The Resident Handbook - User contributions [en]

Renewing or Terminating Your Lease

2026-03-02T22:03:38Z

Mherman: /* Ending Your Lease */

According to the terms of your Apartment Lease, your lease term automatically renews every year on the renewal date for an additional 12 month term. '''We strictly enforce notice requirements, so please read this page carefully.'''  Near the end of any lease term, you have the option to either extend your lease for another term, or terminate it at the end of the current term.  We unfortunately do not allow renewals on a month-to-month basis, or for periods of less than 12 months. 

== Extending Your Lease ==

If you wish to continue your apartment lease, do nothing!  The lease will automatically “recycle,” which is our way of saying it’s renewed, or good for another cycle. 

== Ending Your Lease ==

If you wish to end your lease at the end of its current cycle, you must mail a signed and dated letter to us a certain number of days prior to your renewal date.  Typically our leases require 90 days advanced notice, however some leases have an addendum which extends this notification period to 120 days.  To terminate your lease, you must provide us with written notice using this [http://handbook.downtownian.com/images/f/f9/Notice_of_Intent_to_Terminate.pdf Notice of Intent to Terminate], or by another document containing the same information.  We must receive separate signed and written notices from <u>ALL</u> leaseholders prior to the end of your notification peruod. We recommend you send your notice(s) by certified mail with a return receipt request.  Please read your lease carefully to determine when you must deliver written notice to us. Once you have given us notice of your intent to move out, see [[Moving Out|Moving Out]].

== Changing Your Lease ==

If you would like to stay in your lease but would like to change a roommate, see [[Changing Roommates|Changing Roommates]].  If you renew but need to end your lease before its next recycle date, see [[Early Lease Termination|Early Lease Termination]].<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.90625px;"> </span>

[[Category:Applying and Renting]][[Category:Rules_and_Regulations]]

Shared Utilities

2026-02-26T21:00:43Z

Mherman:

== Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Determining Building Usage ==

To ensure billing remains consistent and predictable, we do not simply rely on a single month's snapshot.

'''Historical Averaging: '''To calculate usage, we typically use the historical average of the previous four to six months. This helps smooth out seasonal spikes (such as heavy watering in summer or increased heating in winter).

'''Periodic Recalculation:''' Because utility rates and consumption habits change, we recalculate these averages at various times throughout the year. This ensures that the amount billed remains an accurate reflection of current building consumption.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities are utilities that service the building's infrastructure (or utilities where one meter services the entire building). They are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $300
** Total bedrooms in the building: 15
** Cost per bedroom: $300 / 15 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

[[Category:Billing]]

Utilities

2026-02-25T22:05:36Z

Mherman: /* BGE, Water & Water Heating */

== BGE, Water & Water Heating ==

Tenants are responsible for paying all utilities for their unit, including '''gas, electricity, heat, water, and water heating''', unless otherwise noted in the lease. Common area utilities may or may not be included in this amount - please check your lease for clarification.

All utility accounts must be placed in the Tenant's name before move-in. Failure to pay any utility bill within '''15 days of receipt''' may be considered a '''[[Lease Violations]]'''. The Owner may, at their discretion, pay the unpaid bill and charge the Tenant for the amount plus a '''5% late fee''' and a '''$20 administration fee'''. There charges will be treated the same as unpaid rent.

If [[Shared Utilities|utilities are shared or billed collectively]], the Tenant is responsible for their portion based on the number of occupants in the building. The Owner may also adjust charges if a unit is found to be using an excessive or disproportionate amount of utilities.

The Tenant may not use or connect to any utility count or service provided by the Owner unless authorized.

== Internet, Cable & Service Installations ==

'''Ask before installing services:''' Cable, satellite dishes, internet wiring—get written
approval first. We have rules about where wires and dishes can go.

'''Scheduling:''' Please schedule installations during normal business hours (no weekends or holidays).

'''Damage:''' Tenants are responsible for any damage caused by installers or equipment.

'''Before Moving Out:''' Remove all cables and equipment before vacating.

'''Free internet is not guaranteed:''' If provided, it’s not part of your lease. Even if it’s
down, rent is still due on time.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Maintenance]]

Service Animals and ESAs

2026-02-24T16:25:56Z

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' <span style="background-color: yellow;">You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you.</span> This letter must state:
** You have a disability. The specific disability does <u>not</u> need to be disclosed.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Service Animals and ESAs

2026-02-24T16:24:51Z

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' <span style="background-color: yellow;">You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you.</span> This letter must state:
** You have a disability.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Service Animals and ESAs

2026-02-24T16:23:41Z

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' {{highlight|You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you.}} This letter must state:
** You have a disability.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Service Animals and ESAs

2026-02-24T16:12:09Z

Mherman: /* Removal of Animals */

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you. This letter must state:
** You have a disability.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Service Animals and ESAs

2026-02-24T16:11:45Z

Mherman: /* Things To Note */

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you. This letter must state:
** You have a disability.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with multiple instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Applying

2026-02-24T16:07:32Z

Mherman: /* Hold Fee */

So, you're about to take the plunge and apply to rent a Downtownian.com apartment! So, how does it work, you ask? Read on!

== Ready to Rent? ==

When you've decided that the Downtownian.com apartment you've just seen is the right one for you, it's time to make your application. Just click on the link in the listing on Downtownian.com, or send an email to [mailto:leasing@downtownian.com leasing@downtownian.com] and request an application. You'll also need to pay an application fee which we'll collect from you over the phone, so in your email don't forget to let us know the best time to give you a buzz.

Before applying, we recommend that you review a sample [[:File:Sample_Lease.pdf|Apartment Lease]] agreement.

== The Application Form ==

Applications are made via a secure web form. The application form will ask for a lot of personal information, but don't worry - our security is provided by Realpage, one of the largest software providers in the multifamily industry today. All required information will need to be filled out fully and the application will need to be electronically signed and submitted before we can process your application. Once you have completed your application and clicked the submit button, you'll immediately receive an email from DocuSign, the world leader in secure, electronic signatures. Follow the link in the email to a DocuSign version of your application, which will allow you to upload supporting documents. We'll need a valid (unexpired) government issued photo ID, which can be either a state Drivers License, state ID card, or a government passport. We'll also need your latest paycheck stub showing your year-to-date income. DocuSign will also collect your eelctronic signature, authorizing us to begin the screening process. We do not currently collect any application fees online. Once we receive your fully signed application, we will contact you by phone to collect your fee.

Note that we require a separate application to be submitted for each applicant and each guarantor, if applicable.

== Application Fee ==

The application fee is applied towards the cost of performing a background check on you, and is non-refundable regardless of the final disposition of your application. This means that regardless of whether your application is approved or denied, you will not be able to receive a refund of any of the application fees you have submitted. In the event that a co-signer is required, the co-signer(s) must also submit application fees and fill out a co-signer application. We'll collect that over the phone from you, and it can be paid via credit card, or from any checking or savings account drawn on a U.S. bank. We unfortunately do not take personal checks, money orders or certified funds for applications. For a list of current fees, see [[Service Fees]].

== Things to Consider ==

Not every apartment is for everyone! Make sure you can afford the financial obligation of the lease term. We require leaseholders' gross income equal 3 times the monthly rental rate. If you do not financially qualify, you may want to consider a guarantor (also sometimes called a co-signer). If you have pets, take a look at our [[Pets|pet policy page]] before submitting an application.

== Background Check ==

A full background check usually takes one to three days, and in some cases can take in excess of two weeks to complete. In order to expedite the process, please notify former employers and other references that we will be contacting them, and ask them to respond to us as quickly as possible. Your credit reports, criminal history and landlord/tenant history will be factored. Your income must be at least three times the amount of rent in order to be approved. We must also receive favorable references from previous landlords and/or mortgagors for a minimum five year period immediately prior to your application. Guarantor background check requirements may differ somewhat. '''Complete, accurate applications are processed much more quickly than incomplete applications.'''

== Hold Fee ==

During the application process, the apartment you are applying for will still be listed for rent. In the event that the apartment rents prior to the completion of your background check, your application fee would be forfeit. In order to avoid such a scenario, you may be asked to submit a hold fee in order to hold the apartment during the application process. If you do not submit a hold fee, the apartment will remain on the rental market and may be rented to another applicant.

When you submit a hold fee to us, we will hold the apartment you have selected for a five business day hold period, in order to complete the background check. At the end of the five days you must have signed an Apartment Lease and submitted to us the required security deposit, rent, and all other fees required, otherwise the apartment will go back on the market and be available for rent to the public.

The hold fee is conditionally-refundable. Here’s how it works:
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>If your application is approved, we will apply the full amount of the hold fee against your security deposit.</li>
<li>In the event that your application is denied by us, you will receive the hold fee back in its entirety, and we will mail or email you the reasons behind our denial.</li>
</ol>
[[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

File:Sample Lease.pdf

2026-02-24T16:04:44Z

Mherman: Mherman uploaded a new version of File:Sample Lease.pdf

Utilities

2025-11-19T21:26:13Z

Mherman: /* BGE, Water & Water Heating */

== BGE, Water & Water Heating ==

Tenants are responsible for paying all utilities for their unit, including '''gas, electricity, heat, water, and water heating''', unless otherwise noted in the lease. Common area utilities may or may not be included in this amount - please check your lease for clarification.

All utility accounts must be placed in the Tenant's name before move-in. Failure to pay any utility bill within '''15 days of receipt''' may be considered a '''[[Lease Violations]]'''. The Owner may, at their discretion, pay the unpaid bill and charge the Tenant for the amount plus a '''5% late fee''' and a '''$20 administration fee'''. There charges will be treated the same as unpaid rent.

If utilities are shared or billed collectively, the Tenant is responsible for their portion based on the number of occupants in the building. The Owner may also adjust charges if a unit is found to be using an excessive or disproportionate amount of utilities.

The Tenant may not use or connect to any utility count or service provided by the Owner unless authorized.

== Internet, Cable & Service Installations ==

'''Ask before installing services:''' Cable, satellite dishes, internet wiring—get written
approval first. We have rules about where wires and dishes can go.

'''Scheduling:''' Please schedule installations during normal business hours (no weekends or holidays).

'''Damage:''' Tenants are responsible for any damage caused by installers or equipment.

'''Before Moving Out:''' Remove all cables and equipment before vacating.

'''Free internet is not guaranteed:''' If provided, it’s not part of your lease. Even if it’s
down, rent is still due on time.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Maintenance]]

Utilities

2025-11-19T21:24:59Z

Mherman: /* BGE, Water & Water Heating */

== BGE, Water & Water Heating ==

Tenants are responsible for paying all utilities for their unit, including '''gas, electricity, heat, water, and water heating''', unless otherwise noted in the lease. Common area utilities may or may not be included in this amount; please check your lease for clarification.

All utility accounts must be placed in the Tenant's name before move-in. Failure to pay any utility bill within '''15 days of receipt''' may be considered a '''[[Lease Violations]]'''. The Owner may, at their discretion, pay the unpaid bill and charge the Tenant for the amount plus a '''5% late fee''' and a '''$20 administration fee'''. There charges will be treated the same as unpaid rent.

If utilities are shared or billed collectively, the Tenant is responsible for their portion based on the number of occupants in the building. The Owner may also adjust charges if a unit is found to be using an excessive or disproportionate amount of utilities.

The Tenant may not use or connect to any utility count or service provided by the Owner unless authorized.

== Internet, Cable & Service Installations ==

'''Ask before installing services:''' Cable, satellite dishes, internet wiring—get written
approval first. We have rules about where wires and dishes can go.

'''Scheduling:''' Please schedule installations during normal business hours (no weekends or holidays).

'''Damage:''' Tenants are responsible for any damage caused by installers or equipment.

'''Before Moving Out:''' Remove all cables and equipment before vacating.

'''Free internet is not guaranteed:''' If provided, it’s not part of your lease. Even if it’s
down, rent is still due on time.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Maintenance]]

Lease Guarantors

2025-11-17T20:48:43Z

Mherman:

== What is a guarantor? ==
A guarantor, also known as a cosigner, may be required when an applicant does not yet meet standard rental qualifications on their own. This is most common for undergraduate students who may not have steady income, applicants whose current earnings fall below our minimum income requirements, or individuals who have little or no prior rental history for us to evaluate.

In these situations, a guarantor provides an additional level of assurance that all lease obligations will be met consistently and on time. Requiring a guarantor helps protect both the tenant and the property by ensuring the household can comfortably manage the financial responsibilities of the unit.

== How does a guarantor help? ==
A guarantor agrees in writing to accept full financial responsibility for the entire lease if the tenant is unable to meet their obligations. Each guarantor is responsible for all lease obligations, not just the portion associated with one specific tenant. Because of this, we strongly recommend that each tenant secure their own guarantor. If there are fewer guarantors than tenants, the existing guarantors remain fully responsible for the tenants who do not have their own.

== What are a guarantor's obligations? ==
Guarantors are accountable for paying rent, covering damages beyond normal wear and tear, and handling any other charges or fees associated with the tenancy. They must complete a full application, meet the same approval standards as primary tenants, and have a verifiable combined monthly income of at least four times the monthly rent.
[[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Lease Guarantors

2025-11-17T20:46:16Z

Mherman:

A cosigner or guarantor may be required when an applicant does not yet meet standard rental qualifications on their own. This is most common for undergraduate students who may not have steady income, applicants whose current earnings fall below our minimum income requirements, or individuals who have little or no prior rental history for us to evaluate.

In these situations, a guarantor provides an additional level of assurance that all lease obligations will be met consistently and on time. Requiring a guarantor helps protect both the tenant and the property by ensuring the household can comfortably manage the financial responsibilities of the unit.

A guarantor or cosigner agrees in writing to accept full financial responsibility for the entire lease if the tenant is unable to meet their obligations. Each guarantor is responsible for all lease obligations, not just the portion associated with one specific tenant. Because of this, we strongly recommend that each tenant secure their own guarantor. If there are fewer guarantors than tenants, the existing guarantors remain fully responsible for the tenants who do not have their own.

Guarantors are accountable for paying rent, covering damages beyond normal wear and tear, and handling any other charges or fees associated with the tenancy. They must complete a full application, meet the same approval standards as primary tenants, and have a verifiable combined monthly income of at least four times the monthly rent.

Lease Guarantors

2025-11-17T20:46:01Z

Mherman:

Lease Guarantors

2025-11-17T20:45:35Z

Mherman:

Lease Guarantors

2025-11-17T20:44:53Z

Mherman: Created page with "A cosigner or guarantor may be required when an applicant does not yet meet standard rental qualifications on their own. This is most common for undergraduate students who may..."

A cosigner or guarantor may be required when an applicant does not yet meet standard rental qualifications on their own. This is most common for undergraduate students who may not have steady income, applicants whose current earnings fall below our minimum income requirements, or individuals who have little or no prior rental history for us to evaluate.

In these situations, a guarantor provides an additional level of assurance that all lease obligations will be met consistently and on time. Requiring a guarantor helps protect both the tenant and the property by ensuring the household can comfortably manage the financial responsibilities of the unit.

A guarantor or cosigner agrees in writing to accept full financial responsibility for the entire lease if the tenant is unable to meet their obligations. Each guarantor is responsible for all lease obligations, not just the portion associated with one specific tenant.

Because of this, we strongly recommend that each tenant secure their own guarantor. If there are fewer guarantors than tenants, the existing guarantors remain fully responsible for the tenants who do not have their own.

Guarantors are accountable for paying rent, covering damages beyond normal wear and tear, and handling any other charges or fees associated with the tenancy. They must complete a full application, meet the same approval standards as primary tenants, and have a verifiable combined monthly income of at least four times the monthly rent.

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:27:02Z

Mherman: /* 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) */

== Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities are utilities that service the building's infrastructure (or utilities where one meter services the entire building). They are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $300
** Total bedrooms in the building: 15
** Cost per bedroom: $300 / 15 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

[[Category:Billing]]

Online Payments

2025-10-07T19:24:21Z

Mherman:

<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>We do not send printed statements through the mail. You will automatically receive emails at the end of every month to remind you to make a payment, and also reminders if you have an amount past due. Your full balance is available any time by signing into Downtownian.com, or submitting a service request to the billing department. Make sure to set all emails from the downtownian.com domain as safe in your spam blocker, if applicable.</li>
<li>Due to the unreliability of the internet and technology, we assume no responsibility for the failure of our website, access to the internet, the internet in general, or your computer equipment.  For that reason, we recommend you attempt to sign into your account at least five (5) days prior to the due date to make your payment, that way, if the internet is not working, you will have additional opportunity to make your payment before the due date.</li>
<li>'''Internet outages, regardless of type, reason or duration, cannot be used to excuse a late payment.'''</li>
</ol>

For information on when rent is due, see [[Rent Due Dates|Rent Due Dates]].

For information on how to make a payment, see [[Making Rent Payments|Making Rent Payments]].

For information on how to pay with roommates, see [[Multiple Payers|Multiple Payers]].

[[Category:Billing]]

Payment of Rent

2025-10-07T19:24:08Z

Mherman:

The full rent is due every month by 11:59 pm on the 1st day of the month, including the base rent and all other charges posted to your account on or prior to the 20th of the preceeding month.  

For more information, visit:

[[Rent Due Dates|Rent Due Dates]]

[[Making Rent Payments|Making Rent Payments]]

[[Multiple Payers|Multiple Payers]]

[[Online Payments|Online Payments]]

[[Category:Billing]] [[Category:For_New_Residents]]

Rent Due Dates

2025-10-07T19:23:25Z

Mherman:

<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>The full rent is due every month by 11:59 pm on the 1st day of the month, including the base rent and all charges posted to your account on or prior to the 20th of the preceeding month.</li>
<li>If you are mailing your payment, we consider the date the payment is received by our payment center, not the postmark date.  Don't mail your payment on the day it is due, or it will be received late. You are advised to mail your rent at least five days before the due date to ensure we receive it by the 1st of the month. </li>
<li>If the 1st of the month falls on a federal holiday or a Sunday, or any other day the U.S. Postal Service does not operate, the due date for mailed payments will change to the first day after in which the U.S. Postal Service is operating.  The due date for online payments will not change.</li>
<li>Don't assume what you owe.  Always check your balance online before making a payment.  Your bill may also include utilities and other irregular charges in addition to your base rent.</li>
<li>We do not have a grace period.  Any amount outstanding as of the 2nd will be assessed a penalty of 5% of the entire overdue balance.</li>
<li>Balances overdue more than five (5) days will be sent to our collections department for further action.  All legal and court fees related to the collections will also be charged to your account.</li>
<li>We do not send printed statements through the mail.</li>
</ol>

For information on how to pay, see [[Making Rent Payments|Making Rent Payments]].

For information on paying with roommates, see [[Multiple Payers|Multiple Payers]].

For information on making online payments, see [[Online Payments|Online Payments]].

[[Category:Billing]]

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:23:11Z

Mherman:

== Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $300
** Total bedrooms in the building: 15
** Cost per bedroom: $300 / 15 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

[[Category:Billing]]

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:22:27Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $300
** Total bedrooms in the building: 15
** Cost per bedroom: $300 / 15 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

[[Category:Billing|Billing]]

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:22:20Z

Mherman:

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $300
** Total bedrooms in the building: 15
** Cost per bedroom: $300 / 15 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

[[Category:Billing|Billing]]

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:21:49Z

Mherman: /* 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) */

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:20:15Z

Mherman: /* 2. Water and Sewer Utilities */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals in the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Residents''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total residents in the building: 25
** Cost per resident: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 residents: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:19:12Z

Mherman: /* 2. Water and Sewer Utilities */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $200
** Total leaseholders in the building: 25
** Cost per leaseholder: $200 / 25 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:18:32Z

Mherman: /* 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:18:18Z

Mherman: /* 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:17:46Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:17:22Z

Mherman: /* How Prorating Works */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:17:00Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

== What are Shared Utilities? ==

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

== Understanding Prorating ==

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

=== How Prorating Works ===
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table>
----

== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ==

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:13:26Z

Mherman: /* How Prorating Works */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.
<BR>
----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

<BR>'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.
<BR><BR>
==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<table>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 15px;">Your Bill =</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 2px solid #000; padding: 5px;">Total Utility Cost</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; padding: 0 10px;">×</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="padding-left: 10px;">Your Unit's Metric Units</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 5px;">Total Metric Units in Building</td>
</tr>
</table><BR><BR>
----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

<BR>The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:
<BR><BR>
==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:01:51Z

Mherman: /* How Prorating Works */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.
<BR>
----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

<BR>'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.
<BR><BR>
==== How Prorating Works ====
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>
<BR><BR>
----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

<BR>The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:
<BR><BR>
==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T19:00:11Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.
<BR>
----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

<BR>'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.
<BR><BR>
==== How Prorating Works ====
<BR>
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>
<BR><BR>
----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

<BR>The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:
<BR><BR>
==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T18:59:50Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.
<BR><BR>
----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

<BR>'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.
<BR><BR>
==== How Prorating Works ====
<BR>
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>
<BR><BR>
----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

<BR>The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:
<BR><BR>
==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====
<BR>
Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''
<BR><BR>
----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T18:59:15Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR><BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.
<BR><BR>
----
<BR>
=== Understanding Prorating ===

<BR>'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.
<BR><BR>
==== How Prorating Works ====
<BR>
The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>
<BR><BR>
----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====

Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T18:58:31Z

Mherman: /* 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building */

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

<BR>In many apartment buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.<BR>

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

<BR>Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====

The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>

----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====

Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T18:57:45Z

Mherman:

== 🏘️ Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building ==

In many apartment buildings, certain services—known as '''utilities'''—are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

----

=== What are Shared Utilities? ===

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* '''Water and Sewer:''' Used by all apartments.
* '''Electricity and Gas:''' May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

----

=== Understanding Prorating ===

'''Prorating''' is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

==== How Prorating Works ====

The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

<math>\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}</math>

----

=== 💡 Utility-Specific Prorating Methods ===

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

==== 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas) ====

Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the '''size of the unit''', which is typically represented by the '''number of bedrooms'''. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* '''Metric:''' '''Number of Bedrooms''' in your apartment.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building electricity bill: $500
** Total bedrooms in the building: 25
** Cost per bedroom: $500 / 25 = $20
** Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: 2 \times $20 = '''$40'''

----

==== 2. Water and Sewer Utilities ====

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals financially responsible for the unit.

* '''Metric:''' '''Total Number of Leaseholders''' listed on your apartment's lease.
* '''Calculation Example:'''
** Total building water bill: $400
** Total leaseholders in the building: 50
** Cost per leaseholder: $400 / 50 = $8
** Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: 3 \times $8 = '''$24'''

Shared Utilities

2025-10-07T18:56:00Z

Mherman: Created page with "## Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for th..."

## Shared Utilities in Your Apartment Building

In some Downtownian.com buildings, certain utilities are shared among all residents, leading to a single collective bill for the entire property. Understanding how these utilities are billed and split is key to managing your monthly expenses.

---

### What are Shared Utilities?

Shared utilities are essential services provided to the entire apartment building that are typically billed to the landlord or property management, which then allocates the cost back to the individual tenants. Common examples include:

* **Water and Sewer:** Used by all apartments.
* **Electricity and Gas:** May power common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, heating systems) or, in older buildings, may not be separately metered for individual apartments.

---

### Understanding Prorating

**Prorating** is the method used to fairly divide a shared bill among multiple parties. Instead of splitting the bill equally, prorating uses a specific formula to assign a proportional share of the cost to each tenant based on a relevant metric.

The concept is that the portion of the bill you pay should reflect the portion of the utility you are using, or the size of your unit relative to the others.

#### How Prorating Works

The total cost of the utility is divided by the sum of the metric (e.g., total bedrooms, total leaseholders) across all units to find the cost per unit of that metric. That cost is then multiplied by your unit's metric to determine your final bill.

**$$\text{Your Bill} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Utility Cost}}{\text{Total Metric Units in Building}}\right) \times \text{Your Unit's Metric Units}$$**

---

### Utility-Specific Prorating Methods

The method of prorating depends on the nature of the utility:

#### 1. Common Area Utilities (Electricity and Gas)

Common area utilities, or those that service the building's infrastructure, are often prorated based on the **size of the unit**, which is typically represented by the **number of bedrooms**. The assumption is that larger apartments (more bedrooms) generally require or use a larger share of common services.

* **Metric:** **Number of Bedrooms** in your apartment.
* **Calculation Example:**
* Total building electricity bill: $\$500$
* Total bedrooms in the building: $25$
* Cost per bedroom: $\$500 / 25 = \$20$
* Your 2-bedroom apartment's share: $2 \times \$20 = \textbf{\$40}$

---

#### 2. Water and Sewer Utilities

Water usage is often tied directly to the number of people living in the unit, as people are the primary users of water (showering, cooking, flushing). Therefore, water is prorated based on the total number of individuals on the lease.

* **Metric:** **Total Number of People** listed on your apartment's lease.
* **Calculation Example:**
* Total building water bill: $\$400$
* Total residents in the building: $50$
* Cost per resident: $\$400 / 50 = \$8$
* Your apartment with 3 leaseholders' share: $3 \times \$8 = \textbf{\$24}$

[[Category:Billing|Billing]]

Changing Roommates

2025-09-26T13:57:26Z

Mherman: /* The Process */

In some situations where there is more than one person on an Apartment Lease, one roommate may desire to leave the lease while the other roommate(s) opt to stay. In these situations, the following process applies. Remember, all leaseholders remain obligated to the lease even if one roommate is not living at the apartment anymore, unless the following criteria are met and an adjusted lease or other appropriate addenda have been signed:

== The Process ==
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>First, you must check with your other roommate(s) to determine if they would prefer to take over the Apartment Lease without you, or if they desire another roommate to replace you on the lease. You must get their permission to make any change. If they do not agree to allow you to leave the Lease one way or the other, you remain responsible until the Lease terminates.<br/></li>
<li>If your roommate(s) desire a replacement for you, you and your roommate(s) must advertise and find, at your own time and expense, someone to take your place on the lease.<br/></li>
<li>The individual you identify must apply for the apartment through us in the usual fashion (the manager can furnish you with a link to the proper online application), pay the application fees to us ($35/applicant or cosigner), and be approved by our application process.<br/></li>
<li>Once the replacement roommate has been identified and approved by us, you must pay us a clerical fee, currently $50 (subject to change without notice), and we will prepare either a new lease to replace the one with you listed on it or appropriate addenda to the current lease. This fee will be in addition to any damage charges we may assess when you move out, and may not be paid from your security deposit funds, and is separate from the application fee(s) your replacement will be required to pay.<br/></li>
<li>There will be a minimum two (2) week waiting time inbetween the time that the replacement roommate is approved and when they are authorized to move into the apartment, to give us time to complete the required clerical work.  We recommend you start the process as early as possible.<br/></li>
<li>By agreeing to remove you from the lease, your roommate(s) are agreeing to assume fullresponsibility for any damage to the apartment existing at move-out, so if you have caused any damage to the apartment yourself, you should also make arrangements to have that damage repaired at your cost prior to your moving out.<br/></li>
<li>The security deposit held by the manager will not be refunded to you. You must make arrangements to have the replacement roommate reimburse you for the security deposit you paid, if any. Once they sign the new lease, they will assume the security deposit currently held by us.<br/></li>
<li>Your account must have a $0 balance before a new Lease can be signed. We will not issue any refunds or prorations to you once you have been removed from the lease, so it is up to you and your rooommate(s) to determine who owes what prior to leaving.<br/></li>
</ol>

== Notes ==

Your current lease will not be terminated until we have a fully signed lease from the replacement roommate and current roommate(s) and your account is paid in full, which includes the aforementioned clerical fee.

Additional requirements may also need to be met, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information.

You cannot use this proceedure to change all roommates on a lease.  At least one of the original roommates must remain on the lease.  If all roommates are leaving, see [[Renewing or Terminating Your Lease|Renewing or Terminating Your Lease]].

Please note that we do not allow subletting under any circumstances. For more information, see [[Subletting Your Apartment|Subletting Your Apartment]].

[[Category:Rules_and_Regulations|Rules_and_Regulations]]

Pets

2025-09-10T18:45:30Z

Mherman: /* Things to Consider */

We're a pet-friendly landlord. In order to have a pet in your apartment, you'll need to consider the following:

== Things to Consider ==

*There is a maximum of two pets allowed in each apartment (a terrarium is considered one pet if it has five or fewer small animals in it).
*We allow terrarium pets, such as certain small mammals, on a species-by-species basis.
*Small birds, such as finches, may be allowed. Large birds and birds with loud vocalizations are not permitted.
*We typically only allow two pets as long as neither pet exceeds 25 lbs.*
*We don't typically allow any pets over 65 lbs.*
*We only accept spayed and neutered dogs and cats. If your pet is too young to be spayed/neutered (under 6 months of age), the pet rent may be increased until the spay/neuter can be completed.
*Dogs and cats must be rabies vaccinated and be properly licensed (see below).
*[[Banned Animal List|Certain breeds of dogs and cats]] have additional restrictions or are banned outright based on behavioral problems associated with the breed.
*Only standard domestic pets will be allowed. We do not allow any livestock or exotic animals.
*We do not allow water-filled aquariums such as fish tanks. (sorry!) A small, approximately one-gallon betta-style tank may be allowed, provided it has a motorized filter with carbon filtration.
*If you have a dog or cat you must carry a Renter's Insurance policy with at least $100,000 in animal bite liability. With some breeds of dogs, you must also provide a letter from the agent on his/her letterhead that states the insured’s dog, by name and description, is specifically covered by the policy in force.
*There will be a pet rent of $35 per month for the first pet, $15 per month for the second pet (or $25 per month for the second if both pets are cats), and $50 per month for any pet over 65 lbs, if approved.
*In some cases an additional Security Deposit will also be required.
*If you are found to have an unregistered pet in the building, you will immediately be fined $150, and the pet may be banned forever with no exceptions! So make sure to have the pet approved first before bringing it into your apartment.

Dogs and cats may not be allowed in any common hallway, entrance, or common room without a leash. At buildings with common backyards, pets may be unleashed, but may not be in the yard without supervision (this includes both dogs '''AND''' cats). All waste must be immediately picked up by the owner (don't go into the yard without a poop bag!). Do not allow pets to walk on or urinate on any plantings such as shrubs or flowers. Violators will be heavily fined.

UNAUTHORIZED PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING AT ANY TIME, <u>not even for short visits</u>!

Even if we do give you permission to have a pet in your apartment, we reserve the right to revoke permission at any time if the pet becomes a nuisance to neighbors or the building through noise, smells, or any other reason. If we do revoke permission, the pet will need to be removed immediately. Your Apartment Lease will not be affected, and you will still be responsible for all of the terms of the Lease.

== The Process ==

<span style="color:red">'''''STOP! '''''</span> ''Your pet may not be allowed to enter the building under any circumstances until this process is complete and you have received written permission from our office.''

=== New Residents ===

Make sure your pet meets all of the requirements outlined above. When you are filling out your apartment application, be sure to check the box that you have a pet (you should also check that box if you're about to get a pet, but don't currently have one). We'll ask you for more information on your pet in order to be sure the pet meets our requirements, and so that we can properly prepare an addendum to your lease for the pet. You will be required to submit a picture of the pet. For dogs and cats, we'll also need to see a valid certificate of spay or neuter, a rabies vaccination certificate, and a valid pet license (see below). We may request additional information from you prior to accepting the pet as well. With dogs, this may include a physical inspection to determine the dog's personality, and a physical inspection of your dog crate (see below for our Crating policy). If the pet is not a dog or a cat, please contact the apartment manager for more details on application requirements. Once we receive all the required information from you and have given preliminary approval, we will add an addendum to your apartment lease giving you permission to have that particular pet on the premises.

=== Existing Residents ===

To begin the pet approval process, you'll need to submit a service ticket through your Downtownian.com account and request a pet application. Make sure your pet meets all of the requirements outlined above. We will verify that all requirements are met before approval. You will be required to submit a picture of the pet. For dogs and cats, we'll also need to see a valid certificate of spay or neuter, a rabies vaccination certificate and a valid pet license (see below). We may request additional information from you prior to accepting the pet as well. With dogs, this may include a physical inspection to determine the dog's personality, and a physical inspection of your dog crate (see below for our Crating policy). If the pet is not a dog or a cat, please contact the apartment manager for more details on application requirements.

Once we receive all the required information from you and have given preliminary approval, we'll then prepare a lease addendum and send it to you via DocuSign. All leaseholders are required to sign the agreement. Once your request has been approved and all fees and deposits (if applicable) have been paid, we will email you back the pet addendum signed by us.
''The pet may not be introduced to the building or the apartment under any circumstances until you have received the signed addendum back from us.''

== Licensing (Baltimore City) ==

Dogs and cats must be licensed prior to approval. You must have your pet(s) vaccinated for rabies and provide the rabies vaccination certificate in order to apply for a license. For more information on applying for a license online or by mail, visit:

[http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt Baltimore City Animal Licensing]

You may also apply for a license in person at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) at 301 Stockholm St., Baltimore, MD 21230.

== Spaying/Neutering ==

All dogs and cats over the age of three months are required to be spayed or neutered prior to being allowed into a Downtownian.com apartment, with no exceptions. This is to prevent territorial scenting and/or spraying, as well as other aggressive behaviors which may result in damage to the apartment and/or injury to other residents and their pets. To prove that the procedure has been done, you will be required to show either a letter or receipt from your veterinarian.

If your dog or cat is under the age of three months, a spay/neuter procedure may not be possible. In this case, we will ask you to provide proof of a scheduled appointment for the procedure, to take place no later than 90 days from the date the pet has been introduced to the apartment. You will also be charged a higher monthly pet rent of $75/mo until the procedure has taken place. Once the procedure has taken place, you must provide us with proof immediately, and we will reduce the monthly pet rent to $35/mo. If we do not receive proof of spay/neuter within three days of the date the procedure is scheduled to take place, we will ban the pet from the building permanently.

== Crating of Animals ==
You must have an appropriately sized crate in your apartment at all times for each approved dog.

*Dogs must be crated whenever any visit, service or otherwise, is scheduled by our staff.
*If any of our staff or contractors are unable to enter your apartment on a scheduled visit due to an uncrated dog, you will be responsible for the full cost of the visit plus a recheduling fee.
*For more information on fees, see [[Service Fees]].

== Pet Waste ==
Pet waste is a very serious issue, as it can cause serious health concerns as well as a nuisance for your neighbors. ''Violations of the waste policy will result in immediate termination of your pet agreement, <u>no warnings</u>.'' Sorry to be so tough on these policies, but they're ''really important''!

*Dog waste must be cleaned from all yards and sidewalks. That means bring a poop bag with you when you walk your dog. By the way, this is also a city ordinance, which makes it a law.
*Dog waste must be thrown into your own personal waste receptacles. Do not throw poop bags into common area receptacles in your building or into the dumpsters or common cans at your building (poop bags attracts rats real quickly - ewww). If you are found doing so, we will give you a choice between a fine or the immediate termination of your pet agreement. Get caught twice and we will immediately terminate your pet agreement without any further warnings.
*Cat pans, terrariums, cages, etc must be cleaned on a bi-weekly basis or whenever dirty, whichever comes first. Fecal smells are a clear indicator of a pan or cage needing to be cleaned. If we detect cat pan smells or we receive neighbor complaints, we will give you a choice between a fine or the immediate termination of your pet agreement. If it happens a second time we will immediately terminate your pet agreement without any further warnings.
*For more information on fees, see [[Service Fees]].

If we discover any violations of our pet waste policies and we are unable to determine the culprit, we will fine all pet owners of the building. This means you should rat on your neighbors to protect yourself!!!

== Service Animals ==

For more information on service animals, see the section on [[Service Animals and ESAs]].

== Disclaimer ==

Our pet policy, as with any other policy in this handbook, is subject to change at any time without notice. Any changes to this policy are immediately binding.

*Pets that have already been approved under previous weight limits are grandfathered, however even if you have an approved pet that exceeds the current weight limits, any new pet must comply with the current policy.

[[Category:Rules and Regulations]][[Category:For New Residents]][[Category:Applying_and_Renting]]

Keyless Entrances

2025-09-03T14:20:47Z

Mherman: /* Low Batteries */

In some of our apartments, we have replaced the standard apartment door lock with a new, state of the art keyless lock system.  If your apartment has this type of lock, you will not be issued a key for your door.  Instead, you will be issued a numeric code.

== Meet the Lock ==

[[File:Keyless_Lock.jpg|upright=0.5|Schlage Keyless Deadbolt]]

== Entry Codes ==
When you sign your Apartment Lease, you will furnish us with your own personal entry code.  This code will be programmed into your keyless lock by the time you move in.  Only one code will be programmed per resident.  Unfortunately, we aren't able to program additional codes for friends or relatives.  

Your lock will also be programmed with a maintenance code so that Downtownian.com staff can access your apartment for service issues.  

== Keys ==

While the lock does have a keyhole, you will not be issued a key to unlock the door.  Only the Entry Code will allow you entrance.  The keyhole you see is only used for our team to mechanically override the system in case of any problems with the electronics.

== Using the Lock ==

By default, the deadbolt is disengaged from the lock itself, allowing the bolt knob to spin freely.  If you enter your Entry Code correctly, the deadbolt will engage, and you will be able to open the door.  

Here's how to unlock your door:
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Press the Schlage button to illuminate the keypad (optional).</li>
<li>Type in your Entry Code.</li>
<li>Turn the bolt knob (the knob with the keyhole) away from the edge of the door to retract the deadbolt and unlock the door.</li>
</ol>

To lock the door when it is unlocked:
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Press the Schlage button.</li>
<li>Turn the bolt knob toward the edge of the door.  ''Make sure the deadbolt is completely engaged.''</li>
<li>The system will disengage the deadbolt within 10 seconds and your door will be secure.</li>
</ol>

Here's a link to a video demonstrating lock usage:  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpIyehUEOc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpIyehUEOc]

== Low Batteries ==

An additional red flashing light after entering your code indicates that you need to change the lock battery within three days.  To change the battery, locate the two screws on the backplate of the lock (on the inside of the door). Remove the two screws, and you will find a standard 9-volt battery. Replace the battery and your lock should last up to several years before it needs to be changed again. If you fail to replace a low battery and you become locked out of your apartment, you may be responsible for paying a [[Lock Outs|lock out]] charge.

== Reprogramming ==

Be careful who you give your code out to.  If you ever are in a situation where you need us to remove one or more current codes and/or issue you one or more new ones, you will need to submit a maintenance request to us.  We will schedule a time to reprogram your lock the next time we visit your building, for a fee of $35.  Remember, only one code may be issued per resident.  Unfortunately, we can't program additional codes for friends or relatives.  

If you require the service right away or after hours, please call our emergency hotline at (410) 753-2132 and we'll respond as soon as possible.  The cost of emergency reprogramming is $75 in cash, payable directly to the team member who arrives to reprogram the lock (the team member gets the money, not us!).  

== Additional Information ==

For a comprehensive list of our key policies, see [[Keys]].

[[Category:Tips_and_Tricks|Tips_and_Tricks]][[Category:Maintenance|Maintenance]]

Service Fees

2025-08-21T14:59:52Z

Mherman: /* Key Fees */

This is our current fee structure. They were correct when they were entered, but this list is not guaranteed to be up to date. Furthermore, these numbers are subject to change without notice.

==Processing Fees==
===Leasing Fees===
''Fees during the application process''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Hold Fee
|$200
|Conditional
|October, 2016
|-
|Application Fee
|$35
|No in most cases
|October, 2016
|}
===Home Service Professionals===
''Fees for dog walkers, pet/house sitters, housekeepers, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Processing Fee
|$45
|No in most cases
|April, 2017
|-
|Key Deposit
|$75
|Upon Key Return
|April, 2017
|}

==Service Fees==
===Key Fees===
''Fees for replacement keys and locks, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Building Key
|$150
|No
|February, 2017
|-
|Mailbox Key
|$30
|No
|August, 2025
|-
|Re-Key Services
|$62/hr*
|No
|August, 2025
|}

==Notes==
*Service charges are billed in fifteen minute increments with a one-hour minimum, plus actual cost of materials and sourcing.

Service Fees

2025-08-21T14:58:48Z

Mherman: /* Key Fees */

This is our current fee structure. They were correct when they were entered, but this list is not guaranteed to be up to date. Furthermore, these numbers are subject to change without notice.

==Processing Fees==
===Leasing Fees===
''Fees during the application process''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Hold Fee
|$200
|Conditional
|October, 2016
|-
|Application Fee
|$35
|No in most cases
|October, 2016
|}
===Home Service Professionals===
''Fees for dog walkers, pet/house sitters, housekeepers, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Processing Fee
|$45
|No in most cases
|April, 2017
|-
|Key Deposit
|$75
|Upon Key Return
|April, 2017
|}

==Service Fees==
===Key Fees===
''Fees for replacement keys and locks, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Building Key
|$150
|No
|February, 2017
|-
|Mailbox Key
|$30
|No
|August, 2025
|-
|Re-Key Services
|$45/hr*
|No
|February, 2017
|}

==Notes==
*Service charges are billed in fifteen minute increments with a one-hour minimum, plus actual cost of materials and sourcing.

Service Fees

2025-08-21T14:47:32Z

Mherman: /* Key Fees */

This is our current fee structure. They were correct when they were entered, but this list is not guaranteed to be up to date. Furthermore, these numbers are subject to change without notice.

==Processing Fees==
===Leasing Fees===
''Fees during the application process''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Hold Fee
|$200
|Conditional
|October, 2016
|-
|Application Fee
|$35
|No in most cases
|October, 2016
|}
===Home Service Professionals===
''Fees for dog walkers, pet/house sitters, housekeepers, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Processing Fee
|$45
|No in most cases
|April, 2017
|-
|Key Deposit
|$75
|Upon Key Return
|April, 2017
|}

==Service Fees==
===Key Fees===
''Fees for replacement keys and locks, etc.''
{| class="wikitable"
!Description
!Fee
!Refundable?
!Date Updated
|-
|Building Key
|$150
|No
|February, 2017
|-
|Mailbox Key
|$30
|No
|February, 2017
|-
|Re-Key Services
|$45/hr*
|No
|February, 2017
|}

==Notes==
*Service charges are billed in fifteen minute increments with a one-hour minimum, plus actual cost of materials and sourcing.

Stove Oven and Range Issues

2025-07-17T13:35:41Z

Mherman: /* Stove and Range Issues */

=Stove and Range Issues=
==The Gas Stove Won’t Light==

*If you have a gas stove, you can light the range burners with a match if the electric ignition isn’t working. However, if the burners still won’t light, and it’s not the result of an obvious problem like a power outage, take these steps to troubleshoot it:

*Lift off the burner grate, burner cap, and burner base.

*Clean any food debris out of the burner with a toothpick or compressed air.

*While you’re at it, clean the grate, cap, and case.

*If this doesn’t solve the problem, it could indicate that the oven igniter is not working; we may need to replace the igniter. Go ahead and [https://login.downtownian.com submit a service request.]

== A Range Burner Won’t Heat==

*If you have an electric stove, your range burners need electricity to heat up. Sometimes, a burner may go bad and need to be replaced. If one of your electric burners won’t heat up, follow these steps:

*Switch out the faulty burner with one that you know works. Simply unplug the faulty one from from the burner socket and plug in the working one.

*If the working burner heats up, that means we have to replace the non-working one. [https://login.downtownian.com Submit a service request] to let us know.

*If the working burner doesn’t heat up, the problem may be the socket. Does the socket look burned or damaged? Replace the working one back in its original socket but leave the faulty one unplugged. [https://login.downtownian.com Submit a service request] to let us know.

== The Oven is Not Heating==

*An oven that won’t heat is usually the result of a faulty igniter (for a gas oven) or heating element (for an electric oven). You may be able to replace the heating element or igniter yourself:

*Open the door to the oven. Turn the oven on as usual, while looking into the oven itself.

*If you have a gas oven, do you see a small bar start to glow inside? If you do, wait for a minute and see if the oven ignites, or if the bar goes out. Don't worry, you won't leak any gas. If the gas ignites, you are good to go.

*If not, when you submit your service request, let us know if that bar lights up or not.
*If you have an electric oven, observe whether the coils light up. If they do and stay lit after several minutes, you're good to go.

*If the coils light up and then go out, or do not light up at all, submit a service request. [https://login.downtownian.com Let us know] which you observe.

== The Oven Won’t Heat to the Right Temperature==

*Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the temperature inside the oven with an oven thermometer after 20 minutes. Continue checking the temperature every 20 minutes for the next 90 minutes to two hours.

*Add up the sum of the temperature readings and divide by the number of readings you took to get the average temperature of the oven.

*Adjust the oven’s temperature dial accordingly.

*Also [https://login.downtownian.com submit a service request] to let us know. Include how many readings and the temperature at each reading.

== The Oven Door Won’t Shut==

*An oven that won’t shut isn’t safe for use. Discontinue use of the oven immediately.

*'''''DO NOT TRY TO FORCE IT!''''' You could break the glass or the hinge, and you then may be responsible for the cost of repair.

*[https://login.downtownian.com Submit a service request] right away.

==The Interior Light Is Out==

*You are responsible for replacing lightbulbs, including the one in the oven.

*Just like other lightbulbs, the one inside your oven occasionally goes out. Thankfully, this is a simple oven repair task. Here’s how to replace your oven light:

*Remove the bulb cover, usually by giving it a quarter-turn counterclockwise.

*Remove the old bulb by pulling it straight out.

*Use a dry cloth or gloves to install the new bulb (it must be the same type as the old one).

== The Oven Won’t Self-Clean==

*Self-cleaning usually doesn't work, and is bad for the electronics in the oven. If at all possible, refrain from using the self-cleaning feature.

*If you do try to use it, you must manage your expectations. Large spills inside the oven will leave a layer of ash that may still require some manual cleaning.

*If self-cleaning does not work at all, it has most likely been deactivated. This is not an item that we cover under our service guarantee.

[[Category:Maintenance|Maintenance]][[Category:Tips_and_Tricks]]

Smoke Detectors

2025-07-17T13:34:22Z

Mherman: /* Chirping Smoke Detectors */

Smoke detectors are provided in your apartment for your safety. In the event of a fire, the smoke detector is your most effective life saving device, because it notifies you to leave the building.

DO NOT DISENGAGE THE SMOKE DETECTOR(S) FOR ANY REASON. If they are not working, or are too sensitive, please[https://app.propertyware.com/pw/portals/dcom/tenant!editWorkOrder.action?exec&returnTo=tenant!viewWorkOrder.action submit a maintenance request] to us as soon as possible.

== Testing your Smoke Detector ==

Smoke detectors should be checked on a regular basis. Make sure the smoke detector(s) is working by pressing the test button on the face of the smoke detector for five seconds. Please [https://app.propertyware.com/pw/portals/dcom/tenant!editWorkOrder.action?exec&returnTo=tenant!viewWorkOrder.action send us a maintenance request] if you are having any problems with the operation of your smoke detector(s). This is for your safety and protection as well as the other tenants in your building.

== Chirping Smoke Detectors ==

The most common reason for a smoke detector to chirp is that it is running low on batteries. To stop the chirping, you will need to replace the 9-volt battery in the machine with a fresh 9-volt battery. It is your responsibility to replace the battery when necessary. If you are unable to reach the smoke detector in order to change the battery, you should [https://login.downtownian.com send us a maintenance request].

[[Category:For_New_Residents|For_New_Residents]]<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.90625px;"> </span>[[Category:Maintenance|Maintenance]]

Keyless Entrances

2025-07-17T13:33:10Z

Mherman:

In some of our apartments, we have replaced the standard apartment door lock with a new, state of the art keyless lock system.  If your apartment has this type of lock, you will not be issued a key for your door.  Instead, you will be issued a numeric code.

== Meet the Lock ==

[[File:Keyless_Lock.jpg|upright=0.5|Schlage Keyless Deadbolt]]

== Entry Codes ==
When you sign your Apartment Lease, you will furnish us with your own personal entry code.  This code will be programmed into your keyless lock by the time you move in.  Only one code will be programmed per resident.  Unfortunately, we aren't able to program additional codes for friends or relatives.  

Your lock will also be programmed with a maintenance code so that Downtownian.com staff can access your apartment for service issues.  

== Keys ==

While the lock does have a keyhole, you will not be issued a key to unlock the door.  Only the Entry Code will allow you entrance.  The keyhole you see is only used for our team to mechanically override the system in case of any problems with the electronics.

== Using the Lock ==

By default, the deadbolt is disengaged from the lock itself, allowing the bolt knob to spin freely.  If you enter your Entry Code correctly, the deadbolt will engage, and you will be able to open the door.  

Here's how to unlock your door:
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Press the Schlage button to illuminate the keypad (optional).</li>
<li>Type in your Entry Code.</li>
<li>Turn the bolt knob (the knob with the keyhole) away from the edge of the door to retract the deadbolt and unlock the door.</li>
</ol>

To lock the door when it is unlocked:
<ol style="line-height: 19.90625px; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Press the Schlage button.</li>
<li>Turn the bolt knob toward the edge of the door.  ''Make sure the deadbolt is completely engaged.''</li>
<li>The system will disengage the deadbolt within 10 seconds and your door will be secure.</li>
</ol>

Here's a link to a video demonstrating lock usage:  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpIyehUEOc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUpIyehUEOc]

== Low Batteries ==

A flashing light on the inside of the lock will indicate that you need to change the batteries within three days.  If this happens, please [http://login.downtownian.com submit a maintenance request] right away and we will change the battery for you as soon as possible.  If you fail to report a low battery to us and you are locked out of your apartment, you may be responsible for paying a [[Lock Outs|lock out]] charge.

== Reprogramming ==

Be careful who you give your code out to.  If you ever are in a situation where you need us to remove one or more current codes and/or issue you one or more new ones, you will need to submit a maintenance request to us.  We will schedule a time to reprogram your lock the next time we visit your building, for a fee of $35.  Remember, only one code may be issued per resident.  Unfortunately, we can't program additional codes for friends or relatives.  

If you require the service right away or after hours, please call our emergency hotline at (410) 753-2132 and we'll respond as soon as possible.  The cost of emergency reprogramming is $75 in cash, payable directly to the team member who arrives to reprogram the lock (the team member gets the money, not us!).  

== Additional Information ==

For a comprehensive list of our key policies, see [[Keys]].

[[Category:Tips_and_Tricks|Tips_and_Tricks]][[Category:Maintenance|Maintenance]]

Light Bulb Replacement

2025-07-17T13:32:07Z

Mherman:

Have light bulbs that need to be replaced? Log onto [https://login.downtownian.com your Downtownian.com account] to open a service request. The cost is $5 for the visit, and you'll need to have new bulbs that match the old ones waiting for us. We'll do the rest! If you can't have bulbs available for us, we'll supply them for $5 each, billed to your account.

We don't typically make special trips to change bulbs. Instead, we replace them the next time we're at your building for other service. You don't need to be at home when we do the replacement - we can let ourselves in. Need the bulbs replaced quickly? No problem! Just note in your service request that you'd like a special visit to your apartment. There is a very reasonable $35 fee for expedited lightbulb service. You may provide the properly sized bulbs for us, or we will for $5 per bulb!

[[Category:Maintenance|Maintenance]]