5 Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Carmel

May 28, 2020

Touring apartments is a necessary step in deciding if that a particular community is where you want to live. But while you’re inspecting the bathrooms and closet space on your Carmel apartment tour, it’s also a great time to ask your tour guide some probing questions. These questions are good to help you determine the atmosphere and tenant service the complex can provide. Remember that your apartment will be your home for a while, and you should understand precisely what you’re getting into. To start off, 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 advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Carmel, but that can be a fairly vague term. Some apartments have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many animals can live in the apartment. Some pet policies prohibit small animals, like mice, hamsters, birds, or reptiles. And all pet policies typically have a pet fee for your furry loved ones -- and some may even charge a cleaning fee when you leave.

Inquiring about the pet policy is very important if you live with a cat or dog, or you’re thinking of getting one in the near future. After all, you want your pet to be just as comfortable in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a great 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 a day-to-day basis. Also think of asking what amenities the apartment complex has for pets -- like dog parks or free waste disposal stations.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

In the old days, rent was always paid by check at the front office. These days, there might be different ways to pay. Does the complex have a web portal or can I use direct deposit? Can I use my credit card and stack up points for my rent payment? Some places may let you pay through popular payment systems like Venmo or PayPal. Asking how you pay rent on an apartment tour can be critical for those who are traveling a lot or need a cashless way to pay rent.

Learning the details about utilities can also save you headaches in the future. What utilities come with rent? Can you add utilities to my rent check? Are utilities, such as gas and water, based on communal use or are they determined by individual apartments? Can I choose the internet, phone, or cable providers, or am I limited to the apartment contractor? These questions may feel cut and dry, but sometimes the answers are different than you'd expect.

What Amenities Are Available?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Carmel apartment tour should also include a quick look. During your Carmel apartment tour you should also walk through the amenities and grounds. Although a broad understanding of what a community has is good, you may want to inquire about residents' day-to-day usage of the communities’ amenities.

If you want to exercise in the morning or at night to accommodate your personal schedule, be sure to ask about the fitness center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Parents may like to see what the children’s policy is for the fitness center or pool and hot tub. If you’re looking for an apartment that’s not just a space to sleep, but a community you can truly enjoy, it’s crucial to get your amenities questions answered during your apartment tour. The answers may be the decision point between two apartment complexes in Carmel.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you’re done with your apartment tour, be sure that you ask about how maintenance is handled. Maintenance policies can vary wildly, from on-site maintenance to third-party contractors that has to be scheduled within regular business hours. Emergencies do happen at times, but it’s how your maintenance requests are handled that can make or break how you feel about your apartment.

When you ask about maintenance, go ahead and be thorough. Does the complex have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can personnel only do repairs during the usual 9 to 5 business hours? Who do I contact for a critical repair issue? Is there an online form to fill out request maintenance? And how will I be notified when they are done? You might even want to ask what services wouldn’t be covered by maintenance personnel, like washer/dryer hookup or new shelving.

What Is The Parking Situation?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you ask questions on your apartment tour in Carmel, remember to ask what where you park your car. Do I get an assigned parking spot, or is it first come first serve? Will I receive a sticker or hang-tag for my car, and what happens if my family has multiple cars? Does the community have individual garages or carports? And make sure to ask about the towing procedure. You don’t want to find your ideal apartment, but find out that you need to stalk the block for half an hour to get a curbside parking spot.

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

Schedule your apartment tour with Lakeside today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while showing you the perfect apartment home. Simply call 317-344-8491 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And remember to bring your partner or roommates, as they may ask some questions, too! Can’t come to the property? We have virtual tours!