Frequently Asked Questions

You're one step closer to calling West End Estates home, and as an Equal Housing Opportunity community, we guide every applicant aged 18 and older through the same steps to apply. Here's what you'll need on hand:

• A completed rental application for everyone 18 and older

• A valid, government-issued photo ID

• Proof of income that can be verified

• A standard credit screening

• A routine background and criminal history check

We keep the ID requirement simple: one valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID from every applicant aged 18 and older. Here's what works:

• 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

Verifying income is a standard part of applying to West End Estates, and we partner with a trusted third-party service to confirm your income and employment details. Depending on your situation, a bit of extra documentation may be needed to finish that step, and our team will let you know exactly what's needed if that's the case.

If any questions come up along the way, our leasing team would love to help. Just give us a call or send a message.

Yes, adding a guarantor, sometimes called a co-signer, is an option we're happy to offer at West End Estates. It's a good fit for applicants with a strong rental history, even when the credit history doesn't quite line up with our guidelines on its own.

A guarantor takes on the same legal responsibility as the resident if rent goes unpaid, so to qualify, they'll need to:

• Complete a rental application and pay the application fee

• Pass our standard background check

• Have a credit score of 700 or higher

Not a problem at all, and we're excited to have you. Without a rental history on file yet, your credit and income carry a little more weight in our decision. Depending on how those look, we may still be able to offer a conditional approval, and adding a guarantor is often part of making that happen.

Your credit review at West End Estates looks at the whole picture, not just one score, so we're glad to walk you through what actually goes into it. We take a look at:

• Consistent payment history

• Outstanding debt and collections activity

• Bankruptcies or other public records

• The number and type of accounts

This screening follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applies the same way to every applicant.

West End Estates doesn't set a fixed minimum credit score. A lower score on its own won't lead to a decline, though your overall screening results do shape the terms of your approval, and we're happy to walk you through what that could look like.

If your credit history falls outside our standard range, a couple of routes can still help you secure a lease:

• Adding a Guarantor (Co-signer): A qualified individual joins your application and takes on financial responsibility for the lease alongside you.

• Paying an Additional Security Deposit: In some cases, we may offer a higher, fully refundable deposit as an alternative.

Both routes follow the same screening guidelines for every applicant and comply with Fair Housing law. We'd love to chat through your specific situation whenever you're ready.

We're so glad you're on your way to joining us at West End Estates! As part of getting there, every applicant aged 18 or older takes part in a background screening, carried out in line with all federal, state, and local law, including Fair Housing guidelines. This step simply looks at relevant criminal history as part of the standard application process.

We're glad you're moving forward with your application to West End Estates. A criminal background screening is one of the standard steps for every applicant aged 18 or older, carried out under the Fair Housing Act and guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

We look at each record individually, taking into account:

• 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

Our attention centers on convictions that could put the safety of residents or the property at risk. This 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

A record showing an arrest alone won't affect your approval, since our review centers only on actual convictions. Should your screening bring up something worth a closer look, we'll be in touch, and you're welcome to add any details that might help.

Yes, our team reaches out to the landlords you've listed to hear how your time renting with them went. Here's what stands out most during that conversation:

• A consistent record of on-time payments

• No outstanding debts to previous landlords

• No history of evictions filed

• No major lease violations

Knowing what to expect from the start helps the whole process go smoother. Here's the breakdown for applying and leasing at West End Estates:

• Application Fee ($75 per applicant): This non-refundable fee applies to everyone aged 18 or older joining the lease, and it covers the cost of your credit and background screening reports.

• Administrative Fee ($150 per home): Charged once to the home rather than to each person, this one-time, non-refundable fee is collected after approval and puts your new place on hold while we prepare your lease documents, set up your resident account, and get everything ready for move-in.

Moving in should feel just as easy as settling in, so West End Estates offers a couple of ways to handle your security deposit.

Choosing a Traditional Security Deposit

• Fully refundable, held on file throughout your lease to cover anything beyond normal wear and tear

• Standard approval brings the deposit to half of one month's rent

• Conditional approval may raise that amount, generally landing between one and two months' rent depending on your screening results

Enrolling in the Rhino Alternative

• West End Estates partners with Rhino to lower your upfront move-in cost

• Instead of one larger deposit, you pay Rhino a smaller fee, either monthly or as a single payment, which satisfies our deposit requirement

• Please note that Rhino fees are non-refundable insurance premiums, not a deposit

Want to know if Rhino is the option for you? Just reach out to our team, and we'll fill in the specifics.

Term lengths at West End Estates vary, giving you room to choose what lines up with your plans.

• Standard Lease Term: Most residents settle into our 15-month lease.

• Flexible Lease Terms: Beyond that, terms typically span 13 to 24 months, with pricing that adjusts based on your move-in date and how long you'd like to stay. 

For the most current pricing and availability, head to our Floorplans page to browse our townhome and duplex residences in New Braunfels. Filter by bedrooms, price, square footage, or move-in date to narrow things down, then click on a layout that catches your eye. A pop-up will show your options, where you can select "Check Availability" and then "Lease Now" to begin your application. 

Prefer to see the space in person first? Choose "Book a Tour" instead, and we'll be glad to show you around.

We're glad to have your pets settle into life at West End Estates right alongside you. Each home can accommodate up to two pets, and while a few breed restrictions apply, our leasing team is happy to answer any specific questions about your pet.

• 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 considered pets under this policy, so no fees or restrictions apply. Just reach out to our team to complete the required accommodation paperwork.

These two work a little differently, and we're glad to explain how each one plays out.

Subletting and Short-Term Rentals

Subletting your home or listing it for short-term stays, like Airbnb, isn't permitted under the lease. Every resident living in our community is an approved leaseholder who has completed our screening process, so that standard stays the same for everyone in the home.

Adding a Roommate to Your Lease

Bringing on a new roommate partway through your lease is something our team can walk you through. Here's how it comes together:

• Notify the leasing office: A current leaseholder lets our team know, and from there, we'll guide you and your future roommate through what's next.

• Apply and screen in: Your roommate submits an application, covers the non-refundable application fee, and completes the same credit, criminal, and rental history screening every resident goes through.

• Sign the addendum: Once approved, everyone on the lease, both current and new, signs an addendum that officially adds the roommate with full resident rights and shared responsibility for the lease.

Please note that every person on the lease is considered "jointly and severally liable," meaning each leaseholder carries responsibility, both individually and as a group, for the full rent and lease terms.

We keep move-in day simple at West End Estates, split into a short list to take care of ahead of time and the moment itself when your keys change hands.

Before Your Move-In Day

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

• Finalize your lease paperwork online

• Reach out to your electricity provider to start service, then pass the account number along to us

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

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

On Your Move-In Day

• Stop by the leasing office at your scheduled time and our team will cover a few essentials and answer any questions you still have. As soon as everything's squared away, your new home is officially yours!

Yes, keeping you and your belongings covered matters to us, so every resident carries an active renter's insurance policy with at least $300,000 in personal liability coverage. It's an affordable way to guard your things against something like fire or theft, and it covers you if the home is accidentally damaged.

Here's what to take care of:

• Choose a policy from any licensed insurance provider

• Add West End Estates as an "Interested Party" on the policy

• Submit the "Declarations Page" through your online Resident Portal before move-in

Paying rent at West End Estates comes down to a few simple choices, here's what to know about timing and how it works.

When Rent Is Due

Payments are expected by the 1st of each month, though you have a small cushion through the end of the day on the 3rd before anything extra applies. Starting on the 4th, a late fee is added to any remaining balance, in line with your lease terms. Setting up auto-pay is one easy way to keep this off your radar entirely.

Your Payment Options

There's more than one way to handle rent here, so pick whichever fits your routine:

• Online Resident Portal: Set up 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: If cash works better for you, we'll issue a Walk-In Payment System (WIPS) card you can use at participating retailers such as Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens.

• Check or Money Order: Leave a check or money order in the secure payment box at our leasing office, made payable to West End Estates.

Please note that for the well-being of our team and residents, cash payments aren't accepted directly at the leasing office.

Rent runs on a set schedule, but we know unexpected things happen, so here's what happens if a payment falls behind.

• Grace Period: Payments come due on the 1st, with a short grace period through the end of the day on the 3rd before a late fee applies.

• Late Fees: Once the 4th hits, a late fee is added to your balance, and a daily charge can continue to build until it's paid off. Your lease spells out the exact amounts.

• Legal Action: Please note that an unpaid balance can lead to a Notice to Vacate, the formal notice the law requires before any eviction filing can move forward.

If something comes up that affects your payment, reach out to our office before the grace period ends so we can work through it together.

Our team keeps a clear breakdown of community-related costs on hand, just ask and we'll go through it together. We're also happy to share local providers that tend to work well for our residents.

A well-running home makes everyday life easier, so we've made sure there are two clear ways to reach us no matter what comes up.

For Non-Emergency Requests

For everyday needs, like a slow-draining sink or a squeaky door hinge, the quickest route is through our work order portal, open at any hour with photos, notes, and status updates all in one place. Our team works through requests by priority during business hours and always announces themselves before entering your home.

For Urgent Maintenance Emergencies

Call our office directly at (830) 410-2298 and press 2 for maintenance once the recording picks up. Please don't use the online portal for anything urgent, since a phone call gets our team to you faster.

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