Suburban and tranquil, the towns surrounding the Lake Norman in North Carolina are home to some of the most popular restaurants, shopping, and neighborhoods in the area. For those considering relocating to or looking for Lake Norman house rentals, these said towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville are located just outside the city of Charlotte in Mecklenburg County. They make ideal residences for couples, professionals, and families alike.
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Overview: The three Lake Norman towns
Many residents living in the three Lake Norman towns would usually work or travel regularly to nearby cities, such as Charlotte. To give you an idea, Charlotte is about 14 miles from Huntersville, 20 miles from Cornelius, and a little more than 21 miles from Davidson. Interstate 77 is the main interstate connecting Charlotte to all three suburbs.
Cornelius
While Cornelius has grown into a large town, it has managed to retain its small-town charm. Originally a mill and farm community, it has grown into a highly sought-after place for lakeside living, as it has a shoreline spanning 54 miles. Almost everything in Cornelius has Lake Norman as its backdrop, including its parks (e.g., Bailey Road Park and Jetton Road Neighborhood Park). stunning waterfront homes, and excellent cafes, breweries, and restaurants such as 131 Main Restaurant – a town favorite.
Davidson
Another small Charlotte suburb, where locals have a strong sense of community, Davidson is a college town (thanks to Davidson College) located north of Cornelius. It boasts around 600 acres of open space with The Village Green at its center – a public space in Davidson’s historic downtown that the residents use for a variety of outdoor activities from sports programs to concerts. The network of greenways here meander through neighborhoods and actual nature trails, giving people the chance to see nature up close. Many local activities exist in this popular little town like enjoying a cup of coffee from locally owned Summit Coffee or strolling through the ever-popular Davidson Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning.
Huntersville
The largest of the three Lake Norman towns, Huntersville is a town that’s full of surprises and attractions. You can catch a glimpse into the past by visiting Rural Hill where you’ll find the Amazing Maize Maze and the Hugh Torance House and Store. Other exciting entertainment, shopping, and dining options are available here, interspersed with tranquil nature spots and gorgeous tree-lined neighborhoods. Best known for the ever-growing Birkdale Village, Huntersville is often viewed as the gateway town to Lake Norman.
How to rent a house in Lake Norman
For those planning a move and looking for Lake Norman house rentals, this aims to provide a step-by-step guide and tips covering what you need to know before relocation.
Step 1: Determine your budget
Before you start looking for a place to rent, determine how much you can spend on monthly rent and other associated living expenses. This step is crucial in narrowing down locations, rental types, and other considerations such as size and amenities.
While everyone’s financial situation varies, the general computation of living expenses typically follows the 50/30/20 rule. To elaborate, 50% of your income should cover your living expenses and necessities, including rent and utilities; 30% should be earmarked for savings; while 20% should be allotted for all other incidental expenses. Other schools of thought would say that a typical renter can allocate 30% of income to housing.
Step 2: Choose your location and type of rental
When selecting a community or area to reside in, consider proximity to your place of work and the shops, services, and amenities you use most. If you have school-age children, nearby schools offering quality education should also be a consideration. It is recommended that you also review transportation options, especially if you will be taking public transport.
Other considerations include access to hospitals and clinics in case of emergencies. For those with pets, you may desire proximity to nearby parks and veterinarian practices.
There are different types of rentals: apartments, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, and single-family dwellings. Each type of home has advantages and disadvantages, factoring in cost, storage, amenities, maintenance, and privacy. Depending on your personal situation and lifestyle, some options may be more appropriate than others.
Another critical consideration is whether you’ll rent a furnished or unfurnished property. Here within our own portfolio of Cottage Rental Collection we offer both furnished and unfurnished options for rental properties.
Step 3: Search for available home rentals
Once you’ve determined the correct type of home rental that suits your needs, it’s time to explore your options. Here are various ways of searching for available housing options:
- Real estate websites, online listings, and social media: There is no shortage of websites, online listings, and social media accounts that detail homes for rent. Websites like Zillow or Trulia allow you to search for houses for rent and for sale and also have options to narrow down searches using various criteria such as location, type of property, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and rental price. You can count on Cottage Real Estate + Rental Collection to have our available rentals listed on our website and someone on our team available to show you properties of interest.
- Drive through neighborhoods: One of the best ways to get the feel of a neighborhood is to hit the pavement and physically go around communities of interest. Taking a stroll in the area will give you a different perspective than being in a vehicle.
- Hire a real estate broker: Real estate brokers are licensed professionals who assist buyers, sellers, and renters in real estate transactions. Brokers are very helpful in giving advice, narrowing things down based on your preferences, and helping you facilitate the requirements and paperwork. These professionals also have extensive networks that can connect you with other clients who may be offering what you’re looking for.
Step 4: Prepare your documents and requirements
For a more efficient application screening process, it’s best to begin preparing the essential documents that landlords and homeowner associations would likely request. These documents should be updated and show that you meet the qualifications necessary to be a tenant.
While rental agreements and contracts may have certain specifications depending on the property, as well as state and national laws, there are standard forms and documentation that need to be prepared and submitted:
- Proof of income: This verifies that you have the means to afford the rental. Some documents that may be requested as proof include your latest pay slip, bank statement, income tax return, or certificate of employment.
- Proof of identity: This verifies that you are who you say you are. Proof of identity can be in the form of official identification such as a valid passport or driver’s license.
- References: This confirms that you are reliable, responsible, and financially capable. Acceptable letters of recommendation may be from a previous or current landlord, employer, supervisor, or colleague.
- Application form: Landlords typically have application forms that capture your basic information, rental history, and questions that gauge your personality.
- Deposit:
The deposit varies per property, but this one-time payment will cover any damages made to the property. - Application fees: Credit checks are part of the application process. When applying for a rental, a set amount – usually around $50 to $60 – is paid by each adult applicant to cover credit and background checks.
Step 5: Schedule property showings
Websites often include 3D tours and extensive photo galleries of homes. However, in-person property viewings should still be scheduled so you can meet the landlord and get a good look at the rental and its immediate environment. These showings allow you to ask questions about the property and clarify concerns about the application process, rules and regulations, and other matters such as deliveries, guests, and parking.
Step 6: Review the contract and rental price
As a renter, you must understand the ins and outs of your rental agreement before signing. Ensure all information on the agreement is aligned with the listing and includes any additional terms discussed.
Other pertinent information in the agreement includes your landlord’s contact information, repair and maintenance arrangements, house rules and causes for eviction, deposits and fees, limits on improvements, and rental price with payment procedures.
Step 7: Coordinate move in
Depending on the property type, you will likely need to coordinate the arrival of movers and the use of elevators or stairs for moving furniture and appliances. You should also inquire about parking rules and the best time for moving in.
Before moving into your new property, make sure that you document and file photos of all the rooms and the conditions/imperfections of the property. We recommend taking pictures once you’ve been given keys. Issues with flooring, doors, walls, and ceilings should be documented, so you have proof that this was the state when you moved in.
Tips and information on North Carolina rentals
North Carolina rental laws
Lake Norman house rentals are governed by housing state rules that ensure fair treatment under the law on matters such as disclosures, security deposits, small claims, eviction, and the like.
As a tenant, here are four (4) essential state laws related to a tenancy that every renter should know:
- Landlords must disclose specific information in the lease or rental agreements, such as the bank branch where the security deposit is located, existing damages to the rental property, and environmental and health hazards. For more on landlord disclosures, read this article.
- North Carolina has limits on the amount landlords can charge for security deposits, depending on the length of stay. It also provides that the deposit must be returned within 30 days from the time the tenant moves out. Read this to learn more about security deposit limits and deadlines.
- A tenant can file a security deposit lawsuit against their landlord in the small claims court for a maximum of $10,000.
- Landlords must comply with specific details on when and how to terminate a tenancy, such as the unconditional quit notice for repeated lease clause violations. Find out more on this here.
Other provisions include special protections for victims of domestic violence and procedures on handling tenant property that has been left behind.
Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities
A tenant and landlord relationship should be a favorable one, as long as you communicate openly and with mutual respect. One of the cornerstones of a landlord-tenant relationship is a well-constructed rental agreement that spells out each party’s obligation. These are the primary duties, but in addition to these, the rental agreement may have additional roles for the landlord and tenant.
Tenants are responsible for:
- Adhering to the terms of the rental agreement;
- Paying the agreed rent amount promptly;
- Maintaining the cleanliness of the rental;
- Complying with house and community rules; and
- Properly dispose of trash.
Landlords have the following obligations:
- Follow the terms of the rental agreement;
- Ensuring that the property is clean, safe, and sanitary; and that all repairs are completed on time;
- Maintenance of property infrastructure, especially for utilities; and
- Providing an area for proper trash disposal.
Tenant’s major rights
While housing rules and laws vary per state, nationwide, tenants have five major rights that deal with practical matters:
- Right to Freedom From Discrimination: The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination in housing-related activities such as renting or buying homes and seeking a mortgage. Renters cannot be refused based on race, color, disability, sex, and nationality.
- Right to Privacy: Landlords, by law, cannot access the home without due notice and only for specific reasons, except in emergencies.
- Right to Advance Notice of Eviction: You cannot be evicted without due cause and adequate notice, usually in writing.
- Right to a Habitable Home: All tenants must be able to live in homes that meet basic standards. Landlords are expected to ensure the safety of basic structural elements, maintain a clean environment, and exterminate rodents and pests, among others.
- Right to Disability Accommodation: Landlords must accommodate disability needs within reason, giving you an equal opportunity to enjoy and use your rental space and common areas, as applicable.
You must note that landlord-tenant rules are dynamic and vary from place to place. We recommend that before entering a legally binding rental agreement, you seek counsel from professionals like real estate agents to minimize issues that may arise in the future.
Benefits of hiring a North Carolina real estate broker
House hunting for first-timers in a new location can be a daunting experience. Hiring a North Carolina real estate broker offers various advantages such as convenience, speed, extensive market knowledge, and expert advice.
- Networking and insider information: Real estate brokers are great at networking and know industry insiders such as real estate lawyers, contractors, and interior designers. Such contacts can help you with related services and can be tapped by the broker to know of properties that match your needs. Without a broker, you would not have access to the wealth of industry inside information and off-the-market listings.
- Convenience: Scouring for properties, handling paperwork, and scheduling viewing appointments can get tedious. Working with a real estate broker makes the process so much easier because you will not have to handle all those appointments and facilitate all the paperwork yourself. Real estate brokers know how to handle all the little details of the process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Improved knowledge of the local areas: Local real estate brokers know the community and are part of it. Local brokers are well-versed in the area and can recommend amenities, neighborhoods, and good schools. These insights would not be available to you if you’re on your own or working with an out-of-town real estate broker.
Working with the right real estate broker can make or break your home rental journey. When hiring a local real estate broker, find one that is experienced, understands your needs, and communicates openly and consistently. This is the key to finding your new home rental faster and with greater confidence.
Choose Cottage Real Estate + Cottage Rental Collection as your North Carolina real estate firm
Our team at Cottage Real Estate and Cottage Rental Collection offers a comprehensive array of real estate and property management services. As a boutique brokerage, we provide a full suite of in-house solutions, including buying and selling, property management, and design work.
As North Carolina licensed brokers and REALTORSⓇ, we aim to provide our clients with a complete and fun journey where we understand each client’s needs and provide personalized support throughout the process. Our approach is unique in that we maximize the use of technology for marketing, paired with a truly enjoyable process for finding your next home – whether to purchase or rent, alongside the many other ways we can assist.
If you’re in the market for Lake Norman house rentals, Cottage Real Estate specializes in the areas of Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville. Contact us and let’s find your North Carolina dream home.