Once you’ve found a rental home you like, how do you go about touring it before you ultimately make it your own? It’s easy and all you have to do is fill out the form for the home by clicking the “TOUR NOW” button. One of our agents will contact you to set up your tour.
Guided tours are an excellent way to get information about a home and the community, and to get questions answered from an ARK Homes For Rent leasing agent. Arrange it by clicking on “TOUR NOW” on the individual home's listing page, then complete and submit your contact form. An ARK Homes For Rent leasing agent will follow up with you within 24 hours.
When you meet with a leasing agent to tour one of our homes, always make sure that you are provided credentials that clearly show the agent is a representative of the owner or management company for the home. All ARK Homes For Rent leasing agents have a company-issued ID that they can show you upon meeting them at the home. Unfortunately, with the high incidence of fraud in the rental housing industry, it is important to make sure you’re dealing with an authorized agent of the company.
When a home is listed as “Coming Soon” on our website, it means the home is undergoing cleaning and/or maintenance. You may also see an anticipated “move-in ready” date. If you’re interested in touring a home listed as coming soon, be sure to get on the home’s wait list by completing and submitting the “TOUR THIS HOME” form. An ARK Homes For Rent leasing agent will follow up with you to provide further information and to schedule a tour.
Start to finish it is possible to search for an ARK Homes rental home, tour it, love it, and move in - all within just a week. Of course, not everyone wants to move that fast. It’s best to allow yourself ample time to search different ARK rental home offerings and familiarize yourself with the neighborhood to ensure that the home you select is one you’ll love coming home to.
If timing is critical, the quickest way to secure a home is by starting the application process by clicking on “APPLY NOW” on the individual home page. Be sure to review the Qualification Criteria first. This officially begins the application process of making the rental home your own.
All adults who are 18 years of age or older, need to complete an application to rent a home from ARK Homes For Rent. In addition, all applicants need to submit to a background screening. Occupancy standards allow for two persons per bedroom, plus one – per household. Local occupancy laws may vary.
Applicants need to meet certain qualification criteria for approval to rent. Considerations include credit history, credit status, background, rental history, and income verification.
Criminal History
If an applicant’s public record discloses a criminal history, consideration is based on the type of crime and when it occurred. Certain types of felonies or recent crimes may generate an automatic rejection, including but not limited to, convictions of fraud, theft, possession and/or distribution of controlled substances, assault, battery, violent crimes, sex crimes, and crimes involving children.
Credit and Income
From your rental application, either an Experian or TransUnion credit report is automatically processed detailing your credit and rental history. If you have initiated a credit freeze on your account in order to keep scammers from opening new accounts in your name, it is imperative that you lift the freeze so that your credit may be reviewed. ARK Homes For Rent uses Transunion to determine eligibility based on analysis of the credit report, rental history and background check.
When qualifying to rent, your credit history may carry more weight than your credit score. A low credit score is not an automatic rejection. A lack of credit history does not necessarily disqualify you either, but may result in an increased security deposit. Income to be verified needs to show the household income, including income from all applicants, and is sufficiently 3.0 times the monthly rent.
For income verification, if you are self-employed, you’ll need to submit the previous year’s income tax return and previous two month’s bank statements, or twelve months of financial statements.
ARK Homes For Rent does not discriminate on the basis of an applicant’s source of income. We welcome all applicants and treat all applicants by the same criteria. All applicants undergo the same screening process, must execute our lease and security deposit within 48 hours and take possession of the home within 30 days, as required by the lease terms.
Unfortunately, with the high incidence of fraud in the rental housing industry, both online and in-person, it is essential to always make sure you are dealing with an authorized representative of a home’s owner or management company. Be savvy. Insist on credentials that clearly show the agent is who they should be. When dealing with ARK Homes For Rent, we are always ready to verify our identity. Don’t hesitate to ask for proof. Only the scammers will be insulted. For fraud prevention tips, visit the National Rental Housing Council’s (NRHC) Fraud Prevention at http://www.rentalhomecouncil.o....
If you believe someone other than ARK Homes For Rent is trying to rent you one of our homes, please call us at (855) 261-1196 or email us at info@arkhomesforrent.com.
You’ve found a home you love! Now, it’s time to make it yours. To apply, go directly to the home’s listing page and click on “APPLY NOW”. A non-refundable $50 application processing fee associated for each adult applicant or occupant will be collected. It’s important to provide ARK Homes For Rent with an accurate email address for each lessee, as each applicant needs to sign the lease using a separate email address. Within 24 hours of submitting the application, screening documentation will need to be provided, including income verification, and two forms of government-issued identification. ARK Homes For Rent will begin the screening process when all the supporting documents are received. If supporting documentation is not provided within 24 hours, the application will be canceled, with no refund of application fees.
You’ll be notified of the outcome within 24 hours of applying and providing all necessary documentation. Application status can be provided by your leasing agent. All screening communication will be provided to your agent, and they will communicate updates with you.
Our rental application is available once you select” APPLY NOW” on the property listing page. Take time to ensure that the information you submit is accurate, as inaccurate information may cause delays and additional expenditures. All intended occupants, age 18 or older, should submit their applications together since qualifying income will be based upon the household income.
You’ll need to pay the fees and provide the following documents to complete the application process:
To apply, there is a $50 rental application fee per applicant for screening, all application fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Anyone living in the home who is 18 years of age or older needs to submit their own rental application and will be named on the lease documents. The combined gross income of all applicants is used to determine income eligibility, which is 3.0 times the monthly rent. All intended occupants age 18 or older should submit their applications together since qualifying income will be based upon the household income.
Yes, however, since income qualification is based upon the gross household income, all applicants need to submit applications together. Transunion screens and evaluates the risk factor of all applicants collectively to determine eligibility and establish the security deposit. Therefore, adding an applicant after approval would necessitate rescreening applicants together, creating a delay and the additional cost of $50 per applicant for the application fee.
TransUnion. While most credit reporting agencies evaluate credit scores based upon the same parameters, slight variations may appear in the final report. We recommend using TransUnion if you are interested in reviewing your credit report.
Once your application is approved, an ARK Homes For Rent representative will reach out to you to verify information, such as planned occupants, pets, etc. ARK Homes For Rent will generate a lease agreement and you’ll have up to 48 hours to execute the lease online. Once the lease is executed, the security deposit and pro-rated monthly rent payment are due within 48 hours from the move-in date.
If at any point in this process you have a question or need assistance, you may contact us at info@arkhomesforrent.com or contact your agent directly.
ARK Homes For Rent uses an outside impartial screening service provider to screen all applicants. Once screening is complete, Transunion will produce one of three rental application results: approved, conditionally approved, or denied. If conditionally approved and due to income verification, ARK Homes may be able to work with you to assess if approval is possible, although it may result in a higher security deposit of up to one- and one-half month’s rent. If an application is declined, it is generally due to negative rental history, insufficient income, poor credit history, current bankruptcy, or criminal history.
Once the screening process is complete you may contact Transunion at (800) 916-8800 to request a copy of your credit score and/or discuss the reasons for application denial. ARK Homes For Rent is not able to provide denial information directly to our applicants.
Your security deposit amount is determined at the application stage and is based upon the monthly rent of the home, as well as Transunion’s assessment of your rental risk. This is based upon real data and statistics taken from each applicant’s credit report and may include payment history, number of accounts, collection activity, outstanding debt, and any previous evictions. A high rental score will typically generate a security deposit of one month’s rent. The lower the rental score number, the higher the risk level, thus the security deposit may be increased to one- and one-half month’s rent. Your ARK Homes For Rent Leasing Representative can provide more information on this.
The security deposit agreement is subject to ARK Homes For Rents’ final acceptance of the application once the screening process is complete. If an application is denied the applicant(s) is unable to move into the home, the security deposit will be refunded. Any fees paid are forfeited if an applicant is approved but decides to not move into the home.
Renter’s Insurance is necessary for the protection of the renter’s personal belongings in case of fire, theft, or damage. Have peace of mind that in the event of an accident, burglary or some unforeseen disaster, your personal property may be protected. That’s why ARK Homes For Rent requires every resident to have Renters Insurance for the duration of time that you live with us.
When setting up your Renters Insurance Policy, you must carry a minimum of $300,000 Property Loss and Personal Liability Insurance Coverage, and ARK Homes must be listed as “additionally insured” on the renter’s liability insurance policy, referencing the following address:
ARK Homes For Rent
P.O. Box 38060
Albany, NY 12203
Your lease will be sent via email through a system called Rent Café. ARK Homes For Rent requires that you sign your lease within 48 hours of receiving it. If the lease is not signed during this timeframe, the lease will be cancelled, and the home will be advertised for rent.
If you qualify, approximately 60-90 days prior to your lease expiring, you’ll receive an offer to renew. To qualify, ARK Homes For Rent will look at your rental history, including on time rental payments, maintaining the home properly, and avoiding HOA or city violations and neighbor complaints. If you are eligible for renewal, you’ll receive an offer via email outlining any lease plan options, so you can select which plan suits you best.
Should you decide to continue occupying the home outside of the lease agreement, it will roll over to a month-to-month agreement. Please contact your property manager to notify them that you wish to roll over to a month-to-month agreement.
Contact your Property Manager to let us know you want to add a roommate to your lease.
The new roommate will need to:
Once the new roommate is approved, and a new lease executed, the updated lease replaces your previous lease but is for the original lease term.
If everyone remaining in the house has lived there for a minimum of 6 months, you can remove someone from the lease, however, the remaining occupants need to, once again, prove income qualification showing the gross household income is greater than or equal to 3.0 times the monthly rent – without the exiting roommate. Everyone will need to provide ARK Homes For Rent with 30 days’ worth of current pay stubs. Once qualified, everyone on the lease will be emailed a roommate release form via Rent Café, which releases the exiting roommate from future liability and waives their right to any security deposit reimbursement.
ARK Homes For Rent does not allow subletting of their rental homes.
Should all current residents wish to move out prior to the end of the lease, there is the option to pay an early termination fee. Please contact us at (855) 261-1196 for details.
Should you want to move out, but your roommates are planning to stay in the home for the remainder of the lease, they need to complete a Roommate Release form releasing you from the lease. Please see "How Do I Remove a Roommate From My Lease".
ARK Homes For Rent works very hard to keep rental rates fair and comparable to the market. If your rent is increasing, it is because comparative rental rates of similar homes in your area have also increased in value. If you have questions about your rent increase, contact us at (855) 261-1196 for details.
Rent payment is due on the first (1st) of each month. A five (5)-day grace period is allowed for payment to be received by ARK Homes For Rent through the online Resident Portal. If rent is not received at the end of day five (5), on the sixth (6th) of each month, a late fee will be applied.
Monthly rent can easily be paid online through the Resident Portal, or through WIPS (Walk-in Payment System).
Please refer to your lease agreement for information regarding the entity that rent payments should be made payable to.
You can pay your monthly rent online through the Resident Portal via Rent Café. The day of your move in your Property Manager will provide with your log in credentials and instructions on how to sign in.
Every ARK Homes resident is eligible to use the Walk-in Payment System (WIPS) to pay rent. If you are interested in this payment method, contact us at (855) 261-1196 for a dedicated account number. With that in hand, you can walk into one of over 18,000 retail locations, such as Walmart and 7/11, and pay your monthly rent. Contact us for more information on this convenient and safe rent payment method.
ARK Homes For Rent does not accept partial payments, all payments must be made in full through the Resident Portal.
If a payment is returned for Not Sufficient Funds (NSF) or if an eviction process is underway, your account will be locked out from making further payments. It is highly unlikely that you would not have been contacted by an ARK Representative to discuss the state of your account. However, if this is the case, contact us at (855) 261-1196 immediately.
All move in fees will be outlined in your screening decision email. This email will be shared by your Agent upon of approval of the application.
Future residents are unable to see costs on the Resident Portal until your move-in date. Prior to this, please refer to your ARK Homes welcome letter and lease documents for information on costs or contact your Leasing Agent.
Yes, pets are welcome! Acceptable types of pets include dogs, cats, birds, small caged mammals, and fish. An aquarium may not be larger than a 20-gallon tank, and it will require proof of insurance for the entire term of the lease.
Pets must be licensed and have current vaccinations that are kept current throughout the duration of your lease. Dogs and cats should wear an identification collar tag with the owner’s name, address, and contact information. If your pet were to escape, we want to do everything possible to ensure they are returned home safely.
There is no pet limit, we welcome all your furry family members as long as they are registered on your application.
ARK Homes For Rent does not have any breed restrictions; however, some city or county ordinances have their own breed restrictions. Therefore, please check your local county for more detailed information specific to your area.
Simply contact us at (855) 261-1196 to let us know that you have a pet(s), and we’ll send you a Pet Addendum to your Lease. We welcome your pet(s) as new members of your household.
You, the pet owner, must request in writing via a letter or email us at info@arkhomesforrent.com, that the pet be removed from your lease. Once complete, accounting will make the appropriate adjustment on your account regarding pet rent.
ARK Homes For Rent does not require a deposit, but we do require a non-refundable pet fee of $300 per pet.
Pet rent is $35 a month, per pet.
For a service or emotional support animal, we ask you to provide ARK Homes For Rent with a letter from a qualified, licensed physician or health care professional indicating that you have a disability-related need for animal assistance. ARK Homes For Rent does not accept documents from online providers, as this does not constitute reliable verification of a disability, therapeutic relationship or need for an assistance animal. These documents are due at the time of submitting your application. Pet fees and pet rent are waived for verified service and emotional support animals.
The move-in inspection gives you the opportunity to walk through the home with an ARK Representative and sign off on the current condition of the home. You can point out something that may need repair and have noted any imperfections that you won’t want to be held responsible for at move out. The inspection form will be sent to you by your Property Manager the day of your move in. This form is due to back within 72 hours from your move in date.
Utilities will stay in the Property Management’s name, so no need to set up utilities with the exception of North Carolina homes. For North Carolina homes, the utility providers will be provided to you during the lease execution process so you can establish service for the day of your lease start date. For North Carolina, account numbers need to be provided prior to moving in.
Utilities are billed directly to your resident ledger. There is a monthly $11.99 service fee and a onetime set up fee of $40 due at move in. The amounts are based off actual consumption in the home. You will be able to see the charges on the ledger by the 25th of every month which will be due with the following month’s rent.
On the day of your move in your Leasing Agent will confirm that all fees have been paid, lease has been signed and renter’s insurance collected. Once these items have been confirmed the Leasing Agent will send you an email with an access code to the home to which will give you access to all keys. Should you believe anything is missing, contact us at (855) 261-1196.
When you move into an ARK Home, you’ll find the home to be well maintained and in good, clean condition. ARK Homes asks that you will strive to maintain the home and keep it in good condition – for the comfort and safety of you and your family and to protect and preserve the home.
Here are responsibilities related to maintaining your home:
The yard around your home is designed to provide you a private sanctuary to enjoy the outdoors. Your assistance is important to maintain your home’s premises and to keep it well maintained.
Specifically, your responsibilities, as outlined in your lease agreement, may include the need to:
Please submit all your service request(s) through the online resident portal. We ask that your elaborate on the details provided when inputting your service request. We encourage all residents to provide pictures of the maintenance issues.
If you have an EMERGENCY REQUEST, please call (855) 261-1196. Please be sure to notify the person that is answering the call that the issue is an emergency and the nature if the emergency. Emergency Requests are events that prohibit residents from continuing to safely occupy their home or are potentially life-threatening. These are given the highest priority.
Please submit all maintenance service requests through your Resident Portal.
For EMERGENCY work orders only, please call our 24/7 call center at 855-826-3860. Note that for all non-Emergency work orders called in through the call center, a fee may apply. To avoid this fee – make sure to only use this phone number to report an emergency.
Emergency Requests are events that prohibit residents from continuing to safely occupy their home or are potentially life-threatening. These are given the highest priority.
To cancel or reschedule a work order please email your Property Manager to see what additional options are available.
ARK Homes For Rent does not offer a lockout assistance service. Contact a locksmith to assist you with getting access back into your home.
You may make minor changes or modifications to your home; however, you must return the home to its original move-in condition before you move out. Minor modifications include changes such as adding security or screen doors, security equipment, changing the interior paint color and changing door locks. You may not remodel or structurally change the home or add fixtures without prior written permission from ARK Homes For Rent.
Yes, you may add cable or satellite to your home. Refer to your lease agreement when installing a satellite dish to your home to ensure that you are not making major modifications or causing damage to the home. Also, refer to your HOA and city or county ordinances to ensure your satellite dish is not in violation of any codes.
ARK Homes For Rent offers many rental homes in master-planned communities with Homeowners Associations (HOA). HOA communities are known for offering a welcoming appearance, well-maintained landscaping, street lighting, sidewalks, and homes with curb appeal. Sometimes they even have great resident amenities. If you’re considering renting a home in an HOA community, ask a leasing agent for a copy of the HOA Rules and Regulations and familiarize yourself with them.
A beautifully-landscaped neighborhood; pride in your community; and having places to gather, like poolside with family and friends – are just a few reasons Homeowners Associations (HOA) communities are so popular. With all the great benefits, comes the need to understand your responsibilities to the HOA. If you’re considering renting a home in an HOA community, ask a leasing agent for a copy of the HOA Rules and Regulations and familiarize yourself with them.
ARK Homes residents pay no monthly HOA fee. ARK Homes pays it for you. You will never have to interact directly with the HOA. ARK Homes will serve as your liaison, dealing with the HOA on your behalf.
The HOA will expect you to maintain the home to their standards, including the appearance of landscaping, driveway and sidewalk areas. The home exterior should be kept in good condition; vehicles parked in designated areas; unwanted items, trash, and untimely decorations kept out of sight; and avoid nuisance behavior. Your Property Manager will provide the details for your specific HOA at the time of move in What Happens if There Is a Violation?
With a violation of HOA Rules and Regulations, ARK Home For Rent’s Property Management team works directly with the HOA on your behalf, serving as liaison to resolve the issue. They will first receive notification of a violation from the HOA and will immediately begin efforts to have the resident satisfy or “cure” the specific violation. Most HOAs allow 7 to 14 days for the violation to be resolved and require a photo as proof of “cure.”
Any associated HOA violation fine will be the resident’s responsibility as the HOA guidelines will be provided and reviewed with at the time of move in. Rent will not be accepted until all violation fees are paid.
Upon move in you’ll receive a copy of HOA Rules and Regulations. If you’re a current resident and need a copy, contact your ARK Homes For Rent Property Manager. HOA Rules and Regulations should also be identified in your lease agreement.
Yes! A benefit of living with ARK Homes is the ability to easily relocate from one home to another when your situation changes. The transfer requirements and process are outlined below:
The best advice is to prepare in advance for a natural disaster and know the steps to take after the disaster. If where you live is prone to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, snowstorms and arctic freeze, wildfires, earthquakes or other natural disasters, it is important to be prepared by having an action plan in place that will help keep you and your family safe, mitigate damage and expedite recovery.
Know your responsibilities related to a natural disaster, and you can better protect your family and property. Here are some pre-emergency tips that relate to most types of natural disaster:
Certainly, the most important thing is to keep you and your family safe. The secondary thing is to do whatever you can to mitigate any damage to the home and your personal belongings. Much damage mitigation can be done in preparation of a natural disaster.
National Weather Service
Stay tuned to the National Weather Service for your local area.
A NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts alerts and warnings directly from the NWS for all hazards. You may also sign up in advance to receive notifications from your local emergency services.
Pre-Disaster Resources
Ready.gov/make-a-plan.com
Ready.gov/hurricanes – Explains actions to take when you receive a hurricane alert for your area.
National Hurricane Center – www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards – www.nws.noaa.gov
Post-Disaster Resources
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Housing Assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster support – www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
For consideration as a new vendor, email to info@arkhomesforrent.com to request a vendor questionnaire.
