Tenant FAQs

From pet policies to home buying, we've answered the most commonly asked questions from prospective and current renters below. Our goal is to guide you through the leasing process as smoothly as possible to have you happily settled in your new Pensacola area rental home or apartment. Call or text us Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm and Saturday from 8 am - 2 pm or email us with any additional questions.

Prospective Tenants

• How do I view one of your rentals?

  Before you can view any of our properties, whether occupied or vacant, we will need you to register your driver's license. You can register online under “tenant resources” and choose Online Registration. Any adult wanting to enter any of our available rentals to view in person must register.

  Viewing instructions are different for each property. Please do not assume that any home is vacant. If the property is vacant, you can likely view the property via coded lockbox during business hours after you have registered. If the property is occupied, we will request a showing only after you have completed the registration process. Please keep in mind that the home is occupied and could take 2-3 business days to get an appointment set. Showings are set during business hours Monday through Saturday.

• How do I apply for one of your rentals?

  You can apply online or in the office.

  1. Choose Apply for a Rental and complete the application process online! You can submit all documentation and pay through the application.
  2. Print the application. Complete this and bring it to our office at 4400 Bayou Blvd Suite 58B, Pensacola, FL 32503 along with your driver's license, one month's income verification, $50 per applicant, and photos of any animals.

  Should you experience problems or need assistance, please give our office a call.

• What is required upon Move In?

  Visit our page Moving in a Realty Masters Property for comprehensive information on move-in processes.

  As far as fees required to move in, Realty Masters requires:

  1. First month's Rent
  2. Holding Deposit equal to one month’s rent
  3. Administrative Fee of $50
  4. Pet fee (If moving in with an approved pet).

  All move-in funds are required in certified check or money order.

• What utility companies do I call?

  We are happy to provide Pensacola area utility information on our website. Head over to Tenant Resources for a complete list.

• What credit bureau do you use?

  We use TransUnion to access our credit reports. Because there are several different credit bureaus and scoring models, your credit score may vary widely among credit providers. Our scoring metrics are established for housing. Unfortunately, we must pull our own credit report and cannot utilize an existing report you may have.

  A minimum acceptable credit score of 600 is required. If there are multiple applicants, this score must be achieved by each applicant. Please review the full criteria for other disqualifying credit factors. If you do not meet the criteria, we do not recommend that you apply.

• What is your pet policy?

  Pets are accepted on case by case basis with owners’ approval and a $250 non-refundable pet fee per pet. It is the sole discretion of the owner to approve or deny for any reason a pet request by the tenant. In order for your pet(s) to be considered, you must complete the pet section on the application and supply current photos with this application.

  Unfortunately, certain dogs are not allowed in the underwriting guidelines of landlord insurance policies which means our office policies do not allow certain breeds of animals in our rental properties. Because of this, many large dog owners choose to purchase a home instead of leasing one. Our team is happy to help you find a nice Pensacola area home to buy should your situation allow for it.

  Unapproved Dog List Due to Aggressive Breed Status:

  • Akita
  • Doberman pinscher
  • German shepherd
  • Pit Bull
  • American Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • English Bull Terrier
  • Chow
  • Rottweiler
  • Siberian Husky
  • Alaskan Malamute
  • Korean Jindo
  • Presa Canario
  • Hybrid and Purebred Wolves
  • Coyotes and wild dogs

  Any mix of the breeds below is also determined to be an aggressive breed dog and not allowed at the property. These policies do not apply to assistance animals.

• What is your policy on assistance animals?

  Assistance animals are welcome with proper documentation from a medical professional. See our assistance animal policy for questions regarding service animals and emotional support animals.

• If I don't qualify, can I have a cosigner or guarantor?

  The acceptance of a co-signer is not normal policy and is subject to approval or denial by the owner on a case by case basis. If a co-signer is allowed by the owner, the cosigner must apply. As most owners are only accepting fully qualified applicants at this time, it is not likely the owner would approve the application, even with a cosigner. Please review our full rental criteria for more details on approval

• I want to move out, but my roommate wants to stay. What do I do?

  When applicants do not meet the criteria, they are often interested in other options to become qualified. The acceptance of a co-signer is not normal policy and is subject to individual approval or denial by Owner. If a guarantor or co-signer is considered, the co-signer/guarantor must also complete and sign an application to be processed just as all lease holders would be. They would also need to sign a guarantee of lease agreement stating they would be responsible to guarantee the lease at the time of lease signing. This practice is solely up to the property owner for consideration and not up to management to decide. As many property owners will only accept fully qualified applicants, it is not likely to be approved if the main applicant does not meet all the criteria.

Current Residents

• Can I get a pet after I move in?

  We must get all pets approved by the owner. Before you adopt or purchase a pet, you MUST get written approval, sign a pet addendum, and pay the $250 non-refundable pet fee. If you do NOT get approval and move a pet into the property, you may be evicted and are subject to a $300 pet penalty fee.

• How do I secure renters insurance?

  We strongly suggest that you get renters insurance, which can be found for under $25 a month. You can typically secure renters insurance with the company who has your car insurance policy for a discount. Should you need assistance with this, just let us know. Please remember, Realty Masters is not liable for your personal property in the event of a disaster.

  Renters insurance policies do not protect against floods or rising water. It is important to add flood insurance if you are renting a property in a low lying area or on the water.

  If you are military, we suggest checking with USAA first for the best rates. Reach out to us if you are in need of renters insurance companies in the local area.

• What ways can I pay my rent?

  You have three options to pay your rent:

  1. Online through your portal. Your portal will now reflect current and past due charges on your account. Reach out to your property manager with any questions.
  2. In the dropboxes at our office (one is downstairs attached to the wall by the stairs and one is in the main door upstairs)
  3. In office during business hours

  Please remember, invoices for rent are not sent. Rent is due on the 1st and late as of the 4th, so please have your rent in our office by the night of the 3rd to be considered timely. Cash payments are never accepted, and if your rent is late, you must pay in a certified check or money order. Payments are to be made to “Realty Masters.”

• My rent will be late. Is that OK?

  A 10% late fee is assessed on the 4th of each month. The lease further outlines a late fee of $5 per day until rent is paid. Payments made after the 5th must be made in certified funds payable to "Realty Masters." Personal checks are not accepted for late rents - so you must pay with money order or certified check.

  You are required to notify us if your rent will not be on time so that we may inform the property owner. We will need to know a date you expect to pay the rent in full. It is our policy to hand deliver a 3 day notice by the 6th of each month if rent is not paid timely. The landlord can begin an eviction process 3 days from the date of notice so it’s important to keep timely communications if your payment plans change.

• Need to add or remove a roommate from the lease!?

  You must contact our office before anyone moves in or out of your property. Per the lease agreement, we must have all roommates approved PRIOR to move in. If you are on a lease with a roommate, and your roommate leaves, you are still responsible for paying the full rent. You may be able to get another roommate to take over the lease with you, but you must contact our office to get the appropriate forms filled out in order to do this and get it approved PRIOR to someone moving in or moving out. We will need all parties on the lease to agree before any changes to the lease agreement can be made.

• How can I renew my lease?

  Interested in renewing your lease? We typically send a notification of a proposed lease offer within 45-60 days of your lease expiration. A re you interested in renewing your lease? Visit our lease renewal page for more information!

Maintenance

• Do you have any maintenance tips?

  Head on over to our Maintenance page for comprehensive maintenance information for all residents and prospective residents

• What are my maintenance responsibilities?

  Tenants are expected to treat this property as it was their own and to make minor repairs as needed as a result of tenant use. Upon moving in, the tenant shall accept dwelling, all of the furnishings, and appliances in “as in” condition unless a written statement of any objections is delivered to the Landlord within three days of possession. Refer to your Tenant Handbook and Lease Agreement for a full listing of maintenance responsibilities.

• How do I submit a maintenance request?

  The best way to report a maintenance issue is to utilize your online portal. We do require maintenance requests in writing when possible. You may also text or email us your maintenance request. If you have a true, after hours maintenance emergency, reach out to our emergency line at (850) 512-6019.

• Can I make upgrades or changes to the property?

  Before doing any painting or any other cosmetic work at the house, please contact your property manager for approval. We will need to contact the owner to get his/her approval and will need to know specifics, such as color choice and brand. If you paint something or change something without our approval, you may be charged to restore the house to its original condition!

• When is hurricane season and How do I prepare?

  Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th in Pensacola. We have hurricane preparation information on our maintenance page. Review it thoroughly. Make sure to stay tuned to weather and news information so you can be alerted of a possible danger. Refer to your tenant handbook for disaster information, but definitely make sure to bring all outside items inside to prevent them from damaging property. In addition, if you leave for the storm, we ask that you shut your breakers off and turn your water off at the road. Please do not tape windows, and do not install wood on the home until you speak with our office.

Moving Out

• How do I submit a move out notice?

  We must have a 30-day written notice in order to process your move out. Move –out notices must be given at the 1st of the month and must be for the last day of the month. If you would like to move out in the middle of the month, you may do so but you are still responsible for rent until the end of the month.

  We need the following information on your move out notice:

  1. Dated move out notice stating last day in the property
  2. Forwarding address and forwarding phone number
  3. Address of rental property

  You may also submit the electronic move out notice on our website or email our office as well.

• What if I am military and will be receiving orders?

  If you are active duty military and PCSing with orders, you have two options to provide the 30-day notice required under the military clause.

  1. Send a move out notice with a date you will be moving with accompanying orders
  2. Send a move out notice with a date you will be vacating with a letter from your Commanding Officer of anticipated departure date

  Per the military clause, the 30 day notice does not take effect until one of these documents is provided to the landlord with the move out notice.

• How do I turn in keys upon moving out?

  Keys must be received on the last day of the month or the last day of the occupancy per the written notice. You could be charged holdover rent, or double rent, for not returning the keys timely. Keys must be brought to the office with your move out paperwork. Garage remotes can be left on the kitchen counter. Utilities must be kept on for 3 business days after vacating per the move out guidelines.

• What is the process for security deposit return?

  Florida Statutes outlines the return of the security deposit under Florida Landlord Tenant Act.

  The following apply to the return of the security deposit:

  1. You must provide a forwarding address. It cannot be a post office box. The law requires we send a certified letter outlining any charges to your security deposit. If a forwarding address is not given, we will send the security deposit return to the property address you vacated.
  2. If we do not deduct any charges from your security deposit, we will return the deposit within 15 days. We will gladly return your entire security deposit as soon as possible.
  3. If charges are deducted from your deposit, we will send notification via certified mail postmarked by the 30th day after the keys were received. If you agree to the charges on the security deposit, send a notice in writing, and we will refund the remainder immediately.

  If you have a current account balance with past owed rent, late fees, or maintenance charges, keep in mind that these items will be deducted from your security deposit.

• What if I do not agree to a charge on my security deposit claim?

  If you dispute a charge on your deposit, we ask that you submit the dispute in writing and send it within 15 days of receiving the notice.

  We understand that owners and tenants don't always agree on move out damage charges or that our office can overlook items present upon move in. This is why we have a security deposit resolution committee. The security deposit resolution committee is composed of team members, other than the property manager, that provide a 3rd party review based on evidence. Our security deposit resolution committee will request additional information and review your dispute. If you'd like to send a dispute, send it in writing to your property manager.

Leap To Home Ownership!

• I'm interested in buying a home!

  If you are interested in purchasing the house you are currently renting, or another house in the Pensacola area, we can definitely help you! Contact your property manager if you have interest in purchasing the home you are leasing.

  Realty Masters is a full service real estate company, with a sales team of qualified Realtors who can help you. Call, text or email us to reach an agent. You can browse Pensacola area homes for sale and find more information on buying a home on our sales website.