Our policies on residential rental properties.

Credit Check

Anyone wishing to rent an apartment must pass a credit check. Things that would exclude you from renting include: past evictions/collections by any landlord, bankruptcy within the last 24 months, any current outstanding collections, and current late payments over 120 days past due. We do not look at medical or student loan debt when evaluating credit. For more information on our credit policies, please contact our office.

Deposit/Income

The amount of security deposit required for an apartment depends on the household income of the applicant. If each applicant earns at least three times the monthly rent for the apartment, a deposit equal to one month’s rent is required.

If any applicant does not make at least three times the monthly rent, they can either 1) get someone to cosign the lease for them: this can be any US resident who does make at least three times the rent and is not living in the apartment, or 2) pay a security deposit equal to three times the monthly rent.

Early Move-in

If you wish to move into your apartment early, you must sign an early move-in waiver stating that you accept full responsibility for cleaning the apartment. We will still do maintenance around you, but you are responsible for the cleaning. You will not be allowed to move into the apartment before August 19th even if you have signed the waiver: August 19th is the earliest potential move-in date.

Signing the waiver is not a guarantee that you will be allowed to move in there may be circumstances where we cannot allow you to move in prior to your lease start date.

Fair Housing

Barr Real Estate, Inc. does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Pets

Except at our Fairlawn Village Apartments in Urbana, no dogs are allowed at any of our properties. Fairlawn Village allows dogs up to 35 pounds (no more than 2 per apartment) with a pet fee ($100 per dog, non-refundable).

We allow up to 2 cats (must be de-clawed and spayed/neutered) with payment of a $100, non-refundable pet fee per animal.

Small caged animals that do not leave the cage are allowed (but please contact us for details). Fish are allowed, but large aquariums require proof of insurance.

A few of our buildings do not allow any pets. This will be noted in the individual building description.

Late Rent

Rents postmarked (if sent by mail) or received in our office more than 5 days after the due date are subject to a $20.00 late fee. For most residents, this means that rent received on or after the 21st of the month is subject to the late fee. Please remember to get your rent in on time!

Lease Renewal

Before we start showing your apartment for the following rental year, you will be asked if you wish to renew your lease with us. A letter will be posted on your door notifying you of the lease rate for your apartment for the following rental year. If you wish to renew your lease, simply return the slip at the bottom of the letter before the deadline date (October 15 for on-campus apartments, January 15 for off-campus apartments) telling us you wish to stay.

If you do not renew your lease for the following year, we will begin showing your apartment at the dates listed above. Details will be provided in the renewal letter.

Maintenance

Please contact our office with any maintenance concerns as soon as possible. We have a maintenance person on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergency maintenance. To report an emergency, please phone our office at (217) 356.1873.

We try to respond to all maintenance requests as soon as possible. During the August turnover period, expect routine (non emergency) maintenance to take longer than usual due to the volume of requests we receive during this period.

Subleasing

You can sublease your apartment. We require that a prospective subtenant fill out a rental application in our office and have a credit check done (just as you did when you moved in). If the subtenant passes the credit check, we will need ALL current residents of the apartment and the subtenant to fill out a sublease agreement in our office.

We do provide some free advertising for your sublease via a list in our office. If you want to sublease your apartment, please let us know, and we will add your apartment to this list.

Move-in

Before moving into your apartment, you will be required to pay the first month’s rent for the apartment before you are given the keys. If you have roommates, you will only be required to pay your portion of the rent. During the August move-in period, you can pick your keys at our office from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. seven days a week.

Move-out

Your keys are due back in our office no later than 10:00 AM on the date after your lease expires. (For example, if your lease ends August 10th at midnight, your keys are due back by 10:00 AM on August 11th). Keys not received on time are subject (per the terms of your lease) to a $100 PER DAY holdover fee. When you turn in your keys, please give us a forwarding address to send your security deposit refund to.

We expect you to thoroughly clean your apartment when you move out. For a detailed list of what we expect, please contact our office.

Security Deposit

Once you have moved out of your apartment, we will inspect your apartment for any needed cleaning or repairs. We will mail your security deposit refund (less any charges) within 30 days from the end of your lease to the address you give us when you turn in your keys. Please do not call us before this period has elapsed, as we will not be able to assist you.

We will include a copy of the checkout sheet for your apartment and documentation of any charges that were deducted from your deposit. If you have not received your deposit refund and it has been more than 30 days since your lease expired, or if you have questions about the checkout information, please contact our office.