We Have Rentals in McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Blount & Polk Counties

Southern Homes Realty Group LLC
Property Management Division

Southern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management DivisionSouthern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management DivisionSouthern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management Division

Southern Homes Realty Group LLC
Property Management Division

Southern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management DivisionSouthern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management DivisionSouthern Homes Realty Group LLC Property Management Division
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  • About
  • Rental Process
  • Frequent Asked Questions
  • Find A Rental
  • Tenant Resources
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  • Local Information
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  • More
    • Home
    • About
    • Rental Process
    • Frequent Asked Questions
    • Find A Rental
    • Tenant Resources
    • Management Services
    • Local Information
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Rental Process
  • Frequent Asked Questions
  • Find A Rental
  • Tenant Resources
  • Management Services
  • Local Information
  • Contact Us

How To Qualify to Lease

Getting Started

Before you start searching for your next home or apartment, you should be prepared. 

Part of that process is getting prequalified.

You must go through the pre-qualifying process 

online before viewing the property.


Your monthly rent should not be more than 

30% of your net income. 


Find out what you qualify for by dividing

your monthly take home income by three (3).

 (For example, if you make $3,000 per month, 

your rent should NOT exceed $1,000 per month.)


  • You must have verifiable income.
  • You will need Rental References.
  • You must agree to a background check.
  • You must have a Valid Color photo.
  • You must be ready to answer questions about any animal that you have or intend to be bringing to the property.

Tour The Property

After viewing the property in person, if you like it, 

apply online to lease the home.

Rental properties go quickly.

It is not leased on a first come, first serve basis. 

But we do process applications as quickly as possible to secure the most qualified tenant. 


We do receive multiple applications on the properties and cannot hold the property for anyone needing additional time to complete their application.  


  Each occupant of the home aged 18 years and older, must complete their own application. 

This is required so we can do a background check.

(Do Not leave anything blank on the application). 


Please have up to date and accurate information for your application.  Delays in obtaining this information will delay processing your application. 


How to Prepare Before Leasing

What expenses can I expect other than rent?

What expenses can I expect other than rent?

What expenses can I expect other than rent?

Moving is expensive. There are things you need to be prepared for when moving so that you can cover the necessary expenses. 


You will have security deposit to pay for the home

If you have a pet, you will have a pet deposit as well. 


Most utility companies require a deposit and they will sometimes base the amount of your deposit off of your credit score. We encourage you to check with the utility company on their deposits prior to singing the lease.


Sometimes you have an overlap of utilities from the property you are moving from, into the property you 

are moving to. Expect the moving process to take 

more than one day. You have have to not just move 

but clean the property that you are leaving behind.  


The Internet in our area can vary from county to 

county and you may have to establish new services 

that may require money up front to make that change. 


Are you ready a moving truck or hiring people to help you move? Think about the time and expense from missing work, moving truck and or help. 

What would it look like monthly?

What expenses can I expect other than rent?

What expenses can I expect other than rent?

 In addition to your monthly rent here are some of 

the typical monthly household expenses: 

**Your rent should always be paid first!**


  • Electricity 
  • Gas / Propane 
  • Water and Sewage 
  • Trash Disposal 
  • Internet
  • TV
  • Phone 
  • Food & Groceries
  • Health and Beauty Products
  • Cleaning Products 
  • Clothing Allowance 
  • Rental Insurance
  • Lawn Maintenance
  • Car expenses 

 (Which may include payment, gas, oil changes, 

tires, maintenance, and car insurance) 


This list does not include you eating out 

or your entertainment / hobbies out which can 

sometimes be more expensive than you think. 


First Steps to Renting a Home

Step 1. View Homes We Have

The very first step is to view the homes we have listed as Available or Coming Soon on our rental website. DO NOT go through a third party site. 

Step 2. Get Pre-Qualified

The next step is to view and follow the prompts to get pre-qualified before viewing a home in person.  If it stops you, then you are not qualified for that home. 

Step 3. Make A Viewing Appointment

After getting pre-qualified, you must have an appointment to view the homes. The viewing schedule is tightly booked so check for available times.

Step 4. View the Home in Person

Please keep your appointment and be on time. If you need to change the date or time let us know asap. We have multiple appointments and must stay on schedule. 

*Important Information On Viewing

*Important Information On Viewing

Please do not bring extra people to the  viewing of the home. Only the people that are going to be living in the home should come to the appointment. 

This is for safety reasons.  

Step 5. Fill Out Application

*Important Information On Viewing

After viewing the home and if you want to move forward, fill out the application completely, providing all 

the necessary documentation in a timely manner. 

Pre-Qualified Does Not Mean Pre-Approved

Getting pre-qualified is the first step in the process before viewing the home. We don't want you to waste your time and energy getting excited, taking time off work etc..., if we know that you won't qualify. Be honest during this process because the qualifications steps are questions and information that is one the application also. 

If we can't verify your information, we can't approve you.

Multiple people can and do apply for the same property. Just because you apply and passed the pre-qualifications steps, does not mean that you are automatically getting the home. It is not on a first come, first serve basis. We choose the most qualified tenant. If we are having trouble verifying your information, it can delay your application process and or approval.  

Application Process

Each Adult Must Apply Separately

Each Adult Must Apply Separately

Each adult (Anyone over the age of 18)     living in the home must fill out their own application. We have to conduct background checks on everyone even if they are not contributing to the rent. 

Provide the Latest Paycheck Stubs

Each Adult Must Apply Separately

You are asked to provide the latest pay stubs so we can verify your income. We may also call your employer to verify. We must be able to verify your income and ability to pay for the lease term. 

Provide Correct Information

Any time during the application process, if we find fraudulent information, it will automatically disqualify you. If we cannot reach your references it will prolong the application process.

The Process Takes 2 to 5 Days

The Process Takes 2 to 5 Days

Please be patient while we process your application. We are working on multiple applications at one time. Sometimes we have delays in receiving information from references that can delay the process. 

Co Signers May Be Required

The Process Takes 2 to 5 Days

Co Signers May Be Required

If you do not have rentals references, borderline income requirements, or if you are under the age of 25, you may be required to have a cosigner. 

The co-signer must qualify! 

We Will Call You!

The Process Takes 2 to 5 Days

Co Signers May Be Required

Please don't call every few hours to check on your application. It delays the process. If we have questions or updates for you, we will call or e-mail you with that information. 

Leasing Process

Applicant Selection Process

Applications Are Good for 6 months

Applications Are Good for 6 months

It is not a 1st Come 1st Serve basis. We do select the best qualified applicant for the lease. 

*If someone is more qualified for a specific home, it does not mean you are denied as an applicant. You can use the same application for another home.

Applications Are Good for 6 months

Applications Are Good for 6 months

Applications Are Good for 6 months

If you decide not to lease at this time, we can save your application for up to 6 months. We do have to verify your current income and background. However, you will not have to pay a new fee or redo the entire application. (Just update it)  

We Will Contact You With Updates

Applications Are Good for 6 months

We Will Contact You With Updates

xWhen we have completed your application, we will contact you with the update. If approved, you will receive instructions for the next steps. We will make the appointment to sign lease and send you the necessary information. 

Lease Signing Video

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

We Will Contact You With Updates

In order to be as efficient as possible, we have a video that we've created for you to view all about your lease. It is required to watch prior to the lease signing. The video will answer most of your questions. 

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

Once you are a tenant, you can pay online through your tenant portal. However, at the lease signing we ask that you bring cashier's check or money. Your security deposit must be separate from your rent. 

Appointment To Sign Lease

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

You Must Pay to Secure the Home

You must have an appointment to sign the lease. You can't just walk in to sign. Due to our full schedules, you will be required to make an appointment and 

it is necessary for you to be on time or reschedule. 

Lease Signing Video

Check out our leasing video!

You've Signed Your Lease... Now What?

What To Do First

First thing you need to do after signing your lease is take your package to the utility company and get the utilities turned over into your name. This is required within the first 24 hours. Please prepare and make time for it. 

Send a copy of receipt to the office for verification.

Conduct Walk Thru

We will complete our walk-through prior to you

 moving in. We do ask that you conduct your own walk 

through as you move in and provide that to our office 

within the first two weeks.

Check Out Your Tenant Portal

Within 48 hours (business hours) of signing your lease, you will receive an email from our office inviting you to your tenant portal online. Please check this out and become familiar with it.  You can pay your rent, submit service requests and send us a message all through your portal.  

Download Your Maintenance Package

move out instructions (docx)

Download

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