Five Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Westfield

May 28, 2020

Touring an apartment is a crucial step in finding out that a particular community will work for you. But while you’re exploring the bathrooms and storage space on your Westfield apartment tour, try to also use the time to ask your guide some in-depth questions. These questions work well to help you get a glimpse of the feel and resident service the complex can give. Remember that your apartment will be your home for a time, and it’s nice to understand exactly what you’re getting into. To begin, here are the five questions to ask on an apartment tour in Westfield.

What’s The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many communities promote themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Westfield, but that term means different things to different communities. 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, such as mice, hamsters, birds, or snakes. And all pet policies typically charge additional rent for your pets -- and some may even have a cleaning fee when you move out.

Finding out about the pet policy is a must if you live with a dog or cat, or you’re thinking of getting one very soon. After all, you’d like your pet to be just as happy in the apartment as you are. However, it's also a handy question to ask on an apartment tour if you don’t own a pet. That way, you know what types of pets you might run into on a consistent basis. We also recommend asking what pet-friendly amenities complex provides -- like dog parks or provided waste disposal bags.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

20 years ago, rent was typically paid by dropping off a check at the office. Today, there might be different ways to pay rent. Does the company have an app or can pay by direct deposit? Can I use my credit card and receive reward points for my rent payment? Some complexes might allow you to pay through third-party payment apps like PayPal or Venmo. Asking how you pay rent while on an apartment tour can be important for those who travel or want a cashless option for paying rent.

Understanding how the complex handles utilities can also save you expensive mistakes later on. What utilities are included with rent? Are you able to roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, like water and gas, based on communal use or are they calculated by each unit? Can I pick 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 surprising.

What Amenities Are Available?

Swimming pool in a JC Hart community

Your Westfield apartment tour should also include a quick peek. During your Westfield apartment tour you should also walk through the amenities and grounds. While a short overview of what a community has is good, you might want to probe further into residents' day-to-day usage of the communities’ amenities.

If you’d like to work out early or at night due to your work schedule, make sure you ask about the workout center’s hours -- and when it’s the busiest. Families may want to see what the policy is for kids to use the fitness center or pool. If you’re looking for an apartment that’s not only somewhere to sleep, but a community that enhances your lifestyle, it’s important to ask about amenities while on your apartment tour. The answers may influence your final choice between two apartment complexes in Westfield.

How Do You Handle Maintenance Requests?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you’re done with your apartment tour, remember to ask about how they handle maintenance. Maintenance practices can vary between companies, from 24-hour onsite availability to contract contractors that should be booked within regular business hours. Emergencies do occur from time-to-time, but it’s how your maintenance requests are handled that can make or break how you feel about your apartment.

When asking about maintenance, go ahead and be thorough. Does the apartment have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can they only do repairs during operating business hours? Who do I call about a critical repair issue? Is there an online form to complete a maintenance request? And how will I know when they are finished? You may want to ask what services wouldn’t be done by maintenance staff, such as washer/dryer installation or new shelving.

What’s Parking Like?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re taking your apartment tour in Westfield, don’t forget to ask what where you park your car. Am I assigned a place to park, or is parking by my building open to all residents? Do I need a sticker or hang-tag for my vehicle, and what happens if my family has two vehicles? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And make sure to ask about any towing policies. You’d hate to get your ideal apartment, but learn that you need to circle the block for an hour to snag a curbside spot.

Harmony Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Westfield

Schedule your apartment tour with Harmony today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while showing you one of our apartments. Simply call (317) 795-0224 or click the “schedule a tour” button. And it’s a good idea to ask your partner or roommates to tag along, as they might have questions, too! Can’t visit the property? We have virtual tours!