Tenant FAQ's
Q. When and how do I pay my rent?
A. Rent is due on the first day of each month. Rent may be mailed to our office at Great Smoky Investments, Corp., 501 W. Main St., Sevierville, TN 37862, or it may be delivered directly to our office. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The office door has a drop slot if you arrive after hours. Note: We accept money orders, cashier's checks, and credit cards only. (Please note there is a 3% convenience fee charged to credit cards.) **You may now pay your rent online!**
Q. What if I am late paying my rent?
A: Rent is due on the first day of each month. Any payments received after the 5th of the month are subject to late fee assessed at a 10% late fee. The late fee is based on total amount of late monthly installment(s) plus any late fees.
Q. Can I change the locks on the doors?
A. No. Great Smoky Investments, Corp. changes the locks on the doors every time there is a new tenant in the house. We also keep a copy of each key here at the office to help ensure that maintenance problems can be fixed should you be unavailable.
Q. What if I get a pet after I sign the lease?
A. First, you must call Great Smoky Investments, Corp. to confirm that the owner of the property will allow a pet. Next, you must fill out an application and must receive approval prior to accepting the pet. If approved, we will collect a $250.00 non-refundable pet fee for each approved pet. If a pet is discovered at your property without prior consent, your lease is subject to termination, your security deposit is forfeited in its entirety and the applicable pet fee plus any damages will be assessed.
Q. What if I break my lease?
A. If you must break the lease before its expiration date, be advised that you are still responsible for paying rent until new tenants are found, the security deposit is forfeited in its entirety, and you are responsible for any damages, repairs, and late fees.
Q. Is my security deposit considered my last month's rent?
A. NO. The security deposit is used for breach of lease, damages, repairs, etc. You are still responsible for paying rent for the last month of occupancy. If rent is not paid you are subject to eviction, late fees, and assessments.
Q. How do I contact the school system?
Sevier County Board of Education
School Superintendent 865-453-4671
Q. How do I contact Utilities Companies?
Sevier County Electric System 865-453-2887
City of Sevierville Water Systems 865-453-5522
Sevierville County Utility District 865-453-3272
Charter Communication 865-472-2200
Comcast Communication 865-637-5411
BellSouth 888-757-6500
Knoxville Utility Board 865-524-2911
Maintenance Questions
When you call for a maintenance issue or repair problem, you are asking us to dispatch a technician to make the repair. The service company charges for each trip to the property. If additional trips are required because you refuse to allow the service technician to enter, YOU will be immediately charged for the service call.
Q. How do I report a maintenance problem?
A. When a repair is needed, please do not hesitate to call our office at 865-774-0006 during regular business hours. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Repairs are scheduled on a first come first serve basis, and will be handled as quickly as possible. Most repairs are performed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be prepared to give us information such as the problem you are experiencing, your address, and telephone number. When a repair is scheduled, we will call to see if you are home. If you do not answer the phone, we will use our master key to enter and make the repair. If you have pets, it is imperative that the pets be confined on the day of the repair call. If we are unable to make the repairs due to your unconfined pet and/or the service men are not allowed to access the premises, YOU will be charged for the service call, plus $65.00 for the first attempt and $165.00 for the second attempt. If there is a third attempt, there will be a $300.00 service charge and we will begin eviction procedures. If you have a maintenance issue to report AFTER these business hours, it needs to be a true emergency. If it is determined not to be a true emergency, an AFTER HOURS CHARGE of $50.00 will be assessed.
If you have an after hours EMERGENCY repair, please do not hesitate to call immediately. You should call 865-774-0006 as soon as possible when an after hours EMERGENCY occurs.
EMERGENCY repairs are defined as follows:
The house is burning. First call 911 and then call us as soon as possible.
A passing storm has caused damage to the house. Please call us immediately.
A water/sewer line breaks and water/sewage is everywhere. First, cut off the water supply, and then call us immediately. Please begin mopping up the water to reduce the damage to the property.
Hot water tank ruptures and floods the house. First cut off the water supply, and then call us immediately. Please begin mopping up the water to reduce the damage to the property.
NON-EMERGENCY: While many repairs are inconvenient, they are not all emergencies. Non-emergencies should be reported during regular business hours Monday through Saturday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Repairs are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. The following are a few examples:
The HVAC unit is not cooling and or heating properly. First check your HVAC filter and change if needed. It this does not resolve the problem; call our office during regular business hours. If a dirty filter causes damage to the unit, the tenant will be charged for the damage to the unit plus the ensuing service call.
The toilet/sink is stopped up and overflowing. Cut off the water supply and plunge the toilet/sink. Stopped up toilets and sinks are the responsibility of the tenant. If we must plunge the toilet or sink due to tenant negligence, the tenant will be responsible for the service call and any damage to the property.
Light bulb needs changing. This is a tenant responsibility therefore a service fee will be charged.
The dishwasher is not working or not working properly. A wall outlet does not work. A light switch does not work. The ice maker does not work.
For any of the above or similar issues, please call 865-774-0006 during regular business hours.
Q. What happens if I am experiencing plumbing issues?
A. Please call Great Smoky Investments, Corp. at 865-774-0006 for any plumbing issues. Be
prepared to give us information such as the problem you are experiencing, your address, and name and telephone number. Be advised it is not permissible to dispose of diapers, toys, grease, female personal items, rubber gloves, or food scraps etc. in the toilets and/or sinks. If this is found to be the cause of the clog, the tenant is responsible for the cost of the repair, plus cost to repair damage to the property including the charge for the service call.
Q. What if I have a pest problem?
A. If you live in a home or stand alone unit, Pest Control is your responsibility. We are more than happy to recommend somebody to assist you with your problem. However, if you live in an apartment, please contact us to handle the matter.
Q. What if I want to have cable installed?
A. The name of the cable or satellite company performing the installation must be submitted to Great Smoky Investments, Corp. prior to installation. The tenant must provide a copy of the installation order to Great Smoky Investments, Corp. within 3 days of the installation.
Any jacks that need to be installed inside the home must be installed in the wall. The carpet must not be damaged in any way. Any damage to the carpet will be the responsibility of the tenant and the cable or satellite company.
Any outside satellite equipment must be installed on a pole in the back yard. Do NOT attach satellite equipment to the house, roof or deck.
Q. What if I am interested in buying a home or property?
A. If you buy through Great Smoky Investments, Corp., we will pay up to $1000.00 of your closing costs at closing.
Q. What if I live in a subdivision with restrictive covenants?
A. If you reside in a subdivision with restrictive covenants, you will be provided with a copy of the covenants and you will be required to abide by those covenants.
Q. What if I want to move, can someone else move in and take over my lease?
A. No, you must give notice that you are moving and anyone wishing to move in must come in, make application, and sign a new lease. Subletting is strictly prohibited.
Please be aware that we may perform inspections on rental properties. These inspections are unannounced and are performed during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at 865-774-0004. We, at Great Smoky Investments, Corp., are here to make your rental experience as pleasant as possible. If we may be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to call.
