Frequently Asked Questions

We open our leasing cycle on November 1st for the upcoming year. At this time, we are able to discuss property availability and to coordinate property tours. Please contact our Leasing Team at 616-430-8757 if you have any questions regarding the leasing process!

The Fulton Group allows a cat or dog in most of our single-family homes and a select amount of our duplexes. We do not allow pets in our multi-unit properties. Please contact our Sales Manager Olivia at [email protected] to go over pet fees, pet limits, or any other questions.

Rent is always due on the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or a legal holiday, you may submit your payment on the next open business day without penalty. We also accept cash, check, or money orders. Whenever you submit a payment in person, we always ask that your name, address, and what you are paying (i.e., August rent, late fee, security deposit) are listed on the payment. You can also pay by credit or debit card (there are fees included) or electronic check, as well as set up automatic payments through your tenant portal. For any questions regarding your rent payment, please contact Caleb at [email protected] or Nicki at [email protected].

The Fulton Group allows subletting. We only allow up to 50% of residents on a contract to do a sublease. There is a maximum of two (2) subleases per leasing term. Unfortunately, we do not assist with locating sublets. Please contact our Sales Manager Olivia at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns regarding subletting.

All maintenance requests need to be submitted through your tenant portal (AppFolio). Maintenance requests are handled in the order in which they are received. Requests that pose a health and safety risk are priority, and everything else is handled as they are entered in the queue. Our Maintenance Team will follow-up through the submitted request for scheduling.

If you have a maintenance emergency, please call the emergency maintenance number (616) 430-8218. 

Two weeks prior to move-in, you will receive an email detailing what needs to be done prior to move-in, what your move-in day will look like, and additional information to set you up for success with your move.

Properties with keypad locks will receive the access code on the scheduled move-in date.

If you are unable to coordinate your move-in on the date and time listed in your email, please contact Olivia at [email protected]. Please see the Move-in Page for additional information.

We want to make sure that you and any individuals who travel on your property are safe! The City of Grand Rapids requires snow removal of sidewalks, pathways, and driveways within 12-24 hours after snowfall halts. Please make sure you are consistently clearing snow for your safety and the safety of others.

If you’re transitioning to living downtown Grand Rapids, there are a few things you need to know about on-street parking! Many streets have even-and-odd date parking designated by street signs to ensure proper snow removal in the winter months. These signs will indicate where you can and cannot park between November-April from 2:00-6:00am. If you are parking on the street, please make sure you’re parking appropriately!

If tenants have access to off-street parking that is provided with their property, the parking area shall be used exclusively for parking of Tenant’s personal passenger automobile. It may not be used to store, wash, paint, or repair vehicles. Please note it is prohibited to have your vehicle covering any sidewalks.

Some of our properties have central air, and some don’t. If your property doesn’t have central air, feel free to get window air conditioning units. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. To properly install the window air conditioner, it is important to remove the screen and expand the wings to close the gaps on each side.

Renters insurance protects your individual liability and the belongings at your property. The Fulton Group does not require renter’s insurance, but we highly recommend it! The physical structure of the property is insured through us, but that does not include your personal belongings. Renter’s insurance is inexpensive, and you can bundle it with your auto insurance policy. Our tenant portal system (AppFolio) offers a renter's insurance policy if that is something you are interested in pursuing.

30 days before you move out, you will receive a move-out informational email that includes two links. One link is for your formal forwarding address through the USPS, and the other will send your forwarding address our accounting department (https://www.fulton-group.com/forwarding-address/).

Security Deposits are refunded within 30 days of your official move-out date and mailed to the forwarding address that you provided in the required link. If we do not receive your forwarding address, the deposit will stay at our office. You will need to coordinate with our accounting department to pick it up, be ready to present a valid ID.

When we process your deposit, our accounting department reviews photos after your move-out to ensure you are charged correctly for any damages (if necessary). We also prorate any water bills and review your ledger for any outstanding balances. Once this is completed, we mail out your deposit with an itemized list of charges. We try to be as fair as possible to make sure you get the most out of your refund!

If you have any questions regarding your security deposit refund, please contact Caleb at [email protected].

30 days prior to move-out, you will receive an email detailing the move-out process. This will explain how to turn in your keys, how to submit a formal forwarding address, your exact move-out date and time, and how to leave your property. Keep an eye on your email for your move-out notice from Olivia! Please contact Olivia at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Thirty days before you move out, you will receive a move-out verification email from Olivia. This email will explain which utilities should be changed (i.e., DTE, Consumers). These utilities should be switched out of your name effective your lease end date, which can be found in your standard lease agreement. Please contact Olivia at [email protected] if you have any questions.

You will receive a move-in informational email two weeks prior to your lease start date. Before you move in, you will need to submit a Utility Change Checklist and schedule your rent to be paid on the first of each month through your tenant portal. We will provide a link to your Inventory Checklist as well as any other pertinent information regarding your move-in. If you have any questions, please email Olivia at [email protected].

We start our leasing process with a tour! After touring the properties, we simply ask for a confirmation email stating what property you are confirming. Olivia will send over the application; you will only have 24-hours from the time you receive the application to fill it out. Upon confirmation, you will have 7-days to pay all fees (security deposit, cleaning fee, etc.) and set up a virtual lease signing with Olivia. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Olivia at [email protected] 

If you get locked out of your property during business hours, please call the emergency maintenance line at (616) 430-8218. There is a fee for having our maintenance team unlock your unit, which will be directly applied to your tenant portal. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Operations Manager, Max at [email protected].

If you get locked out of your property outside of business hours, you will need to call a locksmith at your own expense.

What is considered an Emergency Maintenance Issue?

An Emergency Maintenance Issue is characterized by an immediate safety or health concern.

Examples of Emergency Maintenance Issues include:

  • Fire (Tenants should call 911 first)
  • Major Water Leaks or Major Flooding
  • Gas Leaks (Tenants should also contact DTE at 800-947-5000)
  • Sewage Back-Ups
  • Security of Home (broken exterior lock, door, or window; break-ins)
  • Loss of Heat (during winter)

Items NOT considered Emergency Maintenance Issues:

  • Minor water leaks
  • Broken appliances
  • Pest control
  • Leaky faucet
  • Clogged drain or toilet

When is rent due?

Rent is due by midnight on the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is due by midnight on the next business day if you pay in-person. Rent can be paid in-person at our office or mailed to our office. If you drop off a payment outside of business hours, please label the payment with your name, address, and what you are specifically paying for, and drop it in our mail slot.

Something needs to be fixed. What do I do?

If you have a routine maintenance request, it must be submitted online using the button above. If you have a maintenance emergency, which is something affecting health or safety, please call our Emergency Maintenance Line: 616-430-8218.

Where is my water bill?

Water and sewer utilities will be maintained in the name of The Fulton Group, LLC. Once we receive the bill, we will apply the invoice directly to your tenant portal system. In single-family homes, the actual invoice will be applied. In multi-unit homes, tenants will be billed a fixed cost of $40.00 per unit. Water and sewer are billed on a quarterly basis through the City of Grand Rapids.