What does “lease-by-the-bed” mean? What is an individual lease?

HQ leases by the bed which means that each bedroom in an apartment has a separate lease agreement. Each resident is only responsible for the rent on his/her leased bedroom(s). All roommates are equally responsible for common area damages and/or common utility overages. However, if one roommate moves out, the remaining roommates are not responsible for that resident’s rent or bedroom damages.

When can I sign up for my apartment?

At HQ, you may sign up Right NOW! Stop by the leasing office to sign up or call HQ to lease by mail. Apartments will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

Is there placement preference granted to any certain group of people?

HQ’s policy is that current residents have the opportunity to renew their lease for their apartment starting in November and they generally have until mid February to renew. However, anyone can sign up and be put on a waiting list at any time. Apartments are assigned on a first come first serve basis and assignments are usually made right before spring break. Please keep in mind that renewal periods vary. Please contact HQ for specific dates.

What is a “Waitlist”?

A “Waitlist” is simply signing a standard lease agreement prior to being assigned an actual bedroom. The lease you sign is a binding agreement requiring all of the same responsibilities and fees due under an assigned lease. By being placed on the waitlist you are reserved a bed space before current residents have given notice to move out for the following year and/or when residents lease without enough roommates to fill an apartment. Once the community is aware of an available apartment/bedroom for individuals on the waitlist or, once there are enough roommates to match into an apartment, individuals are assigned to their apartment/bedroom.

What is roommate placement?

HQ offers information to residents leasing individual bedrooms who do not already have roommates. Residents can view “Roommate Profile Cards” for other residents seeking roommates. These cards include information regarding preferences in roommate gender, smoking, TV watching, noise level, study habits, etc. If residents do not wish to select their own roommates, they will be placed in apartments by HQ according to apartment size and roommate gender requirement only. When there is a vacant bedroom in an apartment, that room can be leased at any time at the discretion of HQ, however roommates placed will always meet the gender requirements of the current residents occupying the apartment.

How do I pay my rent?

Rent is due on the first of each month to the on-site office. Parents are welcome to mail rent in to the office each month or even pay several months’ rent in advance. Rent should be paid with a personal check or money order and should include resident’s name and apartment number with bedroom letter. For your convenience you may also pay via the website, www.HQwaco.com .

What do I pay on move-in day?

Typically, residents pay one month’s rental payment on or before move-in day. The next payment will be September rent due on the 1st of September. HQ offers a lease agreement based on the lease “term” of the specific community which is not an exact number of months. For a typical lease, the total rent due for the lease term is divided into 12 equal “monthly” installments for the convenience of the residents and for ease in bookkeeping.

What furniture is provided?

All units come fully furnished. A typical apartment includes a sofa, sofa chair, end table, coffee table, entertainment center, barstools, and dining table with four chairs in the common area. Bedrooms are furnished with a four-drawer dresser, desk, desk chair, and a platform bed with full size mattress. Appliances include refrigerator, oven/stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, and full size washer and dryer. And don’t forget the 37” LCD TV that will be mounted in your living room!!!!

How are utilities handled?

The only utility the resident is responsible to pay would be any usage over the green electricity cap. The resident will be billed for the overage split amongst his/her roommates evenly. The electricity usage (if any) plus rent can be paid in one check to the office when rent is due. Please check with the on-site office for green electricity amounts.

What if I need maintenance in my bedroom or the apartment?

Residents are responsible for basic maintenance items in their apartment such as cleaning, buying and hanging a shower curtain, changing light bulbs, plunging clogged toilets, and replacing smoke detectors batteries. Please note that alterations to the apartment walls, furniture, electrical wiring, etc, are prohibited without prior written consent of the management office (except for small nail holes in walls).

HQ provides maintenance for problems that may arise in your apartment or bedroom during our regular office hours, such as repairs to heating and air conditioning, appliance repairs, plumbing repairs (water leaks), repair of lock and latches, repair of smoke detectors and replacement of air filters. To arrange for maintenance, residents may 1) fill out a service request form in the management office, 2) email the request to the office, or 3) fill out a service request online. HQ takes pride in our community and we want our residents to be as comfortable as possible. Our goal is to respond to maintenance service requests within 24-48 hours. We also offer after-hours emergency maintenance service for water leaks and heating and air conditioning requests during extreme temperatures – these requests should be called into the management office where they will be forwarded accordingly.

What about insurance in case of fire, theft, or natural disaster? Are my belongings covered under my lease agreement?

Personal damages are not covered under apartment lease agreement. HQ will not be liable to residents or guests for personal injury or damage or loss of personal property (including vehicles) from theft, vandalism, fire, smoke, rain, flood, water leaks, hail, ice, snow, lightening, wind, explosion, or surges or interruption of utilities; except to the extent that such injury, damage, or loss is cause by management negligence.

We strongly recommend residents purchase renter’s insurance to cover any losses from such causes. Renter’s insurance is very inexpensive (normally less than $20/month) and can usually be obtained from the same provider of the resident’s automobile insurance. If a resident is a student, parents may be able to add renter’s coverage for the student to their homeowner’s policy at a savings.

What kinds of rules and regulations are there? Are there restrictions on alcohol?

The rules and regulations are similar to most apartment communities. On-site management and/or the local police department deal with any disturbances, public intoxication or other nuisances. Our community rules and guidelines are outlined in our Lease and Lease Addendum documents, which you will be required to agree to and sign. Please contact the leasing to receive additional copies of this document.

Are there apartment inspections?

There may be periodic apartment inspections, which will be announced. The purpose for these inspections will be to determine any damages to the apartments. Often, quarterly filter changes and alarm equipment testing may be coordinated at the same time to minimize disturbance. If there are damages beyond normal wear and tear, you may be charged.

How will I receive my mail?

Resident mail is generally processed by the US Postal Service and is delivered to a mailbox designated by the office for each apartment. Each resident in the apartment will have a key to the apartment’s mailbox. When resident moves out, they will need to fill out a Change of Address form with the local post office to forward their mail to their new address.

Are there RA’s?

RA’s….NO…Community Assistants….YES!!! (see below).

What is a Community Assistant (CA)?

A Community Assistant is a resident at HQ who acts as a liaison between the community’s management office and the residents of the community. CA’s plan and implement resident functions are available to answer resident questions, and gather feedback, as well as assist with the daily operations of the management office. Anyone interested in becoming a CA should contact the management office for details.

Policies are subject to change and will vary depending on State and Local Guidelines.
Please check with the Leasing office for answers to your specific questions.

Is there a shuttle to campus?

Yes!  The DASH takes residents right to campus every 15 minutes - talk about convenience and lifestyle.  Live at Heritage Quarters and forget about fighting to find a parking space on campus.  Click here for more information.