Five Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Carmel

May 28, 2020

Touring apartments is a necessary step in knowing if that a particular community is where you want to live. But while you’re exploring the bathrooms and amenities on your Carmel apartment tour, it’s also a great time to ask your leasing specialist some deeper questions. These questions are good to help you get a glimpse of the atmosphere and tenant service the community can offer. After all, your apartment will be your home for a while, and it’s nice to understand just what you’re signing up for. To get you started, here are the five questions to ask during an apartment tour in Carmel.

What Is The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Carmel, but that can be a fairly vague term. Some units have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many pets can live in the apartment. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, like mice, guinea pigs, birds, or snakes. And all pet policies usually have a pet fee for your pets -- and many may even have a cleaning charge when you leave.

Inquiring about the pet policy is a no-brainer if you own a dog or cat, or you’re wanting to get one very soon. After all, your pet needs to be just as comfortable in your apartment as you are. But it's also a handy question to ask on an apartment tour if you don’t have a pet. That way, you know what kinds of animals you might run into on a day-to-day basis. We also recommend asking what pet-friendly amenities complex has -- such as dog parks or convenient waste disposal stations.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

20 years ago, rent was typically paid by check at the office. Now, there might be different ways to pay. Does the community have an app or can I use direct deposit? Can I pay by credit card and receive points for my rent payment? Some companies may even allow you to pay through popular payment companies like PayPal or Venmo. Asking how you pay rent during an apartment tour can be important for those who are frequently out of town or require an easier way to pay rent.

Learning the details about utilities can also make your life easier in the future. What utilities come with rent? Can you roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, such as water, electric, and gas, determined by communal use or are they determined by each individual apartment? 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 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 walk through the amenities and grounds. Even though an overview of what a community has is nice, you may wish to probe further into the details of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to exercise in the morning or late because of your personal schedule, be sure to ask about the fitness center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Parents may wish to see what the policy is for kids to use the basketball court or pool and hot tub. If you want an apartment that’s not only a space to lay your head down at night, but a community to fully enjoy, it’s important to ask amenity questions on your apartment tour. The answers may be the decision point between two apartment communities in Carmel.

How Do You Handle Maintenance Requests?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you conclude your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about how they handle maintenance. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from on-site maintenance to third-party contractors that has to be reserved within normal business hours. Emergencies do crop up sometimes, but it’s how maintenance is able to respond that can make or break how you feel about your apartment.

When you’re asking about maintenance, it’s good to be thorough. Does the complex have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only do repairs during the usual 9 to 5 business hours? Who do I contact for a critical repair issue? Do they have an online form to submit a maintenance request? And how will I be contacted when they’ve completed the repair? It’s also a good idea to ask what services isn’t covered by maintenance, such as washer/dryer installation or new paint.

Where Do I Park?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re taking your apartment tour in Carmel, don’t forget to ask what how parking is handled. Am I assigned a place to park, or is parking by my building open to all residents? Do I need a parking sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what happens if my family has two cars? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And remember to ask about the towing procedure. You don’t want to find your ideal apartment, but realize that you have to go around the block for an hour to find a curbside space.

North Haven Will Answer All Your Questions On Your Apartment Tour In Carmel

Schedule your apartment tour with North Haven today, and we’ll answer all your questions while showing you one of our apartments. Just call us at 317-350-1875 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And don’t forget to ask your partner or roommates to , as they could have questions, too! Can’t make it to the property? Virtual tours are available!