FAQs For Applicants
1- How to Apply?
Answer: Visit our website
You will be able to submit your application from the property you are interested in by clicking the “Apply” button in the bottom right hand corner of the property listing.
2- What are your requirements for approval?
Answer: We have a three-fold test for tenancy. Generally here is what we are looking for (Bear in mind there may be other items we request as your particular situation calls for).
1. Background Check: Credit / Criminal / Eviction
We review your credit history, criminal background, and eviction records. Factors that can influence your application include:
Credit score under 600
History of late payments
Collections, judgments, or charge-offs
Past evictions
Negative utility payment history
Certain criminal offenses
We typically require a credit score of 600 or higher for all financially responsible applicants listed on the lease.
2. Income Verification
Applicants should generally have net income equal to at least three times the monthly rent. Falling slightly below this threshold does not result in automatic denial—other qualifying factors will be considered.
Income documentation requirements:
W-2 Employees: Provide paycheck stubs covering the most recent 60 consecutive days.
1099 / Self-Employed: Submit either:
Prior year’s tax return (no older than 3 months), or
A current profit & loss (P&L) statement for the most recent quarter.
Employment will be verified using your pay stubs and through an employer contact. This may include an online verification or a signed form from your employer. Ensure your documentation is current and employer contact information is accurate.
If you are unemployed but have a written job offer, you must submit a formal offer letter showing:
Employer name
Offered position and start date
Pay rate and estimated hours (if hourly)
Letters missing this information may not be accepted.
3. Rental Reference Check
We will contact your most recent landlord to verify your rental history. This is often the slowest step in the process, so please ensure that all landlord information provided is accurate and complete.
We do not accept references submitted by the applicant, friends of the applicant, or family members of the applicant. References must come directly from the landlord.
If we are unable to reach your landlord or they are unwilling to release information, your application may be denied.
We will notify you when we have reached out to your landlord and may request your assistance in encouraging their response.
If you currently own your home and do not have a rental history, we will review your mortgage payment history from your credit report in lieu of a landlord reference.
3- How much is the application fee?
Answer: The background check fee is $50 per applicant and covers the cost of your criminal, credit, and eviction history reports.
All occupants aged 18 or older must submit a separate application.
Payment can be made via:
Checking or savings account draft (small transaction fee applies), or
Debit/credit card (credit card processing fees may apply).
We do not accept paper applications—all applications must be submitted online.
You may apply for any available home using the following link: → HERE
4- How many people need to apply for the home through your website?
Answer: Each adult (18 or older) must submit a separate application through our website to be considered for the home.
If you have a medically dependent child who is 18 or older, they are not required to be financially responsible, but they must still complete the background screening and be listed on the lease as a dependent occupant.
5- Do you have a Military Clause in your lease agreements?
Answer: Yes
6- How long does the application process take and what are the steps after completing the application?
Answer: The application process can be completed within 1 to 2 business days provided you’ve submitted the required documentation and rental verification can be completed. After you’ve submitted it the application just sit back, and enjoy the ride!
7- Do you accept roommate situations?
Answer: Roommate situations are only approved at select properties and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If approved, a double security deposit is required for all roommate arrangements.
Additional conditions may also apply depending on the property.
To find out whether a specific home allows roommates, please call our office at 229-333-0768 and ask to speak with the property manager.
8- What information is checked and what would be a “negative” on my credit that would deny my approval for a property?
Answer: We review credit history, criminal background, and eviction records as part of every application.
Factors that may affect your approval include:
Low credit score
History of late payments
Past evictions
Collections or judgments
Unpaid utility accounts
Criminal history
We require a minimum credit score of 600 for all financially responsible applicants. Applicants with scores between 590 and 599 may still be considered if other qualifying factors are strong.
Applicants with a score below 590 are automatically disqualified, regardless of any other circumstances.
We do not accept co-signers to offset poor credit. Co-signers may only be considered in cases of insufficient income, not to overcome credit or background issues.
We recommend checking your credit score before applying.
9- What if I don’t have credit score?
Answer: You are still required to submit an application, even if you do not have established credit and are 18 or older.
If you’re applying alone and do not have a credit history, a guarantor—someone who can assume financial responsibility on your behalf—will be required.
If you’re applying with another person who independently qualifies based on credit, income, and rental history, a guarantor may not be necessary. In such cases, approval is subject to additional stipulations set by the Property Manager.
If a guarantor is required:
They must complete the full application process
Pay the $50 background screening fee
Qualify independently for the rental home
All guarantor arrangements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
10- Can I get my money back from the background check if I am denied approval for a home?
Answer: No, the application fee is non-refundable.
The fee covers the cost of pulling your credit, criminal, and municipal background checks, which are conducted as part of the screening process.
11- Will I lose my application fee if someone else is approved before me?
Answer: No worries!
You still have a couple of options:
Browse our available homes at www.movetovaldosta.com. If you see another property you’re interested in, just let us know—we’ll gladly transfer your application at no additional cost.
If you don’t find another option that suits you, we can refund your application fee—as long as your application has not already been reviewed for approval under a different property.
Either way, we’d love for you to keep us in mind for the future!
12- Do I need to provide any documentation at the time of my application?
Answer: Yes.
You’ll need to provide the following:
A copy of your driver’s license or valid photo ID
Proof of income for the past 60 days
W-2 Employees: Submit pay stubs covering 60 consecutive days.
1099/Self-Employed: Submit either:
Prior year’s tax return (no older than 3 months), or
A current profit & loss (P&L) statement for the most recent quarter.
(see requirement at the top of this page).
13- What happens after I am approved for a property?
Answer: You will be contacted by the leasing agent for any additional information needed and/or to schedule an appointment to complete your lease or view the home.
Move-In Process:
Step 1 – Lease Signing
Once approved, you must sign the lease agreement within one business day.
We will email the lease for online signature—you do not need to come to our office.
If you or any co-applicant does not sign the lease within the required time, we will make one final attempt to confirm your interest—after which we will be required to move on to the next applicant in line.
Step 2 – Security Deposit
After your lease is signed and your online tenant portal is opened, you will have one business day to pay your security deposit.
This is the only payment required prior to your move-in date. We will notify you by email and/or text once your portal is active.
Step 3 – Final Move-In Requirements
Before or on your move-in date, you must:
Pay any rent or pet fees due through your tenant portal
Provide proof of renters insurance, listing us as your landlord or interested third party
Provide proof of power service in your name, effective your move-in date
Provide proof of water service in your name, also effective your move-in date
We will contact you the day before move-in to confirm if anything is still outstanding. Missing any of the above items may delay your ability to take possession of the home.
If you have questions about what is still needed to move in, please reach out to our office 229-333-0768!
14- How can I tell when a property will be available looking online?
Answer: Each property has an “Available” date listed in its details. This is the date the home is expected to be move-in ready.
15- Do you do inspections of the home?
Answer: Yes! We inspect each home at least once per year.
Per the lease agreement, we are permitted to access the property with 24 hours’ notice.
You are not required to be present during the inspection, but you are welcome to be there if you’d like to meet with our team member.
During the inspection, we check for:
Any needed repairs
The general condition of the home
Lease violations
Our goal is to ensure the home remains in good shape and address any concerns proactively.
16- What are the typical lease term lengths? Do you offer any month-to-month, 3 month, 6 month or shorter than year term leases?
If you’re considering a shorter lease, you’ll need to speak with a member of our team to see if the specific property you’re interested in is eligible for a term less than one year.
Feel free to call us at 229-333-0768 or reach out through our website to discuss your situation – Email the property manager here.17- How can I view a home before I apply for it?
If the home is occupied by the current tenant still, we will require you to either apply for it first (so we can run a National Criminal Background Check on all parties), or wait until the home is unoccupied before we can check out the key.
If the home is unoccupied and has an “Available to View Date” of today or prior, you can check out the key to view the home.
- KEY CHECKOUT HOMES: Most of our properties are “key checkout” during business hours. We require a $20 deposit, a valid ID/Driver’s license and a phone number be provided to check out a property key. The deposit will be returned to you upon the return of the key.
- APPOINTMENT ONLY HOMES: 24-48 hours notice is required if the property is “appointment only”. Arrangements will be made with the current occupant (if occupied) to open the home or the Property Manager will meet with you to show the home.
18- What is your pet policy?
We have a two-pet limit per household, and only one of those pets may be a cat.
Breed restrictions apply and include, but are not limited to:
Doberman
Chow
Rottweiler
Any type of Pit Bull (including mixes)
American Bulldogs
American Staffordshire Terriers
A non-refundable pet fee is required for each approved pet.
⚠️ Please note: This is a pet fee, not a pet deposit—and the distinction is important.
The fee grants you the right to have a pet at the property with the homeowner’s approval.
It is not held for potential damages caused by the pet; those should be addressed by the tenant prior to move-out, just like any other damage.
Pet fees vary based on the age, breed, weight, size, and number of pets.
To get an estimate, please email us a photo and brief description of your pet (including age, breed, weight, and type) and we’ll respond promptly.
🛑 Important: It is always less expensive to report a pet than to be found in violation.
Unreported pets may result in fees of up to $750 per pet, per day for each day the violation is found.
(See your lease for full details.)
This policy does not apply to service animals, therapy animals, or ESAs.
However, appropriate documentation is required for any service, therapy, or ESA animal.
19- What is the security deposit and are there any additional fees associated with my lease?
Answer:
Security Deposit & Lease Fees
In most cases, the security deposit is equal to one month’s rent
(e.g., $800 rent = $800 security deposit).
In certain situations, conditional terms may be offered based on your application qualifications.
These conditions will always be:
Clearly communicated before your lease is signed, and
Provided in writing
You are not required to accept any conditional terms; however, declining them may disqualify you from renting the home.
Additional Lease-Related Fees
The following fees are deducted from your security deposit at the end of your lease term:
$150 Re-Key Fee
$75 Administrative Fee
20- Will I need “Renters Insurance”?
Answer: Yes. The homeowner’s insurance policy only covers the structure and property, not your personal belongings.
At In Touch Properties, we require all tenants to carry renters insurance effective on or before the start date of your lease.
Keys will not be released until valid proof of coverage is provided.
Your renters insurance policy must:
Meet the minimum coverage limits outlined in your lease
List In Touch Properties as your landlord or interested party on the policy
Please review your lease agreement for full details on required coverage and documentation.
In Touch Properties
3315 B N Valdosta Rd,
Valdosta, GA 31602
We hope you find this information helpful in the search for your next home. Please let us know if you have additional questions.