Frequently Asked Questions

Have a few questions before you settle into your new home? Getting there comes with plenty of details to track, so we've put together answers to help, covering everything from applying and screening to pet policy, fees, and what your move-in day looks like at our blue water townhouses in Atascocita. Anything we haven't touched on here, our team is glad to walk you through. Just reach out through our contact page!

Still Have Questions? Contact Us Today!

Getting to know a new community takes a little time, and we're happy to be part of that process. Whatever's still on your mind, our leasing team is happy to help, whether that's over the phone, by email, or in person at our office.


APPLYING & ELIGIBILITY

Before you apply, it helps to have your ID ready to go. We ask that everyone 18 and older bring one valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID, and any of these will do the job:

  • State-issued driver's license or identification card

  • U.S. passport or passport card

  • U.S. CIS Form I-551 permanent resident card (also known as a "Green Card")

  • Valid foreign passport

Bluewater at Balmoral welcomes every applicant through the same straightforward process, in line with our standing as an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. For anyone 18 and older joining the lease, here's what we'll ask for:

  • A completed rental application for each person over 18

  • Valid government-issued photo identification

  • Verifiable proof of income

  • A standard credit screening

  • A routine background and criminal history check

Verifying income and employment is handled through a third-party provider once you've applied, and some situations call for a bit of extra paperwork to get that step wrapped up. Our leasing office is glad to help if anything comes up along the way.

A guarantor, sometimes called a co-signer, can join your lease if your credit doesn't quite meet our standard guidelines on its own, but your rental history is otherwise solid. They share the same financial obligation as the resident named on the lease, so if rent goes unpaid, that responsibility falls to them, too. Here's what a guarantor needs to bring to the table:

  • Complete a rental application and pay the application fee

  • Pass our standard background check

  • Have a credit score of 700 or higher

First time leasing? You're in good hands at Bluewater at Balmoral. With no rental history yet to go on, we'll weigh your credit and income a little more heavily in the decision, and a conditional approval, potentially with a qualified guarantor, is still a possibility.

SCREENING: CREDIT & BACKGROUND

You'll go through a standard credit screening when you apply to Bluewater at Balmoral, and we're looking at your overall history, not just one number. We're paying attention to:

  • Consistent payment history

  • Outstanding debt and collections activity

  • Bankruptcies or other public records

  • The number and type of accounts

The screening leans on Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) standards, and every applicant goes through it the same way.

There's no set minimum credit score we're looking for. A score only tells part of the story, so we weigh your full credit profile before making a decision. A low number on its own won't lead to a decline, though the full results of your screening are what guide your approval terms. If your history falls outside our usual guidelines, we're happy to work with you through a couple of options:

  • Adding a Guarantor (Co-signer): a qualified person who applies alongside you and shares financial responsibility for the lease

  • Paying an Additional Security Deposit: some applicants may be offered a higher, fully refundable deposit instead

These options follow the same pre-set screening standards for everyone and stay in line with Fair Housing law. We'd love to talk through what fits your situation, just give our leasing office a call.

Getting to know new residents at Bluewater at Balmoral includes a routine background screening for everyone aged 18 or older. It looks at relevant criminal history, handled in accordance with federal, state, and local law, including Fair Housing guidelines.

A criminal background screening is part of the application process at our community for everyone aged 18 or older, done in step with the Fair Housing Act and guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rather than applying one standard across the board, we take a closer look at the details behind each record, including:

  • The nature and severity of the offense

  • The amount of time that has passed since the conviction

  • Any additional context or evidence of rehabilitation you'd like to share

From there, our review centers on convictions that could put residents or property at risk, which can include, but isn't limited to, felonies or misdemeanors involving:

  • Violence, threats, or harm to persons

  • Drug manufacturing or distribution

  • Sex-related offenses

  • Arson or other severe property damage

One thing worth knowing is that an arrest on its own is never grounds for denial; only an actual conviction factors into a decision. If something in your screening turns up that could affect your application, we'll reach out so you have the chance to share any context that might help.

Yes, part of moving your application forward includes a quick conversation with the landlords you've listed. We'll reach out to understand how your last few leases went, specifically:

  • A consistent record of on-time payments

  • No outstanding debts to previous landlords

  • No history of evictions filed

  • No major lease violations

FEES, DEPOSITS & COSTS

Here's a clear look at what applying and leasing at Bluewater at Balmoral involves, so you know exactly what to expect as you settle into life at our community:

  • Application Fee ($75 per applicant): Everyone 18 or older joining the lease covers this fee, and it's what helps us run your credit and background screening reports. It's non-refundable.

  • Administrative Fee ($150 per home): Billed to the home rather than split between residents, this one is collected once you're approved. It covers your lease paperwork, resident account setup, and getting the home ready for your move-in day. This fee is also non-refundable.

Move-in costs look a little different depending on how you'd like to handle your deposit at Bluewater at Balmoral, so here's how each option works.

Traditional Security Deposit

  • Fully refundable and held for the length of your lease to cover anything beyond normal wear and tear

  • With standard approval, the deposit comes to 50% of one month's rent

  • With conditional approval, some applicants may be asked for a higher deposit instead, typically one to two months' rent, depending on the overall screening results

Security Deposit Alternative with Rhino

  • We've partnered with Rhino to give you an easier way to meet your deposit requirement. Instead of a large sum upfront, you pay a smaller fee, either monthly or as a single payment, which satisfies the requirement in full. It's worth keeping in mind that what you pay Rhino is an insurance premium, not money you'll get back like a traditional deposit.

Our leasing team can walk you through the details and get you set up if Rhino sounds like the right fit.

LEASE TERMS & POLICIES

We love helping residents find a lease length that feels right for them, here's how the terms break down at Bluewater at Balmoral:

  • Standard Lease Term: Most residents go with our 15-month lease

  • Flexible Terms: Beyond that, lease lengths generally run from 13 to 24 months, and both availability and pricing can shift day to day depending on your move-in date and how long you'd like to stay

Ready to see what's open right now? Head to our Floorplans page to browse our 3 and 4-bedroom townhomes in Atascocita, then use the bedroom and move-in date filters to narrow things down to what fits. Once a layout catches your eye, click into it to pull up "Check Availability" and "Lease Now" if you're ready to move forward, or "Book a Tour" if you'd rather see the space in person first. From there, our team is always around to help you land on the right fit.

Absolutely! We're happy to have your pets join you at our pet-friendly community in Atascocita. Each home allows up to two pets, and a few breed restrictions do apply. If you're not sure whether your pet fits within them, just give our leasing team a call.

  • One-time pet fee: $350 per pet (non-refundable)

  • Monthly pet rent: $25 per pet

If you have a service animal or a verified Emotional Support Animal at home, those companions aren't held to this policy, so there's no fee or restriction standing in the way, and we'd love to help you get the accommodation paperwork squared away.

Adding a roommate means bringing someone new onto your existing lease, while subletting means handing your home off to someone else entirely, and those two work very differently here at Bluewater at Balmoral.

Subletting and Short-Term Rentals

This isn't something we're able to offer. Every resident who lives here goes through the same screening process before moving in, so subletting your home or listing it for short-term stays, like Airbnb, isn't allowed under the lease.

Adding a Roommate to Your Lease

Welcoming someone new to your home partway through the lease is something we can help with. It starts with a current leaseholder reaching out to our leasing office, and from there, our team will guide you and your future roommate through what comes next. The new roommate will need to:

  • Complete our standard rental application

  • Pay the non-refundable application fee

  • Pass the same credit, criminal, and rental history screening that every resident completes

Once approved, everyone on the lease, current and new, signs an addendum that officially adds the roommate with full resident rights and responsibility, and it's worth knowing that every person on a lease is considered "jointly and severally liable," meaning each leaseholder is responsible, individually and as a group, for the full rent and lease terms.

MOVING IN

Getting the keys to your new home at Bluewater at Balmoral means the search is over, and the fun part starts. Here's what to know before that day arrives.

Before Your Move-In Day

Please take care of the following at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment:

  • Sign your lease documents electronically

  • Set up your electricity account with your preferred provider and share the account number with us

  • Provide proof of renter's insurance, with at least $300,000 in liability coverage

  • Pay your move-in balance through the online Resident Portal

On Your Move-In Day

Just come by the leasing office at your scheduled time, and we'll cover a few quick community details, answer anything you're still wondering about, and hand over your keys once everything's set. From there, the home is yours.

Yes, we ask every resident to carry an active renter's insurance policy with at least $300,000 in personal liability coverage, a simple way to keep your belongings protected from day one.

Getting set up is straightforward:

  • Choose a policy from any licensed insurance provider

  • Add Bluewater at Balmoral as an "Interested Party" on the policy

  • Upload the "Declarations Page" to your online Resident Portal before you move in

RENT & PAYMENTS

Rent comes due on the 1st of each month, and you've got a short window through the end of day on the 3rd before anything extra applies. From the 4th onward, a late fee gets added to any remaining balance per your lease terms, so putting auto-pay on your account is one simple way to keep the date off your mind entirely.

As for how you'd like to pay, here's what works:

  • Online Resident Portal: Turn on auto-pay for recurring payments, use eCheck (ACH) at no cost straight from your bank account, or pay by credit or debit card, which comes with a standard third-party processing fee

  • Cash at a Local Retailer: Ask our team for a Walk-In Payment System (WIPS) card, then take it to a participating retailer like Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens to complete your payment

  • Check or Money Order: Drop it off in the secure payment box at our leasing office, made payable to Bluewater at Balmoral

For the safety of everyone on-site, our leasing office isn't able to take cash payments in person. Thank you for understanding.

Here's how that plays out at Bluewater at Balmoral, following what's outlined in your lease agreement to keep things consistent for every resident.

  • Grace Period: Rent is due on the 1st, and you've got until the end of the day on the 3rd before a late fee applies

  • Late Fees: From the 4th onward, an initial fee applies, with a daily charge added until the balance is cleared. The exact amounts are laid out in your lease

  • Legal Action: If a balance goes unresolved, it can lead to a Notice to Vacate, the required first step before an eviction filing

Running into a payment issue? Give our office a call before the grace period ends, and we're happy to talk it through with you.

LIVING IN YOUR HOME

Our leasing team is glad to lay out a full cost breakdown for your home at Bluewater at Balmoral. For utilities you'll set up on your own, we keep a handy list of local providers to help you get started.

We want your home at Bluewater at Balmoral to always feel taken care of, so here are the two ways to reach our team when something comes up.

For Non-Emergency Requests

For everyday needs, like a slow-draining sink or a loose cabinet hinge, our work order portal is the quickest way to get help. It's open 24/7, so you can log a request anytime, attach photos and notes from your phone, and track it through to completion. We handle requests by priority and always give you a heads-up before coming by.

For Urgent Maintenance Emergencies

Call our office directly at (832) 225-3877 and press 2 for maintenance once the recording picks up. Emergencies should always go through a phone call rather than the portal, so our team can respond as quickly as possible.

An emergency covers anything that puts your safety, health, or your home at immediate risk, including:

  • No air conditioning when it's above 80°F outside

  • No heat when it's below 50°F outside

  • A major water leak or flooding

  • A total loss of power unrelated to a known outage in the area

  • The smell of gas (evacuate immediately and call 911 and your gas provider)

  • A broken lock or window compromising your home's security

  • Structural or major damage to your home