The Commons FAQs 
Frequently Asked Questions 
 

HOW TO APPLY
Q.           What do I have to do to apply for an apartment? 
A.            Our process is simple!  Either click “Apply” on our binding and you will not be released from obligations.  
2.  You will need to pay a $50 application fee for processing.  
3.  You will need to pay your security deposit at the time of applying which is $600 per person.  

If you are a RENEWING resident (already living here) you do NOT have to pay a new application fee or deposit, as long as you sign your new lease before the lease end date of the current year. If the deposit has increased, you will be required to pay the balance of the old deposit and the new deposit unless otherwise stated. We will simply transfer your deposit to your new account, and the application, application fee, and guarantor form will transfer from year to year as well, and any move-out charges will be added to your portal instead.
 
                WEBSITE URL: www.thecommonsofscranton.com 
 
Q.          What room options do I have? 
A.          You can choose either a shared bedroom in a shared apartment or a private bedroom in a shared apartment. It is more expensive to have a private room, and these are not guaranteed to be available. Once your lease is sent and signed by all parties, your room choice is then locked-in and contracted. 
 
We do not take requests on specific apartments, floors, or apartment styles. We have two buildings – Chestnut and Walnut. Some apartments in them are 3 bedrooms and some are 4 bedrooms. All students are matched into their apartments on a first-come, first-served basis. We generally will have to waitlist "private" bedroom requests many months before the lease start date.

For 2024 Leases, Private Rooms will likely be placed on a waitlist on 11/1/2023.

If you would like to be on the waitlist for a private bedroom, it is imperative that you let us know immediately. You would still choose the "private room" option on the application, as this indicates your REQUEST. This does NOT indicate that you are being GRANTED a private room. The only option to join the waitlist is to sign a lease for a shared room with a "Private Room Waitlist Addendum," and to be placed on the waitlist for a single.

When signing up for a shared room while on the private room waitlist, you must be prepared to live in a shared room at the shared rate. You must also agree to take a private room at the private room rate if one becomes available to you. Per the Private Room Waitlist Addendum, if a private room becomes available and you are next on the list, it will immediately be granted, and your rental rate will be increased to the private rental rate amount.  Please know that due to the timing of many incoming applications, it is most common that private rooms are not awarded until move-in day or possibly even later.
 
Q.           What needs completed for me to be able to move in? 
A.           ALL OF THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW ARE REQUIRED TO BE HANDLED BEFORE MOVE-IN DAY, AND KEYS WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO ANYONE WHO IS MISSING ANY ITEMS. UPON COMPLETING AN APPLICATION, WE WILL EMAIL YOU THE INSTRUCTIONS, FORMS TO COMPLETE, AND DUE DATES FOR THESE ITEMS.  

1. You must have a completed Online Application with the Security Deposit ($600) and Application Fee ($50) paid in full
   These fees are part of the application and the application will not be considered “complete” until they are paid online. The Security Deposit IS refundable and will be returned to the resident via check within 30 days after move out.
    
2. A lease and all required addenda will need to be signed. This will be emailed to you via Docusign for electronic signature and can be signed online once the application is complete.
    
3. A parent or guardian will need to be added to your application and also sign a guarantor form. This is required for all residents and will be emailed to you upon completing your application. This can be signed, scanned, and emailed back to us. If any information on the guarantor form is incomplete, it will not be accepted.
    
4. Proof of Rental Insurance must be sent (explained in further detail below)
    
5. The first month’s rent and the first semester utility fee are both due prior to receiving keys to the apartment, and before the due date that we will email to you. This is generally approximately 2 weeks before move-in day.
    
6. On move-in day, you will receive additional forms to sign stating that you are taking possession of a specific apartment and notating any changes or other items of importance.
   
   It is important that you do not wait until move-in day to handle these items, as it is a busy day and we cannot guarantee accommodations or the ability to give keys on this day if all items are not complete by the due date given. 

Q.           Can I choose my roommates? 
A.            Yes.  If you are moving in and have someone else who wants to live with you, please have them apply online at the same time and be sure to send us an email immediately with your roommate preference. Roommate requests are not 12-month lease; this way you don’t have to worry about finding a sub-let or paying for renting in the summer if you would like to return home. Although, if you would like to stay through the summer to take classes or for any reason at all, we will allow it and even at a discounted rate!             
  
PAYMENTS 
Q.           When is rent due? / What is the payment structure? 
A.            Rent is due by the 1st day of each month. We collect the rent in 10 equal monthly installments to make it more manageable. For example, if your lease is for the amount of $6000.00 for a school year, you will pay 10 equal payments of $600.00. Rent is not pro-rated.  Understand that our leases are installment leases therefore you will pay 10 full equal monthly installment payments, or you can pay in full per year or semester. 
  
Q. What if I forget to pay my rent? 
A. We do give you a grace period to pay by the 5th of each month without late charges.  However, if rent is received after the 5th, your account is charged an automatic late fee until it is paid in full. 
  
Q. What is a Utility Fee and why/when do I pay this? 
A. The utility fee is to cover ALL utilities such as your heat, central air (if available), cable, internet, electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, snow removal, security systems, and lawn maintenance.  This fee is paid two times per name to put certain bills in. This alleviates late monthly payments that could harm your credit rating. We want you to focus on being a student! 
 
THE UTILITY FEE IS $895.00 PER PERSON, PER SEMESTER. THIS INCLUDES YOUR PARKING (WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY A SEPARATE CHARGE), IF NEEDED. THERE IS NO DISCOUNT IF YOU DO NOT NEED PARKING.  
 
For those that would like a parking spot and/or parking pass, we require that a parking form be completed with your lease.
  
Q. What about Insurance? 
A. We REQUIRE that ALL tenants have rental insurance. This is for your protection! And luckily, it very affordable! 
 
We require that proof of renter's insurance be provided to the office prior to move in day. The details of the due date of this proof of coverage will be emailed to you over the summer, before your lease start date. 

Why buy renter’s insurance? 
Your landlord’s property insurance won’t help you if disaster strikes. It covers the structure, but not any of your things. Renters insurance covers your belongings from all the possible bad events that are listed in the policy, such as fire, smoke, water damage, windstorms, lightning, theft and even vandalism. Even if you don’t think your stuff is worth that much, renter’s insurance is a good idea. The cost of replacing just a basic wardrobe and only a few pieces of furniture renters insurance coverage you need before you buy. Purchase enough insurance to replace all of your belongings, plus consider the added options that allow you to get the above coverages. We require a minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage with ourselves listed as an additional insured. We do offer an option to easily purchase this through your resident portal. Additional details will be found in your lease.

 
Q.           How can I pay my rent? 
A.            We have a quick and easy process online.  When you apply for an apartment with us, you automatically have a “Resident Portal”.  This portal is extremely helpful!  From here, you can pay rent, look at your lease agreement and request maintenance all at one time!   When you submit a payment online, there is a $1.95 processing fee for online payments made with a bank account. Credit card companies charge various fees as well.  

                We only accept online payments with a credit card, debit card, check, e-check (bank account number). 

Note: Based on company discretion or non-payment, we reserve the right to require payments via certified funds only
  
Q.           Can I pay the entire semester at once? 
A.            You absolutely can do this.  However, we like to try and lessen the burden and split the rent into 10 monthly installment payments.  
 
Q.           Can I use financial aid to pay for my housing? 
A.            Yes, you can use financial aid to assist in paying for housing.  HOWEVER, there are a few rules that we need to abide by because typically loan payments are not paid out until AFTER you are required to pay your rent.  You must clearly communicate to our office that you are waiting on your student Due)  If you have not paid your rent by the 14th of the month our office starts the procedures for filing a complaint with the local Magistrates office.  At the time we drop off paperwork to the Magistrates office for non-payment, we must pay a court fee to do so.  In exchange, we do charge YOU the court fees and you are responsible for the court fees once the paperwork has been filed.  You will then receive notification from the Magistrates office giving you a date and time for your court hearing.  It is highly recommended that you attend the hearing, so you fully understand what will potentially happen if you do not pay the rent. 
  
  
COMMUNITY 
Q.           Are there RA’s or Live-In staff? 
A. We generally have on-site staff who live here as well. Additionally, the office is open daily for phone calls and visits (by appointment) from 8AM - 4PM excluding weekends and holidays. 
 
Q.           What sort of events do you do for the residents? 
A.            We try to host approximately one event per month for our resident-guests. 
          Here are some examples of things that we have offered: