Dimond Townhouse Apartments FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. This is a lot of information. Why do you supply so much?
2. Who pays for heat and hot water?
3. Can you store some (or all) of the furniture? I have my own bed (or other pieces of furniture).
4. How much will the electricity cost?
5. Do the units have their own washer and dryer?
6. Who pays for the Basic Internet package?
7. What appliances are included?
8. How much storage do the units have?
9. What do you mean individual back yard?
10. What kinds of vehicles can I park in the parking area?
11. How many vehicles can I park in the parking area?
12. What is the electronic payment option?
13. What is the electronic communications policy?
14. Do you allow pets?
15. What is the traffic impact of the nearby elementary and high schools?
16. What is a Drug Free Zone?
17. Is this a good place for children?
18. Is this a good place to have a party with my friends?
19. What does "Actively Managed" mean?
20. Do the units have fireplaces?
21. How many people can live in or visit each unit? What about babysitters?
22. Do you accept short term tenancies?
23. What are the income requirements?
24. Do you accept Section 8 (low income) rental vouchers?
25. How do I apply over the internet?
26. How long will you hold an apartment?
27. What about smokers?
28. Is there a dress code?
29. If there is more than one vacancy, do I have a choice?
30. I want to rent an apartment on behalf of someone else (employee, friend, child, etc). What do I need to do?

1) Q: This is a lot of information. Why do you supply so much??

A: Thank you for reading the FAQ. We do not illegally discriminate and welcome anyone who qualifies. If there is a problem, we have to act. If the operation of the building fails to meet any tenant's expectations, they can leave, sometimes on as little as 30 days notice. This will be true for you, too. If you don't like the operation of the building you won't be locked in for a year. We want you and all our tenants to be happy and it will not be good for either of us if you find that you are unhappy here. We try to prevent problems up front by helping folks identify whether they will be happy here. We have to earn your business every month.
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2) Q: Who pays for heat and hot water?

A: We supply the heat and the hot water as part of the monthly rent. In some apartments in Anchorage the heat and hot water are paid by the tenant as part of their electric bill. If you rent one of those apartments from someone else, you can expect electric bills as high as several hundred dollars in the winter.
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3) Q: If an apartment is advertised as furnished, can you store some (or all) of the furniture? I have my own bed (or other pieces of furniture).

A: Yes
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4) Q: How much will the electricity cost?

A: The tenant is responsible for paying Chugach Electric (our local electricity coop) for the electricity consumed by the unit. The amount depends upon your usage. Most folks use about $30 month in the 1br and about $45 per month in the 2br. Some folks report less. Some have reported as high as $100 when they are home full time, with children (lots of laundry and cooking) and make extensive use of their headbolt heater in the winter. Most importantly, the cost of the gas for the heat and hot water is INCLUDED in the rent. Other apartments of the same size that use electricity for heat and hot water may have electric bills over $300/mo in the winter.
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5) Q: Do the units have their own clothes washer and dryer?

A: Each 2 br unit has its own washer and dryer. The 1br unit uses the washer and dryer in the utility room that previously served the entire apartment house before washers and dryers were installed in the 2br units.
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6) Q: Who pays for the Basic Internet package?

A: GCI's Basic Internet Package is included as as part of the rent. If you want additional packages, features, telephone, etc. you must make arrangements with GCI.
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7) Q: What appliances are included?

A: The apartments come with a in-sink garbage disposal, dishwasher, range/oven, refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer. Microwave ovens are available at no additional cost.
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8) Q: How much storage do the units have?

A: The two bedroom units have large closets in each bedroom. In the master bedroom the closet is the hanging space and floor space is 12' long, floor to ceiling. In the 2nd bedroom, the closet is has about 6' of hanging space and 4' of floor space. Also on the 2nd floor there is linen closet with 5' shelves from floor to ceiling and an upright closet that provides storage for tall items, like ski's. On the first floor, there is a pantry above the washer/dryer and a coat closet that has about 5' of hanging space and about 12 feet of floor space. Items such as tires can be stored in the back yard. The one bedroom unit has a coat closet at the top of the stairs with about 30 of hanging and floor space and a 4'x6' walk-in-closet for the master bedroom. Additional storage is also available in the utility room.
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9) Q: What do you mean individual back yard?

A: Each of the two bedroom units has an individually fenced back yard. The tenant can use this for storage of items like tires, etc. The deck is a good place to BBQ but only electric BBQ's are allowed by the Fire Department. The decks are also not suitable for longterm storage of heavy items or items that keep the decking from drying out quickly. The one bedroom is on the second floor and therefore does not have a back yard.
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10) Q: What kinds of vehicles can I park in the parking area?

A: All vehicles must be operable, quiet, and free of damage and rust. Anything larger than a standard pickup may be difficult to maneuver and may not be allowed. Motorcycles are not allowed.
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11) Q: How many vehicles can I park in the parking area?

A: Each two bedroom apartment is assigned one space in front of their unit and if they have a second car it has to share the extra parking. Usually, both cars can be accommodated in front of the tenant's apartment. Three cars are never allowed. The one bedroom apartment parking allowance is one car. As a practical matter by working together with all the tenants we never had a situation where there was not enough room in the lot for all the tenants' vehicles.
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12) Q: What is the electronic payment option?

A: The tenant implements an electronic rent payment program that electronically transfers the rent payment or any other payment due each month from a bank account.
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13) Q: What is the electronic communications policy?

A: The tenant and the landlord may exchange email addresses and all notices and communications, for a period up to 60 days after the end of the tenancy, are considered delivered when sent to the email address.
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14) Q: Do you allow pets?

A: We do not allow pets of any kind, this includes birds. Please do not ask if we accept pets. We have made exceptions for fish, but have required that the tank be properly secured against earthquake.
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15) Q: What is the traffic impact of the nearby elementary and high schools?

A: The primary impact is from the High School. There is an approximately 20 minute period in the morning and an approximately 15 minute period in the afternoon during which there is some congestion.
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16) Q: What is a Drug Free Zone?

A: The apartment is located within a Drug Free Zone which surrounds the school. In this zone, penalties for illegal substance possession and use are doubled and more vigorously prosecuted.
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17) Q: Is this a good place for children?

A: We try very hard to make the building and living situation child friendly. All tenants should expect that their behavior outside their unit will be compatible with the presence of children.
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18) Q: Is this a good place to have a party with my friends?

A: If you mean a quiet dinner party for a couple folks there should be no problems. If you mean, turn up the music and invite all your friends, this will not be a good place for you. (OK, we know that folks don't generally ask us this question, but some of them must be thinking it.)
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19) Q: What does "Actively Managed" mean?

A: Actively Managed means the owner takes an active interest in managing the apartments. Actively Managed means that with everyone on a month to month lease, if we don't provide a good living environment, we can lose all our tenants quickly and have to act to make sure the environment meets tenants expectations. It means that if you or your friends are rowdy and do not show consideration for your neighbors, this is not the place for you.
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20) Q: Do the units have fireplaces?

A: No
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21) Q: How many people can live in or visit each unit? What about babysitters?

A: In the 1br unit, the base rate applies to occupancy by one occupant. The one bedroom is a wonderful housing solution for one person, however, in our experience it is not a suitable long term solution for regular occupancy by more than one person. Short term rental rates apply to a two-person occupancy (see below). Two is the maximum allowed in the one bedroom unit.

In the 2 br units no more than two adults and no more than two children may occupy the unit. Babies are considered a child. Adults are considered to be 18 and older. All adult occupants must be listed on the lease and fill out a Tenant Information Sheet. Except for the visitors policy, no visitors are allowed unless an adult who is on the lease is present in the apartment. No child under 13 may be left unsuppervised in the apartment. On an occasional basis and until 10 PM, we make an exception for babysitters 13 years old or older. Between 10 PM and 6AM an adult listed on the lease must be present in the apartment when children are in the apartment. We can be a little flexible with those hours for folks with conflicting job requirements. Please ask.
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22) Q: Do you take short term tenancies?

A: Yes.

Even though short term tenancies seem to generate more income, they generate much more vacancy, advertising and cleaning expense. At the end of the summer many folks are leaving Alaska and it can be difficult to rent apartments. In general, we give preference to tenants whose work will take them through the winter and try to avoid having two apartments come up in the same month. So, availability of units for a short term depends on our expectation of how many apartments may be vacated in the same month and the owner's travel schedule. (We are a small operation and the owner prefers to be in town to rent apartments.)

Only furnished apartments are available for short term rates. One or two month rentals are available to folks vacationing, with a job, or who have a good work history and are looking for work. If, in our opinion, at any time your employment situation changes and will take you through the winter, you can switch to our standard lease for good savings.

Short term rent for a furnished 1Br for:

1 month stay is $1,285 with a $1,185 security deposit paid in advance.

2 or 3 months stay is $1,185/mo with a $1085 security deposit, all paid in advance for the 2 month stay and 1st and last months rent + security deposit for 3 month stay, paid in advance.

4+ but less than 10 months stays that are expected to end from August 1 are Feb 29 is $1035/mo with a security deposit of $935. 4+ month leases that end during the time between Mar 1 and July 31 are much easier to re-rent, so they are available at our base rate for stays of 10 months or more.

Short term rent for a furnished 2Br for

1 month stay is $2,035 with a $1,935 security deposit paid in advance.

2 or 3 months stay is $1,935/mo with a $1,835 security deposit, all paid in advance for the 2 month stay and 1st and last months rent + security deposit for 3 month stay, paid in advance.

4+ months but less than 10 months stays that are expected to end from August 1 to Feb 29 are $1,835/mo with a security deposit of $1,735. 4+ month leases that end during the time between Mar 1 and July 31 are much easier to re-rent, so they are available at our base rate for stays of 10 months or more.

These rates may seem high, but they are well below our competitors for similar quality. Even at the higher rates, we prefer folks whose employment is year round. We offer short term rates because frequently folks come to Alaska planning to stay for a short time and then find work that will keep them here longer. Most of those folks will convert to the base rate and continue to live here and have been great tenants.
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23) Q: What are the income requirements?

A: Income is funds that we can verify that you have available either through work or otherwise for living expenses. We use the standard requirement that housing cost should be about 1/3 of your income. In the case of a two-bedroom apartment, that would mean that the combined income of the adults on the lease should be at least $42,000 per year. For a one-bedroom apartment the income requirement is about $32,000 per year. We have made exceptions for college students and other young adults whose parents have adequate income and will accept responsibility for the payment. The ability to verify and the reliability of the income and work history are important considerations. Our application includes the information we usually need to verify income. In some cases we may request additional information. We give preference to applicants that have good credit records, a history of paying their bills, are without evictions, and a record of good behavior for themselves and their associates.
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24) Q: Do you accept Section 8 (low income) rental vouchers?

A: We do not participate in that program.
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25) Q: How do you apply over the internet?

A: If you live beyond driving distance to Anchorage and have not inspected the apartment we only offer 1 and 2 month short-term leases to qualifying folks. Please call us. We can send an application by email in pdf format. If you have a program that fills out pdf's or a scanner you can send it as an email attachment. We require an acceptable government issued photo ID for each adult at the time of application. Each adult who will reside in the unit must send a scan of their driver's license. This should be one per page using a 200% enlargement at 300 dpi. If you need assistance with this, Kinkos or most other office assistance stores can help you.

If you qualify, we will send you a lease and regulations in pdf format which we can discuss on the phone. If you decide you would like to rent here, you will then send the lease and payments to us. Under some circumstances we will allow or require electronic payment.

If you live within driving distance of Anchorage you will need to inspect the apartment to get a rental application. Because we don't charge for applications, we want to make sure that you will want to live here after having inspected the apartment, before we put a lot of work into reviewing the applicaiton.
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26) Q: How long will you hold an apartment without charging rent?

A: We don't formally hold apartments until a tenant has applied, been approved, lease signed, and the security deposit is paid. We try to limit it to about a week, particularly for short term occupancies. Depending on whether it is the slow time of year, whether we have multiple vacancies, and how long the occupancy is expected to last, we may extend it. However, we may advertise a "hold" after approval, to give the approved prospective tenant time to review and sign the lease and pay the Security Deposit. Acceptable forms of payment for the Security Deposit are: Cash, Money Order (check with us for acceptable vendors), Cashiers, Personal, or Business Check. If paid with personal or business check, the check must clear before move-in.
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27) Q: What about smokers?

A: There used to be lots of smokers and renting was not a problem, but over time there are fewer and fewer, and non-smokers are becoming less tolerant of smoke smells and damage. Such things as smoking and burning candles or incense, also releases smoke and soot into the air that condenses on the walls, carpet, and furniture, requiring more frequent painting and cleaning. We have not had a satisfactory experience with smokers that promise to smoke only outside the apartment. In non-smoking apartments tenants agree not to smoke in or on the premises outside, use candles or incense or anything else that releases smoke or soot into the apartment, and not to allow anyone else to do so. Our base rates are for non-smoking apartments. The rate for a smoking apartment is $90.00/month additional rent and an additional $90.00 in security deposit. When we have an apartment that already has minor smoke issues we sometimes rent it at the base rate. Once smoke issues have been corrected, the apartment will not be available at the base rate. Be sure to inquire.
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28) Q: Is there a dress code?

A: Not specifically. Outside the apartment, dress should be clean and neat.
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29) Q: If there is more than one vacancy, do I have a choice?

A: Unless an apartment needs more cleaning, repairs, or renovation, we tend to rent apartments in the order in which we received notice and are vacated. We typically do not prepare an apartment until it is vacated or show an apartment until it is ready for occupancy. If you are looking for a later move-in date or are not ready to move-in, we may offer you another unit that may not yet have been fully prepared, but will be prepared by your desired move-in time.
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30) Q: I want to rent an apartment on behalf of someone else (employee, friend, child, etc). What do I need to do?

A: The persons who will actually be the occcupants of the apartment will need to contact us and go through our tenant approval process. We are happy to accept direct payment from businesses or others on behalf of a tenant/occupant, but the actual occupants, themselves, have to apply and be accepted. We understand that for some folks who hope to move a number of tenants/occupants through the apartment over a short period of time, this will not be workable and we urge them to find alternative solutions.
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Thanks for reading through the FAQ.