Getting An Apartment.
How do I view an apartment?
Viewing apartments in person is easy. We show available apartments at specific times
each day, seven days a week (yep, even on Sundays), according to our showing schedule.
Come to our office ten minutes before the hour the apartment you want is shown and
our rental agents will escort you to the apartment(s) you want to see. If you don’t
have a car, our rental agents will drive you and return you to our office (or you
may leave from the last apartment you are shown).
Will I need to pass a credit check?
Once you have found the specific apartment you want, you (and any roommates you
will have) will complete a rental application and submit it, along with the non-refundable
$20 application fee. Our office will then run a credit check on all applicants.
You must pass all three credit criteria in order to be eligible to lease an apartment.
Do you require a security deposit?
To secure the apartment you want, you must place a security deposit, and we will
draft a lease for you while you wait (takes about 10 minutes). You can also mail
us a check for the security deposit and we will mail you back a copy of the lease.
You may sign the lease in our office or you may take the lease to get any necessary
signatures for roommates or co-signors (in which case you will need to return the
fully signed lease to us within 2 weeks).
Moving In.
How do I move in?
Before you move into your apartment, you must come to our office and pay your first
month’s rent, at which time we will give you your keys. Bring a check or money order,
and make sure to know the address and unit number of the apartment you will be renting.
Who do I contact about getting my utilities set up?
Gas/Electric - Ameren/IP: 1.800.755.5000
Water - Illinois American Water Company: 217.352.7001
Phone - Mcleod USA: 217.239.3976, AT&T: 1.800.288.2020
Cable - AT&T: 1.800.288.2020, Comcast: 217.384.2500
Internet - AT&T: 1.800.288.2020, Pavlov: 1.888.472.8568
What is a check-in form and what should I do with it?
When you receive the keys to your apartment you will also be given a check-in form
(you may also download one here). Please complete this form thoroughly and return
it within 10 days of moving in. Please do not call in non-emergency maintenance
requests, since we will not be able to address them any faster than if you submit
the check-in form, and submitting the form will insure that the request is tracked
in our system. DO call in any emergency maintenance requests immediately. Emergency
maintenance requests include, but are not limited to, security issues, no heat/air
conditioning, gas leaks, major water leaks, and any condition which could be a safety
hazard or result in property or personal damage if not corrected.
Because of the large volume of maintenance requests submitted during the move-in
season, it may take longer to handle some non-emergency requests. Throughout the
rest of the year we are able to respond to most maintenance requests within 1 –
2 days.
During times other than the August move-in period you may either submit maintenance
requests through our website (www.barrrealestate.com) or call our office at 217-356-1873
to report a maintenance request. We encourage you to use our online maintenance
request system. It is the easiest way to submit requests, and will result in the
quickest response.
Can I paint the walls?
Yes, but you have to return them to their original color before you move out or
you will be billed for the cost of repainting the apartment.
Can I hang pictures on the walls?
Yes. We recommend you use bulldog clips because they leave small holes. Anything
that leaves large holes or otherwise damages the property is not permitted.
Paying the Bills.
When is my rent due?
Rent is typically due on the 15th of each month unless otherwise stated
in your lease. It is your responsibility to check your lease and be sure your rent
is due the on the 15th.
How can I pay rent?
You may pay rent by check or money order. Your check or money order should be made
out to the address of the building you live in with your apartment number listed
on the memo line. You may bring the check/money order into our office, or mail it
to us. Our address is 1710 South Neil Street, Champaign IL 61820. We do not currently
accept credit or debit cards or direct deposit.
Rent payments may be made after hours via the drop box located next to the south
entrance to our office. If you use the drop box, be sure your address and apartment
number are on the check or money order.
Please note we do not send you a bill each month for your rent. It is your responsibility
to know when your rent is due (again, please reference your lease).
What happens if pay my rent but my roommates don’t?
Each tenant in an apartment is responsible for seeing that the entire rent for thatapartment
is paid. Even if you are paying your “portion” of the rent, if the full rent for
the apartment is not paid, all tenants are subject to late fees and, if the rent
continues to go unpaid, eviction. Therefore, it is important that you choose your
roommates carefully, since their financial problems or irresponsibility could lead
to problems for you.
Who is responsible for the utilities in an apartment?
Unless otherwise specified in the lease, the tenant is responsible for all utilities
in the apartment. When you sign your lease you will also sign a form authorizing
us to put the utilities in your name at the start date of the lease. You are responsible
for connecting your own phone, cable, and internet service. You are responsible
for the utilities in your apartment for the entire term of your lease. Do not have
the utilities turned off - if you do, they will be transferred to us, and we will
bill you for these costs. If you are vacating your apartment before the end of your
lease, we recommend that you unplug all non-essential appliances.
What type of internet access is available in the apartment?
Students living in on-campus apartments (and most off-campus apartments) should
have access to the U of I’s free wireless network. For more information on the free
student wifi network, please visit:
http://www.cites.illinois.edu/network/wireless.html. All of our apartment
properties have cable modem and dial-up access and most have DSL available. For
service activation, contact the local provider.
Maintenance
How do I submit a maintenance request?
You may either submit maintenance requests through our website (www.barr-re.com)
or call our office at 217-356-1873 to report a maintenance request. We encourage
you to use our online maintenance request system. It is the easiest way to submit
requests, and will result in the quickest response.
What if I have an emergency maintenance request after hours or on the weekend?
We have emergency maintenance service available 24/7 that can be reached by calling
our office number at 217.356.1873. Emergencies include: Security issues, no heat/air
conditioning, gas leaks, major water leaks, and any condition which could be a safety
hazard or result in property or personal damage if not corrected.
What is the typical response time for maintenance requests?
Our typical response time for a non-emergency maintenance request is 1 – 2 days.
We keep a full time staff of maintenance workers and supervisors in order to minimize
response time and provide the best service possible.
Subleasing.
Can I sublet my apartment to someone else?
Yes, and we will help you with the process in several ways. If you let our office
staff know you are planning to sublease, we will keep your information on a list
in our office and pass it on to potential tenants. Anyone wishing to sublet your
apartment must submit an application and pass a credit check. The credit check is
for your protection as well as ours. Additionally, we will provide a sublease agreement
which must be signed by you (and any roommates) and the subtenant. You may charge
any amount you wish for to your subtenant. We strongly recommend that each person
pay the rent directly to the landlord.
What happens if the subtenant doesn’t pay the rent, or damages the apartment?
Even though you are subleasing your apartment, you remain responsible for all terms
and conditions of the lease until the lease ends. If your subtenant fails to pay
their agreed share of the rent, you are liable for that amount due. Similarly, if
your subtenant damages the apartment, you are liable for those damages. CHOOSE YOUR
SUBTENANT CAREFULLY!
If I sublease, how is my security deposit handled? Does it go back to the subtenant
or to me?
This is for you and your subtenant to decide. However, for your protection, we strongly
recommend that your subtenant pay you for your security deposit in full when you
execute the sublease agreement with them; then, at the end of the lease term, the
subtenant would receive the security deposit from us at the end of the lease term.
This insures that you are not charged for any costs associated with cleaning or
damages caused by your subtenant.