What is for rent?Fequently Asked QuestionsService Request

Leesburg Acres, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions

We have included lots questions that we have encountered over the many years in business. Please view the questions below and see if any of them will answer yours. We would rather give too much information rather than not enough.

If you can not find your question, or the answer still does not suffice, please fill our our Online Questions Form.

(Please click one of the questions below for the answer)

Table of Contents

 

How do I rent one of your Homes?

  • 1) We will need:
    • Your first and last name
    • Your phone number
    • The Reference Code of the home of interest
  • 2) One of our staff will contact you for a showing of our vacant home(s) via phone or E-mail.
  • 3) After the scheduled showing of the home, and you feel that the home suits your needs, you may read and agree to our Criteria for Applicant Selection
  • 4) Then fill out an application.
  • 5) Only after the application is approved, will a full security deposit plus 25% of first full month's rent be taken to secure the home for you.
  • 6) Move in

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What is the Criteria for Applicant Selection?

This outlines how we select our tenants. It explains the: No Pet Policy, Occupancy, Showings, Income, Vehicles, Rental History, Credit History, Verifiable Identity, Criminal Background, Rental Process, Application Process, and Move-in Protocol.

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What kind of questions are on the Rental Application?
Name Social Security # Drivers License#
Birth Date Vehicle Registration Car Insurance
Present address How long at this address? Home Phone
Current Rent Paid Through Lease Expires
Previous Address How Long Do you have pets
Occupation Employer/Self Employed Business Address
Business Phone Type of business Position Held
Name of Supervisor How long Monthly Income
Name of current Landlord Address Phone Number
If less 6 months: prior Landlord Address Phone Number
Have you ever been evicted? Address Phone Number

Do you currently owe South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) monies in arrears? *Yes *No

You authorize its verification and the obtaining of information and/or consumer credit report.

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After the application is approved, how much money is required to "hold the home"?

In order for us to hold any dwelling, any and all application(s) must be approved. (Note, each occupant 18 or older must fill out an application and must be approved.) Prospective Tenant(s) is/are now required to give Landlord Full Security Deposit + 25% of First Month's Rent after 4 days of being notified verbally from Landlord, if they choose to still accept the home.

I.e. - Rent $500, Security Deposit $500 will equal: $500+($500 x .25) = $625

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Are there any reference checks (credit, past Landlords, criminal, vehicle registration)?

We do check credit, but we do not take the "credit score" into consideration. We look solely to see if the creditors are receiving their payments in a timely manner. We do check past rental history with previous Landlords. We also can check criminal history. We also make sure that the vehicle is registered in tenant's name.

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Why do I have to have at least 2 years of rental history?

Most Landlords want to have some sort of verification as to where applicants have resided in the past. This is one way the Landlord can determine if the applicant has been evicted or has not met their part of the lease agreement. We do, however, allow applicants to have a co-signor enter in an agreement of good faith in lieu of having a full 2 years of rental history. I.e. A young applicant that has resided with their parents and does not have the rental history.

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Why do I have to be the owner of my vehicle?

Due to our rural location, Richland County does not offer public transportation. We feel that all of our tenants must own their own vehicle in order to drive to: work, the store, doctor appointments, etc. You must also have proof of current insurance and current registration. All of this must be in your name.

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Do you have an application fee?

Yes, we have a $25 non-refundable application fee per individual or domestic couple.

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Will my home be clean when I move in?

Yes, your home will be extra clean when you move in. We make sure that each home is clean enough for even the president of the company.

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Who is my Landlord?

Leesburg Acres, Inc. will be your landlord.  We were approved as a corporation on July 7, 1994 by South Carolina's Secretary of State, Jim Miles.

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Can I have a month-to-month lease?

All our Tenants automatically transfer to a month-to-month extension after the initial 6-month term expires. We never "lock" any of our Tenants into Yearly leases. We want to give the freedom for our Tenants to move at any time after the initial 6-month, if they want. Military are the only Tenants that qualify for month-to-month from the start date of the term (signing of the lease.) 

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When are my lease payments due?

All payments are due in full on the 1st of each and every month. 

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Do I get a grace period before I get charged a late fee?

All of our tenants receive a 7-day grace period.

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How much is the late fee?

Late fee is $60.00 for rent payments received after the 7th day of each month.

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How much is the Security Deposit?

Security deposit is the same as rent.  It can be found on our Rental Info Pages.  Just select one of our homes on that page to see the specifications.

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What do I need to do to get my full Security Deposit back?

Before each tenant moves in the dwelling, Landlord video tapes each room, walls, ceiling, appliances for previous damages and wear. This protects our tenants as well as our company. Landlord acknowledges a deposit to secure against any damage(s) to the dwelling or surround property (aka - Security Deposit.)  At the end of the lease agreement, the deposit will be returned to the tenant no later than 30 days after premises is totally vacated if:

  • All monies due to Landlord by Tenant have been paid.
  • Premise is not damaged and is cleaned and is left in its original condition, (we totally understand that normal wear and tear expected.)  If residence is not clean, a cleaning charge will be assessed and subtracted from security deposit. If damaged, an external contractor will repair the dwelling.
  • Key(s) have been returned and forwarding address provided.
  • Resident needs to acknowledge that he/she has approved and signed the "Move In / Move Out Residential Inspection Form" for any existing damages to premises and has been given the right to inspect same.
  • 30-day WRITTEN notice has been provided in advance.

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Can I have a hamster or any pet?

Absolutely NO PETS are allowed on the premises - inside or out.  This includes (but is not limited to): dog, cat, ferret, hamster, turtle, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, etc.  This also includes guests bringing pet(s) for a visit or pet sitting for a guest.   We love them, but can't have them on the property. Sorry.

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Can I rent a home already furnished?

All homes come with a refrigerator and stove.  All other furniture will need to be provided by you.  See home Floor Pans so you can see how your furniture may be placed in each room.  All homes do have SC HUD approved dryer connections and washer connections.

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Should I get property insurance?

Landlord and Tenant shall each be responsible to maintain appropriate insurance for their respective interest in the Premises and property located on the Premises.  It is up to you if you want to get renter's insurance.

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What happens if I get locked out?

There is a fee of $0.00 for the first (1st) lockout.  Beginning with your 2nd lockout, a $15.00 fee will be charged to your rent for each lockout. (24-hour service for lockouts)

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Do I have to do any maintenance to the home?

The only maintenance each tenant is responsible for are: light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, and furnace filters. When you move in, light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, and furnace filters will be installed, but they will need changed when their life expectancy has expired.  We do not believe in our tenants spending their own time doing repairs.  Repairs are solely the Landlord's responsibility to make sure the home is in good repair. Plus it is against our lease for any of our tenant to do repairs. 

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When should I change out my furnace filter and smoke detector batteries?

Furnace filters should be replaced every month with new filters.  All our homes take a 20"x20"x1" filter.  They can be purchased at Lowe's or any grocery store.  Remember, the better your HVAC can circulate the air, the more efficient it will work. Smoke detector batteries should be changed when you hear a beeping sound.  Always do a weekly check to make sure they are working properly.  They are installed for your protection - make sure they work!

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How do I contact Leesburg Acres for a 24-hour maintenance emergency?

We do offer 24-hour maintenance emergency service for all our homes. If you think it may be a maintenance emergency, please follow directions. We would rather get the call than not receive one at all. Some issues may be in a "gray" area, but the safest bet is to still call us.

Leesburg Acres 24-hour Maintenance/Service Numbers:

  • If you feel a maintenance emergency request is needed, please call the numbers below.
  • If you are not sure if it is a maintenance emergency, call us anyway, anytime.
  • Keep calling, leave messages, and call again until you reach someone.
Non-emergency service Please follow FAQ
Emergency service #1 (803) 381-6002 (Main Office)
Emergency service #2 (803) 783-9636 (President's and VP's home)
Emergency service #3 (803) 381-6001 (VP's Cell phone)
Emergency service #4 (803) 783-4976 ( Board member's home)

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How do I place a standard service request?

Non-emergency service requests can be placed in one of three ways.  One is through the internet by emailing service@leesburgacres.com with the below information, another way is to fill out our Online Service Request Form, and last is to simply give us the following information in writing on a sheet of paper and drop it in our drop box.

Name of tenant(s) Date Address of issue Issue in question
After we receive your written request for service, we will contact you within 10 business days to schedule a repair date that is convenient to your schedule (with reason.)  We then will log your request, provide a write-up with the resolution and cost associated with the repair, if any.  Only negligent damage due to tenants' fault will be charged back to the tenant.  All other repairs are covered under your lease.

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Are utilities provided with rent?

All of our homes have utility service below, but is the cost of the utility included with rent?

Utility

Included in rental fee?

Provider
Garbage YES Waste Management
Electric NO SCE&G
Water - Phase I Properties YES Leesburg Acres, Inc.
Water - Phase II Properties NO, Water is billed through tenant's electric bill SCE&G
Sewer/Septic YES Leesburg Acres, Inc.
Phone NO Bell South or Cell Phone
Internet - High Speed, DSL,
or Dial-up		 NO Bell South, Time Warner Cable
TV NO Time Warner Cable / Satellite

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How much do you charge for a bad check (Insufficient Funds)?

Flat fee of $30.00 per check, plus any late fees if incurred.

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Can I make my payment in cash, money order, or personal check?

Leesburg Acres, Inc. will never accept cash for any payments.  All transactions need to be done with Money Orders (MO) or personal checks.  Not only does this protect you, but it also acts as a receipt of payment.  If anyone is concerned with bouncing a check, use a MO.  That is the safest way. 

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Are there Quiet Hours?

Yes, there are.  Each of us like our own peace and quiet, so with that being stated, Quiet Hours are 7 days a week from 10:30pm to 7:00am.  All radios, television sets, stereos, conversations, etc. must be at a level of sound that does not annoy or interfere with neighbors.  Absolutely no loud music at any time.

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How many vehicles can I have?

Each occupant can have up to 2 vehicles registered in their name, but all vehicles must have proof of current  insurance and registration in tenant's name.

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Can I have a grill?

Yes, store purchased grills are accepted outside only.  But no open fires, due to safety reasons.

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Do I really get 10% off January's rent?

After all the holiday shopping in December, we figure the 10% off rent is our gift to you. So, if for example, your rent is $500.00, household will receive a "Leesburg Acres, Inc. Coupon" for $50.00.  Pending, 9 months of good rental history with us to qualify for this gift. If at least 5 months of good rental history, you get 5% off January's rent.  If less than 5 months, you get a nice holiday card.

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Tell me more about the 3 year guarantee of same rent.

Once you sign your lease, you should not have to worry about any rental increase.  The cost of living is going up each day, but the feeling of the rent not going up within the next 3 years is a good feeling.  You must keep a good rental history (which means no written warning) to keep the guarantee within those 3 years. Pay on time and just follow the rules of your lease, it's that easy.

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Who will enter my home?

Only trusted, licensed, and insured service technicians usually accompanied by a representative of the Landlord (Leesburg Acres, Inc.) will enter the home. Of course, the landlord has access to each home.

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Is there cable service?

Yes, there is cable service from Time Warner Cable.  You can also have, DirecTV or Dish Network service if you choose. 

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Is high speed internet available?

Yes, there is high speed internet available.  You can choose from: Time Warner Cable or Bell South DSL for your high speed internet needs.  Of course you can have dial-up with a land connection through Bell South.

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I hate maintaining my lawn, do I have to mow?

No mowing or trimming allowed for all our properties. Landscaping is included in the rental fee.

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