This complete onboarding guide can be copied and pasted directly onto your instructions webpage to walk your new tenants seamlessly through the entire setup process on Apartments.com.

New Tenant Move-In Guide: Setting Up Apartments.com

Welcome to your new home! To make your move-in and monthly management as smooth as possible, we use Apartments.com to securely handle your application, security deposit, monthly rent, and renters insurance requirements.

Please follow this step-by-step checklist to complete your onboarding.

0.  Haynes Properties will send all adults in the house a apartments.com portal Invitation.

1.Create Your Renter Account:Required First Step.

Go to Apartments.com and click Sign Up in the top right corner. Select Renter as your account type.

Crucial: You must register using the exact same email address where you received our portal invitation. If you use a different email, your rental link and ledger will show up blank.

2.Complete Your Rental Application:Takes ~15 minutes.  The application fee on Apartments.com is $32.00 (plus tax) per adult.

Once logged in, navigate to Renter Tools in the left-hand menu and click Applications. If we sent you a direct link, click that to apply directly to our property.

You will need to input your employment history, income verification (paystubs), and previous landlord references. There is a standard comprehensive screening fee charged by apartments.com that covers your credit and background checks.

3.Wait for the Decision:Typically 24 to 48 hours. Text or email hpmnbtx@gmail.com when you have done this and we will monitor for results.

Once you submit your application, our leasing team will automatically be notified to review your credit, background check, and income documents.

You will receive an automated email notification the moment a decision is finalized. If approved, you'll receive a follow-up email inviting you to view and sign your digital lease and set up your payments.

4.Pay Your Security Deposit & Move-In Costs:Due upon lease signing.

Log back into your account, click Renter Tools, and select Payments. Under the In-Progress & Upcoming section, you will see a pending invoice for your move-in costs (security deposit and any prorated first-month rent).

Click Set Up Payments to add a payment method:

• Checking Account (ACH): Free, but takes 5 business days to fully clear. You must manually enter your routing/account numbers or log in via your bank portal.

• Credit/Debit Card: Clears immediately, but incurs a standard credit card processing fee.  The credit card processing fee on Apartments.com is 2.75% of the total transaction amount.

5.Set Up Rent Auto-Pay:Highly Recommended.

Never worry about late fees by automating your rent. While inside the Payments tab:

1. Look under the Auto Pay section and click Set Up Auto Pay.

2. Enter your monthly rent Amount.

3. Choose the Send payment on date (we recommend setting this 2–3 days before your actual due date to allow processing time).

4. Select your preferred account/card, review the details, and click Schedule Payment.

6.Purchase Assurant Renters Insurance:Required prior to key pickup.

Per your lease agreement, all residents are required to maintain an active renters insurance policy featuring a minimum of $500,000 in Personal Liability coverage.

Apartments.com integrates directly with Assurant to make setting this up seamless. Policies are affordable and acceptance is guaranteed with no credit checks. Because of the portal partnership, securing this maximum level of liability protection only adds about $2 to your base premium.

Your Coverage Options & Estimated Costs

Depending on your personal needs, you can choose between two primary paths when finalizing your policy through the dashboard:

Estimated Cost (New Braunfels, TX)

Option A: Liability Only (Most Affordable) Covers accidental major damage to the rental house itself (e.g., fire, smoke, or sudden water damage caused by a burst washing machine line) and guest injuries on the property up to $500,000. It does not cover your personal belongings.

$14.00 to $17.00 / month

Option B: Full Policy BundleIncludes the mandatory $500,000 property liability protection PLUS protects your personal belongings (clothes, electronics, furniture) from theft or disaster up to standard limits ($10,000–$25,000).

$22.00 to $28.00 / month

How to Bind Your Coverage:

1. Navigate to your tenant dashboard on Apartments.com or look for the automated email inviting you to add insurance.

2. Enter your property details to generate an instant quote.

3. Select your preferred option, and ensure the Personal Liability coverage limit is explicitly set to $500,000.

4. Complete the checkout. You can choose to pay the entire year upfront to avoid installment processing fees, or opt for convenient monthly payments.

Why use the portal option? Once purchased directly through your Apartments.com account, your digital proof of coverage is automatically transmitted to our property management ledger. There is no need to manually download or email us your policy PDFs.

Note: Keys cannot be handed over on move-in day until the system verifies your active policy.

Summary of Payment Clearances

Keep these timelines in mind when scheduling your payments to avoid accidental late fees:

Payment Type              Processing Time Fees

ACH / Bank Transfer 5 Business Days $0.00

Credit / Debit Card 2–3 Business Days Varies (displayed at checkout)

Assurant Insurance Immediate Activation Combined with rent or paid separately

If you run into any technical difficulties or issues linking your bank, you can reach out directly to Apartments.com Renters Support at support@apartments.com or call them at (844) 293-8899. For any lease or property-specific questions, please contact our leasing office directly. Welcome to the community!