Frequently asked questions

We accept the first applicant who meets our minimum requirements, which are:

• Combined gross monthly income of all applicants equal to or greater than 3 times the monthly rent (3:1 income to rent ratio)
• 3 months of verifiable income
• 24 months of verifiable, favorable rental history
• Favorable credit history
• No bankruptcy in the past 7 years
• No evictions
• Criminal records must not indicate the applicant poses a current threat to self, the property or others
• Must be able to pay the required rent and deposit
• Must present a valid government-issued photo ID

Yes. The Palms is a pet-friendly community, with a pet deposit and pet rent. Cats are welcome, and small dogs or dogs in most homes; ask which pets a home allows. The community has 2 dog parks.

The community is securely gated, with assigned covered parking, plenty of uncovered parking, a swimming pool, a barbecue area with shaded seating, 5 laundry rooms and 2 dog parks. The Palms shares amenities with Bay Laurel Apartments next door, including a second swimming pool and spa, a children’s play area with a Monkey Mansion Playhouse, a central gazebo and a second barbecue area. See the amenities page for the full list.

All of our communities are non-smoking.

All of our communities’ rental agreements are on a month-to-month basis.

To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, you must give a minimum of 30 days’ written notice of your intent to vacate.

You will receive a full accounting of your security deposit disposition within 21 days of vacating your apartment. The security deposit is fully refundable; however, we are permitted to deduct the cost of any unpaid rent, cleaning and damages beyond normal wear and tear in the apartment.

We require renter’s insurance with minimum limit liability coverage of 100/300. You can provide your own renter’s insurance policy, or a Limited Liability Insurance Policy (LLIP) can be purchased through your online resident portal.

Rent can be paid by personal check, cashier’s check, money order, e-check, or debit or credit card.

You can pay your rent online with an e-check (ACH payment) at no extra cost to you. Give your community manager your email address and a link will be sent to you so you can set up a resident portal.

You can pay your rent by credit card, but there is a processing fee. This fee is not paid to Gardner Management; it is charged by the processing company to offset the fees that the credit card companies charge them for the transaction.

You can pay your rent by debit card, but there is a $9.99 flat fee charged by the financial institution and not collected by Gardner Management.

Rent is due in full on the due date and is late the following day. If the rent is not paid within 4 calendar days of the due date, an additional late charge of 5% of rent will be due. If rent is not paid within 4 calendar days of the due date, you will be served with a 3-day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. If you do not pay your rent or quit your apartment within the 3-day period, we will be forced to file a legal action against you.

The charge for the first non-sufficient funds check or ACH payment is $25.00, and $35.00 for each subsequent one. If the replacement rent payment is made after the grace period you will also be subject to a late fee. If a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit is served, the replacement must be a cashier’s check, a money order or an e-check paid online.

Complete a maintenance request by entering it through your online resident portal. Maintenance requests are addressed in the order they are received and performed in the order of urgency.