Helpdesk
Welcome to the Towne Housing Real Estate Help Desk. Browse the frequently asked questions below or contact our team directly for assistance.
Resident Quick Help
Pay rent, submit maintenance requests, or call our leasing team at 716-444-RENT (7368).
Owner Quick Help
View accounting, invoices, and tenant information or call our main office at (716) 264-4135.
Office Hours
Buffalo: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Main: (716) 264-4135
Renting & Applications
How do I apply for an apartment?
Once you have identified a unit you are interested in, complete an online application. Anyone 18 years of age or older must complete an application. All applicants must have a submitted application before their group can be considered for tenancy. Be sure to complete ALL sections and include 2 valid proofs of income.
Note: Our background check and screening require a $16 fee, paid at the time of submitting the online application. Your card will not be processed until your proof of income is confirmed and you meet income requirements.
What are the income requirements?
To qualify for a unit, the monthly rental rate cannot exceed 40% of your monthly total NET INCOME:
Formula: Monthly Rental Income / Total Monthly Net Income = %
Example: If your rent is $1,000 and your monthly net income is $3,000, your ratio is 33%.
What documents do I need to apply?
Following the screening, you may need to provide:
- Proof of income (2 most recent pay stubs)
- Proof of Renters insurance (required for pets)
- Pet documentation (if applicable)
- Contact information for previous landlords
- Details related to any suspended utility services
What happens after I am approved?
Once approved, you will be contacted to schedule a first-time in-person showing. If you wish to proceed:
- Payment of Security Deposit (equal to one month's rent)
- Signing of Lease Agreement
- Signing of pertinent documents (Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, Smoke Detector Agreement & Pet Agreement if applicable)
- Full payment must be made and utility switchover confirmed before keys are released
How do I find available units?
You can view available units on our website or through our listings on Zillow, Trulia, Rent.com, and Hotpads. Each listing includes photos, virtual tours via our YouTube channel, and full unit details. Select a city above on our homepage to get started or call our leasing team at (716) 444-RENT (7368).
Residents
How do I pay my rent?
Rent can be paid online or by contacting our leasing team at 716-444-RENT (7368). You can also call our main office at (716) 264-4135 for assistance.
How do I submit a maintenance request?
Call our maintenance coordinating team at (716) 462-9546 to submit a maintenance request. Emergency requests are responded to the same day. Routine requests are handled promptly by our dedicated maintenance team.
What is the response time for maintenance?
Emergencies are responded to the same day. Our team of dedicated, skilled, and comprehensively trained maintenance technicians respond in a timely manner to all tenant and owner requests. We take every request seriously and work to ensure a mutually beneficial resolution.
Do you allow pets?
Pet policies vary by property. If you have a pet, you will need to provide proof of Renters insurance that covers pets and sign a Pet Agreement. Some breed and size restrictions may apply. Check with your leasing agent for the specific property's pet policy.
How do I report an emergency?
For after-hours emergencies, please call our main office at (716) 264-4135. For routine issues, call (716) 462-9546 during business hours. Emergencies include gas leaks, active water leaks, no heat in winter, electrical hazards, and locked-out situations.
Rental Owners / Property Investors
What are your management fees?
Our property management fee is 8% with a one-time ePay fee of $400. A property reserve of $1,000 per building is required. The one-time onboarding setup fee is $800. There is no per-unit fee. Please contact our team for a full breakdown of fees specific to your property.
What property management services do you offer?
Towne Housing Real Estate is a fully licensed and insured property management partner managing 4,600+ units in WNY with 100,000+ sq ft of commercial property under management. Our full-service offerings include:
- Leasing services and tenant placement
- Routine maintenance and repairs
- Accounting, bill pay, and financial reporting
- Apartment remodeling and unit turnover
- Real estate investing services
- Residential and commercial sales
We were awarded one of the Largest Buffalo Property Management Companies by Buffalo Business First in 2020. With 14 years in business, $613M+ total sales volume, and a team of 110+ professionals, our experience and resources are unmatched in WNY.
How does maintenance billing work?
Our Routine Maintenance services are billed on a pay-for-what-you-use model at $75 per labor hour (calculated by the minute).
- No Minimum Service Fees
- No Weekend Rates or Surcharges
- No Markup on Materials
- No Markup on Subcontracted work
We bill weekly and each invoice includes a description of work completed, hours logged, and the property. Photos can be provided upon request.
Work over $500 requires owner approval before we begin.
How do I access my owner portal?
Contact our main office at (716) 264-4135 to get access to your owner portal. The Owner Portal provides 24/7 access to tenant information, accounting, invoices, and documents including financials, general ledger, bills, and recurring transactions.
How do you market my rental property?
Our leasing agents market each listing across multiple platforms including Zillow, Trulia, Rent.com, Hotpads, our website, and social media. We create professional photos and videos for each unit, posted to our YouTube channel. From signage placement to lease documentation, we keep you updated with weekly progress reports.
What is the leasing process for my property?
Our team of licensed leasing agents handles every step:
- Marketing the listing across multiple media outlets
- Scheduling and conducting showings
- Screening applicants (income, employment, credit, criminal background, rental references)
- Selecting the best candidate
- Preparing lease documentation and coordinating move-in
You receive weekly updates on all activity and progress.
Buying & Selling
How do I get pre-approved for a mortgage?
Contact your personal banker to assist with pre-approval. Many banks offer first-time homebuyer programs that can reduce costs by several percent. A pre-approval is NOT a commitment to borrow; a formal loan application and commitment letter will follow.
What types of loans are available?
Fixed-Rate Mortgage: Interest rate stays the same for the entire term (15 or 30 years). Stable, predictable payments.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): Interest linked to a financial index. Lower initial payments with potential variation over time.
Conventional Loan: As little as 3% down with mortgage insurance; 20% down avoids PMI. Max amount $424,100.
FHA: 3.5% down, lower credit score guidelines. Good for first-time buyers.
VA: Zero down payment, no mortgage insurance. Reserved for qualified veterans.
USDA: Zero down payment, restricted to designated rural areas with income limits.
What is the home buying process?
Steps to buying a home with Towne Housing Real Estate:
- Search for your home with your dedicated agent
- Present an offer with market analysis from your agent
- Negotiate terms (price, deposit, inspections, closing date)
- Choose your attorney and lender
- Complete home inspection and property appraisal
- Good faith deposit
- Loan commitment
- Clear to close
- Closing and move-in day
How do I sell my property with Towne Housing?
We provide a comprehensive marketing plan including expansive online presence, professional photographs, and custom listing strategy. Our proven methods focus on selling quickly without sacrificing return. We conduct a detailed comparative market analysis to price your property competitively and negotiate the best deal on your behalf.
What are the benefits of homeownership?
Tax Breaks: Deduct property loan interest paid over the year.
Appreciation: Long-term stable growth in property value.
Equity: Build equity monthly as you pay down your mortgage.
Savings: Up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) gain tax-free when selling.
Predictability: Fixed mortgage payments don't rise over time.
Freedom: Customize your home to your tastes.
Stability: Establish lasting community roots.
Maintenance & Repairs
What maintenance services do you offer?
Our Maintenance Department provides day-to-day maintenance services including:
- Routine maintenance and repairs
- Emergency maintenance (same-day response)
- Apartment remodeling and unit turnover
- Annual inspections (6-month and annual)
- Section 8 annual inspections
- Handyman services (carpentry, painting, door & window installation)
- HVAC repair, installation, and service
Do you handle emergency repairs?
Yes. Emergencies are responded to the same day. Our team takes all tenant and owner requests seriously. For after-hours emergencies, call (716) 264-4135.
What is your handyman service?
We offer a full-service handyman and general home improvement service covering:
- Carpentry Work - trim, flooring, shelving, stairway repairs
- Painting - interior and exterior, residential and commercial
- Door and Window Installations - energy-efficient replacements
- General Home Repair - plumbing, electrical, drywall, fixtures
- Annual Inspections - comprehensive property assessments
- AC Repair, Installation, & Service
- Furnace Repair, Installation, & Service
Call (716) 462-9546 for handyman services.
How do I schedule an annual inspection?
Contact our maintenance coordinating team to schedule annual inspections for your property. Our team is fully licensed, insured, OSHA and EPA certified. We verify structural integrity, identify problems, and recommend cost-effective strategies to protect your asset. Call (716) 264-4135 to schedule.
Real Estate Investing
How can Towne Housing help me invest in real estate?
We offer a network of experience, knowledge, and resources to assist in real estate investment across Western NY. Our services include:
- Portfolio Development & Planning - scalable processes to manage properties properly
- Market Analysis - solid insight into future rental rates and property earning potential
- Property Analysis - key insights before closing, including walkthroughs with project managers
We work with portfolios from a single duplex to 100+ unit complexes.
What are the benefits of real estate investing?
Real estate investment offers diversity, steady sustainable income, growth in net worth through property value appreciation, tax write-offs, and security through ownership of a fixed asset. From disposable income to retirement planning, we help you achieve your goals.
Accounting & Billing
How do I view my financial statements?
Contact our accounting team at (716) 264-4135 to request financial statements for your properties. Our team can provide performance reports, general ledgers, bills, and recurring transaction details.
How does bill payment work?
Our accounting team reviews each bill, confirms amounts with vendors, and processes payments. Recurring transactions (mortgages, insurance, service contracts) are handled monthly for payment processing. Contact our office at (716) 264-4135 for billing inquiries.
How do I notify you about bills that should no longer be paid?
If you see a bill in the recurring transactions section that should no longer be paid, please contact our accounting team. Our Accounting Manager, Robby Coppola, and the accounting team can assist you with any billing questions.
Contact Us
Buffalo Office
344 Delaware Avenue, Suite 300
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 264-4135
Leasing: 716-444-RENT (7368)
Maintenance: (716) 462-9546
Hours: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
How Can We Help?
General Inquiries: Use our contact form for General Inquiry, Property Management, Sales, Leasing, Real Estate Investing, Remodel Contracting, Routine Maintenance, or Handyman Services.
After-Hours Emergencies: Call (716) 264-4135.
What is your service area?
Western New York: Amherst, Blasdell, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Depew, East Amherst, Eden, Hamburg, Kenmore, Lackawanna, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Tonawanda, West Seneca.
Remodeling & Contracting
How do I start a remodeling project?
Contact our team to discuss your goals. Our project managers provide a full scope and quote with line items detailing each labor and material need, along with pictures. We work with you to determine which components fit your budget and timeline. Approved jobs typically begin within two weeks with completion in one to two weeks. Call (716) 264-4135 to get started.
What remodeling services do you offer?
We handle all types of remodeling projects including kitchen and bath remodels, interior upgrades, full unit turnovers, and complete apartment renovations. Our licensed and insured contractors deliver quality results that increase property value and attract quality tenants. We serve Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, Lockport, West Seneca, Lackawanna, Depew, Kenmore, and more. With 14 years in business and a team of 110+ professionals, we bring unmatched expertise to every project.