What should you ask on an apartment tour?
Ask about the total monthly price, deposits and fees, utilities, parking, storage, laundry, internet, lease lengths and specials. Then ask how approval works. Write down each answer and ask the office to confirm the key terms in writing.
A tour is the best time to ask, because the person who knows the answers is in front of you. This list is a set of questions, not a set of answers. Answers differ by property and by unit, and the leasing office must give you the real ones. At the end of the tour, you should know your total cost, your move-in date and your next step.
Apartment List’s tour guide makes the same point: you may find some answers on a website, and you must clarify the others with the landlord directly. Bring this list and fill it in as you go. For a related overview of costs, see our guide to move-in costs for a studio.
| Topic | The question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price | What is the total monthly cost for this unit? | The starting price rarely equals what you pay |
| Fees | What one-time and monthly fees apply? | Fees add to the budget |
| Utilities | Which utilities do I pay? | Bills change your real monthly cost |
| Parking | Is parking included, and what does it cost? | Costs and limits vary |
| Storage | What storage is inside and outside the unit? | Space is tight in a studio |
| Laundry | Where is it, and how do I pay? | Affects your weekly routine |
| Internet | Is there a package, and what does it cost? | A bundle can save or cost you |
| Lease | Which lease lengths are offered, and at what price? | Short terms often cost more |
| Specials | What specials apply, and when do they end? | Free weeks change the math |
| Deposits | How much, and when is it refunded? | A large upfront cost |
How do you prepare before the tour?
Read the listing, list your must-haves, and set your budget. Then call or message the office to book and to ask which documents you need if you decide to apply. Preparing takes 15 minutes and keeps the tour focused.
- Set your budget. Decide the highest total monthly cost you can pay. See how much income you need to rent in Austin for the common 3x rule. Ask the leasing office for each property’s own criteria.
- List your must-haves. For example: a lease length, pet rules, parking and laundry.
- Pick the unit. Ask for the exact unit or the floor plan you would rent. See the floor plans for the choices at Centro.
- Bring tools. A tape measure, a phone for photos and a notebook.
- Ask what to bring. ID, proof of income and application details. Ask before you go.
- Plan the route. Check the drive, bike or train route to where you go each day. See our car-free commute from Highland guide for options near Centro.
How do tours work at Centro Studio Homes?
Centro offers two tour types: an in-person guided tour and a live video tour. Book either on the schedule a tour page or call (737) 317-8369. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed Sunday.
Pick the type that fits your day:
| Tour type | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| In-person guided | A guide walks you through the community and a studio | Feeling the light, the sound and the layout |
| Live video | A guide shows the home and grounds on a live video call | Seeing the home from out of town or on a tight schedule |
On a live video tour, ask the guide to slow down. Ask them to show each wall, the closet area, the kitchen and the bath. Ask to see the pool, fitness center, laundry facility and bike storage. Take screenshots, since you cannot walk back through. You can also look at the photo gallery and the virtual tour before you book.
What should you ask about the price?
Ask for the total monthly cost for your exact unit, with all required monthly fees included. Then ask for the one-time costs on move-in day. A starting price is where a range begins. It is rarely your unit’s price.
Apartment List advises that you “confirm the price for the specific unit you’re interested in, and double-check the price you were quoted before signing the lease.” Ask the office for a written quote. Centro honors quotes for 2 business days, so ask how long yours will hold.
Questions to ask:
- What is the monthly rent for this unit, and what lease length does it assume?
- What required monthly fees are added? (Apartments.com says nonoptional fees add $65 a month on average, so this question is worth asking.)
- Is the price you quoted the “total monthly price”? See the glossary entry on total monthly price.
- Does the price change by lease length or move-in date?
- How long does this quote hold?
- When can the rent go up, and by how much at renewal?
Our starting price vs total monthly cost page explains how to read each number on a listing.
What should you ask about deposits and fees?
Ask how much each charge is, whether it is refundable, and when you pay it. Centro states that studio deposits start at $500, the application fee is $50 and non-refundable, and the administrative fee is returned if you are denied. Ask the office to confirm each for your unit.
Use this list to get the whole picture:
| Charge | Ask | What Centro publishes |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | How much, and how is it refunded? | Studio deposits start at $500 |
| Application fee | How much, and is it refundable? | $50, non-refundable |
| Administrative fee | How much, and when is it returned? | Returned if denied |
| Pet charges | Deposit, fee and monthly rent per pet? | $150 deposit, $250 fee, $25 rent, per pet |
| Quote and hold | How long is a quote or a unit held? | Quotes honored 2 business days; units held up to 14 days |
| Other fees | Are there move-in, trash, pest or amenity fees? | Not published |
Fees are estimates, and actual amounts may vary. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The deposits page has Centro’s terms. Learn the words in our glossary: security deposit, application fee and administrative fee. A rent quote and a unit hold are also worth understanding before you apply.
What should you ask about utilities?
Ask which utilities you pay, who the providers are, and what an average bill looks like. Apartment List notes that sometimes all utilities are rolled into the rent, but you will likely pay for electricity, cooking gas, and extras like WiFi and cable. Never assume. Ask for a list.
Centro does not publish which utilities are included, so ask the office for a line-by-line answer.
| Utility | Ask |
|---|---|
| Electricity | Who is the provider? Do I pay it directly? |
| Water | Is it included, billed back or split? |
| Trash and pest control | Is it a flat monthly fee? |
| Gas | Is the kitchen electric or gas? |
| Internet and cable | Is there a package, and what is the price? |
Also ask for a typical monthly bill for a studio, so you can build a real budget. If the office cannot give a number, ask if a current resident would share a rough range, or check the provider’s website for typical rates.
What should you ask about parking?
Ask whether parking is included, what a space costs, how many vehicles each home may have, and whether there is a waitlist. Apartment List says to ask how much parking costs, the parking policy, and if there is a waitlist. Also ask about guest parking.
Centro lists reserved parking as available. It does not publish a price, so ask:
- Is there a charge for reserved parking, and how much?
- Is a space assigned, or is it first come, first served?
- How many vehicles may I register?
- Where do guests park?
- What is the rule on towing, and how do I get a permit?
- Can I park a bike, scooter or motorcycle, and where?
If you plan to go without a car, ask where bikes are stored. Centro lists bike storage. Ask where it is and if it is covered or locked.
What should you ask about storage and laundry?
Ask what storage the studio has inside, what storage you can rent, and where the laundry is. Apartment List suggests asking about storage size, wait lists, security and cost. Centro lists a 24-hour laundry facility and bike storage. It does not publish in-unit storage.
Storage questions:
- What type of closet does the studio have, and how wide is it?
- Are there extra storage lockers or units? What do they cost?
- Where is bike storage, and is it covered or locked?
Laundry questions:
- Where is the laundry facility, relative to my unit?
- How do I pay: card, app or coins?
- How many machines are there, and are they busy at certain hours?
- Is there a washer or dryer inside the studio? (Centro does not publish one, so do not assume.)
See how to plan your layout in our studio layout and storage guide.
What should you ask about internet?
Ask which internet and cable package the community offers, what it costs, and whether you must take it. Centro lists a cable and internet package. It does not publish the speed or the price, so ask for both.
- Is the package required, or optional?
- What is the monthly price, and is it added to my rent?
- What speed does it provide? Ask for a number, not a word.
- Can I choose my own provider instead?
- Is there a setup or equipment fee?
- Is there Wi-Fi in common areas, such as the cowork space?
If you work from home, test the signal during your tour. Open a speed test on your phone in the unit and in the cowork space, if the office allows it. Centro lists a cowork space in its community amenities, so ask about its hours and rules.
What should you ask about lease lengths and specials?
Ask which lease lengths are offered, what each costs, and how a special applies. Apartment List says a 12-month lease is the standard length, but other options may be available. Centro lists up to 8 weeks free on select floor plans, and offers vary by floor plan.
Questions on lease length:
- Which lease lengths do you offer for this unit?
- Does the monthly price change by length?
- What happens at the end of the term: renewal, month-to-month or move-out?
- How much notice do I give to leave?
- What is the penalty for breaking the lease early?
Questions on specials:
- What special applies to my unit and my lease length?
- Are the free weeks taken off the first months, or spread across the lease?
- When does the offer end?
- Does the special change my monthly rent or my total cost?
- Does it apply to the floor plan I want?
Read about how move-in specials work, and look up weeks free and move-in special. Check the current offer on the specials page. For flexible stays, see our guide on short-term and furnished rentals.
What should you look at inside the unit?
Look at the things that cost money to fix or live with every day: water pressure, outlets, windows, storage, appliances and light. Take photos of anything that looks worn, and ask the office to note it before you move in.
Use this walk-through list:
- Kitchen. Run the faucet. Open the fridge, cabinets and drawers. Check counter space and the cooktop. Ask which appliances are included.
- Bath. Run the shower and the sink. Flush the toilet. Look for leaks or soft spots.
- Floors. Look for scratches, gaps or stains.
- Windows and light. Ask which way they face. Check the screens and locks.
- Heat and air. Turn the A/C or heat on. Listen for noise.
- Outlets. Count them. Plug in your phone charger to test one.
- Closet area. Open it and measure the width.
- Door and locks. Test the locks and the peephole or viewer.
- Noise. Stand still for one minute. Listen for traffic, neighbors or machines.
- Cell signal. Check your phone for service inside the unit.
Our guide to studio layout and storage explains how to zone the room once you pick a unit.
What should you ask about the pet policy and approval?
If you have a pet, ask about the limit, deposits, fees, rent and breed rules. Then ask how approval works and how long it takes. Centro allows up to 2 pets, with a $150 deposit, a $250 one-time fee and $25 monthly rent per pet. Breed restrictions apply.
Questions on pets:
- Which breeds are restricted?
- What are the pet deposit, fee and rent, and which are refundable?
- Where is the dog park, and what are its rules?
Questions on approval:
- What documents do you need from me?
- What income or credit criteria do you use? (Ask the office for Centro’s criteria.)
- How long does approval take?
- What happens to my fees if I am denied? Centro states the administrative fee is returned if denied.
- How long will you hold the unit once I am approved? Centro states units are held up to 14 days.
See our moving with a pet guide, and our guide to the apartment approval process. The glossary explains screening and the rental application.
What should you do after the tour?
Write down your notes the same day, compare the totals, and ask for anything you missed. Do this while the details are fresh. Do not feel rushed into a decision. A good office will answer follow-up questions.
- Write it down. Record the unit number, the monthly price, each fee and each answer.
- Ask for a written quote. Check it against your notes.
- Compare. Put each property side by side on the same items.
- Total the cost. Rent plus fees, plus pets, plus parking, plus utilities and internet.
- Check the dates. Quote hold, unit hold and the move-in date.
- Decide, or ask more. If one answer is missing, call and ask.
If you choose Centro, you can apply online after your tour. Fees are estimates and actual amounts may vary, so confirm the final numbers in your lease.
Next step
Book an in-person or live video tour on the schedule a tour page, or call (737) 317-8369, and bring this list.
