5 Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Bloomington

May 28, 2020

Touring an apartment is a necessary step in deciding if that a particular community is for you. But while you’re looking over the bathrooms and amenities on your Bloomington apartment tour, you should also use the time to ask your tour guide some in-depth questions. These questions can help you get a glimpse of the feel and personal attention the community can offer. Remember that your apartment will be your home for a while, and you should see precisely what to expect. To begin, here are the five questions to ask during an apartment tour in Bloomington.

What’s The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes market themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Bloomington, but that term can mean a few different things. Some buildings have restrictions on the type of dog breeds they allow or limit how many pets can be in the unit. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, like rats, hamsters, birds, or lizards. And all pet policies most likely have a pet fee for your furry loved ones -- and many may even have a cleaning charge when you move out.

Inquiring about the pet policy is a no-brainer if you own a cat or dog, or you’re thinking of getting one in the near future. After all, you’d like your pet 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’re not a pet owner. That way, you know what types of pets you might see on a day-to-day basis. You may also want to ask what amenities the apartment complex has for pets -- such as dog runs or provided waste disposal sacks.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was typically paid by check at the office. Today, there might be multiple ways to pay rent. Does the company have an app or can they link direct deposit through my bank? Can I use my credit card and receive reward points for my rent payment? Some complexes might even let you pay through popular payment systems like Venmo or PayPal. Asking this question on an apartment tour can be critical for those who travel or require a cashless way to pay rent.

Finding how utilities work can also save you headaches during your lease. What utilities come with rent? Are you able to add utilities to my rent check? Are utilities, such as water and gas, set by communal use or are they determined by individual apartments? Can I pick the internet, phone, or cable providers, or do I have to go with the same provider as everyone else in the community? These questions may seem basic, but sometimes the answers are surprising.

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 look at the amenities and grounds. Even though a short overview of what’s available is nice, you might like to inquire about the details of the complexes’ amenities.

If you want to exercise in the early morning or late at night to accommodate your daily schedule, make sure you ask about the hours of the exercise center -- and when it’s most often used. Families may want to understand what the children’s policy is for the gym or pool and hot tub. If you’d love an apartment that’s not only a space to sleep, but a community to fully enjoy, it’s vital to ask amenity questions during your apartment tour. What you learn may be the deciding factor between two apartment communities in Bloomington.

How Do I Request Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you finish your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about how maintenance is handled. Maintenance practices can vary a lot, from 24-hour onsite availability to contract maintenance that has to be booked during normal business hours. Emergencies do happen at times, but it’s how maintenance is able to respond that can deeply influence how you feel about your apartment.

When you ask about maintenance, don’t be afraid to be thorough. Does the apartment have emergency on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only perform repairs during regular business hours? Who do I contact for an urgent repair need? Do they have an online form to submit request maintenance? And how will I know when they are done? It’s also a good idea to ask what services isn’t done by maintenance personnel, such as washer/dryer installation or ceiling fan installation.

What Is The Parking Situation?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Bloomington, remember to ask what where you park your car. Do I have an assigned parking spot, or is parking by my building open to all residents? Do I need a sticker or hang-tag for my car, and what happens if my family has two or more cars? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And remember to ask about the towing procedure. The last thing you need is to find your ideal apartment, but find out that you have to go around the block for half an hour to snag a curbside space.

City Flats at Renwick Will Answer All Your Questions On Your Apartment Tour In Bloomington

Schedule your community tour with City Flats at Renwick today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while showing you one of our apartments. Simply call us at 812-578-7432 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And it’s a good idea to bring your family or roommates, as they could ask some questions, too! Can’t visit the property? We offer virtual tours!