Westgate FAQs - Westgate Apartments in Champaign IL

General FAQs

Apartment Showing Appointments

To view an apartment, prospective residents may schedule an appointment by calling our office at 217-359-5330 or emailing us at Leasing at Westgateapts.net. Westgate shows apartments from 9 AM – 5:30 PM Monday-Friday.

Lease Applications: The fee is $40.00 and can be submitted online at Westgateapts.net or at our office.

Call today to set up your personal viewing at 217-359-5330.

What do I need to know when moving in?

You will pick up your keys and move-in packet at our office from 9 AM – 5:30 PM. If all fees have been pre-paid and proof of utilities turned on in your name, you can pick up your move-in items from our gatehouse after 5:30. The security deposit and pro-rated first months rent is due at key pick up. You may pay your rent with checks or money orders, or online with e-checks or credit/debit cards (fees may apply). Prior to moving in, you will want to ensure that you call to set up your utilities. Please call the utility companies at least one week prior to move in. Trash, water and sewer are provided by Westgate Apartments.

Electric & Gas

Ameren Illinois: 800-755-5000

Cable

Comcast: 800-266-2278 or 1-866-594-1234
ATT: 800-288-7057

Internet

Comcast: 800-266-2278
AT&T Uverse: 800-288-2020

United States Post office

Vehicle Towing

Reynolds Towing: 217-337-0913

What do I need to know when moving out?

We hope you have enjoyed your stay here at Westgate. We hope that you will think of us again in the future should your housing need change.

It is crucial you have your apartment repaired/cleaned and your keys turned in on time in order to avoid additional fees. If you move out early, you may turn in your keys at that time (you are still responsible for rent and utility payments through the end of your lease agreement). On the day your lease expires, you must be moved out and have all keys turned in to the Office or Gatehouse no later than 12 PM.

You can schedule the final walkthrough ahead of your move out if you would prefer to be there. Appointments for inspection are made by calling the Westgate Leasing Office at least 24 hours in advance. They can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Keys, Laundry Card’s, Car Tags, and Pool Tags are to be returned to the Westgate Office at time of the move out.

Replacement Locks: $35
Replacement Keys: $5

There will also be a $5.00 charge for each item(laundry card, car tag, and pool tags) that are not returned at the time of vacating.

Make sure you check your mailbox one last time before you leave, Also, supply a correct forwarding address with the post office! We recommend putting your forwarding request in two weeks ahead of your movement. Once you move out we do not have access to the mailboxes.

Can I move in earlier than what it says in my Lease? What if I pay extra?

The only guaranteed date for move in is the one that is stated in the Lease. It is highly recommended that you plan accordingly for this date. We have a multitude of properties that we are cleaning and painting during our “turnover” period. In the event that your apartment becomes available before this Lease start date, we will contact the tenant via email and/or by phone. Payment for extra days will not speed up the turnover process. In order to provide you with optimal, clean housing we must be diligent through this turnover process.

Security Deposit Refunds

Your final account and security deposit statement will be mailed to you within 30 days from the day your apartment lease has ended and the property has been vacated by all Lessees.

The security deposit statement will be issued to the person designated on your lease. That person is then responsible for distributing out the deposit to the other people on the lease.

If you have questions or concerns about your final statement and security deposit refund you must contact us in writing. This policy allows us to gather information regarding your questions so that we may review the pictures and checklist with your letter, thoroughly and completely.

Maintenance FAQs

What do I do if some of my outlets or lights are not working?

Every apartment has its own breaker box. In the one bedrooms it is in the pantry closet at the side of the kitchen. In the two bedroom apartments it is in the water heater closet. In the Williamsburg apartments it is in the locked room in the hallway, you will have to give the Office a call or if it is after hours you will need to call the gatehouse.

Once you locate the breaker box, open the cover and notice that it looks like several light switches. Feel each switch to make sure that it’s firmly in on the ON position. Once a breaker is tripped it will feel loose. Flip the switch to the OFF and then ON. This will reset the breaker and power should be restored. If the breaker won’t reset, you probably have too many things plugged into an outlet. If this occurs try unplugging everything from that outlet. If that does not work, please let the Office know.

What do I do if my toilet is overflowing?

If your toilet is overflowing, first shut off the water. The water shut-off valve is located behind the toilet. Turn the valve counter clockwise and you should hear the water stop running. Next insert the plunger in the toilet and begin plunging. You will know that the blockage is clear because the water in the toilet will drain down. To turn the water back on, turn the water shutoff valve clockwise. Let water in the tank fill up and flush.

If the problem persists, repeat the instructions above. Sometimes it takes a few tries to clear the blockage. If that does not work, please inform the Office or the Gatehouse if it is after hours.

What do I do if my garbage disposal stops working?

If your garbage disposal is not working, first reach below the unit and feel around for the reset button. Push the button to reset the unit. If that doesn’t work, then there may be something jammed in the unit. You need to rotate the unit to free it up. If you cannot easily free the grinder, call the Office.

What is considered an "Emergency" and requires immediate attention?

No heat and the outside temp is lower than 50
No a/c and the outside temp is higher than 85
Clogged toilet after you have repeatedly tried to plunge it
Running water or leak
Lock out
No power
No water or hot water
Broken window or apartment door
Refrigerator, not cooling

If you have an emergency please call: (217) 359-4215

If you have a medical emergency, fire or burglary call 911.

Move-Out Checklist

The following is a checklist to assist you in your move-out efforts. This list gives you the specific items we will be checking when assessing charges. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Apartment Clean-Up Procedures:

Entry

Thoroughly clean (sweep and mop) entry tile floor.

Living Room

Vacuum floor.
Shampooed if excessively dirty.
Clean blinds and windows.
Walls and Baseboards are to be cleaned.

Kitchen - Stove

Thoroughly clean exterior of oven.
Use oven cleaner to clean oven interior. Easy-Off Fume Free is an easy and odorless product that works well. Make sure to clean racks also. You must ensure all oven clean cleaner residue is removed.
Remove oven drawer, clean the drawer and sweep out from underneath the drawer.
Make sure vent hood is cleaned.
Make sure broiler pan is completely clean and placed in the stove drawer. Oven cleaner works well on the broiler pan.
Clean drip pans and under them.
Clean walls, cabinets and floor under and around stove.
You must raise the stove top and cleaned under the burners.
If the stove has been used, cleaning it takes a lot of time to do properly. To make it easier we recommend spraying the stove with oven cleaner the night before and let it set overnight.

Kitchen - Refrigerator

Wash all inside and outside surfaces. If the door handles appear dirty, Ajax is a perfect product for removing the dirt that will not easily wipe off.
Don’t forget the crisper cover and drawers (inside and underneath). If the crisper cover is cracked or broken, it will have to be replaced.
Clean all drawers, compartments and shelves.
Clean the exterior of the refrigerator top, sides and and door.
DO NOT TURN OFF THE REFRIGERATOR!

Kitchen - Cabinets & Countertops

Cabinet interior and drawers should be free of shelf lining, crumbs and dust.
All cabinet doors should be wiped down to remove water spots and food drips or spills.
Wipe off all countertops.
Clean the tops of the cabinets (people often forget items they have stored up there!)

Kitchen - Dishwasher

Thoroughly clean inside and out and around the edges, especially the door. Iron Out is a product that will remove any orange staining you have due to iron in the water.
Clean out any glass or plastic in the bottom of the dishwasher and around the spray arm.

Kitchen - Floor

Sweep the floor to remove all dirt and debris.
If the floors have been cleaned on a regular basis, a disinfecting cleaner should be all you need to mop the floors. DO NOT APPLY ANY TYPE OF FLOOR WAX!

Kitchen - Sink

Kitchen sinks should be scrubbed and free of water spots, stains or soap film. Soft Scrub is a great product to use for this.
Make sure the kitchen faucet is clean, paying special attention to the area around the faucet knobs.
Make sure the garbage disposal is free of all food/objects.

Bathroom

Wash inside and outside of vanity cabinet. Wipe or scrub all drawers and cabinets, and wipe off countertops.
Clean the mirror with Windex or similar product.
Thoroughly scrub all ceramic tile walls above and around the bathtub. Use a product such as Tilex or The Works Bathroom Cleaner to clean the grout as well as the tiles. You may have to clean the tiles around the soap dish several times to get them to shine and be free of soap film. Scour the bottom and sides of the tub with Ajax until all dirt and soap residue is gone. Don’t forget to scour the soap dish and temperature knobs also. When you are done, we suggest drying the walls of the shower as well with a paper towel to ensure that there are no streaks left from your cleaner. Some cleaners will dry and leave a film, which will result in a charge to you and a re-clean by our staff to ensure that it is streak free.
Clean vanity sink including the faucet (sometimes a toothbrush must be used around the knobs to get them completely clean).
Clean toilet bowl and tank. Make sure the exterior of the toilet, lid and bowl are clean, as well as the underneath side of the rim on the bowl. Pay special attention to the toilet base.
Sweep and mop the bathroom floor (please review the advice provided under Kitchen Floor above).

Windows

Wash interiors of all windows with Windex or a similar product.
Wipe down the top (locks) and tracks of all windows. Also, wipe down all windowsills.
Wash blinds as necessary, most are merely dusty and can be easily cleaned with a dry paper towel or vacuum.

Bedrooms

Vacuum floor and wipe down shelving in closets.

Walls

Remove all nails, tacks, and any sticky substances. Any large holes larger then a nail size should be filled in with spackle.

General Items

All mini-blinds must be completely clean and undamaged.
Clean all doors on both sides, including closets. Fingerprints wipe off easily.
Wash/wipe down all closet and pantry shelves.
Thoroughly vacuum all carpeting.
Wash/wipe down all light fixtures to remove dust and bugs.
Clean all fingerprints/grime from walls, doors and light switches.
All light bulbs should be working and must match within the same light fixture.
Do not leave any of your personal belongings or trash in the apartment. Removal by our staff will result in additional charges. Regardless of how small or insignificant the item(s) may be.
Do NOT use bleach of any kind.