Application Process

All new tenant applicants are required to go through a “tenant verification process” before a lease is signed. Using the information collected in our application, we make the decision for tenancy based on several criteria which may include employment history, eviction history, landlord references, credit rating, and criminal records.

Downloads

1. Rental Application
2. Authorization to Release Credit History
3. Notice of Rights

1. The screening process Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM uses, as an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider, usually begins during or shortly after a property showing where the new prospective tenant decides to apply for tenancy. All forms necessary for complete leasing applications are available for download below. Applications are only processed upon receipt of a $25.00 application fee. Applications are required for each adult residing in the rented premises.
2. Application approval can be given by written notice if specifically requested but is usually indicated by the endorsement of a new and valid lease. Leases become valid upon signing and are not dependant upon receipt of deposits or rent payments.
3. Incomplete or negative results could potentially postpone the start of a new lease and should be clarified or corrected as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays. Applications are not exclusively based on credit scores and are subject to other criteria such as employment status and history, references, and even previous criminal or eviction histories.

Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM is not a Credit Reporting Agency, rather we are provided an indication of an applicant’s credit history through a third party and independent contractor. Important information to consider in all applications with respect to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is:

1. You must be told if information in your file has been used against you.
2. At your request, you can find out what is in your file.
3. You can dispute inaccurate information with the specific credit reporting agency used
4. Inaccurate information must be corrected or deleted by the specific credit reporting agency.
5. You can dispute inaccurate items and the source of the information with the credit reporting agency.
6. Outdated information may not be reported. In most cases, a credit reporting agency may not report negative information that is more than seven years old; ten years for bankruptcies.
7. Access to your file is limited.
8. We are required to keep records of all credit inquiries Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM places with Credit reporting agencies for 5 years.

FAQ - New Tenant

New Tenants – Moving In

Terms of the lease - Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM uses a standardized lease provided to us through our association with the South Carolina Association of Realtors.

1. Specific terms of the lease are usually negotiable such as the duration, price, and e. However, some points remain standard for all of our leases. For example rent is always due on the 1st of the month.
2. Security deposits also can be negotiated before signing a lease and are collected by Southern Premier Property Management, LLC and the placed into a non-interest bearing trust account where it is held for the duration of the lease.
3. In the case of non-refundable pet deposits, these payments are typically made in full before the tenant takes possession of the property. Property owners specify their preferences and pet policies before we begin advertising each of our properties and these preferences including amounts required for pet deposits can be provided upon request.
4. Rent payments are due on the first of the month. Typically a late fee of $75.00 is applied if received after the fifth of the month. But this is subject to different preferences of owners for each property. Tenants who make late payments that are received after the 5th of the month are also subject to relatively severe legal proceedings in accordance with the South Carolina Landlord Tenant Act.
5. Utilities are generally paid for by tenants, however there are homes and communities where some services such as water are covered in the home owner’s association fees. Utilities should be changed over before occupancy to make the transition into your new home a smooth one. Generally if utilities have not been changed over within 24 hours of occupancy owners can elect to have the services secured thereby requiring an additional fee from the utility provider to re-establish service Tenant shall pay all costs of hook-ups and connection fees and security deposits in connection with providing utilities to premises during the term of the Lease Utilities change over.
6. Inspection reports are provided by Southern Premier Property Management, LLC as soon as new tenants take possession of the property and are filled out to document the condition of the property when the hand over occurs to provide a reference point for comparison at the end of the lease. During the first 5 days of the occupancy tenants are required to report initial problems with the property to Southern Premier Property Management, LLC.
7. Basic responsibilities of lessees or tenants include and are not limited to:
   1. Paying the rent on time.
   2. Maintaining the premises.
   3. Allowing the landlord reasonable access.
   4. Complying with rules and regulations of the lease.
   5. To use the property as a dwelling only.
   6. To immediately notify the landlord of plumbing, electrical, or other health related emergency items.
8. Rights of the lessee or tenant are well defined in the leases Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM uses and are also provided for in the South Carolina Landlord Tenant Act. To summarize the major points in our lease and SC Landlord Tenant Act, all tenants are provided:
   1. The right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the premises.
   2. The right to have the security deposit returned within 30 days of termination of the lease with accounting for all deductions.
9. During the lease other responsibilities of tenants included following community home owners association rules, maintaining the yard if not covered by the HOA and keeping the premise in
   1. A tenant shall not change locks on the dwelling unit without the permission of the landlord.

10. General Disclaimer

    All material including any links to other sites and content found at linked sites is provided "as is" and without any express or implied warranties including warranties of merchantability or suitability for a particular purpose. Due to the nature of the Internet Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM does not warrant that access to CharlestonLease.com or any of its pages will be uninterrupted or error free. Southern Premier Property Management, LLCSM does not warrant or make any representations regarding the usefulness of or the expected results of the content on CharlestonLease.com. Please ote that some jurisdictions may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. Please check your local laws for any such restrictions.

Tenants – Moving Out

At least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the lease Southern Premier Property Management, LLC will contact tenants to determine what options are available for tenants to continue leasing or determine is tenants would like to move out. Approval to sign a new lease, go month to month with the current lease, or other options to remain in the property as a tenant will be made available to you by Southern Premier Property Management, LLC at least 30 days before the end of the lease if you wish to stay.

1. For those who wish to stay, continuation of lease, month to month, re-sign a new lease, security deposits.
2. For those who wish to leave – If the property is no longer available for lease or if you do not wish to remain in the property and have provided Southern Premier Property Management, LLC with proper notice that you do not with to stay, you will be required to vacate the home at the end of the lease.
3. Move out process – Southern Premier requires that all personal property is vacated from the premises at the end of the lease term. If we have to move any personal effects this is done so at your expense using your security deposit. In most cases any personal effects left behind are disposed of at the tenants request.
4. Record Keeping – Southern Premier keeps all records for five years as per SC law.