5 Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

May 28, 2020

Swimming pool at Indianapolis apartment.

Touring an apartment is a necessary step in deciding if that a particular community is where you want to live. But while you’re exploring the apartment floor plan and storage space on your Indianapolis apartment tour, it’s also a good time to ask your leasing specialist some in-depth questions. These questions work well to help you determine the feel and personal attention the complex can give. After all, your apartment will be where you call home for some time, and you should understand precisely what you’re signing up for. To get you started, these are the 5 questions to ask on an apartment tour in Indianapolis.

What’s The Community’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many communities market themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, but that can be a fairly vague term. Some buildings have restrictions on the type of dog breeds they allow or limit how many pets can live in the apartment. Some pet policies prohibit small animals, such as mice, hamsters, large birds, or lizards. And all pet policies most likely have a surcharge on rent for your animals -- and many may even have a cleaning fee upon move out.

Inquiring about the pet policy is a must if you have a cat or dog, or you’re wanting to get one in the near future. After all, you’d like your pet to be just as at home in the apartment as you are. But it's also a handy question to ask on an apartment tour if you’re not a pet owner. That way, you know what animals you might see on a day-to-day basis. Also think of asking what pet-friendly amenities complex has -- like dog runs or free waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

20 years ago, rent was typically paid by leaving payment at the main office. These days, there could be different ways to make a rent payment. Does the company have a mobile app or can I use direct deposit? Can I put it on my credit card and stack up points for my rent payment? Some companies might even let you pay through trusted payment apps 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 want a more convenient way to pay rent.

Learning how utilities work can also make your life easier later on. What utilities come with rent? Are you able to incorporate utilities in my rent check? Are utilities, such as gas and water, set by communal use or are they calculated by each unit? Can I choose the internet, phone, or cable providers, or do I have to use the same company as the other residents? These questions should be cut and dry, but sometimes the answers can surprise you.

What Amenities Will I Have Access To?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Indianapolis apartment tour should also include a quick tour. During your Indianapolis apartment tour you should also see the amenities and grounds. Although an overview of what a community offers is good, you may want to ask more about the details of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to exercise in the early morning or late to accommodate your work schedule, make sure you ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Families may like to know what the policy is for kids to use the playground or pool. If you want an apartment that’s not just a place to lay your head down at night, but a community to fully enjoy, it’s crucial to ask amenity questions on your apartment tour. The answers may be the decision point between two apartments in Indianapolis.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you finish your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about how they handle maintenance. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from 24-hour emergency response to contract repair that has to be booked within regular business hours. Unforeseen problems do occur from time-to-time, but it’s how maintenance is able to respond that can deeply influence your living situation.

When you’re asking about maintenance, don’t be afraid to be thorough. Does the complex have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only perform repairs during the usual 9 to 5 business hours? Who do I call about an urgent repair need? Can I go online to fill out request maintenance? And how will I know when they’re done? You might even want to ask what services won’t be covered by maintenance, like washer/dryer installation or ceiling fan installation.

What Is The Parking Situation?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Indianapolis, don’t forget to ask what where you park your car. Do I have an assigned space, or is it first come first serve? Am I given a sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what if my family has two or more vehicles? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And make sure to ask about the towing policy. You’d hate to find your dream apartment, but find out that you need to stalk the block repeatedly to get a curbside space.

City's End Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

Schedule your apartment tour with City's End today, and we’ll answer all your questions while showing you the perfect apartment home. Just call us at 463-231-3192 or hit the “schedule a tour” button. And remember to bring your family or roommates, as they could have questions, too! Can’t make it to the property? We have virtual tours!