General questions
The general process involves searching for available apartments, visiting properties, submitting a rental application, undergoing a background and credit check, signing the lease agreement, and paying a security deposit along with the first month’s rent.
Documents usually required include a valid ID, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns), employment verification, bank statements, and references from previous landlords.
This depends on the lease. Some apartments include utilities like water, electricity, or heating, while others may require tenants to pay separately. Amenities like parking, garbage collection, or maintenance services may also be included.
Security deposits are typically one to two months’ rent, and they are refundable if no damage is done to the property and all terms of the lease are met when moving out.
A lease is a legally binding contract between the landlord and tenant outlining the terms and conditions of the rental. It includes rent amount, lease duration, tenant obligations, and other rules such as pet policies or maintenance responsibilities.
Other questions
The standard lease term is one year, but shorter leases may be available upon request. If you need to break the lease early, you will be responsible for finding a replacement tenant or paying a penalty fee, depending on the lease terms.
Living in close proximity to others, especially in shared housing, can lead to noise disturbances. Students should discuss quiet hours and acceptable noise levels with roommates and neighbors. If two consecutive noise warnings are issued by government authorities, the student tenants will be evicted as a result.
Parking is limited on-site and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, on-street parking is available with a parking permit from West Chester Borough, costing $14 per year. Permit availability depends on the location of your rental property and the designated streets.
Students should check for extra costs like parking, laundry, trash collection, or community amenities that could affect the total monthly cost of living.
Maintenance requests can be submitted through our online portal or by calling our office. We aim to respond to non-emergency issues within 24 hours and resolve urgent maintenance issues within 12 hours.