FAQ’s

Q: What do I need to do if I am interested in one of your properties? What is your leasing process?

• First check our website for available properties. You may contact us by email at inquiry@prestigeprop.com or call us at 319-512-7616 OPT 1 to set up a showing. Please notify us at least 24 hours before you’d like the showing so we can give notice to our current tenant.
• Please review our Leasing Process under the Resources page.

Q: Will I be responsible for my roommate’s rent if they don’t pay?

Yes. Each person on a lease is jointly and severally liable for the entire rent payment and security deposit payment.

Q: How do I set up utilities?

Please check your lease for to determine which utilities you need to set up. Below is contact information for the various utility providers:

• MidAmerican Energy (Gas& Electric) 1-888-427-5632
• City of Iowa City Water Department (Water) 319-356-5066
• Mediacom (Cable & Internet) 1-800-332-0245

Utilities must be kept in your name until the last day of the month in which the lease ends regardless of your move out date.

City of Iowa City Water Department:

All new tenant water utility accounts established will be required a minimum deposit of $120.00. The deposit will not be refunded until the account is terminated. Any fees assessed as a result of a delinquent water bill or reconnection of service are $45.00.

Q: I’d like to set up my internet with a different company instead of Mediacom. Is that OK?

Possibly, our properties are set up for Mediacom. If you’d like to use a different internet company, you may request this through the office and will be accommodated if possible.

Q: Can I have a satellite installed for my TV?

Sorry, no. Changes to the exterior of the unit is not allowed.

Q: Can I shut off the heat and utilities over winter break when I am not in Iowa City?

No! Thermostats must not be set lower than 65 degrees at any time.

Tenants who do not comply with this rule will be charged with any subsequent damage. If all tenants of a unit are gone for a period of 7 or more days, please call the office to notify us.

Q: When is rent due?

Rent is due on the first work day of each month by 5:00pm.

If a Tenant fails to pay rent when due, Tenant shall be charged a late payment fee.

• $12.00 per day, capped at $60.00 per month for rentals up to $700.00/month.
• $20.00 per day, capped at $100.00 per month for rentals over $700.00/month.

Q: Where should I pay the rent?

Tenants may pay rent online via their Tenant Web Access Portal, which is the preferred method.

Alternatively, rent payments can be:

• Delivered to the Prestige Properties office at 401 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
• Mailed to 329 E Court Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

Please note: We do not have a drop box. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Q: What forms of payment do you take?

Rent payments are preferred through Tenant Web Access (TWA), especially for debit or credit card transactions. You can set up automatic payments through your bank.

Rent may be paid by cash or check in the office.

Q: Why is there not a discount on rent for July? Why am I required to move out before the last day of the month?

Item 1 on the first page of your lease outlines the total number of days covered by your lease term.

Rather than dividing the annual rent by the number of days—resulting in varying monthly payments—we simplify the process by dividing the total rent into 12 equal monthly payments.

This means your rent remains the same each month, regardless of the number of days in that month. For example: February (28 days), March (31 days) and July are all billed at the same monthly rate.

Q: Why do I have to pay a security deposit?

A security deposit is a refundable payment made by tenants before moving in. It protects the property owner from unpaid rent, excessive damage, or cleaning costs.

If tenants meet the lease terms and leave the unit in good condition, the deposit is returned—30 days after the end of the lease.

Deductions are itemized, and tenants can dispute them. To ensure a full refund, tenants should document the unit’s condition, report issues early, and clean thoroughly before moving out.

Q: When will I get my security deposit back?

Prestige Properties will return the security deposit via check by mail to the security deposit holder sent no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of the lease. Receipt of Tenants’ mailing address is required for the return process.

Q: Will I get all my security deposit back?

That depends on whether there are any charges against your deposit. Landlords may deduct from your security deposit to cover unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or cleaning and repair costs needed to restore the unit.

Common deductions include carpet cleaning, wall repairs, replacement of broken blinds, shower curtain replacement, and deep cleaning of appliances or fixtures.

If no such issues are found during the move-out inspection, your full deposit is typically refunded.

Q: How will I know what charges you have deducted from my security deposit?

We will include a detailed list of any deductions from your security deposit when we send you the remaining balance.

Q: What are typical charges deducted from security deposits?

Cleaning:
The property must be returned in the same clean condition as it was at the start of the lease. Tenants should expect to spend several hours thoroughly cleaning before moving out. Please refer to the Cleaning Checklist and Inspection Form for detailed expectations.

Damage Repairs:
Charges will apply for any necessary repairs to walls, doors, floors, appliances, or other fixtures. Costs will include both labor and materials.

Replacements:
If items such as blinds, shower curtains, smoke detectors, or other miscellaneous items are missing or damaged, replacement costs will be deducted.

Painting:
We do not routinely repaint walls between tenants. Instead, tenants are responsible for washing walls where needed to maintain a clean appearance. If there are holes or damage to the walls, Prestige Properties will handle patching and painting to ensure consistency. Please do not attempt these repairs yourself—improper patching or mismatched paint may result in additional labor and charges to correct the work.

Q: How do you know I caused the damages in my apartment?

We keep detailed records of each apartment, including pictures taken at the end of every lease term. You should detail any deficiencies in your apartment at the beginning of your lease term on the Check In form.

We maintain detailed records for each apartment, including photographs taken at the beginning and end of every lease term.

To ensure accuracy, please document any existing issues or deficiencies in your unit at the start of your lease using the Check In Inspection Form sent through your TWA Portal.

Q: Will I receive one deposit check back? Or will my roommates and I each receive a check?

Prestige Properties issues one deposit check per lease, regardless of the number of tenants listed. One designated tenant will be the security deposit holder and will be the recipient of the check. If tenants do not designate a recipient for the deposit, one will be assigned by our team.

To ensure timely delivery, the forwarding address of the designated tenant must be provided before the lease ends.

You may request separate checks be sent for an additional check fee of $35.00 per check.

Q: Can we make separate rent payments?

Yes, you can all make individual separate rent payments to your account.

Q: Will I be charged for help with my account?

Usually not.

Tenants are only charged a fee if resolving account issues takes an unusual amount of time—typically due to multiple or inconsistent payments, or accumulated late fees.

Q: What should I do if I’m having trouble with my online rent payment?

If you’re experiencing issues with your online payment or logging in, first double-check your login credentials and bank account details. If the problem persists, please contact Accounting directly at 319-512-7616 EXT 111 for assistance.

Q: What happens if my payment is returned by the bank?

Returned payments can happen for several reasons—such as incorrect banking information, insufficient funds, or suspected fraud. When this occurs, banks typically charge a return fee.

You are responsible for any fees your bank charges, as well as a $40 return fee issued by our bank.

To avoid this, please ensure all payment details are entered correctly and double-check your information before submitting.

Q: Do you allow pets in your properties?

Some properties do allow for pets, please contact the office for more detailed information.

If your property does accept animals – There will be a Pet Addendum to sign, along with a non-refundable pet deposit and monthly pet fee.

Q: What is the procedure for obtaining approval for a Support Animal?

To request accommodation for a support animal, tenants must complete the following steps:

1. Review the Assistance Animal Policy
   Begin by reading the Assistance Animal Policy and Support Animal Application Instructions to understand the requirements and responsibilities.
2. Submit the Reasonable Accommodation Request
   Complete the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form and email it to inquiry@prestigeprop.com.
3. Provide Medical Documentation
   Have your licensed healthcare provider complete and submit the Emotional Support Animal Form, which includes Appendix A verifying your disability and the necessity of a support animal.
4. Submit Required Documentation
   Along with the forms above, you must also submit proof of vaccinations for the support animal.
5. Approval Timeline
   Once all required documents are received, Prestige Properties will issue an approval or denial within 14 days.

Q: Where can I submit a maintenance request?

To submit a maintenance request, we prefer you use the TWA Portal. Your request will go directly to our maintenance technician. Be sure to indicate whether it’s okay for them to enter your unit; if not, you’ll receive a 24-hour notice before entry.

If you notice a leak or any other emergency, please notify us immediately. Delayed reporting may result in charges for any resulting damages.

Q: What if there’s an emergency?

We provide 24-hour maintenance coverage to ensure urgent issues like major leaks, heating loss, lockouts or critical emergencies are addressed promptly –

• During Business hours (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM): Call 319-512-7616
• After-hours: Call 319-331-0232
  You’ll be connected to a call center that will notify maintenance directly.

Q: What happens if I’m locked out of my unit?

If you’re locked out of your unit during business hours, call 319-512-7616. For after-hours lockouts, call 319-331-0232.

Lockout service fees are $75 during regular business hours and $100 after hours.

If you’re unable to reach after-hours maintenance, please contact a locksmith to resolve the issue and address the issue with Prestige Properties on the next business day.

Q: What types of repairs will I be charged for?

Tenants are responsible for clearing drain stoppages in garbage disposals, toilets, sinks, and other drains. Additionally, replacing lightbulbs and smoke detector batteries are also the tenant’s responsibility. If maintenance handles these tasks, a service fee will apply. Any damage caused by tenants will be billed accordingly.

Q: What should I do if the electricity goes out?

• If power is out in one room or for a specific appliance:
  Check the circuit breaker, which is usually located in the basement, hallway, or closet. Flip the switch to the OFF position, then back to ON.
• If power is out in the entire building:
  Contact MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632.

Q: What’s the subleasing procedure?

If your accounts are in good standing, you may sublease.

The subtenant is required to fill out an application form and turn into our office for approval. Once the application is approved, all parties must sign the sublease form.

For full information, please view our Subleasing Procedure.

Q: Am I still responsible for the rent after I sublease?

Yes. Entering into a sublease agreement does not release you from your original legal obligation to pay rent. If the subtenant fails to make payments for any reason, you remain fully responsible for covering the rent. For this reason, it is essential to select a reliable and responsible subtenant.

Q: What is your check out procedure?

Prestige Properties will inspect each unit after all tenants have fully moved out. It’s essential that your apartment or house is thoroughly cleaned. If you’re unsure what areas to focus on, please refer to the Move Out Cleaning Checklist and Inspection Form. More information is available under Prestige Properties | Moving In & Out.

We strongly encourage all tenants to review these documents before moving out.

Once your unit is cleaned and completely vacated, please make sure to:

• Notify us that you’ve fully moved out
• Return all keys
• Return parking stickers (if applicable)
• Submit your carpet cleaning receipt to admin@prestigeprop.com
• Provide your forwarding address (if you’re a security deposit holder)

Q: Am I required to clean the carpet?

Yes. You will need to schedule professional carpet cleaning if you have carpet in your unit, otherwise we will schedule it for you and deduct from the security deposit.

You must provide us a receipt. If not provided, we will assume it has not been cleaned.

Q: Do you have a professional carpet cleaning company you recommend?
Yes, we recommend Home Pro Services for carpet cleaning. You can reach them at 319-382-0217, or homeproia@yahoo.com.

Q: Could you provide more information about recycling?

Learn more about Iowa City’s residential curbside recycling, drop-off recycling locations, and other recycling opportunities in the link: https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/public-works/resource-management/recycling.