Five Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Carmel

May 28, 2020

Going on an apartment tour is a necessary step in finding out that a particular community is for you. But while you’re looking over the kitchen and storage space on your Carmel apartment tour, it’s also a good time to ask your tour guide some deeper questions. These questions can help you get a glimpse of the feel and resident service the community can give. After all, your apartment will be where you call home for some time, and it’s nice to see just what to expect. To start off, here are the 5 questions to ask on an apartment tour in Carmel.

What’s The Community’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many communities advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Carmel, but that term can mean many different things. Some buildings have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many animals can be in the apartment. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, such as rats, guinea pigs, birds, or reptiles. And all pet policies most likely have a surcharge on rent for your animals -- and some may even charge a cleaning fee when you move out.

Inquiring about the pet policy is very important if you have a cat or dog, or you’re thinking of getting one very soon. After all, you want your pet to be just as at home in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a handy question to ask on an apartment tour if you don’t have a pet. That way, you know what critters you might run into on an everyday basis. We also recommend asking what pet-friendly amenities the community offers -- like dog runs or convenient waste disposal sacks.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was usually paid by leaving payment at the office. Now, there could be multiple ways to pay. Does the community have an app or can they link direct deposit through my bank? Can I use my credit card and receive points for my rent payment? Some places may let you pay through trusted payment companies like Venmo or PayPal. Asking this question during an apartment tour can be critical for residents who are frequently out of town or need a cashless option for paying rent.

Understanding the details about utilities can also save you headaches in the future. What utilities are included? Are you able to incorporate utilities in my rent check? Are utilities, like water and gas, determined by communal use or are they calculated by each unit? 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 seem simple, but sometimes the answers are surprising.

What Amenities Are Available?

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. While an overview of what a community has is helpful, you may want to inquire about residents' day-to-day usage of the apartment community’s amenities.

If you’d like to work out in the early morning or late because of your daily schedule, be sure to ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s usually busy. Moms and Dads may wish to understand what the children’s policy is for the basketball court or pool. If you’re looking for an apartment that’s not just somewhere to lay your head down at night, but a community you can truly enjoy, it’s important to ask amenity questions on your apartment tour. What you learn may influence your final choice between two apartment complexes in Carmel.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you conclude your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about how maintenance is handled. Maintenance policies can vary between companies, from 24-hour onsite availability to outside repair that has to be booked during operating business hours. Unforeseen problems do happen from time-to-time, but it’s how your community responds to your maintenance needs that can make or break your apartment experience.

When you ask about maintenance, it’s good to be thorough. Does the complex have emergency on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only do repairs during operating business hours? Who do I call about a critical repair issue? Do they have an online form to complete request maintenance? And how will I be contacted when they are finished? It’s also a good idea to ask what work isn’t covered by maintenance staff, like 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 where you park your car. Do I need an assigned place to park, or is parking open to whoever gets there first? Do I need a parking sticker or hang-tag for my car, and what happens if my family has multiple vehicles? Does the community have individual garages or carports? And don’t forget to ask about the towing policy. You don’t want to find your dream apartment, but realize that you have to stalk the block for half an hour to find a curbside space.

The Legacy Will Answer All Your Questions On Your Apartment Tour In Carmel

Schedule your apartment tour with The Legacy today, and we’ll answer all your questions while giving you a tour of one of our apartments. Just call us at 317-674-1318 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And remember to ask your partner or roommates to , as they could ask some questions, too! Can’t visit the property? Virtual tours are available!