Question 1

What do shared and private mean in XBXB?

Accepted Answer

XBXB is the naming convention for apartments in the USA, where the first B represents the number of bedrooms and the second B represents the number of bathrooms; for example, 3B3B indicates the layout has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A unit labeled as [single] or [private] means it is a single bedroom for one person; if marked as [shared] or [double], it indicates a double room for two people.

Question 2

I rented a single bedroom; is the opposite bedroom also a single bedroom?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. If you signed a contract for a single bedroom, it only guarantees that your bedroom is a single room; the opposite bedroom could be a single or double room, depending on the type of lease of the roommate across.

Question 3

What are the dimensions of the bed?

Accepted Answer

Full-Size, approximately 137 cm × 191 cm.

Question 4

Is there a washer and dryer in the apartment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a washer and dryer.

Question 5

Do all bedrooms have windows? Can the windows be opened?

Accepted Answer

Not all bedroom windows can be opened; you can contact the consultant before applying to fill out your preferences, and the specific situation will depend on the apartment's arrangements.

Question 6

What is the size of each bedroom?

Accepted Answer

The exact area is not provided by the apartment, but according to student feedback, it is about 12 square meters.

Question 7

Does the apartment come with air conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the apartment has central air conditioning.

Question 8

Does the apartment have an elevator?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the apartment has an elevator.

Question 9

Is there a lock on the bedroom door?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the door has a lock.

Question 10

Is it safe to live in the apartment?

Accepted Answer

The apartment is equipped with a 24-hour access control card entry system, with locks on each unit and bedroom.

Question 11

Does the apartment provide bedding?

Accepted Answer

No, the apartment is equipped with beds and mattresses, but does not provide sheets, quilts, and other personal items; please bring your own during move-in or you may choose to purchase at a local supermarket.

Question 12

Does the apartment have a shuttle bus to the school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the apartment has its own shuttle service responsible for transporting students to various colleges, with specific departure times adjusted based on student needs.

Question 13

When was the apartment built? How many floors does it have? How many beds are there?

Accepted Answer

The Gather apartment was newly built in 2021, comprising three buildings; the main building has 5 floors, and the other two buildings contain four-person rooms, totaling three floors.

Question 14

Is there a supermarket near the apartment?

Accepted Answer

The Far East Supermarket is about a 15-minute walk west of the Gather apartment.

Question 15

What public facilities does the apartment provide?

Accepted Answer

Study area, entertainment room, gym, swimming pool, etc.

Question 16

What is the internet speed in the apartment? Can I install my own internet?

Accepted Answer

The download speed is about 100, and the upload speed is about 125. Yes, residents can connect to their own internet.

Question 17

Can I take a video of my room?

Accepted Answer

Generally, it is not possible to shoot a video of the specific room, as it is already occupied. The Jihj app has live streams of the apartments, and model room videos can be used as references; the overall styling is consistent with the model rooms, but actual rooms do not include soft furnishings and Interiors. If you are local, the apartment can arrange an on-site visit to the model room.

Question 18

What is the difference between studio and 1B1B?

Accepted Answer

Studio and 1B1B are similar, with the main difference being the living room, with studio being relatively cheaper than 1B1B. A studio includes a bathroom and kitchen, but there are no partitions between the kitchen, living room, and bedroom; while 1B1B typically has one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom.

Question 19

What is the soundproofing like in the apartment?

Accepted Answer

In the U.S., the soundproofing of properties here is generally poorer than in the domestic market, but on average, off-campus apartments generally offer better soundproofing than on-campus dorms. If you rent a studio or 1B1B, the soundproofing will be better; lower floors tend to be noisier while higher floors are quieter. If neighbors or roommates create excessive noise affecting your rest, you can report to the apartment front desk for assistance in communication.

Question 20

Why is it free to book through Jihj?

Accepted Answer

Renting through Jihj costs the same as finding an apartment on your own. The vast majority of apartments are willing to cooperate with rental platforms and specify that the apartment covers the commission, ensuring consistent rent regardless of the channel. Therefore, Jihj does not charge any fees to tenants and provides full assistance with the booking process for free, helping to avoid and resolve potential mistakes or inconveniences, reducing risk and saving time, as well as providing necessary reminders before move-in; your rent, security deposits, and other fees are directly paid to the apartment under the signed contract with the apartment. Additionally, Jihj offers cash back to students from the commission.

Question 21

Will there be any fees for booking through the Jihj apartment platform?

Accepted Answer

There are no fees for booking through Jihj; the contract is signed directly with the apartment, and all fees are paid directly to the apartment. Jihj consultants will assist you with the booking process and accumulate additional cash back for the discounts provided by the apartment.

Question 22

How often is the rent paid?

Accepted Answer

The rent for the apartment is paid monthly, and the rent must be paid before the 1st of each month for the next month's rent.

Question 23

How do I pay the rent?

Accepted Answer

You can pay through the apartment's online resident account, supporting Visa or MasterCard, or pay cash checks or money orders to the apartment.

Question 24

Can rent be paid by transfer or cash?

Accepted Answer

Hello, this is not feasible; U.S. apartments do not accept cash payments and do not support wire transfers. The methods of rent payment are as follows: Rent payments can be made using checks, such as cash checks or money orders, submitted to the apartment office or mailed; please indicate the tenant's name and room number on the check. Cash checks: Must be issued at a U.S. bank counter with an account, with a service fee of about $5-10. Money Order: Can be purchased with cash or debit card at Walmart, Western Union, gas stations/convenience stores, usually limited to $500-1000; over $2000 requires ID or social security number.

Question 25

Does the rent include utilities and internet?

Accepted Answer

The rent includes water, sewer fees, electricity up to $25 per person per month, gas fees, garbage disposal fees, heating up to $25 per month, and cable TV and internet fees.

Question 26

What is renters insurance? Why do I need to purchase renters insurance?

Accepted Answer

In the U.S., many apartments require tenants to purchase renters insurance. This is because if an accident occurs during residency, such as water leaks damaging floors or carpets, or moving or collision causing wall damage, renters insurance can compensate you for claims against the apartment or management company. Specific requirements depend on the apartment. Most insurance can be paid monthly or annually, and the cost of renters insurance is relatively cheap, averaging about $10-20 per month, varying with your coverage, location, and options.

Question 27

Does the apartment have parking? Is it indoor or outdoor? What are the fees?

Accepted Answer

Parking fees: Covered garage parking is $99 per month, semi-open parking is $69 per month, and uncovered parking is $49 per month.

Question 28

What fees are required to apply for the apartment?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to the fee details on the apartment's information page.

Question 29

My lease is less than a year, I rented for 11.5 months, why did I pay rent 12 times?

Accepted Answer

The fees for student apartments are actually based on your actual lease period (such as 11.5 months). For convenience in calculation and management, the total contract amount is divided into 12 installments for monthly payments. In this case, whether in the lease or in the website description, it is usually not referred to as rent, but as a 12 month installment. To facilitate management, the rent must be paid on the 1st of each month or in advance; late payments may incur additional fees, as specified in the contract.

Question 30

Is it allowed to have pets in the apartment? What are the fees?

Accepted Answer

Pets are allowed; the pet management fee is $150 per pet per year (non-refundable one-time fee), and the pet rent is $30 per pet per month; each tenant is allowed to have only one pet, and the pet's weight must not exceed 50 pounds.

Question 31

What is the application fee for the apartment?

Accepted Answer

The application fee is charged by the apartment for reviewing the applicant's submitted materials, and all applicants must pay this fee; note that this fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is successful or not. The apartment will only officially process the application after the application fee has been submitted.

Question 32

What is the difference between application fee and holding fee?

Accepted Answer

The application fee is charged by the US apartments to review the applicant's materials and background; the application will only be formally accepted after payment, and this fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The holding fee is the cost for the apartment to temporarily reserve housing for the applicant while reviewing their background information for compliance; this is usually paid together with the application fee, and if the requirements are not met, it is also non-refundable, and will later be counted as part of the deposit.

Question 33

How is the deposit refunded?

Accepted Answer

The deposit is generally refunded to the tenant in the form of a check after the apartment checks the tenant's room at the end of the rental period, provided there are no issues.

Question 34

Can the deposit be used to offset the rent?

Accepted Answer

Hello, the deposit cannot be used to offset the rent. The rental deposit will be checked by the apartment for any damages or lost furniture/appliances after the rental period ends. A cleaning fee will typically be charged based on the cleanliness of the room. If all areas are found to be in order, a move-out statement will be issued, and the remaining deposit will be returned to the tenant.

Question 35

Is rent calculated from the day of moving in?

Accepted Answer

Student apartments are generally calculated on an annual rental basis, with rent divided into 12 installments stated in the contract, with the first month's rent typically paid before moving in, and then paid on the 1st of each month until the rental period ends. Therefore, regardless of when the rental period starts, the first month must be paid in full. Social-type apartments calculate rent from the lease start date on the contract, with the first month's rent mostly paid before moving in, and subsequent payments on the 1st of each month. If the move-in time for the first and last months is less than a month, the rent for that month will be calculated on a daily basis. The apartment you are currently browsing is a student apartment.

Question 36

What does convenience fee mean when paying rent with a credit card?

Accepted Answer

Convenience fee refers to the service charge for credit card payments. International card organizations, such as Visa or MasterCard, charge the issuing bank international transaction fees, with each transaction fees ranging from 1% to 1.5%. Although the fee is charged to the bank, it is ultimately borne by the cardholder; the handling fees or exchange fees of various banks typically range from 1% to 2%, depending on the bank. It is recommended to use a US debit card to pay rent, as the processing fees will be lower.

Question 37

What should I do if the payment for rent shows a failure?

Accepted Answer

If the online payment for rent fails, it is usually due to the bank's payment limit, it is recommended to pay in multiple installments, switch cards for payment, or contact the bank to understand the reason.

Question 38

Can parking fees be paid after moving in?

Accepted Answer

If you need a parking space, you can go to the apartment front desk after moving in to handle it and pay the parking fee; if a parking space is not needed, then there is no need to pay any parking fees.

Question 39

Can I be assigned to live with a specified roommate?

Accepted Answer

This apartment is a student apartment, which can be rented by bed or individual rooms, and each tenant's contract is an independent lease; tenants are only responsible for their lease; the assignment of student apartments is random, and you can choose the desired apartment type when booking; the apartment will conduct uniform dispatch before moving in, arranging the rooms for residents, and many tenants will only know the specific room number information during check-in. Therefore, if you have a roommate, you can inform the consultant when booking, and they will try to communicate with the apartment for accommodation. However, the apartment cannot guarantee such requests. If you do not have a roommate, the apartment will match you with one, typically based on living habits and gender, and the roommate matching table usually does not inquire about nationality and race to avoid any discrimination issues.

Question 40

Can I choose my room? When can I know the room number?

Accepted Answer

In student apartments, rooms are assigned randomly; when booking, you can choose the desired apartment type; the apartment will uniformly arrange units and rooms for each resident, with many tenants only knowing their specific room number information during the check-in process.

Question 41

Can I specify the floor and orientation?

Accepted Answer

In student apartments, rooms are assigned randomly, but personal preferences (such as floor preferences, sunny room preferences, roommate preferences, etc.) can be noted when applying; the apartment will prioritize requests if there are sufficient rooms, but cannot guarantee they will be met.

Question 42

Can boys and girls live together?

Accepted Answer

If a complete unit is rented, then boys and girls can mix; however, if renting a single bed or room, the apartment will generally arrange for same-gender occupancy unless specific requests are made.

Question 43

Is the rent I fill in the application form the final rent?

Accepted Answer

Hello, the rent for the property is based on the rent at the time the contract is signed. After submitting the application form, the apartment will review the tenant's background information for accuracy before signing the contract; the rent is determined by the contract signed at that time. It's advised that students sign the contract as soon as it's issued to avoid losses from potential price increases by the apartment.

Question 44

What is the booking process?

Accepted Answer

The booking process is as follows: (Note: All fees are paid directly to the apartment, contracts are signed directly with the apartment, and Jihome does not charge any fees) [Step 1] Find the apartment type you want to apply for in the Jihome app, click [Apply Now], and fill out the application form. A consultant will contact you to assist with booking. [Step 2] Pay the application fee (the fee for the apartment to review tenant background); some apartments may require a holding fee, please refer to the fee detail section; after payment, the apartment will start processing the application, and the application fee is non-refundable regardless of the result. [Step 3] The apartment reviews the documents, and after approval, they will send the contract. [Step 4] Sign the contract. [Step 5] Pay the deposit to the apartment. [Step 6] Before moving in, buy rental insurance and pay the first month's rent. (International students without a social security number usually need to pay two months' rent as a deposit, which can be refunded after the apartment checks that the room meets the standards upon lease termination.)

Question 45

What is the difference between booking through your platform and self-booking?

Accepted Answer

The cost of renting through the Jihome platform is the same as finding an apartment yourself. Most apartments are willing to cooperate with rental platforms and stipulate that the commission is borne by the apartments, ensuring that the rental price is the same regardless of the channel. Therefore, for apartments that cooperate with Jihome, they do not charge tenants any fees, providing booking services for free to avoid and resolve potential issues in the process, saving time, and providing necessary move-in reminders; you pay your rent, deposit, and other fees directly to the apartment and sign contracts directly with them. Additionally, Jihome will give a part of the commission back to the students.

Question 46

Are the rental start date and rental period fixed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this apartment is a student apartment, and the rental start time and rental period are fixed.

Question 47

What does individual lease mean?

Accepted Answer

Student apartments can be rented by bed or individual rooms, meaning each resident signs a personal lease contract, and each person is only responsible for their rented room or bed. If a roommate moves out during the lease, you won't have to bear their costs.

Question 48

What application materials need to be submitted?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Click [Apply Now] on the apartment type you wish to apply for; Step 2: Upload your passport and I20.

Question 49

Can undergraduate freshmen move into the apartments?

Accepted Answer

According to school requirements, undergraduate freshmen at UIUC are required to live in student dormitories URH (University Residential Housing) or PCH (Privately Certified Housing); meanwhile, transfer students from the second year and above, as well as graduate students, can choose to rent off-campus (specific regulations are subject to school requirements).

Question 50

Can I move in early?

Accepted Answer

Generally, American apartments do not allow early move-ins because the previous tenant has not moved out yet, or the apartment needs to be cleaned after the previous tenant vacates.

Question 51

What should I bring to the new apartment?

Accepted Answer

Although the apartment provides necessary furniture and appliances, there are still some items not included. It is recommended that tenants prepare the following items: Public areas: electronic products and corresponding cables/chargers, trash cans, trash bags, cooking utensils, plates, cups, cutlery, and coffee makers. Cleaning/disinfecting supplies, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, etc. Bedroom: bed sheets, quilts, pillows, towels, toiletries, shower hooks, shower curtains, trash cans, and any items that make you feel at home.

Question 52

What time can I check in after I arrive? How do I do that?

Accepted Answer

Generally, you can only check in during the apartment's working hours. Early or late check-in needs to be arranged in advance with the apartment, and typically American apartments cannot check in before the start date. Documents needed for check-in include: Passport, electronic version of the rental contract, and electronic version of rental insurance.

Question 53

When can I check in?

Accepted Answer

You can check in on the day the lease starts. If you arrive outside office hours, it’s best to notify the apartment via email in advance to arrange for check-in. The apartment management office has specified operating hours (Apartment operating hours are: Resident service hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am-7 pm; Saturday 12 pm-5 pm; Sunday 12 pm-5 pm). If you arrive after office hours, you will need to wait until the next day to check in. Additionally, some apartments do not operate on weekends; it is recommended that students arrange flights and schedules accordingly based on the apartment's operating hours. Please note, the apartment is not a hotel, and if you arrive after office hours, please arrange temporary accommodation in advance.

Question 54

If I cannot arrive at the apartment by the start time specified in the contract, can I check in a few days late?

Accepted Answer

You can check in a few days late, but it is recommended to inform the apartment in advance about the reason for the late arrival and the expected check-in time. Rent still needs to be paid normally according to the contract specifications.

Question 55

Is open flame allowed for cooking in the apartment?

Accepted Answer

For safety reasons, open flame is generally not allowed in American apartments, but normal cooking is permitted.

Question 56

Do I need to clean the room myself after moving in?

Accepted Answer

Yes, after moving in, the tenant is responsible for cleaning the room.

Question 57

Can I change rooms after moving in?

Accepted Answer

As long as it is confirmed with the apartment that there are available rooms, it is usually negotiable to change rooms. The apartment will charge a certain fee for the room change, and specific situations need to be confirmed and negotiated with the apartment.

Question 58

What are the consequences if I move out voluntarily before the lease ends?

Accepted Answer

You can move out before the lease expires, but you will still need to pay the remaining months' rent specified in the lease, or sublease the room for someone else to pay rent; otherwise, it will be considered a breach of contract. Please note: Breach of contract may mean losing the deposit, and the apartment has the right to pursue all remaining rents, which will negatively impact your personal credit record, and some apartments may even report the situation to immigration authorities. If you refuse to pay rent, the apartment may take legal measures.

Question 59

I have applied for and signed the lease, but I want to cancel. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

In the U.S., the content and signature of a contract are very important. Once you sign a lease, you must comply with all the terms. If you cannot move in, it is advised to sublease the room to someone else. Otherwise, it will be considered a breach of contract. Please note: Breach of contract may mean losing the deposit, and the apartment has the right to pursue all remaining rents, which will severely impact your personal credit. Some apartments may even report this situation to immigration authorities. Refusing to pay rent may lead to legal action by the apartment.

Question 60

Does the apartment allow friends to stay over?

Accepted Answer

A short stay of a few days is allowed.

Question 61

How to operate if I want to end the contract early after moving in?

Accepted Answer

If you are already living there and wish to return home early, you need to sublease the contract. You can post subleasing information on the app to find a tenant. Until you find a tenant, the contract remains in your name, and you are required to pay rent normally. Once the tenant completes the subleasing procedures, you will no longer bear any financial responsibilities, and subsequent rents will be paid directly to the apartment by the tenant.

Question 62

As the rental period is about to expire, what should I do to handle the lease termination procedures?

Accepted Answer

At the end of the rental period, if you choose not to renew the lease, you must inform the apartment 60-90 days in advance. If not notified, the apartment may automatically renew the lease. Specific regulations will depend on the lease and the apartment's interpretation.

Question 63

I signed a 12-month lease. Can I sublease?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the apartment typically has formal subleasing terms. After completing the formal subleasing procedures, you will no longer bear financial responsibility for the property. The subleasing process in American apartments is as follows: Step 1: Post subleasing information on the app to find a tenant; Step 2: Inform the consultant of the subleasing object, and they will help with the subleasing procedures; Step 3: The apartment will charge a subleasing fee; Step 4: The tenant will handle the rental procedures normally, and upon successful signing, the subleasing will be complete.

Question 64

What should I pay attention to when handling the lease termination procedures at the end of the rental period?

Accepted Answer

When vacating, you need to restore the apartment to its original condition upon moving in, including cleaning the apartment, leaving no personal belongings or garbage, and ensuring the apartment facilities are intact. You need to fill out a move-out checklist and check with the apartment staff to ensure the areas that need cleaning meet the standards for a full refund of the deposit. Don't forget to provide the correct check payee and mailing address to the apartment.

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