Looking Glass Apartments in Gainesville -- Frequently Asked Questions about our Gainesville Apartments

Looking Glass Apartments - University of Florida

111 NW 16th Street #A1, Gainesville, FL 32603 - (352) 376-1111
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Looking Glass Apartments Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical up-front fees paid when signing a lease?
What are the typical monthly fees I will have to pay?
What do I need to do before I move in?
Can you provide window and room measurements so I can buy drapes and furniture before I arrive?
Can I move in early?
Any ideas on where I might be able to rent furniture for my apartment?
What about my high speed internet connection? Is it free?
How do I activate my security system?
Is my monitored alarm system operational when I move in?
What happens on move-in day?
Does Looking Glass have a freight elevator?
Where can we park to move into our apartment?
What about parking at Looking Glass after I move in?
Can I get another parking decal?
What do I need to know about parking on the street?
How do I get a City of Gainesville parking decal?
How and when do I get reimbursed?
What about pest control?
How do I place a service request?
What if my service request is not completed to my satisfaction?
What if I am locked out of my apartment?
What if I have an emergency after hours?
How should I prepare to move out?
What happens on move-out day?
Can I e-mail the apartment manager?
What should I do to sub-lease my apartment?

What are the typical upfront fees paid when signing a lease?

Typical Total Due at Lease Signing

Security Deposit	$800
Administration Fee (non-refundable)	$350
Total	$1150

Estimated Total Expenditure per Month per Resident

Electric & Water	$40
Phone (optional)	$10
Cable TV (optional)	$20
High Speed Internet*	FREE
Extra Parking Pass (optional)	$15
Total	Approx. $85

Actual costs could be higher or lower.
Total expenditure estimates based on sharing by 2 residents.
*Some restrictions apply

You must arrange for electric and water utilities to be turned on before we can allow you to move in; however, telephone and cable service may be started later at your option. Electric and water service is obtained form Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), located at 301 SE 4th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida, (352) 334-3434.

Bring proof that your utilities have been turned on when you check in.

Well prior to move in day, make sure you have paid your security deposit and completed all lease documents including the parental guarantee.

Be prepared to pay your August half month's rent at check in time.

You may check in after 12 noon on the first day of your lease - not before. Check in during regular business hours please.

Certainly, although please don't hold us responsible if something you buy based on these measurements doesn't fit or match.

Our bay windows are between 59" and 60" long. Small bay windows are between 22-35" wide depending on room and floor plan, large bay windows are between 46"-60" wide.

To get approximate measurements for furniture, please see our floorplans by clicking here.

No, we are sorry to say. Apartments are always being painted and cleaned right up to the last minute before the noon move in time, and we are unable to accommodate an early move.

Sure, here is a list of local furniture rental places that might help to get you started.

Yes, it is free. Each bedroom has its own high speed ethernet jack that accesses the internet. Some restrictions apply to use of the service. For example, applications that utilize too much broadband are prohibited, and each tenant is required to maintain his or her own computer, maintain virus protection, install operating system updates, and provide firewall protection. See our use agreement and operating policy.

Fill out two forms required by Crime Prevention Security Systems, which are included in your move in packet or provided at your request. You are the subscriber and the monthly payment for monitoring your alarm system is paid for by you. Your system should be operational within seven to ten days. Crime Prevention can be contacted at 332-6100. You must have a land line to use this service.

You must complete the contact information provided by Crime Prevention Security Systems to ensure your alarm is activated at the time you take possession of the apartment. Please call the Looking Glass Apartment's office at 352-376-1111 after July 17th for alarm activation information and your apartment assignment for a mid August move-in. Normally Crime Prevention Security Systems, 332-6100, takes seven to ten days after they receive your information to activate an alarm system. You must have a land line to use this service.

Come to the Looking Glass office after 12:00 noon on move in day.

You pay the August half month's rent and provide any additional information.

You receive your keys and the move-in information package. You may then begin to move in to your apartment.

On move in day, we will be processing approximately 50 to 60 of your neighbors between 12 noon and 3 p.m. If you would like to avoid congestion and a possible wait, plan to move in somewhat later.

The information package includes the application for the monitored security system, an application for an on-site parking decal, information on how to get a city parking decal, and other important and valuable information. Examine and read the contents of the packet as soon as possible.

No. Sorry.

You may park anywhere you can find space - in the lot or on the street. There will be a moratorium on towing at the Looking Glass on-site parking lots between August 14th through August 21st. In addition the City of Gainesville also has a moratorium on towing or ticketing on street parking until after classes start. As soon as you have unloaded your truck, please move it off the property so that others can move in.

Each apartment is entitled to purchase one decal for parking in any Looking Glass parking lot. Both residents of a single apartment can register their respective cars on the application for the on-site parking decal, but only one party can use the decal at any one time. On site parking decals are issued and renewed every August, and everyone must have a new tag hanging from the rear view mirror by the first day of classes to avoid being towed. The towing company cannot identify you as a Looking Glass resident without a visible, current decal, and they will, indeed, tow a car that lacks a resident tag.

If, for example, both residents in a two bedroom apartment have cars and want to park in the Looking Glass parking lot, we may have a limited number of additional parking decals available to purchase on a first come, first served basis. Please ask the property manager for the current availability of extra parking decals.

Street parking is available for those who do not use the Looking Glass on site lots. Residents, friends, and guests may use street parking except on Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00PM. During those times, a vehicle must display a City of Gainesville parking decal or risk receiving a parking citation. The City of Gainesville provides a grace period during which they do not ticket legally parked cars during the Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00PM time period; however, the specific dates of this moratorium vary from year to year. The grace period ending date can be obtained from the City of Gainesville at 352-334-5074.

City of Gainesville parking decals can be purchased at the Thomas Center lobby, 306 NE 6th Avenue. You can generally purchase your decal anytime after August 15. You will be required to provide your driver's license and current vehicle registration, and you should know the street address of the building in which you reside. The name on the license must be the same name as that on a list of tenants that Looking Glass provides to the City. If the vehicle registration is not in the applicant's name or in the name of an applicant's parent with the same last name, a notarized letter from the vehicle's owner must be provided authorizing the use of the vehicle and stating the relationship of owner to applicant. Owner must be a family member (mother/stepmother, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandparent, or grandchild).

As of fall 2006, city street parking decals cost $15.00, and Looking Glass will reimburse you for one decal with a copy of your receipt. You are required to turn in your receipt by September 30th in order to receive reimbursement, and the reimbursement check can be picked up at the Looking Glass office after October 15th.

Generally, on the first Thursday of each month, our pest control service will treat Looking Glass Apartments. If you have a pest problem during the month you may contact the Looking Glass office during normal business hours. Alternatively, leave a recorded message on the phone recorder, fax your request, or e-mail an explanation of the problem to us.

The most common way to place a service request is to phone the office at 376-1111. If you prefer, you may also e-mail the apartment manager via the contact button on this website. The apartment manager checks his/her e-mail daily. Of course, if it is convenient, feel free to come by the office to make your request. Please be specific regarding the problem and location within the apartment.

Please feel free to discuss any aspect of Looking Glass with our maintenance people when you encounter them on the apartment grounds. However, if you want to be certain that a specific service request is processed, it must be made through the office.

If you feel a service request has not been properly resolved, contact the office.

If you are locked out after normal business hours, call (352) 275-7522 . There is a $25.00 charge for after hours lockout service payable when you are let into your apartment.

Call the emergency service number at (352) 275-7522 . You will be asked to enter a phone number at which you can be reached. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

You will be given a copy of the move-out procedures shortly before the end of your lease. You may also refer to the Move-Out Addendum to your lease. Remember you are responsible to leave your apartment in rent ready condition.

Be certain that your apartment is in ready to rent condition.

Release possession of your apartment by returning all sets of keys and your parking decal to the office prior to 12:00 noon on move out day. At that time, leave a forwarding address to which we can send your security deposit.

Feel free to e-mail the apartment manager using the “contact us” button on this website. The manager checks his/her e-mail daily.

There are two actions you should take if you wish to sub-lease your apartment. First of all you should advertise in order to locate sub-leasees. In addition, you should place the relevant sub-lease information on the Looking Glass office sublease book so the apartment manager can refer potential sub-leasees who call or come by.

When you have identified the sub-leasees, come to the office to complete the sublet addendum form. Joint and several leases generally require all current roommates to agree to the sublet. An administrative fee will be required when the sublet is completed. Remember it is the residents' responsibility to request a sublease in writing and to supply the new sub-leasees. If management approves the sublease, the new party will be added to the lease.