Five Questions To Ask During An Apartment Tour In Bloomington

May 28, 2020

Touring apartments is a necessary step in deciding if that a particular community is for you. But while you’re exploring the bathrooms and amenities on your Bloomington apartment tour, it’s also a great time to ask your leasing specialist some important questions. These questions can help you get a glimpse of the feel and resident service the community can give. Your apartment will be where you call home for some time, and it’s nice to understand just what to expect. To begin, these are the 5 questions to ask on an apartment tour in Bloomington.

What’s The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Bloomington, but that term can mean many different things. Some units have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many pets can be in the apartment. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, such as mice, guinea pigs, birds, or lizards. And all pet policies typically charge additional rent for your pets -- and many may even have a cleaning charge when you move out.

Finding out about the pet policy is a must if you live with a dog or cat, or you’re thinking of getting one soon. After all, your pet needs to be just as at home in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a great question to ask on an apartment tour if you don’t own a pet. That way, you know what animals you might run into on a consistent basis. We also recommend asking what amenities the apartment complex has for pets -- such as dog runs or convenient waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was usually paid by check at the front office. Now, there might be different ways to pay. Does the community have a mobile app or can pay by direct deposit? Can I pay by credit card and acquire reward points for my rent payment? Some places might even allow you to pay through third-party payment systems like PayPal or Venmo. Asking this question on an apartment tour can be key for residents who are traveling a lot or require a cashless option for paying rent.

Learning the details about utilities can also save you headaches during your lease. What utilities come with rent? Are you able to roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, like water, electric, and gas, set by communal use or are they determined by each individual apartment? Can I choose the internet, phone, or cable providers, or am I limited to the same company as the other residents? These questions may feel basic, but sometimes the answers are different than you'd expect.

What Amenities Can I Use?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Bloomington apartment tour should also include a quick look. During your Bloomington apartment tour you should also see the amenities and grounds. Although a short overview of what a community offers is good, you may want to probe further into residents' day-to-day usage of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to exercise in the morning or late at night because of your work schedule, go ahead and ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Parents may wish to know what the children’s policy is for the gym or pool and hot tub. If you’d love an apartment that’s not just a space to lay your head down at night, but a community to fully enjoy, it’s vital to ask amenity questions while on your apartment tour. What you learn may influence your final choice between two apartment communities in Bloomington.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you leave your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about the maintenance situation. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from 24-hour emergency response to outside repair that needs to be reserved during operating business hours. Emergencies do occur sometimes, but it’s how your maintenance requests are handled that can deeply influence how you feel about your apartment.

When asking about maintenance, it’s good to be thorough. Does the community have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can personnel only perform repairs during the usual 9 to 5 business hours? Who do I talk to when I have an emergency? Is there an online form to complete request maintenance? And how will I be notified when they’re done? It’s also a good idea to ask what services isn’t covered by maintenance, like washer/dryer installation or new paint.

What Is The Parking Situation?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re taking your apartment tour in Bloomington, remember to ask what how parking is handled. Do I need an assigned space, or is parking by my building open to all residents? Do I need a sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what if my family has two vehicles? Are there individual garages or carports available? And don’t forget to inquire about the towing procedure. You don’t want to discover your dream apartment, but realize that you have to circle the block repeatedly to snag a curbside spot.

City Flats on Walnut Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Bloomington

Schedule your community tour with City Flats on Walnut today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while taking you through the perfect apartment home. Just call 812-578-8827 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And don’t forget to bring your family or roommates, as they might have questions, too! Can’t visit the property? Virtual tours are available!