Frequently Asked Questions

All agents are knowledgeable about the area, community, and the properties we manage. We will personally show you the property in which you are interested. Best of all, you get to see the EXACT unit you could call HOME.  We offer quality properties and treat our residents like family. We are a locally owned company, and our staff call Ames, Iowa their home. We are available 24 hours a day to handle emergency maintenance repairs (See: What is an emergency repair).

We have a straightforward process for leasing a unit with Elite Property Management.  The following is our simple five step process that can be completed in-person or virtually online:

1. Identify & Schedule a showing (in-person or virtual) of the properties you are interested in.

2. After the showing, apply online or in person for the EXACT unit you viewed and want to rent.

3. Elite Property Management will send you lease paperwork to sign and pay deposit online or in person.

4. Elite Property Management will notify you of your approval or denial within 5-10 business days from a completed signed lease.

5. Move into your home on the lease start date.

Each occupant over the age of 18 on the lease is screened individually for credit, eviction & criminal background. Elite Property Management will contact you regarding any adverse items on the rental application. Should we have other options (co-signer, increased deposit, additional documentation, i.e. paystubs) for approval those will be reviewed.

We do not require renter’s insurance but encourage all residents obtain insurance.  Elite Property Management and the owners we manage for do not insure resident belongings because of fire, flood, or theft.  A great place to start with getting more information on renter’s insurance is the company you use for auto insurance, life insurance, or a company that a family or friend uses for insurance. If you need recommendation from us, Just Ask.

Each of our residents will have a resident portal available on desktop and mobile app.  This portal is a one stop shop for the following:

• Payment of Monthly Rent (manual payments or set up automatic payments)

• Review current rental ledger of past payments and see roommates’ payments

• Make maintenance requests and see updates on requests

• Obtain important information regarding your tenancy (i.e. lease documents)

Requests can be made via:

Online via your resident portal (desktop or mobile app-+can include pictures)

Email: hello@elitepmames.com

Call: (515) 232-2121

Unless an emergency, we will review and communicate status within 24-36 hours. Our goal is to complete the request in that time frame.  Unfortunately, some things are out of our control regarding parts and materials, as well as, our vendors schedules should we need their services.

As a rule, an emergency is anything relating to the property that is threatening to life, health or the property and cannot wait until the next business day to be addressed.

The following guidelines would constitute as a maintenance emergency:

Clogged Toilet:

This will be considered an emergency only when the toilet clogged is the only toilet in the unit and the resident has made every effort to clear the stoppage themselves. Upon submitting your maintenance request, either emergency or not, turn off the water valve behind the toilet to prevent further overflow or flooding.

Broken Pipe:

This is considered a maintenance emergency. Turn off the water valve that is associated with the broken pipe if accessible. Do everything within your reasonable power to contain the leak to prevent flood damage.

No Hot Water:

This is considered an emergency only if there has not been hot water for at least 12 hours. Typically, this will be taken care of in a timely manner during normal business hours.

No Heat:

This constitutes an emergency only if the outside temperature is falling below 50 degrees.

No Air Conditioning:

This is considered an emergency only if the outside temperature is above 65 degrees and in the summer.

Gas Odor:

This constitutes an emergency. If you suspect leaking gas, turn off the gas appliance(s) and the gas supply to that appliance immediately. The shut off handle should be relatively easy to find on the supply line. Call your gas provider and our office to report the situation right away. Check to see if there is a danger of using a phone where there is a gas leak.

Broken Doorknob, Lock, or Window: 

If it prevents the resident from properly securing the property, it is considered an emergency. If it’s determined that temporary measures can be taken, until normal business hours, this does not qualify as an emergency.

Do not jeopardize your safety.

Lock Outs:

Elite Property Management will do our best to address lock outs when they occur.  During normal business hours, we will solve the lock out as quickly as we are able to.  Lock outs outside of normal business hours will incur at $50 per hour charge for our time to travel to unit and unlock the door.  This is available based on our staff availability.  A locksmith can be used with approval of Elite Property Management. Any charges resulting from the use of a locksmith are the responsibility of the residents. 

No Electricity:

This will be considered an emergency only if the electricity is out in the entire property and the resident has checked with the local electric company to confirm there is not an area outage; the circuit breaker has been checked and reset along with checking the fuses.

The following maintenance issues are not considered emergencies and will be addressed the following business day at top priority:

Appliances not working

Clogged garbage disposal

Drippy Faucet

If you are experiencing a situation that was not mentioned above and seems immediately dangerous, damaging, or detrimental, please call our office to report the emergency without delay.

Monthly rent payments are made online via our portal using your desktop or mobile device.  You can manually make payments or set up automatic payments.  Payments made using a bank account and routing number are FREE.  There is a fee for payments made with a credit/debit card.

If you experience a disturbance due to noise, (activity in or at your property) please do the following:

• Document the disturbance

• Contact Ames Police Department (if excessive or persistent time or occurrences)

• Email or make a maintenance request to Elite Property Management

• We will complete a review and contact all parties (individually or the building)

Each property owner has a different pet policy.  The pet policy for the specific property is listed in the for-rent listing and also communicated during the apartment showing.  Our general pet policy is:  No more than (1) dog or (2) cats allowed; $50 per month per pet fee.

Service or companion animals will always be accepted, with proper documentation submitted.  A monthly pet fee will not be charged for a service or companion animal.

Leases are 12 month leases starting typically on August 1 and ending the last week of July.

We do not offer a break lease option.  You would be able to pay the balance due of the contract (monthly rent times the months left in contract) or sublease your unit to another prospective resident

You are responsible for finding someone to sublease your unit, we will offer assistance in posting to our website.  Additionally, we will provide your unit as an option to prospective residents that contact us interested in units in your building or similar ones.  You are responsible for the showing of your unit.  All individuals subleasing our units need to apply with Elite Property Management and fulfill all of our rental application guidelines.  There is a fee associated with subleasing your unit, regardless of the circumstance. 

Roommates can be added to the lease at any time.  The occupancy of our units is determined by the City of Ames rental codes and ordinances.  The prospective roommate would need to apply with Elite Property Management and fulfill all of our rental application guidelines.  There is not a fee for adding a roommate.

• Call us:  515-232-2121 for after hour emergencies (examples above) we can be reached at (515) 337-2454
• Email us:  hello@elitepmames.com
• Send us mail:  Elite Property Management, PO Box 229, Ames, IA 50010

We live, work, and play in Ames, IA…

Have a community organization, event, or club that you would like a donation or sponsorship? Contact our office to complete the donation/sponsorship application form.