Five Questions To Ask During An Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

May 28, 2020

Swimming pool at Indianapolis apartment.

Going on an apartment tour is an important step in knowing if that a particular community is where you want to live. But while you’re inspecting the bathrooms and closet space on your Indianapolis apartment tour, try to also use the time to ask your leasing specialist some probing questions. These questions are good to help you get a glimpse of the feel and tenant service the complex can offer. Your apartment will be where you call home for some time, and you should know just what you’re getting into. To begin, here are the five questions to ask on an apartment tour in Indianapolis.

What’s The Community’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many complexes advertise themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, but that term means different things to different communities. Some units have restrictions on the type of dog breeds they allow or limit how many pets can live in the unit. Some pet policies prohibit small animals, such as mice, hamsters, birds, or snakes. And all pet policies most likely have a surcharge on rent for your pets -- and some may even have a cleaning charge when you move out.

Asking about the pet policy is very important if you have a dog or cat, or you’re considering adopting one very soon. After all, you want your pet to be just as happy in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a good 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. You may also want to ask what pet-friendly amenities complex offers -- like dog runs or convenient waste disposal stations.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was usually paid by leaving payment at the office. These days, there might be many ways to pay rent. Does the complex have an app or can pay by direct deposit? Can I use my credit card and stack up points for my rent? Some complexes might even let you pay through trusted payment apps like Venmo or PayPal. Asking this question while on an apartment tour can be important for residents who are traveling a lot or require a more convenient option for paying rent.

Learning how utilities work can also save you expensive mistakes during your lease. What utilities come with rent? Are you able to roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, like water, electric, and gas, determined by communal use or are they determined by individual apartments? Do I have a choice on the internet, phone, or cable providers, or am I limited to the same company as the other residents? These questions should be simple, but sometimes the answers are different than you'd expect.

What Amenities Are Available?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Indianapolis apartment tour should also include a quick peek. During your Indianapolis apartment tour you should also walk through the amenities and grounds. Although a broad understanding of what’s available is nice, you might wish to inquire about residents' day-to-day usage of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to work out in the early morning or late to accommodate your personal schedule, be sure to ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s most often used. Parents may want to understand what the children’s policy is for the gym or pool and hot tub. If you’d love 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 get your amenities questions answered during your apartment tour. What you learn may be the deciding factor between two apartment communities in Indianapolis.

What Happens If I Need Maintenance?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you leave your apartment tour, remember to ask about how they handle maintenance. Maintenance practices can vary between companies, from 24-hour onsite availability to contract repair that should be reserved within operating business hours. Unforeseen problems do occur at times, but it’s how your community responds to your maintenance needs that can make or break how you feel about your apartment.

When you ask about maintenance, it’s good to be thorough. Does the community have emergency on-site maintenance, or can maintenance only work on repairs during the usual 9 to 5 business hours? Who do I talk to when I have a critical repair issue? Is there an online form to complete a maintenance request? And how will I know when they’re done? You might even want to ask what services won’t be performed by maintenance, like washer/dryer installation or new paint.

Where Do I Park?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you ask questions on your apartment tour in Indianapolis, don’t forget to ask what you need to do with your car. Do I need an assigned parking spot, or is parking open to whoever gets there first? Am I given a parking sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what happens if my family has multiple vehicles? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And make sure to ask about any towing policies. The last thing you need is to find the perfect apartment, but realize that you need to circle the block repeatedly to get a curbside space.

The Waverley Will Answer All Your Questions On Your Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

Schedule your apartment tour with The Waverley today, and we’ll answer all your questions while showing you one of our units. Simply call 317-800-7017 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And it’s a good idea to ask your partner or roommates to tag along, as they may ask some questions, too! Can’t come to the property? We have virtual tours!