FAQs How do I rent an apartment with CAM? Are pets allowed? What about utilities? What about insurance? When is rent due? When do I get keys? What if I need to replace a lock? Who pays for repairs? What about requesting maintenance? What if I need to move during the term of my lease? Can I paint the apartment? Q. How do I rent an apartment with CAM? A. Renting is easy. Anyone interested in renting an apartment first needs to complete an Application and submit it to CAM along with the requisite application fee ($35 per applicant or per married couple). Applicants also are encouraged to complete a Lease at the same time and pay the security deposit under the lease. That is because the law requires CAM to rent to the first qualified applicant who has completed both the application, the lease and paid the application fee and the security deposit. The only way to become first in line for an apartment is to be the first to complete and pay for both the application and the lease (with security deposit). Of course applicants have the right to complete only the application without the lease or security deposit. It just means that they are not first in line for that apartment, and another person can beat that applicant out for the apartment if the other person completes and pays for an accepted application, lease and security deposit. ^top Q. Are pets allowed? A. Cats and fish generally are allowed. Depending upon the particular apartment, dogs may be allowed on a case by case basis. Please contact CAM directly for particular questions. ^top Q. What about utilities? A. Radiator heat and water are included in the rent for all apartments with CAM. Tenants do need to establish their own accounts for electricity, phone, internet and cooking gas. Contact the following: Peoples Gas: (866) 556-6001 ComEd: (877) 426-6331 SBC: (800) 244-4444 Comcast: (866) 594-123 ^top Q. What about insurance? A. Tenants are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance as neither the landlord nor CAM is responsible for any damage caused to tenant property. Tenants seeking information and/or quotes on such insurance can contact Thomas Ward Insurance Company at (773) 327-7878. ^top Q. When is rent due? A. Pursuant to every tenant’s Lease, and the Chicago Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, rent is due on or before the first day of each calendar month throughout the term of the Lease. If the rent is not received by or before that day, the tenant risks eviction (which can be initiated immediately) and substantial late charges (which kick in after the fifth of the month). Thus, it is the tenant’s responsibility that CAM be in receipt of his/her rent on or before the first of each month. Payments must be sent or delivered to CAM at 914 N. Honore, Chicago, IL 60622. To simplify the process and provide tenants with an easy option to avoid the risk of late charges (and other remedies) without affecting the tenant’s bill planning, CAM agrees not to cash any tenant’s rent before the first of any month regardless of the actual date that the check is received. Most of our tenants opt for this and send their checks far in advance of the first of the month, but CAM holds them until the first and only then deposits them in the bank. CAM understands that all tenants’ lives are subject to budgets and employer’s payment schedules. ^top Q. When do I get keys? A. New tenants get one set of keys to the apartment, mailbox, common areas and garage (if applicable) upon payment of the security deposit and first month’s rent. Additional copies of keys are available upon request for any additional charge. ^top Q. What if I need to replace a lock? A. Replacing any lock or changing the key for any lock is prohibited, as it blocks CAM’s access to the apartment. If a lock or key is damaged, request maintenance for repairs. ^top Q. Who pays for repairs? A. Ordinary wear and tear is the responsibility of the landlord, and is paid by the landlord. Other damage to any aspect of the apartment, building, common areas, garages or other areas which is caused by the tenant is the tenant’s responsibility, and must be paid for by the tenant. Also, changing light bulbs, batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and similar matters are the tenant’s responsibility. ^top Q. What about requesting maintenance? A. There are several ways to request maintenance to the apartment. The easiest is to make an online request by clicking Online Maintenance Request, but tenants also may call the maintenance assistant directly at (773) 592-4320. ^top Q. What if I need to move during the term of my lease? A. CAM understands that at certain times situations change with tenants’ personal or professional lives and that as a result, they might chose to leave their apartment during the term. So long as tenants are not in default of their lease, they can sublet their apartment for the balance of their term with CAM’s reasonable approval. Generally, that means that the proposed subtenant(s) must complete an application with CAM and become approved. Once approved, the proposed subtenant(s) may move in. The original tenants remain obligated under the lease and their security deposit remains on deposit with CAM until the end of the term, subject to the same terms and conditions of the original lease. There also may be another option open to tenants seeking to sublet their apartments. Generally as long as the tenants are not in default of their lease, they may request that CAM approve their attempt to seek a new full year lease for the premises. This affords tenants the opportunity to find someone who is looking for a full year term rather than only the balance of the tenants’ remaining lease. That generally is easier to find. The first step is to request from CAM the rent that CAM will charge under the new lease. Then, once the existing tenants find someone willing to rent the apartment under those terms, the new applicant needs to complete an application with CAM and make the security deposit. After an applicant has been accepted by CAM, has signed the new lease, has accepted the apartment and has paid the security deposit and first month’s rent, CAM will cancel the original tenants’ lease and refund their security deposit in accord with the lease terms. Thus, this option provides the original tenant with the benefit (once the new tenant has completed these requirements) of releasing the original tenants from the lease and not having to wait until the end of their original lease for return of their security deposit. Again, tenants seeking this option must request approval in advance from CAM, including the new rent under the proposed lease. ^top Q. Can I paint the apartment? A. Tenants desiring to repaint any portion of their apartment need CAM prior written approval. Generally, CAM keeps all of its managed apartments painted the same color, "Navaho White," and on a case by case basis, CAM may agree to reimburse Tenants for the paint used to repaint an apartment after CAM has approved its final re-painted condition to confirm that it actually has been painted and is clean. Tenants seeking to paint portions of their apartment any different color again need CAM prior approval, but any such approval is conditional upon CAM's right, in its discretion, to compel the Tenant(s) to repaint those portions of the apartment back to Navaho White at the end of their lease term. ^top