Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to process a rental application?
A rental application takes 24 to 48 hours unless it is received over a holiday or weekend then it may take up to 4 days.
Is there an application fee?
A $30 processing fee is required with the application prior to it being reviewed. A separate application and fee is required for each person over the age of 18 (including couples). The fee may be paid online or over the phone with a major credit/debit card. To pay your fee over the phone, please call 920-793-1444. Fees may also be sent through the mail or delivered in person to one of our office locations listed below:
510 Fremont Street
PO Box 68
Kiel WI 53042
Why do you charge a fee?
Application fees pay for the time required to evaluate the application and any costs associated with reviewing the application (such as third party agencies to conduct credit and background screenings).
Do you allow pets?
Yes. We do have some breed restrictions and conditions listed below:
Pet fee:
Annual non-refundable fee of $500 per pet. No additional monthly fees. Tenants may choose to make monthly payments of $41.50/month after the first year.
Restricted Breeds:
Doberman, Rottweiler, Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terrier, Akita, Presa Canerio/Canery Mastiff
What are some of the minimum requirements to rent from Vine and Branch Management, LLC?
We require a minimum credit score of 500 for apartments and 600 for a single-family home. We also require no evictions on your record for at least 7 years. Of course, these are just minimums and we consider other factors as well.
Who is my landlord?
Vine & Branch Management, LLC manages the properties for several companies. If you are not sure which company owns your particular property, please check your lease document (top right hand corner). This is who all checks and money orders should be made payable to. We prefer that rents be paid via online transfer via our app or website but should you choose check or money order, please mail to PO Box 68 Kiel WI 53042
When are your office hours?
We are open Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9am-5pm, Friday 9am until 3pm. (excluding holidays or weather emergencies).
How do I pay my rent?
You may pay rent using the following options:
Online Option:
You can pay your rent through your tenant portal at www.vineandbranchwi.com or by installing the Resident Center App on your smart phone or tablet: Apple Android
What if I need to call the office about my rent?
Our telephone number is 920-793-1444. Do not call this number for maintenance concerns, please use your tenant portal to request maintenance, including emergencies.
How do I contact maintenance?
You can contact the maintenance department by logging into your tenant portal at www.vineandbranchwi.com and submitting a maintenance request. Maintenance requests through our portal create an email to our maintenance personnel and are monitored closely.
You may also access your tenant portal by installing the Resident Center App on your smart phone or tablet: Apple Android
When is rent due?
Rent is always due on the 1st of the month. Rent paid after the 1st will incur late fees.
Example: "I signed my lease on the 15th of the month so doesn’t it run from the 15th to the 15th?"
No. Your lease will always run from the 1st of the month to the end of the month no matter when the lease is signed or what the beginning date of the lease is.
What do I do if I know I am going to be late with rent?
CALL THE OFFICE. This does not mean you will not be charged late fees or that you will not receive a five day notice but it could mean the difference between getting a few extra days to pay rent or being evicted. You may contact us by calling 920-793-1444.
What if the first is a holiday or a weekend?
If the first of the month falls on a holiday or a weekend your rent is due on the following business day.
Example: If the first falls on Saturday, then your rent will be due on Monday.
What if I mail in my rent?
Rent received through the mail is considered received on the date of the envelope's postmark, not the date on the check. As long as it is post marked by the 1st of the month then it will not be considered late. Anything with a postmark after the 5th of the month is considered late. We will not charge late fees for rent received or mailed before the 5th. However, if rent is received after the 5th, the late fees will be retroactively charged beginning on the 2nd day of the month.
Example: We receive you rent on the 7th day of the month but the postmark states it was mailed on the 2nd of the month. You will not be charged a late fee. However, if we receive your rent on the 7th day of the month but the postmark states it was mailed on the 6th of the month you will be charged for 6 days of late fees.
What is your current late fee?
Our current late fee is $25 per day. Late fees start on the 2nd day of the month. If your rent is not received by the 5th day of the month you will receive a 5 Day Notice of Breach. This notice is to officially inform you that you have breached the lease agreement and that you have 5 days from the date it was issued to correct the breach or move out. Failure to correct the breach or move out within the 5 days may result in an eviction.
What happens if I pay my rent late?
You will be subject to the late fees as stated in your lease. Excessively late rent may incur a 5 Day Notice of Breach sent through the mail. If you have received a Notice of Breach one or more times within a 12 month period, you may receive a 14 Day Notice of Breach notifying you that your rental agreement has been terminated. Upon receiving a 14 Day Notice, you will have 14 days to move out of the property and return the keys or the landlord will file an eviction with the court.
What happens if I receive a 5 day notice for non-payment of rent?
You have five days to pay the rent or move out of the premises. If you do neither you may be subject to eviction proceedings. Additionally, even if you cure your 5 day notice (meaning you pay the rent within five days) this means that the next time you are late, you may receive a 14 day notice.
What happens if I receive a 14 day notice?
A 14-day notice terminates your lease. This means that sometime in the last year you received a 5 day notice for being late on rent and you were late again. You cannot cure a 14 day notice (you cannot pay the rent owed and expect to stay). This means the landlord has decided that they do not want to continue your lease and you must vacate the premises. If you do not move out within the fourteen days you may be subject to eviction proceedings, late fees and court costs.
Do I have to pay for maintenance?
There are only a few instances when the tenant would be responsible for the maintenance call. The first is what we call a “no show” or “no admittance” call. These types of calls are instances when a maintenance call is scheduled and the tenant is either not home, doesn’t answer the door or everyone in the unit is not fully clothed. The other is a “tenant at fault” call. This is when the maintenance is due to an issue caused by a tenant or someone in the tenant’s unit. This ranges from a child stuffing a toy in the toilet to someone kicking in the front door to gain access to the unit.
How much is a maintenance charge?
There is no charge for maintenance calls unless they are found to be a no show, no admittance or tenant at fault call. If it falls into one of these categories, you will be charged for the contractors time. This charge can be up to $100 per hour + any materials costs.
I am renting a house or apartment, what maintenance items am I responsible for?
A tenant is responsible for general maintenance which includes but is not limited to the following: changing furnace filters, changing or flipping fuses when they pop, replacing carbon and smoke detector batteries. Lawncare/snow removal is typically done by tenants occupying the lower unit or who are renting a single family home. If you have any questions about what is required of you, please refer to your lease documents. Any additional questions should be addressed by logging into your tenant portal and submitting a maintenance request.
How often should I mow the lawn?
We recommend at a minimum once per week. If there is lots of rain it may require twice per week. If there is little rain it may require once every two weeks. Use your best judgment. Also, all weeds should be pulled and/or cut back along walkways and the outside of any buildings on the lot.
How often is snow removal required?
Please follow the city ordinance. In most cases there is a 24 hour requirement to remove all snow and ice from walkways. In cases where there is ice, salt may be required.
Do you have someone who does landscaping and snow removal?
We do not provide lawn mowing, landscaping or snow removal services. We maintain our unoccupied properties.