As a student at UGA, I understand how difficult it can feel to budget for Athens apartments. For many students, cost is a huge factor that heavily influences where you sign a lease.
At Rambler, we know that sometimes there are additional costs at play when signing a lease that are easily overlooked. On top of the base rental rate, there are a handful of additional fees that you can expect to pay when signing a lease and moving into your new apartment.
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To help you know what to expect when it comes time to secure an apartment, we’ve put together a list of the different one-time fees and recurring fees you should expect to pay, why you have to pay them, and when you have to pay them when you sign a lease at Rambler.
@ramblerathens Here are a few fees you can expect to be paying as part of your lease!🌾 One-time fee up-front: 1. Application fee One-time fees at move-in: 1. Admin fee 2. Security deposit 3. Utility set up see 4. Pet deposit (optional) Recurring fees: 1. Rent 2. Utilities 3. Parking 4. Pets #uga #godawgs #uga25 #uga26 ♬ original sound – Rambler
One-time Fees
When you sign a lease, there are a few fees you will need to pay one time before moving in. Some of these will be due upfront when you apply for your apartment, and some will be due upon move-in.
Up-Front Fees
The only up-front fee that you will incur when you apply to live at Rambler is the application fee.
1. Application Fee
The application fee is due upon submission of your application. Completing an application is the first step in becoming a resident at Rambler and is required. This non-refundable fee is $50 and covers the background checks we’re required to run for future residents and selected guarantors in order to approve your application.
Fees to be Paid at Move-In
Aside from the application fee, there are a few fees that are due before you move into Rambler. These will be available to pay as soon as you sign your lease, but aren’t due until move-in. These fees include:
- Admin Fee
- Security Deposit
- Utility Set Up Fee
- Pet Deposit (optional)
If you’re not bringing a pet with you, these fees will be $360 total. If you are, you’ll need to pay a pet deposit which will bring the total due at move-in to $660.
1. Admin Fee
The admin fee is a one-time, non-refundable $200 charge that covers the service fee for administration, billing, bill auditing, overhead and similar expenses for the property.
2. Security Deposit
The security deposit, like the admin fee, will be available upon signing your lease but isn’t due until move-in. This fee is $100 and refundable after you move out, as long as there are no damages to your unit beyond typical wear-and-tear.
3. Utility Set Up Fee
The utility setup fee, like the last two costs, won’t be due until move-in. This $60 fee is billed by Conservice so you don’t have to set up your own utilities. At Rambler, utility setup is taken care of for you!
4. Pet Deposit
If you choose to have a pet at Rambler, you will pay the $300 non-refundable pet deposit before or upon move-in.
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Recurring Fees
Recurring fees are the expenses that you’ll be responsible for on a monthly basis while you live at Rambler. Your recurring monthly fees will include:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Parking (optional)
- Pet Rent (optional)
Rent
All residents are charged a monthly rent, which is determined by your floor plan and is usually the largest monthly cost of any apartment. With the wide variety of floor plan options, you’re sure to find something that fits your price range. Rent will be due on the 1st of each month and will have 12 recurring installments, unless you choose to renew your lease for another year at Rambler.
Utilities
Electricity and water are sub-metered and will be billed monthly via Conservice. There is also a trash fee of $5 that will be added onto rent each month.
Parking
If you choose to bring your car with you to Athens, you can purchase a standard or reserved parking pass at Rambler’s private, controlled-access garage for an additional monthly cost. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For additional parking options in Athens, check out our Ultimate Guide to Parking near The University of Georgia.
Pets
If you decide to bring your furry friend to campus, you’ll pay $25 per month in pet rent. Keep in mind that you’ll also be responsible for the $300 non-refundable pet deposit, which is due upon move-in.
We hope this article helped you understand and budget accordingly for the fees you should expect to pay at Rambler.
If you have any more questions about fees, expenses, or living at Rambler, contact the Rambler leasing team who is happy to answer any questions for you!
*All listed rates current as of July 6, 2023. All rates are subject to change.
