Five Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Carmel

May 28, 2020

Going on an apartment tour is a crucial step in deciding if that a particular community is where you want to live. But while you’re looking over the kitchen and closet space on your Carmel apartment tour, it’s also a great time to ask your leasing specialist some in-depth questions. These questions work well to help you get a glimpse of the feel and tenant service the community can offer. Remember that your apartment will be your home for a time, and you should know precisely what to expect. To begin, here’s a list of the five questions to ask during an apartment tour in Carmel.

What Is The Community’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes promote themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Carmel, but that can be a fairly vague term. Some buildings have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many animals can be in the unit. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, like mice, guinea pigs, birds, or lizards. And all pet policies typically have a surcharge on rent for your furry loved ones -- and some may even have a cleaning fee upon move out.

Inquiring about the pet policy is a no-brainer if you have a dog or cat, or you’re considering adopting one soon. After all, your pet needs to be just as at home in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a good 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 consistent basis. You may also want to ask what amenities the apartment complex offers pets -- like dog parks or free waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was always paid by leaving payment at the main office. Now, there might be different ways to pay rent. Does the community have a web portal or can they link direct deposit through my bank? Can I pay by credit card and receive reward points for my rent payment? Some complexes may let you pay through trusted payment systems like Venmo or PayPal. Asking this question during an apartment tour can be key for residents who are frequently out of town or require an easier way to pay rent.

Finding how the complex handles utilities can also save you expensive mistakes in the future. What utilities come with rent? Are you able to add utilities to my rent check? Are utilities, such as gas and water, determined by communal use or are they calculated by each individual apartment? Can I pick 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 can surprise you.

What Amenities Can I Use?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Carmel apartment tour should also include a quick peek. During your Carmel apartment tour you should also see the amenities and grounds. Even though a broad understanding of what a community has is nice, you may wish to inquire about residents' day-to-day usage of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to work out in the morning or at night because of your personal schedule, make sure you ask about the hours of the exercise center -- and when it’s the busiest. Families may wish to know what the children’s policy is for the playground or pool and hot tub. If you want an apartment that’s not just a space to sleep, but a community that enhances your lifestyle, it’s crucial to get your amenities questions answered during your apartment tour. The answers may be the deciding factor between two apartments in Carmel.

How Do You Handle Maintenance Requests?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you’re done with your apartment tour, remember to ask about how they handle maintenance. Maintenance practices can vary wildly, from 24-hour onsite availability to third-party contractors that needs to be booked during regular business hours. Emergencies do happen at times, but it’s how maintenance is able to respond that can make or break how you feel about your apartment.

When asking about maintenance, go ahead and be thorough. Does the community have emergency on-site maintenance, or can they only work on repairs during operating business hours? Who do I talk to when I have an emergency? Is there an online form to submit request maintenance? And how will I be contacted when they are finished? You may want to ask what work wouldn’t be done by maintenance staff, such as washer/dryer hookup or new shelving.

What’s Parking Like?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Carmel, don’t forget to ask what how parking is handled. Am I assigned a place to park, or is it first come first serve? Will I receive a sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what if my family has multiple vehicles? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And remember to ask about any towing policies. The last thing you need is to get the perfect apartment, but learn that you have to stalk the block for half an hour to get a curbside parking spot.

Highpointe Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Carmel

Schedule your apartment tour with Highpointe today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while showing you the perfect apartment home. Simply call (317) 342-0670 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And don’t forget to ask your partner or roommates to tag along, as they could ask some questions, too! Can’t visit the property? We offer virtual tours!