5 Questions To Ask During An Apartment Tour In Lafayette

May 28, 2020

Walking through apartment tours is a crucial step in deciding if that a particular community will work for you. But while you’re inspecting the bathrooms and amenities on your Lafayette apartment tour, you should also use the time to ask your leasing specialist some probing questions. These questions are good to help you get a glimpse of the atmosphere and resident service the community can offer. Your apartment will be your home for some time, and it’s good to understand just what to expect. To get you started, here are the five questions to ask on an apartment tour in Lafayette.

What Is The Community’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes promote themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Lafayette, but that term means different things to different communities. Some apartments have restrictions on the type of dog breeds they allow or limit how many animals can be in the unit. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, such as rats, hamsters, large birds, or snakes. And all pet policies most likely have a pet fee for your pets -- and many may even have a cleaning fee when you leave.

Asking about the pet policy is a no-brainer if you own a dog or cat, or you’re thinking of getting one very soon. 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 cross paths with on an everyday basis. You may also want to ask what amenities the apartment community has for pets -- such as dog parks or convenient waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was usually paid by leaving payment at the office. Today, there might be multiple ways to make a rent payment. Does the complex have an app or can they link direct deposit through my bank? Can I use my credit card and stack up points for my rent? Some complexes might even allow you to pay through popular payment apps like Venmo or PayPal. Asking how you pay rent on an apartment tour can be key for those who are frequently out of town or want a more convenient option for paying rent.

Finding the details about utilities can also save you headaches during your lease. What utilities come with rent? Can you roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, like water, electric, and gas, set by communal use or are they calculated by individual apartments? Do I have a choice on the internet, phone, or cable providers, or do I have to use the same company as the other residents? These questions may seem cut and dry, but sometimes the answers are surprising.

What Amenities Are Available?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Lafayette apartment tour should also include a quick tour. During your Lafayette apartment tour you should also walk through the amenities and grounds. Even though a broad understanding of what’s available is helpful, you may wish to inquire about residents' day-to-day usage of the apartment community’s amenities.

If you prefer to exercise early or late at night to accommodate your daily schedule, go ahead and ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s usually busy. Families may wish to know what the policy is for kids to use the fitness center or pool and hot tub. If you’re looking for an apartment that’s not only a place to lay your head down at night, but a community you can truly enjoy, it’s important to get your amenities questions answered during your apartment tour. The answers may influence your final choice between two apartments in Lafayette.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you finish your apartment tour, remember to ask about how maintenance is handled. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from 24-hour emergency response to third-party contractors that has to be reserved during regular business hours. Emergencies do crop up at times, 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 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only work on repairs during regular business hours? Who do I talk to when I have an emergency? Is there an online form to fill out a maintenance request? And how will I know when they’ve completed the repair? It’s also a good idea to ask what work isn’t done by maintenance, such as washer/dryer installation or ceiling fan installation.

What’s Parking Like?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Lafayette, it’s good to ask what where you park your car. Do I need an assigned space, or is parking open to whoever gets there first? Am I given a sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what happens if my family has multiple cars? Are there individual garages or carports available? And don’t forget to inquire about any towing policies. You don’t want to find your dream apartment, but learn that you need to go around the block for an hour to snag a curbside parking spot.

Precedent Flats Will Answer All Your Questions On Your Apartment Tour In Lafayette

Schedule your tour with Precedent Flats today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while giving you a tour of one of our apartments. Just call 765-771-7085 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And remember to ask your partner or roommates to tag along, as they could have questions, too! Can’t visit the property? Virtual tours are available!