Leasing FAQs

How do I apply for a property?

To apply for a property listed on our website, we will need the following information sent to leasing@boonehcrentals.com:  The first & last name, email address, and phone number for all applicants. We cannot send out applications without all of this information. We do not have applications posted on our website.

Each applicant over the age of 18 must receive their own application link. The link cannot be forwarded to a different email address, must be completed by the given deadline and will expire. If your link expires and you are still interested in a property, you may request a new link.

There is a non-refundable application fee charged per applicant. This covers the cost of screening the applicant. The screening consists of a background check, credit check, eviction history and income verification. If an applicant does not meet the screening criteria on their own, we can often approve their application with a co-signer.

Boone High Country Rentals operates on a first-come, first-served basis to approve applicants. If you are applying with a group, your application will not be considered approved until everyone in your group submits their application.

Because of the volume of inquiries we receive on our properties, please be patient while we reply. We aim to respond to all requests within 48 hours.

Can I apply for multiple properties?

Your application can be transferred to other available properties in our inventory. Once you have a complete application on file, you will not need to fill out another one nor pay any additional application fees. Your application is valid for 90 days.

While we do have a large inventory of properties available, we ask that you pick your top two or three properties in order to be put on those property waitlists.

When can I tour the property?

We will only conduct property tours to approved applicants. This is done to ensure that you are eligible to be placed at the property and you are serious about leasing with us. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday, between 9am and 4pm. At present, we do not have weekend hours available to conduct tours.

We do NOT conduct same-day tours, as it is our policy to give the current tenants/owners of the property a 24-hour notice that their home is going to be shown.

If you have been scheduled for a tour, our Showing Agent will meet you at the property. We will conduct 1 property tour per group of applicants, so make arrangements with your whole group accordingly.

Note: Some properties have virtual or video tours available in place of in-person tours. 

Do I enter my financial aid as income?

If you are a student, please do NOT enter your financial aid information as income. Financial aid packages are not considered income and can vary year-to-year. Most of our students require a co-signer, whose income will be verified with their application.

What is a guarantor / co-signer for?

Many of our applicants require a co-signer in order for us to approve their application. A co-signer may be a parent/guardian, family member or mentor over the age of 18 who makes at least 3 times the monthly rent of the property and will guarantee the terms of the lease should the applicant be unable to do so. We do require an application from the co-signer as well. The screening consists of a credit check and income verification.

Do you do roommate matching?

For individual leases, our office can conduct limited roommate matching. This means that we can try to place an approved applicant in a unit that has available space due to some renewing tenants remaining, but not enough remaining tenants to fill the unit. We cannot guarantee compatibility, but if you would like to be roommate matched, please email leasing@boonehcrentals.com and we will send you a roommate matching form.

We do not conduct roommate matching for joint leases, as those tenants are jointly and separately liable for the terms of their lease and not leased to individual rooms.

Individual vs. joint lease?

Our properties have both individual and joint leases and there are some key differences between them!

For a joint lease, joint and several liability means that each tenant is jointly AND separately responsible for the entire rent amount and for any damages to the property. If a tenant moves out before the end of their lease term and does not find someone to replace them, the remaining tenants are all still responsible for the terms of the lease. This liability includes the co-signers for the tenants of the property. 

For an individual lease, the tenant has joint and several liability to the specific room that they are leased to. Additionally, no one else signs and individual lease but the tenant, the co-signer and the landlord. Joint leases are signed by all tenants, all co-signers and the landlord.

Do you offer short-term leases?

At present, we only conduct 12-month leases. Our leasing cycle typically ranges from August to the following July, with very few properties set on a different cycle.

What is pre-leasing?

Pre-leasing typically starts in November, when we open up waitlists for our properties for the next leasing cycle. Our current tenants have a set renewal period, and after that ends we reach out to applicants on our waitlist and try to place them at units/properties that will be available the upcoming August. Certain properties are not on our August to July cycle and are not available to be pre-leased. That information is in the marketing description of the property on our website and states when the property is available.

I have an ESA, what documents does your office need?

Our office currently uses a third party company to do pet screenings and upload your pet/ESA information into your tenant profile. In order to have your animal approved, you will need to complete the pet screening service process. The link will be embedded in your application or we will send it to you via email. Once your pet/ESA is approved via this screening service, we will issue you a pet addendum for signature. Please note, the animal cannot be on the property until this signed addendum has been received by our office. The addendum will be sent electronically for your signature. 

Can you refund my application fee?

The application fee is non-refundable, as it goes to cover the cost of screening each applicant. However, your approved application can be transferred to other available properties in our inventory and you do not need to submit a new application if the property you wanted was leased before you were approved. Applications expire after 90 days.

Once my application has been accepted, is there an additional administrative fee associated with the creation of the lease?

Yes. Boone High Country Rentals charges a one time administrative fee in addition to the application fee. This offsets the costs associated with move-in inspections and procedures. This fee enables us to provide superior communication with applicants, roommates and co-signers as well as assisting with the creation of a tenant profile and AppFolio support, verification of identity, utility confirmations, income verifications and other assistance. 

How do I pay the security deposit and admin fee?

Once a lease has been sent for your signature, you will be prompted to activate your online portal to pay your security deposit and administrative fee. We recommend using the eCheck option so you do not have to pay an additional convenience fee.

The convenience fee differs based on the bank/credit company you use and is not a fee our office receive or can refund.

We also accept checks or money orders in the office, but do not have a way to accept cash or card at this time.

If payments are made less than 10 days prior to move-in, it must be in certified funds (i.e., a cashier’s check, money order or online payment). 

Each financially responsible tenant understands that their security deposit refund is always divided equally between them at the end of the lease. It is in their best interest to each submit their security deposit equally at the time of signing the lease.

In addition to the application fee, are there other costs or fees that I might incur as part of my lease?

The amount of rent, utilities, late fees and other charges associated with a lease depends upon the property being rented and is set forth in the lease. Special circumstances, such as subletting or assignments, have additional fees which may be incurred. A list of those fees is set forth on the fees page under the FAQ section of our website. This list is not exhaustive and the amount of such charges may change from time to time and are effective when posted here. To the extent the lease may have a different fee or charge from the one set forth on this list, the terms of the lease control.

Can I move into a property early?

Your move-in date is set by your lease and you cannot take possession of the property prior to your lease start date. This not only violates your lease, but also interferes with our maintenance team, who conduct a turnover of each property prior to move-in day. 

You can, however, physically move into a property after your lease start date. Just be aware that you are still liable for all terms of your lease, including rent, even if you have not taken possession of the property at the start date specified on your lease.

I don’t move in until after the 1st, will my rent be prorated?

As long as a tenant occupies a property for 20 days out of the month, they will pay the entirety of that month’s rent. The latest date a lease will start where an occupant will still pay the full month’s rent is the 10th day of the month.

I need to break my lease, who do I contact?

The breaking of a legally binding contract can be costly, but we understand that circumstances may arise in which you will no longer be able to reside at the premises. In these cases, we can help you conduct a lease transfer. For more information, you can contact us at leasing@boonehcrentals.com.

I have an issue with parking, who do I contact?

Our office does not handle issues with parking. All inquiries, requests and complaints must be directed to Bill’s Garage of Boone, LLC, who monitors the parking lots at our properties. You may contact them at 828-265-3400..

We acknowledge that parking is very limited in Boone and the surrounding area and many of our complexes do not have guest parking available. Please be aware of that as you make plans with visiting family and friends. Our office is not liable for any damages or expenses that occur related to parking. Those inquiries must be directed to Bill’s Garage of Boone.