Your Guide To Apartment Terminology In Sylvania

April 16, 2026
Aerial wide view of the exterior of Penrose On Mass Apartments

If you are looking for or have recently moved into your first apartment in Sylvania, you might run into a word or expression you aren’t familiar with. You can always contact the community’s leasing office to get clarification, but most words are easily understandable with a quick look at an apartment glossary.

Have you run into a term you didn’t recognize? Would you like to be more informed while you search for apartments? Review our list of apartment terminology in Sylvania to get more familiar with apartment life.

Apartment Terminology To Know When Searching For Sylvania Communities

Pristine pool surrounded by apartment buildings at Wheelhouse Apartments.
 
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A

Accessible apartment

An apartment that is handicap accessible.

Addendum

An addition to the primary lease contract, such as a pet policy explaining guidelines for pets living on property.

Amenity

Bonus features in an apartment or within the community, such as in-unit laundry or a community gym or pool.

Applicant

Any individual who requests an apartment lease.

B

BR/BA

Bedrooms/Bathrooms. 2BR/1BA means two bedrooms and one bathroom in the apartment.

Breed restrictions

Rules for what dog breeds are not permitted to live in an apartment.

C

Common areas

Shared areas open to all Residents, such as the clubhouse, laundry facilities, property grounds, and community amenities.

Concession

A credit applied to your account because of overpayment or a special discount.

E

E-payments

Rent payments submitted digitally instead of by paper.

Elevator building

An apartment building with elevators for Residents. These are generally four stories or taller.

Eviction

The legal act of property owners terminating your lease and forcing you to vacate in response to your failing to comply with lease terms or community policies.

F

Fair housing laws

Rules that protect certain groups of people from housing discrimination.

G

Galley kitchen

A narrow kitchen with appliances, counters, and cabinets on either side that are common in apartment floor plans.

Garden apartment

Apartment buildings of no more than three stories that are surrounded by grassy or tree-lined areas.

Grace period

A brief window of time following your rent due date during which you can still make your payment without incurring late fees or other penalties.

Guarantor

A lease co-signer who is held financially liable if you are unable to or do not pay your rent.

I

Income requirement

An income threshold you must satisfy to qualify for renting an apartment.

L

Exterior shot of the Highpointe Apartments leasing office

Lease

A tenancy agreement that details the terms and conditions of renting an apartment.

Lockout policy

A property's process for supplying access into your apartment if you get locked out.

Long-term

A rental agreement of no fewer than 12 months.

Luxury apartments

Apartments with community amenities, appliances, and premium finishes that exceed usual offerings.

M

Maintenance

The staff tasked with repairs and maintenance of apartments. You should reach out to them if there is something in need of repair in your apartment.

Market rate

The current going rate for rent, based on what similar apartments are leasing for in the neighboring area.

Multi-family

A building with multiple apartments designed to accommodate numerous households.

O

Occupancy standards

Restrictions on the number of individuals who may live in an apartment.

Online portal

A convenient digital platform for apartment Residents to request maintenance, make a payment, ask a question, and more.

P

Dog park at East Bank Noblesville Riverside Apartments

Pet policy

A community's guidelines for which animals are allowed or restricted and the fees owed for housing a pet on the premises.

Prorate

A per day calculation of rent if you move in or out halfway through a month, instead of requiring you to pay an entire month's rent.

Prospect

A potential apartment Resident who is trying to find an apartment but hasn't agreed to a lease yet.

R

Renewal

Continuing your lease after its initial term ends.

Renters insurance

An insurance plan that provides coverage for personal property damage and loss in the event your apartment suffers a catastrophe.

Rent

The monthly cost you pay to live in your apartment.

S

Screen

Running a background check and reviewing your history as a tenant during the application process.

Security deposit

Money you pay before moving into your apartment. It is meant to cover unpaid rent or damages once your lease is up. If you leave with no outstanding rent or damage, you receive your deposit back.

Short-term

A lease for fewer than 12 months.

T

Term

The length of time of your rental agreement.

Term fee

A fee you pay for ending your lease early.

U

Utilities

Electricity, gas, water, and garbage removal. These may or may not be covered in your rent.

W

Walk-up apartment

An apartment you get to via stairs instead of an elevator.

SOMO Flats Is Happy To Answer Questions About Apartment Terminology In Sylvania

Bring all your questions about apartment terminology to the team at SOMO! We’ll walk you through the leasing process and introduce you to our beautiful apartments and community. Give us a call at 419-843-0855 or book a tour to learn more about the amazing apartment lifestyle we offer.