Application Process
Thank you for your interest in one of our rental properties! If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact our office, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. It normally takes one business day for your application to be fully processed once all supporting documents and referrals have been received.
Application fee is $50 per applicant and is non-refundable. Each prospective renter should submit an application on the Lois Lane Rentals website. Applications are securely processed using TransUnion SmartMove to generate a complete credit and background check. In addition, income verification, landlord references, and personal references are required. Please note that the following documents are required and should be attached to your application:
A copy of a Driver's License or government-issued photo identification card
Proof of income: acceptable proof of income includes two most recent pay stubs OR previous year’s tax return OR W-2/1099 IRS forms. Please inquire about alternative proof of income.
Applications cannot be processed until all information is received in our office. All applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted. We can provide use of a computer at our office should this be a concern. Support documents may be uploaded to the application, emailed to Ginger or faxed to 843.577.0142. Alternatively, documents may be delivered to our office at 9 Broad Street during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays),
Upon approval of your rental application, applicant(s) must sign a rental agreement within 24 hours and agree to remit a non-refundable Reservation Fee equal to one month’s rent. At the time of possession, the reservation fee will be applied as the Security Deposit. If applicant does not take possession of the property at lease commencement, such fee will be retained as liquidated damages. The security deposit for all rentals is equal to one month’s rent and is held in an Escrow Account until the end of the rental period, at which time it is returned within 30 days, less any damages, unpaid fees or necessary cleaning expenses.
Renter’s Insurance
Tenants should have renter’s insurance. While the owner insures the house, items belonging to Tenants are not insured under a homeowner’s policy. Renter’s insurance will provide Tenants with coverage for their possessions should there be damage from a natural disaster, impact of fallen object, theft, fire or smoke, vandalism, or faulty plumbing, HVAC, wiring or household appliances. (Flood, earthquake and hurricanes usually require a separate policy.) If for some reason you have to find temporary housing due to a natural disaster, renter’s insurance will contribute to or pay for such housing. In addition, many policies include general liability.
Pet Policy
Each rental property has a separate pet policy and various restrictions may apply. If a property allows pets, there will be a non-refundable pet fee or pet rent, depending on the rental. Certain aggressive breeds are not allowed, as per insurance requirements. If a property is listed as “no pets” then it is safe to assume there are no exceptions to that policy. Applicant must register any animals prior to application being considered at Pet Screening.
Tenant Information
Information
Please refer to Forms & Documents and the Lois Lane Rentals’ Tenant Handbook for more complete information and resources. The Tenant Portal can be accessed from this site to view your documents, pay your rent and submit maintenance requests. Additional information is available in the Tenant Portal Guide.
Rent
Rent is due on the 1st of each month. Rent received after the 5th is subject to late fees and/or possible eviction. Lois Lane Rentals accepts checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks and cash. We also accept electronic fund transfers (EFT) from your checking or savings account via the online Tenant Portal, as well as bank wire transfers. Please note that EFT transactions and wire transfers are subject to additional bank fees.
Utilities
Please refer to Forms & Documents and the Lois Lane Rentals’ Tenant Handbook for more complete information and resources. Unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement, all utilities including Electric, Gas, Water, Sewage, Cable, and Telephone are the Tenant’s responsibility. In the City of Charleston, trash and recycling pickup do not require additional fees. Rental property outside of the City of Charleston may require an account and monthly charges for these services.
Maintenance
Tenants are expected to keep the rental property clean both inside and outside. Unless specified in the rental agreement, Tenants for all properties are responsible for pest control, changing air filters and supplying replacement batteries in smoke detectors. Tenants renting a house, townhouse or duplex are expected to maintain the lawn and grounds, as well as general maintenance such as cleaning the gutters and trimming foliage away from the house. Repair and maintenance requests should be sent in writing via the online Tenant Portal.
Emergencies
After-hour emergencies are defined as follows: Any instance where you are in physical danger or there is a natural gas leak, uncontrollable water (cannot be held with a receptacle), complete loss of utility services, electrical sparking, or fire.
Before calling Lois Lane Rentals, please note the following numbers:
Immediate danger: Call 911
If you smell natural gas, call SCE&G.
If you have a water flood, call our office. You may need to have the water shut off and will need to call Charleston Water Systems.
For after-hours emergencies, call Ginger Scully. If you are unable to reach Ginger, contact Lois Lane.
Move-Out Information
Please refer to your Move-Out Procedures for more detailed information.
Policies
Tenants are required to leave the property professionally cleaned and in undamaged condition. If there are damages that are beyond normal wear and tear, you will be liable for cost. Furniture and/or accessories which are part of the rental must be left in same condition as at commencement of occupancy. All light bulbs must be working, smoke detectors and batteries working, and each HVAC return must have a new, clean, properly sized HVAC Filter. Additionally, water and power must be on through the end of the rental period. It is strongly encouraged that tenants be present for the move-out inspection.
Cleaning
Upon vacating the rental property, tenants are responsible for having the property cleaned by a professional cleaning service, including blinds, baseboards, insides of cabinets and drawers, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and freezer. If there are carpets in the rental, it will be the tenant’s responsibility to have it cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning service. These cleanings will be at the expense of the tenant and a receipt of cleaning services will need to be provided to the landlord at the final inspection.
If the cleaning does not seem to have been completed by the time of inspection, we will hire a professional cleaning service and deduct the amount out of the tenant’s security deposit. (NOTE – Electricity may not be turned off until the lease term is complete and the professional cleaning of condo and carpets is complete. Should the landlord have to get electrical services turned on to complete the cleaning, charges will be passed on to the tenant. Charleston Water Systems has a minimum charge of $60 for water connection.) Tenants will be assessed an administrative fee of $150 for Landlord to schedule and oversee any necessary cleaning or repairs.
Move-out
Moving shall take places between 8am and 8pm so as not to disturb other neighbors (or other times as per HOA-specific Rules and Regulations). Items cannot be thrown out of windows, over piazzas, porches or over stair rails to the ground below. Tenants shall be responsible for any damage and cost to repair moving damages. Tenants are required to provide Landlord a minimum 48 hours’ notice of moving schedule so preparations and notice to HOA can be given. Failure to notify Landlord of the moving schedule in advance will result in a $250 fine per occurrence.
Still have questions? Contact us for more information.
“Ginger is the manager of the property that we rent, so she acts as our landlord. She is great. She is always prompt in responding to my emails and texts, even on the weekends. She is very professional, but also really nice and easy to communicate with. I’ve had many different experiences with many landlords, and believe me, Ginger is one of the good ones!!”