FAQS
88 West is a recently developed apartment community near the University of Illinois and Parkland College in Champaign, IL.
Frequently Asked Questions About 88 West Apartments
Leasing a Bedroom / Apartment
Below are the answers to most common questions about 88 West Apartments. If your questions are not answered here, please feel free to contact 88 West.
What is "by the bed" leasing?
At 88 West, each student is financially responsible only for his/her own lease contract. If a roommate should transfer or move out, it will not affect your lease contract.
If I am over 21 am I required to have a guarantor?
Every resident at 88 West must either qualify based on income, or have an acceptable guarantor.
What types of leases are available?
88 West only offers individual 12 month lease terms.
What must I do to make sure I get a bed in an apartment?
To apply for a Lease, you must submit the following:
- An Application form with a non-refundable application fee.
- A security deposit.
If you are not accepted, the security deposit will be returned. Your application fee is not refundable.
When is the move-in date?
The move in date is August 21st, 2010 at 12:00 PM.
Can I rent an apartment for only a spring semester since I'm transferring schools?
If there is availability during spring semester, you may. It is advisable that you get on the waiting list as soon as possible. Your lease would run until August of that year.
Can I move in early?
Please call 88 West to find out about opportunities to move in early. If it's possible for you to move in sooner, your lease start date will be changed to the date you move in, and you will be charged for the amount of days that you moved in early.
Do I need to move in by the start date of my lease?
No, you can move in anytime on or after the start date on your lease. However, rent is charged from the start date whether you are moved in or not.
How long does it take to process an application?
We will make every effort to process an application the same day that it is received.
Will I know what apartment I will live in before I arrive to move in?
You will be assigned a specific apartment unit and bedroom in advance of moving in. Your assigned apartment and bedroom address will also appear in your 88 West Lease Agreement.
Roommates
Do you allow apartment roommates to be of the opposite sex? Are there male or female only buildings?
Within an apartment, all roommates must be of the same sex unless you are 18 or older and your Guarantor agrees. If you are under 18, you must have parental approval. Also, all of your roommates must approve having an opposite sex roommate. Apartments within one building can be of either sex; there are no male or female only buildings.
How does the roommate matching service work?
Once you have completed an application and started the leasing process, a 88 West representative will be available to help you meet other residents whose lifestyle, interests, and personality are a close match to yours.
Can I request a specific apartment and have the ability to live with my friends?
88 West will do its best to place residents in the apartment type of their choice. Residents are also free to select who they wish to live with. 88 West has the right to place another student in your apartment if a bed is vacant.
Phone Service
Can I get a phone line?
All apartments are wired for a phone line. You will need to call the phone company to discuss rates and establish your phone service.
Internet Service
What kind of internet access is provided in the apartment units?
Each bedroom is also equipped with wired internet jacks. Internet access is included in your rent.
Satellite Video Service
Can you get expanded video service other than the channels provided? Will that cost extra money?
You will have the opportunity to expand your video package through the service provider at an additional cost once you move in. The basic video package is included in your rent.
Is the video TV line just in the living room?
TV jacks are provided in the living room, and in each bedroom.
Apartment Features
Can I lock my bedroom door?
Yes. Each bedroom door has an individual deadbolt lock that is an individual key in addition to your front door key.
Are there lamps or lights in either the bedroom or the living room?
There is a light fixture on the ceiling in the bedroom, but you may wish to bring a table lamp or another floor lamp for the bedroom as well. Furnished Apartments have a table lamp as well as light fixtures.
Are the bathroom doors wide enough for wheelchairs?
We have special "wheelchair friendly" apartments, with all doors wide enough for wheelchair access.
Does every bedroom have a window?
Yes, every bedroom has a window!
Do residents have to sign-up for internet service?
High-speed internet service) is included in the rent.
Is the 4-drawer dresser movable?
They can be moved anywhere in the bedroom.
Is there a heating or air conditioning control pad or thermostat in each apartment?
Yes. There is one control pad and central thermostat in each apartment in the main living area (living room and kitchen).
What additional security measures are available?
Each exterior apartment door is equipped with a deadbolt lock and a peephole. The individual bedroom doors also have deadbolt locks. Each resident has their own individual keys.
What furniture and appliances are provided in the apartment?
The furniture provided includes:
Living area: Modern style leather sofa and lounge chair with designer glass and wood end tables, coffee tables, and entertainments centers.
Kitchen: Sleek black on black appliances as well as white on white (Microwave oven, large frost-free refrigerator, and dishwasher), dining room table with four chairs, breakfast bar with stainless steel sink and garbage disposal, and an electric oven/range width hood.
Laundry: Full size washer and dryer.
Bedroom: A full size, extra long bed frame (80" x 54" x 20" high) with a 312 coil mattress (it uses queen size linens), one 4 drawer dresser, individual closets, desk and desk chair.
Can I bring additional furniture?
Yes. We advise bringing some personal items.
Is there a washer & dryer in every apartment unit?
Yes. Each individual apartment includes a full-size washer & dryer!
Does the kitchen come with dishes?
No. There are no dishes, pots, pans, glassware, or silverware provided in the kitchen.
Do I need to buy my own shower curtain and rod?
Yes and No. The bathrooms come with a shower rod, but not a shower curtain.
Living at 88 West
What do I need in order to gain access to the Internet?
You will need either an Ethernet cord for wired access.
Can I bring pets?
Yes. 88 West does allowed pets, they must be non-aggressive breeds and under 30 lbs.
Is smoking permitted on the premises?
Smoking is prohibited in all common areas, but it is not permitted in the apartments / bedrooms. In your Lease Application you can state your preference for a smoking or non-smoking roommate.
Can friends and visitors spend the night? Is there a limit on visitation?
You can have anyone spend the night at your apartment anytime. They can only stay for a maximum of 2 nights during each calendar month (you must register their name with the property manager). This is to prevent "guests" from becoming residents, which of course may bother your other roommates.
Can one person live alone in an apartment by renting all the bedrooms and paying all shares of the rent?
Yes, you can rent an entire apartment by yourself. However, you will be responsible for the rent and fees for the other bedrooms as well. We have some residents who prefer to do this.
Can one resident live alone in an apartment before finding roommates?
One resident can move into an apartment, even if you have no roommates. If we are not filled to capacity, it's possible the other bedrooms in your apartment may not be occupied when you move in. However, as we fill up, we will match you with a roommate(s) unless you find them on your own.
May I share my bedroom with someone else? How many people or roommates can live in our apartment?
Bedrooms are leased to only one person. Sharing of bedrooms is not permitted, unless the individuals are "family members".
Am I allowed to paint or wallpaper the walls if I paint it back to the original color after moving out?
Yes. Walls are permitted to be painted by residents, but must be painted back to their original color at time of move out.
Are guests allowed to use 88 West amenities?
Guests of residents (maximum of 1 guest per resident) are allowed in our clubhouse, swimming pool, game room, and exercise room, and volleyball courts.
Are we allowed to hang things on the walls?
You can hang things on the walls providing you do not do any major damage to the wall or paint. Picture hangers or hooks that make small holes in the wall that we can easily patch are permitted. However, if you make a major hole or stick something on a wall that causes extensive damage that is difficult for us to fix, you will then be charged for the damage.
How responsive is the maintenance service? If I call to have something in the apartment repaired, how long will it take?
We have a full-time service manager on staff who will respond to all repair requests promptly. We will make the repair within 24 hours, if possible. However, if parts need to be ordered, it may take longer before we can fix the problem. We also have 24 hour maintenance on call in event of a maintenance emergency.
Clubhouse and Site Activities
Do you have an exercise facility and a game room?
Our clubhouse has an exercise/fitness facility, which is available for free use by our residents and their guests (maximum 1 guest). We have a game room with pool table, games, and televisions where you can hang out with your friends.
Do you have social gatherings and parties at the clubhouse?
Yes. There are events planned throughout the school year.
Are there any costs to use the amenities provided at the clubhouse?
Our clubhouse and recreation facilities are provided at no additional cost to all of our residents.
What activities are offered at the Clubhouse?
Our Clubhouse offers an activity center equipped with billiards, stereo system, games and televisions. The reception area of the Clubhouse has a comfortable lounge area with television for use during Clubhouse hours. A copy machine and fax machine in the study lounge are also available.
Vehicles
Are residents allowed to have a car or a motorcycle?
There will be one vehicle allowed per resident unless there are special circumstances and the resident acquires written permission from management.
Is parking available for residents and guests?
There is ample surface parking available for students and visitors. There is no charged for on-site parking. Residents will receive a parking decal upon signing for a space. Residents are required to register any guest cars and pick up visitor parking permits in the leasing office prior to a guest's arrival. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
Shuttle Service
Is there transportation to The University of Illinois and Parkland from 88 West?
There is a free shuttle service to students located within the 88 West community. Shuttle service generally travels to and from The University of Illinois and Parkland once every hour during the academic year.
Payment of Rent / Charges
Can I pay my application fee or security deposit online using a credit card instead of mailing it?
Yes. Please visit our website at 88-west.com
How much is rent for the 2, 3, or 4 bedroom apartments? Are there any additional fees?
Please visit our website at 88-west.com homepage for information on rent, application fees, security deposits, and floor plan layouts. Our current special is that we are waiving all fees when you sign a lease!
Can rent be paid after office hours?
Residents may leave rent payments in the drop box located outside the main entry of the clubhouse or simply pay on-line, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Will you send a bill each month for rent?
No. A bill will not be sent each month. Students are responsible for making rent payments by the 1st of each month.
When do I put down a deposit?
At this time no security deposit is required, but this is a limited time offer!
If I pay for the full year/semester do I get a discount?
At this time 88 West does not offer any type of rental discount if rent is paid in advance or paid in full.
What is included in the rent?
All utilities (*electric, water, trash, and sewer), high speed wired internet access, expanded video with HBO, and use of all amenities. *The electric allowance is $35/$40 per bedroom depending on the floor plan per month.
How can I pay my rent and when is it due?
Rent can be paid online electronically (ACH) or in person at the clubhouse through personal check, money order, or credit card, and is due by the 1st of every month. If paid by credit card, a convenience fee is charged per transaction.
What if one of the roommates doesn't pay their share of the utility bill?
Each resident is only responsible for payment of their portion of the apartment monthly utility fee. Another resident's non-payment does not affect you.
Do we need to get any of the utilities put in our name?
Only optional phone service and expanded internet and expanded video services. All other utilities are in 88 West's name and are included in your rent.
If one person's rent is late does it affect the other tenants if their rent is paid on time?
Other residents are not affected if one resident pays rent late.
If one resident moves out does it affect the other roommates' situations?
No. each roommate signs a lease for only his/her own bedroom, so if one roommate leaves, the others are not affected. Your rent doesn't change even if one room is empty. You can suggest a new roommate to occupy the empty bedroom, or leave it to our manager to find someone. We will fill a vacant bedroom as soon as we can.
If we stay and renew the lease after one year, do we have to pay another application fee?
No, If you renew your lease you do not pay another application fee.
Is it possible to pay rent several months in advance?
Yes, you can prepay your rent in advance.
Employment Opportunities
Are there any employment opportunities or jobs?
Our residents are sometimes employed as Community Assistants to help with the operation of the property. Contact one of the properties managers for information
