Charleston Townes

Be sure that your account reflects a $0 balance.  This includes (per person):

• $330 Routine Systems Maintenance Fee

• $270 Security Deposit

• $30 Key Fee

• 1st Months’ Rent

Remember: If you’re on a joint account, not only does your balance need to be paid in full, but your roommates’ do, too!  Return the Guaranty of Lease to ensure you’re each on an individual account.

Please make payments payable to Matchbox Realty.  Check payments must be mailed to MATCHBOX REALTY, PO BOX 222312, CHANTILLY, VA 20153-2312. We also offer online payment options, including affordable automatic payment options!  Request your secure account number from CharlestonTownes@MatchboxRealty.com.

Rent is due on the 1st/month (you’ll get a different monthly ‘Thank You’ coupon for paying on time!).  Late fees are assessed on the 5 day/month at 5pm.  PLEASE pay on time!  Late fees are 10% of the total monthly rent or $50, whichever is greater.

Water via Harrisonburg Water & Sewer and Electric via Harrisonburg Electric Commission are NOT included in your monthly rent. Utilities must be ON and in your name(s) for the duration of your lease term (this means the commencement/start date of your lease, not the date you choose to move-in, if later).  If you’re a JMU student, you can set-up these services through JMU’s Utility Deposit Assistance Program (UDAP) & waive the security deposit requirements! Visit UDAP’s FAQ page to learn how.

For utilities, you’ll go through Harrisonburg Electric Commission (540-434-5361) and Harrisonburg Water & Sewer (540-434-6783).

Once you have your UDAP contract # (or are ready for pay the security deposit requirements), we recommend contacting Harrisonburg Electric Commission (540-434-5361) and Harrisonburg Water & Sewer (540-434-6783) at least 1 week prior to the start date of your lease – that way, you aren’t without lights or water on move-in day!  Summertime is BUSY for these utility companies, and if you wait until the last minute they may not be able to get these services on for you the same day your request is made.  You would request your bill cycle begin on the start date of your lease.  If your lease has already begun, and you have yet to setup water and/or electric, the services will automatically revert to Matchbox’s name, and our office will receive a bill – you and your roommates will each receive a $50 Utility Bill Processing Fee fine for each bill we receive, in addition to the cost of utility usage.  To avoid the possibility of a fine, please ensure you have water and electric ON and in your name(s) for the duration of your lease term!

If 1-3 are done, you’re ready to check-in!  Visit the home office, located at 202 North Liberty Street Suite 101, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 with a government-issued ID. We’ll have your 24/7 access key fobs, parking stickers, guest passes & keys ready (and of course, some CT swag and freebies)!  Place your parking sticker on your car immediately – 1st Choice Towing has a 24/7 contract with CT. If you have friends or family helping you move, please be sure they park in one of the first-come, first-served visitor spaces throughout the community. A couple reminders:

• On your lease start date, your lease begins at 12pm. We work up until the last minute to ensure your apartment looks perfect.  Therefore, keys cannot be issued early – NO EXCEPTIONS. Please plan accordingly.

• For our community Parking Policy, you’ll need to know your auto make/model and license plate #. We have both interior stickers (for non-tinted vehicle windows) & exterior stickers (for tinted vehicle windows) available.

If you aren’t able to come pick-up your keys during normal business hours, you have 2 options:

1. If there’s an individual who is in town and you would trust to pick up your keys on your behalf, shoot an email to info@matchboxrealty.com and copy your Portfolio Manager with your approval. A simple “I approve for [Jane Doe] to pick-up my key” is perfect. We’ll make a note on your account to allow the release of your key to that person.

*Please note that if you also wish for this individual to pick-up your permanent parking sticker, you must also include your acknowledgment that you’ve read and agree to our community Parking Policy. The individual will need to know your vehicle’s auto make/model, license plate # and whether or not you have dark tint on your rear view window.

2. We have an employee on call 24/7. If you’re willing to pay a $50 cash charge (equal to our lockout fee), we’ll send them out to get your key(s).  If you would like to go this route, dial 540-434-5150 and press extension 7.

Our helpful Apartment Guide/Welcome Booklet, including contact information, maintenance troubleshooting tips AND MORE! Residents will receive a physical copy at check-in.

The first tenant to check-in for your apartment was given the move-in inspection, which is due back within 5 days of the lease start date. We need 1+ signature(s) on the bottom of the move-in inspection; Not all 4 residents need to sign the move-in inspection. All 4 bedroom doors will be left open, so if not everyone checks in at the same time, the first roommate(s) can inspect the entire unit. The move-in inspection is your and your roommates’ opportunity to document any existing cosmetic damage to your apartment to ensure you are not held liable for those preexisting damages at move-out. There is 1 move-in inspection for the entire apartment. If you don’t want to be charged for it, WRITE IT DOWN!  If there any functional damages you notice upon your move-in, such as a broken toilet seat,  submit a maintenance request. You’ll be given your mail key when you return the move-in inspection.

You’ll be given your mail key when you return the move-in inspection.  If you open your mailbox to find mail from the previous residents, please write “RETURN TO SENDER” or “DOES NOT LIVE HERE ANYMORE” on each individual piece of mail and toss in the outgoing mailbox.  The mail carrier will redeliver the mail to the previous tenant at the forwarding address they provided the United States Postal Service.

*The exception to the move-in inspection is if you signed an as-is lease. Keep in mind that since there is no turnover period with an as-is lease, there is no formal move-out/move-in inspection procedure (and thus no move-in inspection). Tenants who sign an as-is lease are given (per Specific Provisions) 10 days from commencement date of their lease to report any preexisting damages.