Five Questions To Ask During An Apartment Tour In Sylvania

May 28, 2020

Walking through apartment tours is a necessary step in knowing if that a particular community will work for you. But while you’re exploring the bathrooms and amenities on your Sylvania apartment tour, try to also use the time to ask your leasing specialist some deeper questions. These questions can help you determine the feel and tenant service the community can provide. Your apartment will be your home for a while, and it’s nice to understand precisely what to expect. To begin, these are the five questions to ask during an apartment tour in Sylvania.

What Is The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many communities advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Sylvania, but that can be a fairly vague term. Some apartments have restrictions on the type of dog breeds they allow or limit how many pets can be in the unit. Some pet policies prohibit small animals, such as rats, hamsters, large birds, or reptiles. And all pet policies usually charge additional rent for your pets -- and many may even have a cleaning charge when you move out.

Inquiring about the pet policy is a no-brainer if you have a cat or dog, or you’re thinking of getting one in the near future. After all, your pet needs to be just as comfortable in your 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 run into on a consistent basis. You may also want to ask what pet-friendly amenities complex offers -- such as dog parks or convenient waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

20 years ago, rent was typically paid by check at the main office. Now, there might be multiple ways to pay. Does the complex have an app or can pay by direct deposit? Can I pay by credit card and receive points for my rent? Some companies may even let you pay through popular payment systems like PayPal or Venmo. Asking this question during an apartment tour can be important if you are frequently out of town or want a more convenient option for paying rent.

Learning how the complex handles utilities can also make your life easier in the future. What utilities are included? Can you roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, like water, electric, and gas, based on communal use or are they determined by each unit? Can I choose the internet, phone, or cable providers, or am I limited to the same provider as everyone else in the community? These questions may feel cut and dry, but sometimes the answers are different than you'd expect.

What Amenities Will I Have Access To?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Sylvania apartment tour should also include a quick peek. During your Sylvania apartment tour you should also walk through the amenities and grounds. Even though an overview of what a community offers is helpful, you may want to ask more about the details of the complexes’ amenities.

If you prefer to exercise early or late at night due to your daily schedule, go ahead and ask about the fitness center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Parents may want to know what the policy is for kids to use the playground or pool and hot tub. If you want an apartment that’s not only a place to sleep, but a community that enhances your lifestyle, it’s vital to get your amenities questions answered while on your apartment tour. What you learn may influence your final choice between two apartment complexes in Sylvania.

How Do You Handle Maintenance Requests?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you leave your apartment tour, remember to ask about the maintenance situation. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from on-site maintenance to contract repair that should be booked during operating business hours. Emergencies do crop up from time-to-time, but it’s how your community responds to your maintenance needs that can deeply influence how you feel about your apartment.

When asking about maintenance, don’t be afraid to be thorough. Does the apartment have emergency on-site maintenance, or can they only perform repairs during regular business hours? Who do I talk to when I have an emergency? Is there an online form to submit a maintenance request? And how will I be contacted when they’re finished? You might even want to ask what work wouldn’t be performed by maintenance, such as washer/dryer hookup or new shelving.

What Is The Parking Situation?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Sylvania, it’s good to ask what you do with your car. Am I assigned a space, or is parking by my building open to all residents? Am I given a parking sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what if my family has two or more cars? Are there individual garages or carports available? And remember to ask about the towing policy. The last thing you need is to find your dream apartment, but realize that you have to circle the block repeatedly to find a curbside spot.

SOMO Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Sylvania

Schedule your tour with SOMO today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while giving you a tour of one of our units. Simply call us at 419-843-0855 or hit the “schedule a tour” button. And it’s a good idea to ask your partner or roommates to come, too, as they could have questions, too! Can’t come to the property? We offer virtual tours!