FAQS

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Applications & Leasing Process


  • How do I apply?

    When you find a vacancy you’re interested in on our website, you can choose to Apply Now and it will take you to our rental application. All tenants who plan to reside in the unit would need to apply at the same time.

  • Does everyone who wants live in my unit need to apply?

    Yes. Everyone over the age of 18 who resides in a unit needs to apply, be approved, and added to a lease prior to residing in any unit.

  • I have children under the age of 18, do they need to apply?

    Children do not need to apply. You may list them on your application or let the office know.

  • Do I have to come into the office to get an application?

    All applications are done online. If you need help with the application you may always call or stop in and a member of management will be happy to help.

  • I am not currently living in Ames, can I still apply for a unit?

    You bet! If you have access to the internet, you are able to apply.

  • What does the application look at?

    Our applications screen your rental history, credit history, and criminal history. It does run a "hard" credit check.

  • Do you accept people with bad credit or a criminal history?

    We screen each application individually and we will contact you if there is a problem. At that time, if possible, we will explain the options we have for you to move forward.


Leases


  • If I renew my lease, do I have to move out at all?

    Nope! We do not require you to leave your apartment if you have renewed your lease for the following year.

  • Can I add or remove people from the lease?

    Yes, but all tenants must approve of any changes made to the lease.

  • Can I lease a unit with multiple bedrooms alone?

    This would need to be approved by management. Please contact us if you have questions regarding this.

  • Can we have an extra person on the lease?

    One more person than the number of bedrooms is allowed, i.e., you can have 4 people in a 3 bedroom apartment. This is only allowed for 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units. 


    Units with a den, the den does not count as a bedroom. There is an extra cost per month for an extra tenant. Please call our office if you have questions regarding this.

  • Can I break my lease or is there a lease buy-out?

    No. The only way to get out of your lease is to sublease your unit or pay any remaining rent upfront. Please visit our "Sublease" page under the "Tenants" menu for more information.


Subleases/Roommate Changes


  • Can I sublet my unit?

    Yes! Please visit our Sublease page for more details and the options available to you!

  • Can I sublet just my room?

    Yes. You will be primarily responsible for finding someone to take over your portion of the lease. You will need to have approval/signatures from all current tenants in your unit. Please visit our Sublease page for more details and the options available to you!


Rent


  • What comes standard with rent?

    Every property is different. Specific details on what is included can be found when looking at each individual property page.

  • How is rent divided between roommates?

    Our leases are all joint leases which means the rent is charged per unit, not per person. It is at the tenant's discretion how and if they divide their rent between roommates.

  • Why does the tenant portal show the total rent?

    The tenant portal will always show the total rent because it is charged per unit, not per tenant. 

  • When is rent due?

    Rent is always due on the 1st of the month. If the 1st falls on a holiday or a weekend we require rent be paid by 5pm the next business day that we are open.

  • I plan to pay my rent with financial aid from the university. Is this okay?

    You will need to contact the office to verify this is okay. This must be done prior to the 1st of the month. 

  • Can I pay rent online?

    Tenants have the option to pay online through their online portal. Forms of payment are card (credit or debit) or e-check.


    Card payments charge a percentage fee that we are unable to waive or refund. The charge of the fee will always show before submitting the payment.


    E-check is the method we recommend using. E-check payments charge a small flat fee that we are unable to waive or refund. The charge of the fee will always show before submitting the payment. It is the best financial online payment option and only requires the account and routing number of the account tenants plan to use. 


    In the office, we only accept checks and money orders.

  • What are the fees for paying rent late?

    If rent has not been paid in full by the 5th, there will be a $50 late fee posted to your account. This posts to the unit, not per person.


Pets


  • Which properties are pet-friendly?
  • What does pet-friendly mean?

    Pet-friendly means we approve most cats and dogs. Management reserves the right to refuse any pet/animal for any reason – breed, size, location of apartment, etc. Overall, we do not have any breed or size restrictions.

  • How many pets can I have in my unit?

    Only one pet will be allowed per dwelling unit unless approved by management.

  • My roommates and I all have pets, can we have all of our pets in one unit?

    Discuss this with management prior​ to signing a lease. Only one pet will be allowed per dwelling unit unless approved by management.

  • Do I need to do anything to get my pet approved by management?

    Fill out the Pet Registration on our website and include current rabies documentation and a current picture of your pet. Once that has been received management will review the submission.

  • How much is the pet fee?

    Each pet requires a one time fee of $250. This is per pet, not per tenant or unit.

  • How much is pet rent?

    It is $50 per pet each month.

  • What happens if I don’t register my pet?

    That is a lease violation and you are at risk for eviction. Management also reserves the right to have the animal removed from the premises immediately and permanently.

  • What do I need to do if I have a service animal?

    Notify us that your animal is a service animal and contact the office at 515-292-5050 for further instruction.


Common Maintenance Questions


  • How do I make a maintenance request?

    Please go to our website and click on the Maintenance Request tab then fill out the form. You will receive a text confirmation with a time frame of when maintenance will be there.

  • My power isn’t working in my bathroom. What should I do?

    Check if your outlet has a red reset button in between the outlets. That is called a GFCI, which is a fast acting circuit breaker. Push that and it should turn the outlet back on. If there isn’t one on the outlet that doesn’t work, look in the other bathrooms or kitchen and hit the button on those. If it still doesn’t work, put a maintenance request in and we’ll send them over.

  • A pet is causing a disturbance in my building, what should I do?

    Please send us an email with the date, time, description of the problem, and video/photo evidence so we have a record of the disturbance. At that time we will also send you helpful tips moving forward.

  • My garbage disposal is not working what should I do?

    Turn the power off to your disposal. You’ll find that under your sink. Make sure there is nothing obstructing your disposal. Please make sure the power is working in your kitchen. If it is still not working please contact maintenance. There will be a maintenance charge to you if they find an obstruction, such as glass, a bottle cap, etc.

  • My internet is not working what do I do?

    Verify your provider and then call the number listed on the Maintenance Request page. That number will direct you to the correct provider and they'll be able to determine the issue.

  • Someone is parked in my assigned spot, what should I do?

    If it is during office hours, please contact us. We can send a building-wide text to have that vehicle moved prior to it being towed. 


    Tenants have to show their ID, a copy of their lease, and their parking spot numbers in order to tow a vehicle. 


    If you are ever unsure of your spot or have issues with a certain vehicle you may contact us and we can help resolve the issue.

  • There is dog poop/cigarette butts accumulating in my yard. Who should I contact?

    Send us an email or give us a call and tell us where you live, and which areas seem to be the most problematic. We try our best to locate the source of the problem. Tenants who violate these disposal policies will be fined.


General Information


  • What are your office hours?

    We are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. We are also closed on all major holidays.



  • Where is your office?

    Our office is located at 2408 Chamberlain St, #101, Ames, IA 50014. This is our only office. We do not have any onsite offices at our properties.

  • How do I get in contact with your office?

    We are here to help in any way you need! You can either email info@uniqueames.com, give us a call at the office at 515-292-5050, or stop in during office hours.

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