Tenant Resources
Tenant Support
At MD Realty Advisors, we value our tenants and strive to provide them with the best resources and support. Our services include advertising and marketing of vacant properties, financial reporting and record keeping, lease preparation and enforcement, maintenance and repairs, property inspections, rent collection, and tenant screening and selection.
Tenant Benefit Programs
Resident Benefits Guide
Our Tenants Benefit Programs is included with all MD Realty Advisors Lease Agreements and includes the below list of benefits. These benefits are only available while the property is managed by MD Realty Advisors Property Management.
ZeroDeposits Program - MD Realty Advisors offers residents the opportunity to bypass a traditional security deposit through our zero deposit program. This program allows residents to pay a small monthly fee starting at $9.90 per month but will vary based the lease details and your financial situation. If approved, you pay the small monthly fee but do not have to pay a security deposit.
Flex Rent Payments – We have partnered with a company called FLEX who offers our tenants that have a zero balance the ability to pay half your rent in the first 4 days of the month and the balance of your rent later in the month with no late fess being charge – The cost of this program is $14.99 per month. But imagine avoiding late fees and the stress of getting your rent paid on the 1st of the month!
White Glove Cleaning and Welcome Gift - Before anyone moves into one of our homes, we complete our “White Glove Cleaning.” This process includes floors vacuumed, hardwood and vinyl floors mopped, appliances cleaned inside and outside, toilets and bath/showers are spotless, windows cleaned, baseboards wiped clean and more. It is this attention to detail that provides you the comfort your new home will be clean and ready for your moving day.
Online Rent Payments- Pay your rent online and never worry about losing your rent in the mail or late fees because it arrives late. Set up a one-time or recurring secure bank transfer or eCheck and never have to mail rent again!
Pay Rent with Cash - If you do not have a bank account you can pay your rent with cash at any local 7-Eleven, Walmart or CVS Pharmacy.
One-time Late Fee Forgiveness ($120.00 Value)- We allow our residents a one-time late fee forgiveness assuming the payment is made within 7 days of the late fee date and your account is fully paid up.
One-time Non-sufficient Funds (NSF) Forgiveness ($25.00 Value) –We allow our residents a one-time waiver of a non-sufficient fund fee assuming the replacement payment is made within 7 days of the original and your account is fully paid up.
Secure Resident Portal- Your password-protected tenant renter portal, which allows you to view your payment history, print rent receipts, make repair requests and update your information anytime.
Maintenance Request via Renter's portal- Where you can enter maintenance tickets and include photos or videos of your issue and get an instant response via text, Portal messenger or email.
Quality Repairs - Our vendors are prescreened to ensure they are knowledgeable, friendly and they leave your property clean after a job. We even send you a maintenance survey after the job so you can give your honest feedback.
24 Hour Repair Hotline - You will talk to a live trained technician for after-hours emergencies who will provide immediate help.
Property Inspections - We inspect your property during your lease term to ensure there are no outstanding repair issues and all the safety systems are working properly.
Plain Language Lease Agreements - Our lease is a Pennsylvania Plain Language lease, so you do not need a legal degree to read and understand our lease and it is designed to be fair and transparent.
Response Time Guarantee - Nobody likes waiting for a response, which is why we promise to respond to all communication within 24 hours during business days.
Security Deposit Protection - If your property is foreclosed on for any reason, we guarantee the protection of your security deposit.
Build Your Credit - We have partnered with Credit rent boost, Rent reporters and Self. You can sign up for their service (there are small monthly fees) to have your on-time rent payments reported to the credit bureaus to help you build credit history and view your credit score too! They estimated that reporting rent payments can increase your credit score by 30 to 80 points.
Lockbox Move In - If you are unable to pick up your keys during business hours for your move in, we can provide you with the keys via a lockbox at any time that is convenient for you.
Lockbox Move Out - If you are unable to drop your keys off during business hours for your move out, we can provide you with a lockbox to turn the property keys over to us at any time that is convenient for you.
The monthly Resident Benefit Program fee will automatically be added to your rental ledger each month. To receive all the benefits listed above your account must be in good standing.
Answers to your frequently asked questions
Tenant FAQ's
Q: When is rent due?
A: Your rent is ALWAYS due on the first day of the month. Your rent is late as of midnight on the first day of the month, but we give you a grace period until the 5th day of the month. If your rent is not received in our office by 5:00pm on the 5th day of the month then your account will automatically be charged a late fee of $120 (unless your lease has another late fee provision). This late fee amount is due with your rent payment.
Q: How do I pay my rent?
A: Cash is NOT ACCEPTED, for security reasons. ACTIVATE YOUR ONLINE PORTAL! You should have received an email to setup and activate your online portal, please remember to check your junk/spam mail folder if you have not received it. You can also Email us at info@mdrealtyadvisors.com to request access. Please include your name and new address in the email. We will email or text you with a login to your own secure tenant portal. You will create a password and can start paying right away:
eCheck ($1.00) / Credit Card (Convenience Fee)- You can login to our website www.mdrealtyadvisors.com and click on RESIDENT LOGIN and pay online as well as view your account balance. See attached Rental Payment sheet for more details.
Electronic Cash Payments- We can provide you a reusable PayNearMePayslip you take to Walmart, 7-Eleven or CVS Pharmacies to pay rent in cash. There is a $3.99 transaction fee.
Financial institution payment- Make rental payment at the bank "Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU)".This is the easiest way to pay your rent (NO FEE!).
Q: What if I don't pay my rent?
A: You should notify our accounts receivables department IMMEDIATELY by calling our office at 215-688-5833. Failure to communicate with our office can and will typically cause you to be forwarded to the attorney’s office for an eviction.
Q: I want to change the color of the paint in my unit and make other changes, may I do this?
A: As part of the lease agreement, renovations made by a tenant are only permissible with written approval by Md Realty advisors. You may, of course, hang paintings of your choice on the wall, provided you repair the holes upon vacating the unit. This rule against renovation without permission applies to all renovations, including changing your carpeting or other flooring, installation of built in appliances, etc. Please do not affix a satellite dish or other antenna to the roof, without acquiring permission first, as you will be charged for any damages to the roofing.
Q: Can I get a pet?
A: Most of our units are not pet friendly, at this time Cats a welcomed in some of our units. Your first step will be to call the office and find out if the building is pet friendly. The office will inform you right away if this is possible or not.
Q: I want to add an additional person to the lease, what do I do?
A: You should contact the office and the new occupant will need to fill out an application and send in 2 forms of ID and their most recent month of pay stubs. If approved, then they will be added to the lease.
Q: Will MD Realty Advisors Property Management notify me when a repair person is coming to my home?
A: Yes, We will give you a 24-hour notice to enter, unless you agree to allow MD Realty Advisor's vendor to enter your home on an as-available basis. There is no requirement for you to be present, but you must provide access to your home, with proper notice, for purposes of repairs. There is no requirement for MD Realty Advisors to give you notice if there is a suspected emergency, such as a Electrical Outlet, Heating issues, burst pipe, etc.
Q: I want to break the lease, what do I do?
A: If it’s a one-year lease you are responsible for the duration of the lease. Your first step is to inform the office; we’ll start advertising your unit to try to get a suitable replacement. Once we find a tenant you will be responsible for the rent of the unit until the date the new tenant moves in and of the entire administrative fee incur in the rental of the unit.
Q: When I move out, how can I get my security deposit back? Can I use my security deposit for my last month of rent?
A: Security deposits are NOT to be used instead of payment of rent, since the purpose of a security deposit is to pay for any damage caused by the tenant or their guests. If you do not pay any rent, including the last month you are in the unit, you will be subject to eviction proceedings. You are entitled to an accounting of your security deposit as well as the appropriate refund, within 30 days of your moving out of the unit.
Q: Can’t get in to my unit, I lost my keys, forgot or want to change my code, what should I do?
A: You can call a locksmith at your own expense or can call the office during business hours to pick up a spare key, If you have a keypad your property manager will need to manually change your code, both options at an extra charge.
Q: My roommate wants to move out, but I want to stay, what should I do?
A:This is a very common situation and there are 2 ways to address it. 1) You can replace your current roommate with a new one: This new roommate will need to fill out a complete application, send in their most recent month of paystubs and 2 forms of ID to be screened. In the case they are approved a change is made. 2) You want to keep the unit by yourself: You will need to send in your most recent month of paystubs showing that you can afford that unit by yourself. If approved, then your roommate will be removed from the lease. In both cases the security deposit is handling between the roommates as the office won’t release any deposit unless all roommates move out.
Q: How do I report a repair, which needs to be done in my home?
A: First, submit a maintenance ticket through your tenant renter portal, or you may call 215-688-5833 and be connected to the Maintenance Department or Property Manager, although we prefer email/web requests. If you have an after-hours emergency, when you call MD Realty Advisors Property Management after-hours, you will be connected with an after-hours person who can dispatch a vendor. This is for PROPERTY THREATENING EMERGENCIES ONLY, not regular maintenance calls. Please call Md Realty Advisors rather than repairing a maintenance problem yourself, as, except for specific circumstances provided for by law, you will not be allowed to deduct costs of repair from your rent. If there is a problem, which was caused by you or your guests, such as an inappropriate item flushed down the toilet, you will be charged for the repair.
Zero Deposit Program
Deposit-Free Technology Is Finally Here: When renting from MD Realty Advisors Property Management you do not have to tie up your money in a traditional security deposit. The days of your security deposit money being locked away and collecting dust, are over!
One of the many benefits of our Resident Benefits Program is our ZeroDeposit Program. This program works with our partner at Obligo.com. You will receive an application from Obligo.com and provide your bank account information and credit card pre-authorization. Obligo.com will securely test your bank account and available credit to see if you qualify for our ZeroDeposit Program. This pre-authorization will be capped at your security deposit amount.
If you qualify, and accept, Obligo.com’s offer there is a small monthly fee with the first year prepaid prior to move in. After the first year, the fee will be paid monthly. But even if you do not qualify, or want to pay a traditional cash security deposit, you can do so using Obligo’s online process.
You are Still Accountable: If you damage your property or have any unpaid charges on your account, MD Realty Advisors will make a charge against your pre-authorization. Obligo.com allows residents to repay their balance in monthly installments. Additionally, if you feel any of the charges against your account are unreasonable you may dispute them - just like you would with a traditional cash security deposit.
Deposit-Free Living Starts Here: Once you have been approved for one of our homes or apartments you will receive a secure link from Obligo.com to sign up for our ZeroDeposit Program.
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Rental Assistance Programs
(by County)
Veterans in housing crisis, please contact Stephen Raquet at stephen.raquet@va.gov for assistance.
Philadelphia County
https://phlrentassist.org/ or call (215) 686-868
The Eviction Diversion Program – Please contact your property manager to apply https://eviction-diversion.phila.gov/
Veterans in housing crisis, please contact Stephen Raquet at stephen.raquet@va.gov for assistance.
Montgomery County
Call Your Way Home by dialing 2-1-1 or texting your zip code to 898-211 or https://yourwayhome.org/eruc
ACLAMO (Se Habla Español)
Visit aclamo.org.
Or call 610 277-2570 (Pottstown area) or 610 970-2134 (Norristown area).
Family Services of Montgomery County
Visit fsmontco.org.
Email ERUC@fsmontco.org.
Or call 610 630-2111 ext. 235.
Manna on Main Street
Visit mannaonmain.org/free-help/getting-help.
Or call 215 855-5454.
Tri-County Area YWCA (Se Habla Español)
Visit https://www.ywcatricountyarea.org/emergency-rent-utilities-coalition-eruc-program/.
CADCOM
Visit cadcom.org/pre-screen-form-eruc-cadcom.
Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities
Visit pottstowncluster.org/covidrentutilityassistance.
Or call 484 393-5441.
Veterans in housing crisis, please contact Stephen Raquet at stephen.raquet@va.gov for assistance.
Chester County
https://www.chesco.org/4905/Rent-Assistance
On December 12, 2022, Chester County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) relaunched with new eligibility guidelines to support individuals and families facing court-ordered eviction, a utility shutoff, or a need for security deposits to secure permanent affordable housing.
To apply, call 2-1-1.
Veterans in housing crisis, please contact Stephen Raquet at stephen.raquet@va.gov for assistance.
Delaware County
Veterans in housing crisis, please contact Stephen Raquet at stephen.raquet@va.gov for assistance.
Bucks County
Phone: 1-888-50-BUCKS or www.buckscounty.org/renthelp
https://www.buckscounty.gov/828/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-BERALorem Ipsum
Tenant Resources
Prospective Tenants
Find Your Perfect Home
If you are in the market for your perfect rental home, you have come to the right place. As a prospective tenant, we can help you through the process of finding and applying for the home of your dreams.
Resources
Current Residents
Resources to Make Your Stay Comfortable
For our current residents we have a complete set of tools and procedures to make your stay with us more comfortable and rewarding. Use our website to submit any maintenance requests, pay your rent, or just to drop us a line. We love to hear from our residents.
Links and Resources