Frequently Asked Questions
Q....I can't be at the next open house advertised on the outgoing telephone message. Will there be another showing soon and when will it be?
A....If you miss the next open house a new showing time will be on the first 15 seconds of the information line for that apartment immediately after the showing that you missed if the apartment is still available. Simply call the same information number right after the showing that you missed and for your convenience the new showing will be at the very beginning so you don't have to wait through the entire message again. We know your time is important so we try to streamline our business and we are always open to suggestions.
Q....Could I sign just a 6 month lease or a month to month tenancy?
A....No. 1 year leases usually run from springtime to springtime because that is when most people who honor their lease will give proper notice and move. Therefore, a six month lease would be over around November and it is just about impossible for us to rent an apartment over the holidays or during the bitter cold of Chicago winters, which brings us right back to the springtime. The reason that we offer bargain prices is to attract "long term" tenants who stay after their lease.
Q...I saw the web site and I am not from Chicago but plan to move there soon. I really like the pictures of one apartment that I think I may want, so may I send you the deposit and have you hold it for me?
A....No. If you haven't actually seen the apartment and we have not met you in person, it wouldn't be ethical for us to accept a deposit. What if we rented it to you and then for some reason that apartment wouldn't work for you, or what if your plans suddenly change? We try very hard to always do the right thing and avoid any kind of misunderstandings that a situation like this could possibly cause.
Q... Is there a security deposit?
A...No. We decided to keep it simple and make it easier for tenants to move in by lowering the "up front cash needed". Instead of the usual one and a half month or two month security deposit, we charge a one time "move in" fee which is usually about half of the rent. This fee guarantees that you will move in and honor the lease as well as covering any small accidental damage when furniture is being moved in and out of units, and other things. The move in fee lowers the total cost for a tenant to move in (about 75% of the usual security deposit) and is usually only about only $400. It is a one time fee and is non refundable that is put in writing and we always give a written receipt for any money that we accept. Occasionally if we feel it is warranted and the tenant leaves their unit immaculate at the end of their lease with proper notice, we sometimes may decide to return the move in fee solely at our discretion.
Q....Then if I pay the one time non refundable "Move In / Application Fee" to hold the apartment by taking it off of the market to other renters and guarantee that I will move in, how long will Best Rents hold the unit for me?
A...No more that one week.
Q....If my credit isn't so good may I still be considered to get the apartment that I want?
A....Probably not. All that we have to go by is your past credit so if you have not been able to pay your bills on time in the past, then you may not be able to pay your bills on time in the future. You certainly don't need perfect credit but we would like to see a credit score above 500 and the better your credit score, the better are your chances for getting the apartment that you want..
Q....What if I am a first time renter and don't have any rental history because I am in college. Will Best Rents consider renting me an apartment?
A....Yes. Some college students have been great tenants as long as you are responsible with paying the rent and respect the other tenants peace and quiet in the building by using common sense. If a parent is willing to co-sign the lease you have an excellent chance of getting the apartment that you want.
Q....What if I am a first time renter and I'm not in school and my parents will not co-sign for me?
A....Then we most probably will pass on your application unless you are working and we can confirm your job. Please do not take it personally because it is strictly a business decision and we don't want to fall into foreclosure like so many of our friends have in this economy.
Q....If I get the apartment how soon can I move in?
A....From the time you bring your application to the showing already filled out and leave your cash non refundable "Move In Fee" it is usually only about 1 business day until we sign the lease, have the keys, and can move right in immediately.
Q.... Where does the $20 application fee go?
A.... We receive a bill each month from the credit check company who are professionals and specialize in doing this. In fact, our bill for all credit / eviction checks are more than the $20 application fee, so we actually lose money out of our pocket each time we run an application through trying to get prospective renters qualified.
Q....Does Best Rents have any monetary interest in the credit check company and do we get any kind of commission from them?
A....No. They are an independent company and there are many screening companies to choose from. In fact we charge less to process an application than we are actually charged from the credit check company. We consider it a "co-pay" and split the cost as a gesture of good faith with the tenant. Standard application fees for credit checks in Chicago are usually between $25 & $50 each or more.
Q....Could I install my own washer and drier?
A....No, you cannot use a washer. Washers create an ongoing problem because the lint that goes down the sink drain with the soapy wash water causes blockages in the main line and therefore plumbing backups through the entire building. Also, if a hose breaks (and they always eventually do when you are at the grocery store) it causes a waterfall for your neighbors downstairs damaging the building as well as higher water bills which forces us to increase the rents which wouldn't be fair to the tenants who do not use excessive water. Not to worry, there are lots of neighborhood laundromats in the Bridgeport area.
Q... How many people are allowed to live in the apartment?
A....We are responsible and don't want to overcrowd our buildings so our general "rule of thumb" for occupancy is one person per bedroom, so if it is a 2 bedroom apartment then that would mean probably 2 people maximum of any age. .
Q.... When I move in what is the procedure?
A....Standard procedure is to give you the "Landlord/Tenant Ordnance Summary" and other important documents when you sign the lease. We read over each paragraph of the lease with you to make sure all of your questions are answered to avoid any misunderstandings as well as going through your new apartment and checking everything including the smoke and C/O detectors.
Q... May I get a receipt for rent and other payments?
A....Yes, absolutely. Whenever there is any monetary exchange you will always be given a written signed receipt weather it is cash, check or money order.
Q....What is the policy for customizing my new apartment?
A....The apartments are freshly painted usually with a clean neutral white color, so if you want to repaint it with a custom color you are welcome to do so at your own expense. We want you to have a place that reflects your personality and a home that you like.
Q....Why do we allow cats if they are spayed or neutered, but usually not dogs?
A....Dogs do what they do out of unconditional love. They protect you by barking at any hour which is a problem in a quiet multi-unit building. If the owner of the pet isn't responsible by getting home on time, the dog may ruin the carpet or scratch the woodwork. (It usually isn't the dog that is a problem, but the owner). We love all animals and support animal rights groups but we have had many bad experiences in the past, sometimes even finding unwanted pets abandoned in a vacant apartment when irresponsible tenants have moved out.
Q....Exactly what is the neighborhood like and most important is it safe?
A....Obviously we felt that the neighborhood was a great place to invest and we were comfortable enough to make a major commitment with our life savings on a down payment and long term mortgage. Where you want to live is a very personal decision that only you can decide. No matter how perfect a neighborhood is, technically speaking there is always what's called a "crime rate" available from the Police department for absolutely any neighborhood. It exists everywhere even in very good, highly rated areas such as Evanston, the Gold Coast, Skokie, brand new million dollar loop condos, and many new suburbs far from Chicago. Bridgeport is a great area to live and it's interesting to note that 3 Chicago mayors thought so too. They lived in the neighborhood during their term in office including the current Mayor Daley who was born in Bridgeport and raised his kids here. To learn more click on About Us and the Neighborhood of Bridgeport.
Q....Is it important to be on time for the open house showing?
A.....Yes. probably the most important thing. We have found that if someone can't simply be on time for an appointment then they probably won't be organized enough to be a dependable tenant and pay their rent on time. Please understand that our showing times are sometimes close to one another, so if you are late then that in turn will make us late for the next showing which isn't fair to those people waiting who were on time.
Q....May I call or e-mail Best Rents to get on some sort of waiting list and put in a special request for a future apartment in a certain neighborhood, price range, size, future time period, etc.?
A....No, we don't have any kind of list like that. Everything we have is always immediately posted on the website each day and we are not a large company with a menu selection to choose from. If you are looking for a particular criteria just keep checking back. Since we can't predict the future we are never quite sure what may be available, and your situation may change as well. If you need an apartment in 6 months then it would be best to simply check back in 5 months.
Q....After my tenancy, if I have been a good tenant will you give me a good reference in the future?
A....Yes, We will be happy to give you several copies of a formal "Letter Of Reference" on our business stationary truthfully stating everything positive about your tenancy. If you ever need another apartment in the future you are welcome back without the usual screening process. On several occasions we have re-rented different apartments (years apart) to fit special needs for our past tenants to accommodate them. As long as you finish your current lease we have no problem.
Q....If I have given proper notice at the end of my lease and I have a friend that wants to move into my old apartment, is there any kind of bonus?
A....Yes. We have a flat $100 cash "finders fee" for you that is added to your full security deposit with interest if you send us a qualified new tenant that we rent to, as long as your name is on your friends original rental application under "how did you find the apartment" Rental Application. That is how we often re-rent apartments before they ever appear back on the rental market and it helps us keep 100% occupancy which helps keep rents lower for everyone.
Q....Exactly what comes with each apartment and what is included with the rent?
A....All details are explained on our page Amenities. You can safely assume that anything NOT advertised does NOT come with the apartment. As a rule of thumb we almost always provide a working stove & fridge, new mini blinds on all the windows, and even a new shower curtain. We try to give you everything you need to move in so there is nothing left for you to do but sign the lease and move in.
Q.... If I have the Move In Fee and the 1st months rent in cash, is it still necessary to fill out an application and have a credit check and eviction search?
A.... Yes. It would be irresponsible for us to rent to someone that we know nothing about.
Q....If I was at the open house before anyone else, will I automatically get the apartment on a "first come first served basis"?
A....No. It depends on your qualifications and many things.
Q....Will Best Rents hold an apartment for me while I apply for the Section 8 Program?
A... We can't hold a rental unit without the Move In Fee. We have had Section 8 tenants in the past but with all the recent paperwork and rule changes Section 8 is asking for now, we have been discouraged.
However, if you already have an approved voucher that meets the advertised rent of the apartment that you want, and you completely understand the Section 8 program then you are welcome to come to the next open house and discuss it with us.
Q....I sent Best Rents an E-mail with a file attached which was only my company letterhead. Why didn't I get a response?
A....For oblivious reasons in this day and age we only open and respond to E-mail without any attachments. We have no way of knowing what the attachments are..
Q....Is there any way that Best Rents can rent an apartment to someone who can't speak or understand the English language?
A....Yes, but only if there is someone available at all times who can fluently translate for them so that we won't have any misunderstandings.. Otherwise, how can we do business with someone that we can't communicate with? All people from all countries are welcome but we must be able to clearly communicate at all times.
Q....Does Best Rents give each new tenant a copy of everything they sign?
A....Absolutely. No money is ever accepted unless we give tenants a written receipt for everything. We also give each new tenant all ordinances and pamphlets required by law, and even contact information not required by law such as a direct number to our handyman, utility company numbers, maintenance numbers, office numbers, etc.
Q.....Why do some units look a little different when I see them in person?
A.....To give you as much information as we can and to show you as much of each unit as possible, sometimes a wide angle lens is used for some of the pictures or a "panoramic" mode to capture 180 degrees. We even have complete virtual tours of many apartments to help you with your apartment search. We even put the exact square footage of the units to be exact so that we don't have any misunderstandings. You are welcome to print out the pictures on our website and bring them along when you come to see the apartment to see that it is the exact same apartment that we have advertised.
Q....If we are a married couple do we still have to pay the $20 application fee per person?
A....No. A married couple only pays $20 which includes the credit check and eviction court check combined. We can just run the credit for the person who has the best credit.
Q. If I filled out an application in the past and paid the $20 application fee, do I have to pay it again if I see another apartment that I want on this website?
A.... Yes. As long as we have your recent application on file you can use that for any apartment on this website, however if we have passed on your application in the past then we will pass on it in the future. To be responsible we save all of our applications and keep them on file.
Q....Can I expect a full time maintenance staff to be at my beckoned call anytime at my convenience to come to my apartment and change light bulbs for me, clean up, etc.?
A.... No. Like us most small property owners in Chicago do not have any full time employees. We have to hire private contractors for routine maintenance so we expect reasonable cooperation with the tenants to help us.
Q....When I get tired of what my apartment looks like, will Best Rents remodel it for me?
A...No. As documented by our photographs when you moved in the apartment was simply in good condition and clean. We will take care of reasonable maintenance but as we agree in the lease, all "decorating": is to be done solely at the tenants expense. Decorating is everything from window coverings to paint color including good housekeeping so that you love where you live.
Q...Why are the occupancy limitations only 1 person allowed per bedroom?
A...As responsible owners we don't want to overcrowd a building for your own safety. We feel that one person per bedroom will accommodate reasonable tenants. We feel large family's wonderful and if you need more room simply rent a bigger place.
Q....My family is in dyer need of a place to live. Can Best Rents make exceptions with the occupancy requirements since we are absolutely desperate?
A....No. We are sincerely sorry to hear about your misfortune but we have to stay viable in this economy and we are simply not running a charity. We contribute to Red Cross, Public Aid, CHAP, Circuit Breaker and many other great Chicago organizations that offer help for your family as well as animal rights groups such as Humane Society, PAWS etc.
Q....Why are some of BestRents apartments are advertised before they are ready to see and why don't you give out the address?
A....Because in the past when we gave the address, prospective renters would disturb the contractors and ask a lot of questions that they don't know the answers to, thereby wasting their time. We know exactly what the apartment will look like when it is finished after the saw dust has been vacuumed up and fresh paint makes it look immaculate. So we never show an apartment that we are not proud to show off. We often post pictures and video tours from the last time the unit was renovated until we have new shots, so you can expect the apartment to look exactly like what you see on our website..
Q....What does a gold star mean on my rent receipt?
A....As mentioned before, you always receive a written receipt for any transaction and in 2010 we began putting a shinny gold star sticker on the rent receipts of the tenants who pay early, or exactly on time. It represents our appreciation and respect for those who honor what they promised in writing. When you are a consistent "gold star tenant" we give them top priority when they ask for special favors, maintenance, references, and lots of other considerations. We pride ourselves on being truthful, so if you are a great tenant we will let it be known.
Q....Does Best Rents work with other tenant rental agencies?
A....No. We did for 30 years up to 2011, but based on results not once did another showing agent bring us a tenant that we signed. So we don't allow other agents to show our apartments any more to simply make sure that the tenant gets all the correct information directly from us. If you have hired someone to help you find an apartment at your expense you are welcome to do that as long as you have gotten all the correct information. That is why we have our precise 10 minute out going message about every detail before you are given the address, post a complete picture page, post the measurements of each room, and even post a video of every single inch of each apartment so that we don't have any misunderstandings or misrepresentations. When you come to an apartment in person you can expect to see exactly what you saw in the video.
ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS
