Frequently asked questions and answers

Do I have to pay an application fee?
If you are renting an apartment on-campus and you are a University of Illinois student, there is no application fee. For any off-campus property or anyone who is not a student at the University of Illinois, there is an application fee. 5  TOP

How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $20 per applicant. Anyone who is going to be on the lease and is over the age of 18 would pay this fee. 5  TOP

What is the move-in date?
This year our move in date for our on-campus properties is August 20th. For our off-campus properties, the primary date is August 7th. However, we have a few properties that vary from this schedule. If you are unsure of a move-in date, please call our leasing office. 5  TOP

How much is the security deposit?
The security deposit is equal to one months rent. However, some buildings require payment of the last month's rent at lease signing as well. 5  TOP

When can I pick up my keys and where?
You can pick up your keys at our office on the term beginning date of your lease any time after 8AM. 5  TOP

How can I pay my rent?
You can mail your rent to our office address or our Post Office box. You can also bring your rent directly to our office or you can by on-line through our website. 5  TOP

Who do I contact in case of a maintenance emergency?
If there is an emergency such as a fire please contact 911. If it is a maintenance emergency (such as no heat, overflowing toilet, etc) please contact our office during normal business hours. If it is after hours, please call the emergency maintenance line. 5  TOP

Can I get an extra key?
We give out only one key per person on the lease. If you are locked out of your apartment, contact our office. If you lose your keys, contact our office and we will have a lock change performed at your cost. 5  TOP

What size bed is provided?
You have your choice of a full size or twin bed in our furnished apartments. 5  TOP

Will the apartment be cleaned when I move-in?
Yes, the apartment should be cleaned before you move-in. If it isn't please follow the directions given to you in your move-in packet. 5  TOP

Will the carpets be cleaned before I move in?
Yes, the carpet should be cleaned before you move-in. Again, if it isn't please follow the instructions given to you in your move-in packet. 5  TOP

Do I need to clean the carpets before I move out?
If you live in Champaign, you must turn in a receipt from a professional cleaning company for the cleaning of the carpets or this cost will be deducted from your security deposit. In Urbana, you do not need to have the carpets cleaned. 5  TOP

When do I get my security deposit back?
Security deposit checks get sent out within 30 days after your lease ending date. We send one check payable to each lessee that we received payment from. The check gets sent to the forwarding address left when the keys are returned to our office. 5  TOP

What sort of items do they deduct from the security deposit?
Items deducted from the security deposit would be any past due balance, damages beyond normal wear and tear, as well as carpet cleaning if you do not provide us a receipt that it was done at your cost. 5  TOP

Can you change the lease to say hold-over instead of trespassing, in case I'm not out when my lease ends?
No, legally if you are still in your apartment when your lease ends, you are trespassing. A hold-over tenant would have permission to stay in the unit. If we give you permission to stay in the unit, we would change the term ending date of the lease. 5  TOP

When is rent due?
All rent payments are due in our office on the first of the month. Some properties may have a five day grace period. Check your lease to see if you have a grace period, or call our office. 5  TOP

When do late fees begin accruing?
Late fees begin the day after your rent is due. 5  TOP

How much are the late fees?
Late fees depend on where you live. Please check your lease under Section 1, or call our office for clarification. 5  TOP

Who cleans the common areas and how often?
We hire out the cleaning to individual contractors. They clean three times per week. If you notice that the common areas of your building are not clean, call our office and we will have the cleaners take care of any issues. 5  TOP

What kind of people live in Ramshaw Real Estate properties?
Ramshaw Real Estate rents to any qualified individual. 5  TOP

How does the approval process work?
We perform a credit check, employment verification, police record check and landlord verification. Our approval system is based on a point system featuring the above items. 5  TOP

Do you lease by bedroom?
No, we sign one lease per unit. Each lessee is legally responsible for the apartment. 5  TOP

What if I need to break my lease?
You cannot 'break' a lease. You can find someone to take over your lease (sublease) or you can get us involved in the process by signing a lease release agreement and forfeiting your security deposit. You are always responsible for the lease until someone is found to take it over. 5  TOP

What furniture is provided?
When you sign your lease, you will be provided with a furniture list detailing the furniture that will be provided to you. Most units include bed, dresser, kitchen table and chairs, couch and coffee table. We also provide a stove and refrigerator. 5  TOP

What about insurance in case of fire, theft, or natural disaster? Are my belongings covered under my lease agreement?
No, you must have a renter's insurance policy to cover your personal items. This is a requirement of your lease. 5  TOP

When is the move-out date?
This year our move-out date for our on-campus properties is August 5th. For off-campus, the majority of units have a July 31st move-out date. If you are unsure of your move-out date, please contact our office. 5  TOP

Do you offer nine month leases?
No, we do not offer nine month leases. 5  TOP

Do you allow pets?
Some of our properties do allow pets, please use the apartment search form to search pet friendly properties. We charge a monthly fee of $30-$40 per pet depending on the building. Also, we have weight and breed limits, so please check with our office before getting a pet. 5  TOP

What if the apartment is furnished and I have my own furnishings?
We will remove the furniture from any furnished apartment, however there is no reduction in rent. 5  TOP

Do you plow snow?
Yes, depending on the amount of snow. 5  TOP

Do you provide pest control?
Yes, we do provide pest control on a quarterly basis and based on tenant request. 5  TOP