Frequently asked questions

Rent is due on the 1st and is late after the 5th. A $100 late fee applies. In-person payments must be received by 4:30 PM on the 5th; portal payments must process by 10:00 PM on the 5th.

After the 5th, a $100 late fee is added to your account. Pay the full balance through the resident portal as soon as possible. Partial payment does not stop late fees unless you have a signed payment agreement, so contact management right away if you need one.

Accepted payment methods: personal check (if no returned checks in the past 12 months), cashier's check, money order, EFT/ACH through the resident portal, and debit or credit card (fees apply). Cash is never accepted.

Returned or reversed payments carry a $35 fee. After a failed check or EFT, certified funds are required for the next 12 months. A tenant-initiated reversal requires certified funds for all future payments.

Partial rent is accepted only under a signed payment agreement. Otherwise partial payment does not stop late fees or cure a default.

Yes. Under the lease, all charges are rent or additional rent — including late fees, pest fees, repair reimbursements, and violation fees.

Account balances are visible in the resident portal.

Submit maintenance requests through the resident portal. Before submitting, check breakers, fuses, and air filters. If a vendor finds the issue is resident-responsible, the resident is billed.

The landlord handles major systems: roof, HVAC, exterior walls, and structural components required by law.

Residents handle interior maintenance: walls, floors, fixtures, cabinets, plumbing clogs, lawn care at single-family homes, fire ant control, and routine pest control.

Residents may change bulbs, unclog drains, reset breakers, and replace fuses. All other plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas, or structural work requires approval.

Report all leaks within 24 hours. Failure to report makes the resident liable for resulting damage.

Residents must clean minor mold and notify management if it returns. Failure to report shifts remediation cost to the resident.

Move-in occurs on or after the lease start date; the move-in date and lease start date may differ. Keys are released only after a move-in inspection is scheduled.

Give written notice before moving out as required by the Alabama Residential Landlord-Tenant Act — contact management for the correct notice period. Keep utilities on through the final inspection, provide a forwarding address, and return all keys with the home fully vacated by 3:30 PM on the lease end date. You may request a pre-move-out walkthrough.

All keys must be returned and the home fully vacated by 3:30 PM on the lease end date.

Renter's insurance is optional but strongly recommended; enrollment is available through the resident portal for an additional fee. The landlord's insurance does not cover resident belongings or personal liability.

Written notice is required before moving out under the Alabama Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Contact management for the correct notice period and move-out instructions.

Security deposits are refunded within 60 days of lease end, minus allowable deductions for damages, cleaning, pest treatment, debris removal, or odor remediation. A forwarding address is required.

Yes. A pre-move-out walkthrough may be requested.

Routine preventative inspections occur during the lease, always with advance notice.

Utilities must remain active through the final move-out inspection. Shutting utilities off early forfeits the entire security deposit and may result in repair charges.

Yes. Residents must notify management in writing before being away from the property for more than 14 consecutive days.

If the landlord cannot deliver possession on the start date through no fault of their own, rent is abated until possession is delivered, or the lease may be cancelled.

Available properties and applications are on our listings page. Each listing has an Apply button that takes you through the online application.

Requirements: minimum credit score of 580, no prior evictions, clean rental history, and verifiable monthly income of at least three times the monthly rent.

The application fee is $55 per applicant, non-refundable, due at the time of application. Applications are not processed until the fee is paid.

Yes. Pre-screening is available for applicants not ready to apply: email proof of income and a copy of the current lease to rentals@stellar-mgmt.com.

Housing voucher and program questions are handled through the portal.

Pets are allowed with a $300 non-refundable pet fee and an approved Animal Agreement on file.

Only animals listed in the Animal Agreement are permitted. One freshwater aquarium of 10 gallons or less is allowed. Feeding strays or hosting recurring guest animals counts as an unauthorized pet.

The resident is responsible for all animal-related damage, including odor removal, pest control, cleaning, and repairs, whether or not the animal was approved.

Subletting or adding roommates requires prior written approval, and a sublease or assignment fee of 10% of remaining rent applies. Unauthorized occupants are a lease violation.

Early termination is limited to specific situations such as casualty loss, eminent domain, landlord sale, or legal default processes described in the lease.

Holdover residents are charged 150% of rent until keys are returned and possession is surrendered.

Immediate or non-curable defaults include illegal drug activity, repeat noise violations, and dangerous or unsanitary conditions.

Abandonment is indicated by utilities disconnected for 7 days or other visible signs; the landlord may enter and secure the property once confirmed.

Cars and SUVs are permitted. Commercial vehicles, RVs, boats, trailers, ATVs, oversized vehicles, and large trucks require written approval.

Park in the driveway or garage only. Parking on lawns, sidewalks, patios, or streets is prohibited for residents.

Inoperable vehicles must be removed within 3 days or may be towed at the resident's expense.

Smoking and vaping are prohibited indoors. Outdoor smoking requires fire-proof receptacles.

Unattended grills and fire pits, and burning trash or debris, are prohibited.

A first confirmed noise complaint results in a meeting; a second confirmed complaint within six months constitutes default.

Commercial activity, yard sales, and business storage are not permitted at the property.

Storing or disposing of chemicals, fuels, paint, or automotive fluids is prohibited. Residents are liable for cleanup costs.

Resident notice to management requires two methods: email plus certified mail, overnight delivery, or in-person delivery. Email alone is insufficient.

Management delivers notice by door posting, certified mail, overnight delivery, or email sent by noon on the deadline.

Reasonable accommodation and modification requests must be submitted in writing. Where legally permitted, the resident pays for modifications and restores the property at move-out.

The landlord may show the home to prospective residents, buyers, lenders, and insurance personnel with proper notice.

Call (334) 440-7977 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Saturday, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM) or email info@stellar-mgmt.com. For rental inquiries, email rentals@stellar-mgmt.com. Our office is at 1712 Platt Pl, Montgomery, AL 36117.

For fire, a gas smell, or a medical emergency, call 911 first. For urgent property emergencies after that, call (334) 440-7977. Non-urgent repairs should go through the resident portal.