into a trust account that is separate from other funds.

Rent is due on the first of the month for leases written by us. Almost all our residents pay rent electronically. Once funds have cleared the bank, we direct deposit the rent from the current month, minus our fee and any other expenses, into a U.S. bank account of your choice.

Owner payments are made monthly on the 10^th or shortly after if a weekend or holiday is involved. We also send payments later each month as needed.

Statistics show over half of all renters have pets. Rental units that are open to pets have increased demand through the entire prospective rental pool.  This increases the rental price as we can charge an additional amount per pet per month. If maximizing rent is important to you, you might want to consider pets.

If you would rather play it safe, it is OK to say no pets. If you are open to a pet, we always say, “pet considered.” That means we may approve the right pet, not all pets.

Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals are handled per law. Ask our office for more information.

Much like the real estate market determines sales prices, the local rental market determines rental rates.

There are three factors that contribute to how much your rental property will receive in rent each month:

1. Availability and rental rates of comparable properties
2. The features and benefits of your property
3. The marketing exposure for your property

After we receive the details of your specific rental property, we will complete a market analysis and set a proposed starting price.

We then evaluate all vacancies under our management every week, working with our clients and making adjustments in the price or within our marketing strategy to get it rented as quickly as possible.

Getting properties rented efficiently is pivotal to our success; to successfully achieve this, we must generate as many qualified leads as possible. We achieve this by syndicating marketing efforts to the top rental sites (30+).

We also pre-screen prospective renters and inquire about who will be living with them, the number of adults, the number of minors, and if they have any pets. We also ask how long they have been at their current employment. Our software allows us to follow up and get feedback from every interested party.

Calls into our office are answered during business hours, Monday through Friday; this is crucial to get homes rented fast because if they do not speak to someone, they go elsewhere. We also schedule weekend showings by appointment.

Our rigorous screening process usually prevents these types of issues; however, if a problem should arise, we always respond promptly and aggressively.

Rent is due on the 1^st of every month and is considered late after this date. If rent has not been paid by the 5^th of the month, collection efforts will begin by our team. We also notify the property owner of the resident’s balance.  We start with a 7-Notice to Pay or Quit.

Nuisance issues are handled similarly, with one warning given before a notice is posted. In the rare case that an eviction ensues, we work with local attorneys for the proceedings. We have several relationships to help ensure quick response and a fair deal for our clients.

All prospective residents must participate in an extensive screening process. Each adult over 18 must complete an application.

1. First, nationwide background checks and eviction database screenings are completed to examine criminal backgrounds and the sex offender registry.
2. Next, we ensure the applicants qualify financially by reviewing credit reports, employment records, bank statements, pay stubs and/or tax returns.
3. Finally, we review rental history by contacting previous landlords for references.

Our screening process is extremely effective at rooting out common fraud practices in today’s rental marketplace, including doctored paystubs, bank statements, and credit reports.

You may apply online through the property listing on our website at www.realpmadvantage.com/houses-rent. Scroll down until you see the blue banner that says “Click Here to Apply”!

All adults 18 years or older who will be living in the home must apply and provide the required documentation. The first person to apply in a group will be required to enter the other applicants’ email addresses to link their applications for a property.

All adults 18 years or older must complete an application.

Our screening process includes background and eviction history checks, credit review, employment and income verification, and rental history verification.

All applicants must have no evictions in the past 5 years, no unsettled bankruptcies, have minimal delinquent/collection accounts on their credit reports, and must earn at least 3x the monthly rent amount in gross income.

All adults 18 years or older must complete an application.

Our screening process includes background and eviction history checks, credit review, employment and income verification, and rental history verification.

All applicants must have no evictions in the past 5 years, no unsettled bankruptcies, have minimal delinquent/collection accounts on their credit reports, and must earn at least 3x the monthly rent amount in gross income.

For applicants who are unable to be approved traditionally, we allow co-signors and/or may require higher amounts of security deposit insurance to issue an approval to lease.

Pet policies vary by property and are determined by the property owner. Some homes allow pets, some do not, and others consider pets on a case-by-case basis. Additional pet rent or restrictions may apply.

Emotional Support Animals are handled in accordance with applicable laws.

Approval timelines can vary based on application completeness and verification speed. Once a complete application is submitted, approvals are typically processed within 1–3 business days.

Move-in timelines depend on property availability, lease start date, and any required preparations.

Applications are processed in the order they are received once fully completed.

The first applicant who meets all screening criteria and is approved will be offered the lease. Once offered the lease, the approved applicant will be required to pay a hold deposit.

When multiple applicants can be approved, the first approved applicant will be given a time limit to submit the hold deposit before Real Property Management moves forward with the next approved applicant in queue.

A hold deposit is a sum paid to a landlord/property manager to reserve a property, taking it off the market during the time between application approval, lease finalization, and move-in, ensuring serious intent from the approved resident and preventing others from renting it.

The hold deposit is equal to one-month’s rent and goes towards the first month’s rent or security deposit once you move in. If you back out or change your mind after paying the hold deposit, the deposit will be forfeited. More information is provided at the time the deposit is collected.

We typically hold a property for thirty days after approval is issued, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Security deposit insurance is an alternative to paying a traditional cash security deposit. Instead of paying a large upfront deposit, eligible residents may choose a lower-cost insurance policy that provides coverage to the property owner for certain covered losses, such as unpaid rent or excessive damage.

This option can significantly reduce move-in costs and allows residents to keep more cash on hand at move-in. Policies often may be paid monthly or as a one-time upfront premium.

While premiums are nonrefundable and do not get applied toward rent or refunded at move-out, residents often find that the trade-off of not having to pay a large lump sum upfront is worth the much smaller insurance premium.

Note: Security deposit insurance is different from renter’s insurance. Security deposit insurance protects the property owner like a traditional security deposit would, while renter’s insurance protects the renter’s personal belongings and may provide liability coverage. Renter’s insurance is still required even if security deposit insurance is used.

The Resident Benefits Package (RBP) is a required monthly program designed to enhance your renting experience and provide added services and protections throughout your lease.

The RBP includes:

• Quarterly Furnace Filter Delivery Service to help maintain the HVAC system
• Resident Rewards Program with discounts, gift cards, and savings opportunities
• Resident Liability Insurance that meets lease requirements
• $1M Identity Protection for all adult leaseholders
• Credit Building through reporting on-time rent payments
• Online Platform for utilities, cable, and internet setup
• Online Resident Portal for payments and documents
• No eCheck Transaction Fees when paying rent via eCheck
• Vetted Vendor Network for professional, insured service providers
• Home Buying Assistance for residents interested in future homeownership

The monthly cost of the RBP depends on renter’s insurance status. The standard cost is $35.95 per month. Residents who upload proof of their own renter’s insurance to the resident portal will receive a reduced RBP cost of $25 per month. Proof of insurance may be uploaded at any time during the lease.

All maintenance requests are submitted through your online Resident Portal or our 24-hour maintenance line. Through the portal, you can describe the issue, upload photos or videos when applicable, and track the status of your request.

Emergency maintenance issues include situations that pose an immediate risk to health, safety, or property, such as no heat in winter, major water leaks, gas smells, or electrical hazards.

After-hours maintenance issues should be reported using the portal or the 24-hour maintenance line.

We use licensed, insured, and vetted third-party vendors for repairs and maintenance.

Residents should not attempt repairs themselves unless explicitly instructed by Real Property Management Advantage.

Rent is paid directly to Real Property Management Advantage. Almost all residents pay rent electronically through the online portal. Rent is due on the 1st of each month.

Rent is due on the 1st of the month and considered late after the 1st. A grace period applies through the 3rd, and a late fee of $100 are applied starting on the 4th.

Continued non-payment may result in formal notices being issued in accordance with Michigan law.

If an issue arises, residents are encouraged to contact our office promptly. Most concerns can be resolved through communication. Lease violations or nuisance issues are handled in accordance with the lease agreement and applicable laws.

Residents may contact us through the online Resident Portal by texting, by phone during business hours Monday through Friday, or through the maintenance line.