5 Questions To Ask On An Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

May 28, 2020

Swimming pool at Indianapolis apartment.

Going on an apartment tour is an important step in deciding if that a particular community will work for you. But while you’re looking over the bathrooms and closet space on your Indianapolis apartment tour, it’s also a good time to ask your tour guide some important questions. These questions can help you determine the feel and resident service the community can give. Your apartment will be where you call home for a time, and you should understand exactly what to expect. To start off, these are the five questions to ask during an apartment tour in Indianapolis.

What’s The Apartment’s Pet Policy?

Pets in a pet friendly apartment

Many communities market themselves as pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, but that term means different things to different communities. Some buildings have restrictions on dog breeds you can own, or how many pets can live in the apartment. Certain pet policies prohibit small animals, like rats, hamsters, birds, or snakes. And all pet policies most likely have a pet fee for your pets -- and some may even charge a cleaning fee when you leave.

Asking about the pet policy is very important if you own a cat or dog, or you’re considering adopting one very soon. After all, your pet needs 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 critters you might cross paths with on a regular basis. You may also want to ask what amenities the apartment complex has for pets -- like dog parks or free waste disposal sacks.

How Will I Pay Rent And Utilities?

Many years ago, rent was usually paid by leaving payment at the office. Now, there could be different ways to make a rent payment. 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 payment? Some places might even allow you to pay through trusted payment companies like PayPal or Venmo. Asking how you pay rent while on an apartment tour can be critical if you are frequently out of town or want a more convenient option for paying rent.

Understanding how the complex handles utilities can also save you headaches during your lease. What utilities come with rent? Can you roll utilities into my rent check? Are utilities, such as water, electric, and gas, determined by communal use or are they determined by each individual apartment? Can I choose the internet, phone, or cable providers, or do I have to go with the apartment contractor? These questions should be cut and dry, but sometimes the answers are surprising.

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. Even though an overview of what’s available is nice, you might wish to probe further into the details of the complexes’ amenities.

If you’d like to work out in the morning or at night to accommodate your work schedule, go ahead and ask about the hours of the exercise center -- and when it’s usually busy. Moms and Dads may wish to understand what the policy is for kids to use the fitness center or pool and hot tub. If you’d love an apartment that’s not only somewhere to lay your head down at night, but a community that enhances your lifestyle, it’s crucial to ask amenity questions on your apartment tour. The answers may be the decision point between two apartments in Indianapolis.

How Do You Handle Maintenance Requests?

Bedroom door of an apartment

Before you conclude your apartment tour, make sure that you ask about the maintenance situation. Maintenance policies and procedures can vary between companies, from 24-hour onsite availability to third-party contractors that has to be scheduled within operating business hours. Unforeseen problems do happen sometimes, but it’s how maintenance is able to respond that can deeply influence your living situation.

When you’re asking about maintenance, go ahead and be thorough. Does the complex have 24-hour on-site maintenance, or can they only perform repairs during operating business hours? Who do I talk to when I have an urgent repair need? Can I go online to submit a maintenance request? And how will I know when they are done? You might even want to ask what services isn’t performed by maintenance staff, such as washer/dryer hookup or ceiling fan installation.

What’s Parking Like?

Parking lot at a JC Hart community

When you’re on your apartment tour in Indianapolis, remember to ask what where you park your car. Do I need an assigned parking spot, 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 cars? Does my lease include an individual garage or carport? And make sure to inquire about the towing policy. The last thing you need is to get your ideal apartment, but realize that you have to go around the block for half an hour to snag a curbside parking spot.

Riverview Apartments Will Answer All Your Questions During Your Apartment Tour In Indianapolis

Schedule your apartment tour with Riverview Apartments today, and we’ll answer each of your questions while showing you the perfect apartment home. Simply call 317-751-4053 or hit the “schedule a tour” button. And remember to bring your partner or roommates, as they might ask some questions, too! Can’t make it to the property? We offer virtual tours!