Resident FAQs

Rent is always due on the 1st of the month. It is considered late as of midnight on the first. However, we give you a grace period until the 3rd. If rent is not received by midnight on the 3rd it’s considered late and late fees will apply on the 4th.

Security deposits are NOT to be used as last month’s rent payment. The purpose of the security deposit is to pay for any damages caused by residents or guest. If you don’t pay rent, including last month’s you’re subject to EVICTION. The owner has 30 days from the last day of your lease to close out your account released funds and itemization.

Our screening criteria is listed in Resident Resources and gives a complete breakdown for you to review at your leisure.

ACTIVATE YOUR RESIDENT PORTAL! You should’ve received an email with a log in link to activate your resident portal. Within the portal you can make security deposits and rent payments. Email us at christopher@homelabpm.com if you need access.

We have very strict petting screening that is done but it is ultimately the owner’s decision if they allow pets. However, most of our properties are pet friendly. Please contact the office at christopher@homelabpm.com. The office will contact the owner and get approval and contact you about pet screening, pet deposit amount, pet rent, and pet insurance if applicable.

Although most of our properties do accepts pets, some don't. You must find out if the property you reside in accepts pets and receive approval for that pet from management. If the pet is approved the resident must pay a pet fee and fill out a pet agreement prior to placing a pet inside or outside of the unit. Please contact management regarding the restrictions on pet.

This is a common situation and there are 2 ways to address it.
1. You can replace your current roommate. The new roommate would have to fill out an application and pay application fees. They will have to qualify and the owner would have to approve the new applicant.
2. You can stay on the lease by yourself and amendment will be made and the previous roommate will be released from lease.
In both cases the security deposit is handled between the residents, and we will not release any deposits until lease term is done.

You are required to give a 30-day written notice. Once notice is received a set of move out instructions will be emailed to be completed. If you do not give notice you will continue on a month-to-month bases as outlined in lease agreement unless you are given formal notice from HomeLab to vacate.

All repairs must be in writing and submitted via your resident portal. Once you submit a repair request via your resident portal both you and your property manager and portfolio manager receive the request. You’re not allowed to deduct costs of a repair from your rent. If there is a problem which is caused by you or your guests, you will be responsible for the repair. We also have a 24/7 live hotline for after hours, holidays and emergencies listed in your portal and on the website resident resources.
Please check your lease to determine what repairs you are responsible for paying as a resident. Keep in mind emergencies are deemed situation that can affect the health and safety of an individual. If you have a fire, please call the fire department. If you smell gas, please call your gas company. And contact us!

The following are examples of maintenance emergencies. The main sewer line is backed up. A pipe broke and water is leaking into the home. There was a break-in or exterior damage and you have an unsecured entrance to the home. Your HVAC has stopped working in extreme measure of cold and heat. If it is after 8:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. and the call is not an emergency, you could be charged for the call.

Generally yes. However, you must first obtain written permission from the property manager. At some units you may be prohibited from installing a satellite dish in any location where the dish is visible from the ground or from any other unit in the area. Any cost of installation is an expense of the resident.

We will call you and also give you a written notice if we need enter the home. All maintenance appointments are scheduled with you in advance.

Most leases are for a set period of time. If you are transferred, ask your company what assistance they will provide if you need to "break a lease". Let your property manager know what is happening as soon as possible so we can begin marketing the property for a replacement resident. Please refer to our policy on early termination of Residential agreement, which you signed at lease signing for more details.

No. The lease agreement clearly states that the resident shall not sublet any portion of the property or assign the agreement without written consent from HomeLab Property Management.

All roommates must first receive approval prior to moving into the property. They must fill out an application and pay the application fee. If their application meets our criteria we can add them to your lease contract. Management must know who is occupying the property at all times.

No. Your rental agreement provides that all carpets must be professionally cleaned using an approved vendor, with a copy of the invoice submitted to your property manager at check out.

No, you pet deposit is not refundable before the lease ends even if the pet is removed.

Applicants need to be 18+

Request to install anything that will be affixed to the home must be submitted in writing and approved by the owner of the property. If an owner approves the installation but is not willing to pay for the addition the resident may purchase one and our authorized contractor will install it at your expense.
*According to your residential lease contract, if resident installs any fixtures on the property, fixtures will become the property of the Landlord.

Request to paint the walls a different color must be submitted in writing and approved by the owner of the property. We will need to know which wall, room, and color choice at the time of the request. We will require an addition deposit which is refundable if the walls or rooms are restored back to the original color.

Only if Landlord fails to repair a condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary resident as required by this lease or the Property Code, resident may be entitled to exercise remedies under the Tease Property Code. Do not exercise these remedies without consulting an attorney. Failure to strictly follow the procedures in the applicable sections of the Property Code will cause residents to be in default of the lease agreement and residents can be evicted for wrongfully with holding rent.

There could be a number of reasons why management or maintenance staff may need to enter your home. According to your residential lease contract, before accessing the Property, Landlord or anyone authorized by Landlord will attempt to first contact resident, but may enter the Property at reasonable times without notice to make repairs or to show the Property to prospective residents or buyers, inspectors, fire marshal, lenders, appraiser, or insurance agents.
Additionally, attempting to contact resident and without notice to:

1. Survey or review the property's condition and take photograph to document the condition
2. Make emergency repairs
3. Exercise a contractual or statutory lien
4. Leave written notices
5. Seize nonexempt property if resident is in default

Security deposits are refundable in accordance to the terms of the lease. There are certain deposits that may not be refundable such as the pet deposit and cleaning deposit.

Yes, the lease automatically renews on a month-to-month basis unless Landlord of resident provides the other party written notice of termination. Oral notice of termination is not sufficient under any circumstances.
If the lease automatically renews on a month-to-month basis, it will continue to renew on a month-to-month basis until either party provides written notice of termination to the other party and the notice of termination will be effective on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice is given. Landlord is not obligated to prorate rent even if resident surrenders the property before the termination date.

HomeLab provides a mandatory limited liability policy on behalf of each resident and is required. We strongly recommend that you purchase your own renter’s insurance for your contents and belongings. This will cover any of your personal property and any personal liability loss in case of an accident.

Yes, if you do not renew your lease contract before your current lease expires your lease will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis at the increase rent stated on the renewal notice.

Depending on the rental market and/or the owners request will determine if it is necessary to raise the rent.

A rent increase cannot be given until the initial lease term has expired. After the lease has expired, an increase of any amount can be assessed. Depending on the market conditions and what the owner’s request will determine the rent increase.

Yes, according to your residential lease contract if a resident is or becomes a servicemember or a dependent of a servicemember and a lease termination falls into the categories outlines by the Sailors and Soldiers Civil Relief Act, resident may terminate this lease by delivering to landlord a written notice of termination and a copy of an appropriate government document providing evidence of:

• Entrance into military service
• Military orders for a permanent change of station (PCS, ETS, RETIREMENT)
• Military orders to deploy with a military unit for not less than 90 days.
• Termination is effective on the 30th day after the first date on which the rental payment is due after the date on which the notice is delivered. 92.017, property code governs the rights and obligations of the parties under this paragraph.

You must take a copy of your lease contract to the nearest U.S. Post Office to obtain keys and must bring a copy of the executed lease with you.

According to your residential lease contract, resident may not permit any guest to stay on the property longer than 14 days without Landlord’s written permission.

If this occurs during normal business hours we will release a key only to the resident listed on the lease contract with appropriate identification. If we take a key to your location then there will be a $75 trip charge. If you are locked out of your property after hours then you must contact a locksmith at your expense. If the locks are changed resident must present a new key in the office within 24 hours.

You must work with our property management department to get your problem resolved. If you are unable to get your problem resolved please email me your request at Christopher@HomeLabPM.com and I will look into the situation.
We understand that from time to time residents have financial difficulties, health problems or other emergencies. Although we sympathize with the situation, we are legally bound to follow the lease agreement. Please do not place us in the difficult position of denying a request for an exception to the lease agreement. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

You will need to contact management to discuss your options. If the property is vacant then we can adjust the availability date for prospects but a prorated rent for the additional days will need to be paid at the time of your request. If an owner or resident is scheduled to move in we may not be able to extend your lease and you will be expected to vacate on the original move out date.

A resident cannot change the locks without first contacting management. Requests by resident for rekeying, installing, changing, replacing or repairing security devices must be in writing. Requests for addition security devices, additional rekeying or replacement of security devices desired by the resident will be paid by the resident in advance and must be installed only by an authorized contractor.

Most of our landlords do not warrant their refrigerators while others do. Repairing or replacing the unit maybe the responsibility of the resident. residents must notify management prior to repairing or replacing the refrigerator.

Yard maintenance is the responsibility of the resident unless otherwise stated in your lease contract. Yard maintenance will include cutting, trimming, edging, maintain shrubs and bushes. This also includes watering on a regular basis. If the yard is not maintained you may be responsible for dead grass, trees, shrubs or bushes.

A resident is responsible to pay for any periodic, preventive, or addition extermination costs desired by resident, including treatment for bed bugs, unless otherwise required by law. However, HomeLab has an on demand pest control service available to all residents.