Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
Future Resident FAQsNew Resident FAQs
Current Resident FAQs
Move-Out FAQs
FUTURE RESIDENT FAQs
How long are your leases?
All leases are for a minimum of one year.
Can I rent an apartment from you if my credit is not great?
So long as your rental history is good, we have many options available for individuals with challenging credit histories. Depending on your credit history, you may be able to qualify with a co-signer, a higher security deposit, or by signing up with the NPS Rent Assurance program.
Will you check my criminal background?
Yes. If you have a criminal record involving violence, narcotics, weapons, gang activity, prostitution, sex crimes, terrorism, fraud, theft or any felony conviction, your application will not be accepted.
Do you accept pets?
We LOVE our pets!!! However, in order to ensure a safe, clean and peaceful environment, some restrictions are necessary:
Pet Limits: We welcome a maximum of one dog and one cat per apartment. Your dog must weigh no more than 30 lbs. and must not be an aggressive-type breed or a mix of any aggressive-type breeds.
Pet Screening: We conduct a "doggy interview" and a background check before approving your dog's application, for the purpose of determining if your dog is friendly and will be a good neighbor, or if it has a history or a tendency toward aggressive behavior.
Pet Addendum to Lease: You will need to sign our Pet Addendum, which collects information on your pet such as vaccination and emergency contact information, and which sets forth the rules of pet ownership. Your pet will be held to the same standard as our human residents with respect to our standards on noise, security, hygiene, etc. Any violations of our rules by your pet may require you to part with your pet or may lead to the termination of your lease.
Pet Fees: We charge a refundable security deposit of $150 (in additional to the regular security deposit) and a monthly pet fee of $35.
Do you allow smoking?
All common areas of our apartment communities are smoke-free. Within the privacy of your home, however, we do not ban smoking, so long as you keep the smoke and the smell inside your apartment. If you smoke on your balcony and the neighbors complain, we will require that you refrain from smoking there.
What is a security deposit?
A security deposit is insurance against anything that might go wrong in your unit while you are a resident.
We require that you pay a one-time security deposit before you move in. The amount of the security deposit varies, depending on your credit and depending on the property. If your credit is not great, the security deposit required may be as much as one or even two months rent.
When you move out, we will return your security deposit to you, plus interest. However, if you leave the apartment dirty or damaged or with a balance on your account, we will use your security deposit to cover the ensuing charges.
Do I need to get renter's insurance?
Yes. You are required to obtain renter's insurance for losses due to theft, fire, water damage, and the like. Your Community Manager will ask for a copy of your insurance coverage when you sign your lease.
NEW RESIDENT FAQs
I moved in and my phone line does not work?
If you move in and your phone line does not work or you do not have a working phone jack, contact your phone carrier. If your phone carrier cannot resolve the problem, then call maintenance and leave two numbers, a number where to reach you and the number of the non-working phone line.
I want to install cable or a satellite dish, what should I do?
If you live in an apartment with a balcony or patio, you may install a satellite dish, but only on condition that you comply with the terms and conditions of our Satellite Addendum. Please request this Satellite Addendum from your Community Manager prior to scheduling the installation.
Many excellent alternatives to satellite programming exist today through Verizon and Comcast cable, so if you don't live in an apartment with a balcony or patio, you will still be able to sign up for channels from around the world, at very competitive prices.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Our favorite method of rent payment is on-line through our safe, secure and convenient website. Just go to https://jalex.twa.rentmanager.com/, log in and follow the simple instructions. This service is FREE (so long as you pay using your bank account; but there is a $35 charge for using your credit card). Contact your community manager to obtain your account number. By paying your rent online, you'll even build your credit. Simply opt-in through our online payment platform to have your online payments automatically reported to two credit bureaus.
We also accept personal checks and cashier checks.
Cash payments are accepted through our service partner CashPay by Zego. It's fast, safe and convenient. Walk in with your cash and walk out with your receipt. Your payment will be credited to your account before you leave the store! Please visit the leasing office to retrieve your personal e-pay card and account number, and for information about locations nearest to you. This payment method incurs a $4 service fee.
CURRENT RESIDENT FAQs
I have an issue in my apartment that needs maintenance.
Please log in to the Resident Corner to submit a maintenance request. Our maintenance department will contact you in a timely manner to coordinate the repair.
You will need your account number to log in for the first time. Contact your Community Manager if you do not have your account number.
In case of fire or flood or other major emergencies, please dial 911. Other maintenance emergencies can be reported to us 24/7. Our phones are manned around the clock. Click here for your community's phone number?
What should I do in an emergency?
In case of fire or flood or other major emergencies, please dial 911.
Other maintenance emergencies can be reported to us 24/7. Our phones are manned around the clock. Click here for your community's phone number?
What constitutes an emergency?
Please call us 24/7 if you experience any of the following:
- No water
- No hot water
- No electricity
- Water leak
- Gas leak
- No heat if outside temperature is below 40°
- Clogged toilet
- Broken window if outside temperature is below 55° or if your apartment is on the ground floor
Call 911 in the case of fire, flood or other risk to safety or security.
What happens if I fail to report a maintenance problem in my apartment?
We will be required to charge you for any service that could have been avoided by proper maintenance on your part.
Who is responsible for changing the light bulbs in my apartment?
We will provide you with working light bulbs on move-in, and you will be responsible for maintaining working light bulbs thereafter. If you need assistance in changing your light bulbs, please contact your community manager. You will be charged a time and materials fee for this service.
Who pays for repairs in my unit?
We will pay for repairs in your unit, unless the damage was caused by you or your guests.
Can I make repairs or improvements to my apartment on my own?
Please trust all repairs to our excellent service team. If you wish to make improvements to your apartment, please discuss this with your community manager. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Is a tenant entitled to notification before a landlord may enter the apartment?
A 24-hour notice is required and we will always notify you if we are to enter. This notification can be either verbal or written. However, in case of an emergency, the notice requirement may be waived.
What happens if I lose my keys?
If it is during normal business hours you can come into our offices and, upon verifying identification, receive another set of keys. You will be charged a fee for the keys, but not for the service. We reserve the right, however, to charge you for the service, if it becomes a recurrent issue.
Unfortunately, after the office is closed, we cannot verify your identity as the leaseholder, so you will need to call a locksmith. If your locksmith changes the lock, you will need to provide a new key to your community manager the next day.
How much will my rent increase from year to year?
We keep pace with market rents and then align rent increases with consumer affordability indexes.
At Rocklin Park Apartments, we align your annual rent increases with the voluntary rent increase guidelines established in Montgomery County. View these annual increases on Montgomery County's DHCA website.
At the New Hampshire & First Apartments, your rent increases are governed by DC rent control laws. For more information about DC rent control, view DHCD's Rent Control Fact Sheet.
I have a friend who would like to move to a J. Alexander community. Would you pay me a Resident Referral Bonus?
If you have friends or family members who would make great neighbors, we would love to welcome them to our community. We will pay you a bonus as soon as your referral moves in to the community. Please ask your community manager for the current bonus rate.
MOVE-OUT FAQs
How much notice do I need to give you of my plans to move out?
Once your 12-month lease expires, we hope you will renew your lease for at least another year! But if you really need to move out, we require that you give written notice to your Community Manager at least two months before your move-out date. Your notice must state the exact date on which you plan to move.
If you know you need to move out soon, but your move-date will not coincide with your lease expiration date, you will have the option to renew your lease on a month-to-month basis.
Please note that if you reside in one of our DC apartments, your lease will automatically revert to a month-to-month lease after your first year.
Can I move out in the middle of the month?
So long as you don't move out before your 12-month lease expires and you give us 60 days written notice, you can move out on any day you choose. We will pro rate your last month's rent. In other words, you don't need to pay rent for the full month if your 60-day notice expires earlier.
What is the penalty for leaving my lease early?
We do not charge a penalty, but we do charge you for the actual cost to us, including:
- Lost Rent. This means that you will need to pay the rent through the full lease term or until the next resident moves in, whichever comes sooner. We will make our best effort of course to re-rent your apartment quickly.
- Make-Ready Costs. This includes the costs to get your apartment ready for the next resident, such as new paint, new carpet, etc, as needed.
We do make some exceptions and offer some discounts in certain circumstances, so consult your community manager for details.
Can we sublet?
No. We do not allow residents to sublet their apartment. However, if you need to move out early and you have a friend who would like to assume your lease, please let your community manager know. We would be happy to transfer your lease to a qualifying candidate and keep the cost of early lease termination to a minimum.
What do I do if a roommate leaves but I am staying?
Contact your community manager at least 30 days before he/she leaves. Your new roommate must come in to our office and fill out our rental application to determine whether he/she is a qualified candidate for the rental. Once we approve your new roommate, he/she will be added to your lease. If you do not find a new qualified roommate, we reserve the right to keep your former roommate on the lease, even if he/she moves out.
What happens to my deposit if a roommate leaves but I stay?
Your deposit is a joint deposit that remains with the unit until it is vacated. It is the responsibility of the new tenant or remaining tenant to give back the portion of the deposit to the vacating tenant. We only issue deposit refund checks when all the tenants are moving out.
Can a security deposit be used for the last month's rent?
No. You must pay your regular rent during your last month of tenancy. However, we may use the security deposit to cover any unpaid rent.
