Tenants FAQ

A: First and foremost, you need to be of legal age (18 years or above). Next, you need to head over to the “Homes for Rent” page and hit the “Schedule Viewing” button. You will then be prompted to submit an application.

A: Since no two properties are ever the same, it is our company policy that all prospective renters view a property prior to applying.

However, we make exceptions as long as you fill out and sign our site unseen addendum. Once you fill out and sign the form, you will need to assign a family member or friend to view the property for you. You may then make your decision based on their assessment of the home.

A: Yes. You can either do it at our office or online. The vast majority of the properties we manage come with a year-long lease. A lease agreement stipulates the rights and responsibilities of both parties to the lease.

A: The security deposit is equivalent to the rent of one month. Every successful prospective tenant needs to pay the full amount before they will be allowed to move into the property. Also, pending your application, you may need to pay a Risk Mitigation fee. Check out the criteria here.

A: The rent is due on the first day of every month. We also offer a grace period of three days to pay your rent. With that in mind, any rent paid after the third day will be considered late. The following are some of the ways you can pay rent:

• You can pay online by logging in to your tenant portal.
• You can mail your payment. (If you choose this option, please make sure to put your address in the memo portion of your check.)
• You can drop it off at our office.

Please bear in mind that we do not accept cash payments due to safety reasons.

A: There are many reasons that may prompt us to raise your rent, such as rising taxes, escalating cost of living, and high maintenance costs. That said, we will only do so (if we have to) at the end of the lease term.

We will make sure the rent increase is not only fair but also legal.

A: We will always follow the stipulations provided by the lease agreement. If you are unable to pay rent, the first thing we will do is send you a polite “Pay or Quit” notice. Essentially, the notice gives you two options: pay the due rent or move out.

If you do not do either of the two, we will be left with no other choice than to file an unlawful detainer lawsuit against you in court.

In most cases, all this can be avoided if a tenant communicates early enough that they may be unable to pay rent. If you find yourself in such a situation, kindly contact us as soon as you can.

A: No. We are bound by the provisions of the Fair Housing Law that stipulates we treat each and every tenant equally. So, if we waive your fees, we will be forced to waive all other fees, which is simply not feasible.

A: Of course. However, please bear in mind that they need to be approved prior to living there. In other words, they need to pass through the same screening process you passed through before signing the lease.

Please be advised that keeping a roommate without our knowledge is a serious violation of the lease. Doing so can get you kicked out of the property in addition to facing other repercussions. So if you are interested in living with a roommate, let us know.

A: Maintenance issues can be categorized as either emergencies or non-emergencies. Obviously, emergencies require immediate mitigation. Examples of repairs that would be considered urgent include:

• If your heating breaks down during winter when there is no other form of heating available,
• If you only have one toilet and you cannot use it, or
• If you have a gas leak.

Basically, emergency maintenance issues are those that threaten your safety or those that have the potential to cause property damage. If you experience any of these, please reach us at 813-344-0034 ext.4.

Non-emergencies, on the other hand, are those that do not require immediate attention. That said, we always do our best to address them within 48 hours of receiving the report. 

Examples of non-emergencies include:

• Tap which cannot be turned on
• Blocked sink, bath, or basin

·  Partial loss of electrical power or light

A: It depends on each particular property. Some owners allow pets into their properties while others do not. If you have a pet, please contact us first before applying for a particular property.

Keep in mind that your pet must also pass a screening process as well. If you have a dog, you may need to provide proof that they are insured.

A: No. Doing so is a violation of the contractual terms. Examples include changing locks and painting walls. If you need to do either of these, please get in touch with us first.

A: At Cavalier Estates, we will always notify you of our intention to enter your home. The state law requires us to provide a 12 hours’ notice prior to entering a tenant’s premises. The only exception is if there is an emergency.