15 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE YOU'RE TOURING AN APARTMENT

1. Is there an application fee?
You may have had to fill out an application before touring, but if you haven’t, it’s worth asking— is there an application fee, and if so, how much is it? Depending on the community, application fees can range from as little as $25.00 to $50.00. This fee covers the cost of the landlord or management company having to perform a background check when they process your application and is non-refundable. 

2. What happens if I have to break my lease early?
Life happens. There are many situations that would prevent you from fulfilling the entire term of your lease. Different communities will have different policies when it comes to breaking a lease, but usually you will have to pay a buyout fee or the remaining amount of rent. This is an important question to ask as every community has different procedures.

3. Does my community require renters insurance?
Regardless of whether renters insurance is a requirement to live in your community or not, we highly recommend finding an affordable renters insurance policy. Renters insurance covers you and your assets up to a certain amount if anything were to happen to the apartment building. While events like fires, floods, and natural disasters are not common, it’s wise to have protection in the case of an unexpected event or emergency. Be aware that some communities do not accept certain insurance providers and will make you go through their preferred company. If that is the case, and you are not satisfied with their preferred insurance company, then the community may not be the right fit for you.  

4. When is rent due and is there a grace period?

This is absolutely one of the most important questions to ask. The due date for rent will vary by community, but the standard is for rent to be due on the 1st of the month with a grace period of 5 days. For example, if rent is due on the 1st of every month, the grace period is the 5th of the same month. A grace period is very helpful for people who are paid bi-weekly and therefore aren’t always paid on the 1st of the month. Pro tip: Do not take advantage of the grace period every month. Keep a good track record of on-time payments so when you need to use the grace period or even make further arrangements through your landlord, they are more likely to be lenient and willing to work with you based on your track record of on-time payments. 

5. What, if any utilities are included in my rent?
Getting clarity on which utilities are included in your rent payment is very important. You will need to know which utilities you are responsible for and which utilities are the responsibility of the property management company. Some communities cover sewage, water, and even trash within your rent payment, while other communities have you cover all utilities. This is something you never know until you ask, so make sure to pose the question before signing a lease in order to avoid any confusion later on. 

Making your house a home

Whether you’re renting an apartment or a house, you want it to feel like home, which means decorating and adding your personal flair. Here are some great questions to ask to ensure that you are able to decorate the space to your liking.

6. Can I paint?
Beige walls not your thing? Don’t worry— that’s not our style either. When choosing a living community, make sure to ask if you can paint the walls to your heart’s desire. Certain communities will allow residents to paint but will ask that you do so with respect for the space. Use tarps in order to not ruin the flooring, along with blue painters’ tape to ensure your lines are clean. Most communities will ask that you return the walls back to their original color when moving out, so be sure to write down the original paint brand and number. Before painting, remember that that you will most likely be responsible for the paint costs.  

7. What is the community guest policy?
One of the joys of having your own apartment is getting to host guests such as family members and friends. That’s why it’s good to get clear on a community’s guest policy. Some communities do not mind, while others enforce guest parking spaces as well as a sign-in sheet for guests before entering the apartment or the pool area. Having guests over can be easy but you will want to make sure you are going about it correctly. 

8. What is the pet policy?
Dogs and cats make for the best companions, which is why you need to thoroughly understand your community’s pet policy. This is something to discuss with your leasing agent even before the tour begins. Which pets are allowed? Are there pet fees? Are there breed restrictions? Are there weight restrictions? It’s also important to find communities like Chateau Riviera open lawn space for pets to run around and play. 

9. Who can enter and when?
This question is often overlooked but it shouldn't be! When living in an apartment community there are times when maintenance needs to get inside to make a repair. Oftentimes, they arrive during points in the day where the resident is at work or not home, so it’s most efficient for maintenance professionals to be able to get inside. This what keeps work orders from getting backed up in the system. In order to get clarity, make sure to ask if maintenance is able to get inside to the individual apartments within a community.

10. Can I add a roommate at any time?
For the most part, the answer from your community will be yes! However, adding a roommate is likely to increase your monthly rent price, so make sure you are comfortable both with the potential roommate as well as the potential rent increase. 

Community, Matters

Community is built by the people in your neighborhood, the office staff, and other residents within the community. It is also influenced by other factors such as location. Here are some questions that will help you assess the community.  

11. What is my neighborhood like?
The best way to get a sense of the neighborhood is to take a walk! Before or after your tour, drive around and get a sense of the area by checking out restaurants, parks, and shopping centers— can you envision your day to day here? Remember, home is where you make it! Apartment communities comply with all local and federal fair housing policy, so they cannot tell you their personal opinion when you ask a question like this. The best thing to do is to explore the area for yourself. 

12. Where is the closest means of public transportation?
Not everyone has their own vehicle which means that being close to public transportation is key! Here are some relevant questions to ask during your tour: Where is the closest means of public transportation? Is there a bus stop within walking distance? Do you offer bus passes in the office? How can I obtain more information on the transportation system in this area?

13. What is the average stay for residents?
The reason it’s important to ask about the average stay for residents is that it can be an indicator of how much residents enjoy living in the community. If the average stay is just 1 year, then that means people are leaving for some reason. If the average stay is 2+ years, then you can be sure that residents are enjoying life at that community.

14. Future planning?
Prospective residents want to know that a community is consistently trying to improve and upgrade. Aside from the current amenities you see on tour, it doesn’t hurt to ask if the community has plans for anything else in the future like a larger pool or in-home upgrades. These upgrades are enticing and make it more likely for residents to renew their lease year after year. 

15. Can I sublease my apartment?

Most communities will not allow subleasing, but it’s still worth the ask! In communities where subleasing is allowed, residents are able to rent out their space with a short-term lease, which is advantageous for traveling! We know that there are a million questions to ask on your apartment tour, but we hope these 15 ideas give you a good place to start. 

When you’re looking for your next home, please visit us at Chateau Riviera Apartment Homes in Southfield, Michigan. Our 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans are designed with the perfect balance of comfort, style, and breathability. Each apartment is fitted with exciting in-home amenities like unique kitchen layouts, shaker cabinetry, energy efficient appliances, hardwood-style flooring, plush carpeting, spacious closets, and more. 

Schedule your tour today and discover a new vision of home at Chateau Riviera Apartment Homes.