Current Tenant FAQs

The nature of our business is that we often experience a very high call volume. We regret the inconvenience that reaching voicemail may cause you. If your question is not addressed by one of the Frequently Asked Questions on this page, please do leave a voicemail and we will do our best return your call in a timely manner. For the convenience of our customers and clients, you may also text us (256) 485-0394 or send an email via the Contact Us form on our website. If you are calling to report a maintenance issue, please submit a Maintenance Request via your Online Tenant Portal.

Tenant may pay rent via their Online Tenant Portal using e-check, credit or debit card, via electronic payslip at CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens, or by personal check, certified check, or money order—cash will not be accepted. The property address must appear on the check or money order. If the address is not on the check or money order it may delay processing of your rental payment and may result in late fees being assessed.

Rent is due on or before the first of each month. Check your Rental Agreement (lease) for specific information about late fees. For most leases, a late fee is assessed for any payment that is received after midnight on the fifth (5th) day of each month. After two returned checks, Thorne Realty, Inc. will only accept payment by certified check or money order.

All non-emergency maintenance requests must be placed in writing through your online tenant portal. If you have not activated your portal, these requests must be delivered to our office via written request. We do not accept non-emergency maintenance requests over the phone.

Yes. Many rental agreements give the landlord the right to enter the property for inspections to see if the tenant is complying with his/her obligations, to make necessary repairs, to put out a “for rent” or “for sale” sign, or to show it to prospective tenants or buyers. Entry should be at reasonable times and with reasonable notice given to the tenant. Check your Rental Agreement (lease) for more information.

No. Unless the lease states otherwise, you are guaranteed the agreed-upon monthly rent for the term of the lease. With this agreement you are also guaranteeing the landlord you will pay the agreed-upon rent in full and on time. Please note that if your initial lease term has expired and/or you are on a month-to-month lease, the landlord may increase your rent so long as written notice is provided to you at least 30-days prior to the effective increase date.

Notify Thorne Realty before bringing any animals onto the property to determine if the landlord allows animals. If the landlord allows animals, you will need to complete a Pet Screening, sign a Pet Addendum, and pay any applicable pet fees. See our Pet Policy for specific information regarding restrictions and pet fees. Please note that the penalty for keeping unauthorized animals at a rental property may include a fine of $1000 per animal.

If your Rental Agreement provides for a definite termination date you are obligated for the entire lease term even if you have a good reason for leaving, such as illness or a job transfer. If you vacate the property prior to the end of the lease term, you would be solely responsible for actual damages (including, but not limited to, rent loss, utilities (electricity, water, gas, etc.) advertising, hourly labor for showings, mileage, etc.) and all costs associated with re-leasing the property. The owner is to incur no expense due to a resident’s breach of lease. Resident shall remain responsible for rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease agreement expires, whichever occurs first.

You must provide Thorne Realty, Inc. with at least 30-days written notice prior to vacating your rental unit. If you are currently under a month-to-month lease, your lease automatically renews on the 1st of each month; as such, tenancy may be terminated by either landlord or tenant giving the other written notice with the termination to be effective on the last day of the calendar month during which the notice is given. Thus, notices received after the first day of the month have an effective last date of residency of the final day of the following month. (For example: a notice received on March 6th would have an effective lease termination date of April 30th.)

You may submit a written notice to vacate via your Online Tenant Portal or by dropping off a written notice at our office. For additional information about the move-out process, refer to the Move Out Checklist and the 30-Day Notice Video Walkthrough.

After a tenant vacates the property, the Security Deposit may be applied to any tenant charges, including, but not limited to, past due rent, late fees, court fees, and/or tenant-caused damages to the property that exceed normal wear and tear. Any remaining Security Deposit monies will be returned to the tenant within 30 days of move-out. At move out, be sure to provide a forwarding mailing address and/or use your Online Tenant Portal to select Security Deposit Return via eCheck.

Yes. If your name is on the lease, you are legally responsible for the full performance of the lease—even if your roommate’s name is also on it. Many written leases require each tenant to be responsible for all rent that is due, and landlords will usually take legal action against the remaining tenant if his roommate(s) move out and the full rent is not paid.

A landlord or his agent may evict you for violating a provision of your lease. All rent must be paid by 11:59 PM (end of day) on the 17th of the month; if any balance remains on the tenant account after that time, the landlord may file a Summary Ejectment complaint against you in court for nonpayment. The landlord may seek to recover unpaid rent, court fees and other damages from you.

At the court hearing, if the magistrate rules in favor of the landlord, you will receive a judgement to pay your past-due balance within ten days. If the balance remains unpaid, on the 11th day the landlord may file a Writ of Eviction to enlist the services of the county sheriff to execute the judgment and evict you.

The county sheriff will notify you of an eviction date so that you may make arrangements to vacate or pay your balance. On the date of eviction, the property will be padlocked. You will not be allowed reentry unless your account balance is paid in full (via certified funds) within 7 days of padlocking.