FAQ

Are all tenants students?

Due to the close proximity many of our rentals are to the campus area, many of our Tenant's tend to be undergraduate, graduate, medical and law students. However, a significant number our tenants are not students. We have no requirement that a tenant needs to be a student.  

Where are your rentals located?

No, we have properties in Clintonville, Franklinton, Grandview, Italian Village, German Village, Short North, Upper Arlington, & Worthington

When should I start looking for housing?

We start putting our large units on the market in September. Feel free to check with us on specific dates based on what you are looking for. 

There is always an option to have a non-renewal signed by the current tenants. This will allow you to reserve a unit if the current tenants already know they will not be renewing. 

How do I rent a unit with a non-renewal? 

You are welcome to begin your search before units go on the market. You can knock on the door of any of our units you may be interested in. If the tenants happen to already know they are not renewing, ask them all to sign a non-renewal form. By getting these signatures, it would allow you to put a holding fee down on a unit before we start showing it.

What does the leasing process look like?

After you have decided on a specific unit, you would then want to stop by the leasing office with a check for the holding fee and the application fee. The holding fee is equivalent to the base rent price listed online. 

While in the office, you will turn in the check(s) & rental application(s). If you have a pet, please see our website for the pet application and required forms to apply for the pet in the unit.

We then will go over what is called a pre-lease agreement. The pre-lease agreement goes over the basic terms of the lease and fills in the blanks of the sample lease agreement. 

The tenant and guarantor should have already read the sample lease agreement prior to stopping by the office to submit the holding fee. The holding fee is non-refundable after the pre-lease is executed. 

What is a primary tenant? 

There is no extra financial responsibility. They are our contact person and responsible for communicating any information that we send out to all tenants. 

What is a Pre-Paid Installment?

We require that you pre-pay your last month’s installment prior to move in. The prepaid installment is due 60 days after the lease is sent out. 

The specific deadline will be in the email with the lease and also written on the lease. Payments can be made on the online tenant portal or through CVS Payslip. 

I have rented with you before. Do I need to complete another application? 

You will need to complete an application for any property you rent. However, we do waive application fees for anyone we verify has already leased one our units.

Do you require a cosigner?

Applicants and persons under 23 years of age, or any applicant without sufficient income and credit, require a guarantor.

Are the units furnished?

No, none of our units are furnished.

What if I want to see my apartment again after I rent it? 

Due to the high volume of people looking at apartments, once you rent an apartment, we ask that if you need to see the unit again that you make arrangements to do so on your own by knocking on the door of the unit.

What if I want to move in early? 

We will send a text to the primary tenant if your unit is available any earlier than your scheduled move in. 

What do I do for move in? 

Closer to your move in, you will be emailed a move in packet. It will have all information about paying rent and setting up utilities. NO ONE will be allowed to move in if all pages of the leases aren’t signed by all tenants, all IDs are returned and the balance on the account must be zero; including paying your first installment. 

Do I need to have renter's insurance?

It is the Tenant's responsibility to insure their personal property of the Tenant by obtaining renter’s insurance.  Please refer to lease for specific terms. NorthSteppe Realty Inc 1946 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201 will need to be listed as an additional insured. 

Who are the utility providers?

Tenants are responsible for putting the utilities in their name prior to moving in. Please refer to your lease as to what your responsible are. If you have questions about utilities, please contact Jan at utilities.nsr@gmail.com

Can I pay my rent online?

Yes! The options for payment throughout the lease term are online through the tenant portal. The tenant portal will allow you to pay with e-check, credit or debit card. For cards, third party fees apply. 

You can also pay with CVS Payslip. Please accounting the accounting office at nsr.billing@gmail.com for more information. 

What do I do if I lost my key?

During office hours, please go to the leasing office with your ID to obtain a replacement key. 

What happens if one of the other tenants does not pay rent?

All of our leases are joint leases so everyone on the lease is responsible to make sure the entire rent is paid each month. All tenants and all guarantors are responsible for the full rental installment.

Am I allowed to have a pet?

Most of our units allow pets. Please check with the leasing office for the pet policy at your specific location. 

If pets are allowed, to add a pet to the lease, you would need to complete a pet application. All tenants and cosigners would need to sign the application. There is a $200 one-time fee and $25 charge per pet per month. You would also need to return a picture of the pet and vet/vaccination records with the pet application. All pets are to management approval.

Can I sublease or sign up for a short-term lease?

You would be responsible for finding a new tenant who qualifies under our terms to sublease the apartment from you. 

The new tenant(s) will need to fill out a rental application, and the new tenant(s) and all current tenants on the lease will need to authorize this change on the Switching Roommates form.  

Both the application and Roommate Switch form must be completed and turned in together by email in order to be processed. 

If approved, the new tenant may need to sign a lease agreement. Do not give the new tenant keys until you know they have completed all documents and signed the lease if necessary.

All roommate changes are to management discretion and may not be able to be taken during certain high volume times. 

There are no short term lease options.

Is there parking?

Many of our units have parking available for purchase. Please check with the leasing office for specific availability and costs based on your unit.

You must have a visible parking permit properly placed on vehicle or your vehicle could be towed at any time. A towing company patrols the lots on a 24-hour basis. This is done to ensure that only authorized residents are using the designated parking areas. 

On-street parking permits can be obtained from City of Columbus (1-614-645-7790). 

Is there guest parking?

Guest or parent parking is not available. Please advise your guests not to park in any lot or their vehicles may be towed.

What do I do when I move out?

The all keys should be returned to the drop slot located at 10 E. 17th, Columbus, Ohio 43201. In a sealed envelope, please put your name, address including unit & indicate if the unit is vacant.

If you have carpets, please email the carpet steam cleaning receipt to nsr.billing@gmail.com.

How do I ensure I will get my Security Deposit back?

Please make sure to leave your unit as clean as possible to avoid any cleaning/damage charges at the end of your lease. This includes removing all personal belongings.

If you have carpets, please email the carpet steam cleaning receipt to nsr.billing@gmail.com.

We will provide more information with helpful move-out tips before you move out. We also take pictures and notes of all the damages to the house and send you a detailed list of everything that was deducted from your deposit. 

How do I get the Security Deposit back? 

Please make sure the primary tenant fills out the Intent to Vacate completely. The Intent to Vacate can be found under Rental Forms. 

The primary tenant will receive the check/statement in the mail within 30 days of the lease ending.

What if I have questions about my Security Deposit refund?

Please refer to the statement included in your mailed envelope for instructions on disputing or asking questions about your refund.

What should we do about utilities?

Tenants are responsible for transfering the utilities back into NorthSteppe's name at the end of the lease term.