We believe that property management has more to do with the wonderful people that make their homes in our communities than the physical structures themselves. We strive to make every single apartment feel like a home, where our exceptional residents build memories, enjoy their lifestyles, and achieve their goals. We respect and value the trust that our residents place in us, and work hard to ensure that we exceed their expectations.

Protecting Your Security Deposit

Most apartment communities require that residents pay a security deposit prior to moving in. The amount of security deposit required can vary, however, a security deposit equal to one month’s rent is common. Security deposits are retained by apartment communities to use in the event that a resident damages the apartment during his or her residency. Unless the resident damages the apartment, security deposits are generally refunded after the lease expires. The following are some tips to use to insure that your security deposit is returned to you.

Before Moving In

Make a written list of any damage that is in the apartment when you take possession of the apartment. At Berger Rental Communities, all new residents complete a pre-move in inspection form to document any imperfections that were not caused by the resident.

While Living in the Apartment

Take care of your apartment as if it is your own.

  • Clean your apartment regularly.
  • Call the maintenance department to make repairs as need be. Read Don’t Hesitate To Call For Maintenance for more information.
  • Do not attempt to make repairs on your own-contact your maintenance department for all repairs. If you caused the damage for reasons other than normal wear and tear, the apartment community might charge you for the repairs, or, inform you to make the repair on your own. Regardless, it will save you time and money to handle repairs and damage before moving out.

Before Moving Out

While most apartment communities will not keep your security deposit for items of normal wear and tear, it is important that you restore your apartment to a condition similar to when you moved in. After you have packed up and cleared some space in your apartment, there are a few tasks that you will want to do before surrendering possession of your apartment:

Bathroom(s):

  • Scrub the bathtub/shower.
  • Scrub the inside and outside of the toilet.
  • Clean the sink.
  • Dust and clean the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet.
  • Clean the mirror.

Kitchen:

  • Clean the inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers.
  • Wash the floor. Be sure to get all of your corners and areas that are normally difficult to reach.
  • Clean the countertop and backsplash.
  • Clean the sink.
  • Clean the stove, oven, microwave and broiler.
  • Defrost the refrigerator and freezer.
  • Make sure any ice trays or refrigerator/freezer accessories are in place.
  • Empty and clean the garbage disposal and dishwasher.

General:

  • Have all carpets professionally cleaned.
  • Remove all tacks and/or nails from the walls and spackle the holes left behind.
  • Clean windows and window sills.
  • Clean your patio/balcony.
  • Don’t forget to pack everything that you brought into the apartment, including shower curtains, shower hooks, and rugs.

If you are concerned about the condition of your apartment prior to moving out, schedule an appointment with your apartment community staff to walk through your apartment.

Cleaning In a Hurry

One of the many reasons why people choose to live in apartments is because they do not have the time to take care of their own home. With time being so valuable, apartment renters do not always have the time to do a full, floor to ceiling cleaning. When you are in a time crunch, use the following checklist as a cleaning guide to get the best bang for your buck in the least amount of time: 

  • Gather all of your cleaning products and supplies that you will need and put them in one place before the cleaning even begins.
  • Plan your starting point. It is most effective to start on one side of each room, and clean your way to the other side, and move on to the next room.
  • Always dust before you wash your floors or vacuum the carpet.
  • Use different rags or paper towels with each cleaning product. Residue from a different cleaning product can leave streaks or even cause damage.
  • Use an extension cord with your vacuum so that you don’t have to stop to unplug and re-plug as you move around.
  • If you use a dust wand with an extension handle, you will not need to climb on chairs to get the cobwebs.
  • Use the right tools: Newspapers area great on windows. Do not use a lint producing cloth for dusting.
  • Don’t overuse your products. Using too much cleaning product will leave a buildup, which will take longer to clean.
  • If you only have time to do just one thing, go for the vacuum. Clean carpets will give the impression and feel of a clean home.  
  • Get all of your dirty dishes out of your sink.
  • Create a good scent. A fresh smelling apartment is essential for a clean feeling apartment.

Household Items That Are Also Great Cleaners

Common chemical based cleaners can do a great job at cleaning, however, they can also be quite expensive, harmful to the environment, and potentially harmful to you and your pets. Below are some household items that can also be great cleaning products. Before cleaning your apartment with any of these items, we suggest that you do a spot test to make sure that these products will not cause damage on particular items. In addition, if you are intending to use these products on your apartment floor, walls, appliances, bathrooms, fixtures, etc. we recommend that you verify with your property management staff that these products will not damage the apartment.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar can work wonders on hard wood floors.

Baking Soda: Baking soda can be used in many ways.

  1. To absorb odors in carpet, leave some baking soda on the section of carpet overnight, and vacuum it in the morning.
  2. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to boiling water and pour this mixture over pans or dishes that have food stuck to them. Let this baking soda mixture sit for ten minutes before rinsing.
  3. Combine baking soda and water to rinse hair combs and brushes.
  4. Sprinkling some baking soda can reduce odors in garbage cans, diaper pails, shoes, and litter boxes.
  5. Sprinkle on a wet sponge to use on pots and pans.

 

Club Soda: Club soda is great to use after a spill to avoid a stain setting. In addition, club soda can be useful for making countertops shine.

Lemon: When wiping the refrigerator down with water, add some lemon juice to create a fresh smell. Fresh cut lemon is also great for removing light stains from porcelain sinks, and removing stuck particles from glassware.

Pine Essential Oil: When diluted, pine essential oil is a great all purpose cleaner, and works especially well on tile and linoleum floors. Use caution with all essential oils as some people may have allergic reactions to the oils.

Vanilla Extract: Put just a tad of vanilla on a cloth to add a nice scent to whatever you are cleaning.

White Vinegar: White vinegar can be used in many ways.

  1. To absorb odors, leave a cub of vinegar standing for a few hours.
  2. When added to the final rinse cycle on a dishwasher, white vinegar will help prevent and remove water spots from glassware.
  3. Dampen a cloth with white vinegar to use on stainless steel to remove water spots.
  4. To remove hard water residue from a coffee pot, run vinegar through the coffee pot and then run 3 or more pots of water only.
  5. For cleaning windows, add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar per 1 gallon of water.
  6. To remove soap residue in the shower or tub, use some white vinegar on a moistened sponge.  

Why Should I Move to Vairo Village Apartments?

  • Of the Vairo Village residents who move out of the community, 97% do so only because they have completed their education, or must leave the area to pursue their careers. 

 

  • 34% of new Vairo Village residents were referred to the community by satisfied current and previous residents. 

 

  • 100% of applicants for apartments at Vairo Village are screened for criminal background.

 

  • Vairo Village representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer telephone calls from residents.   

Why Should I Move to Toftrees Apartments?

  • Toftrees team members have been employed by Berger Rental Communities for an average of 12 years.  

 

  • Toftrees has an ApartmentRatings.com overall score that is 97% better than the average score of apartment communities in State College.  

 

  • 28% of new Toftrees residents were referred to the community by satisfied current and previous residents. 

 

  • 100% of applicants for apartments at Toftrees are screened for criminal background.    

Why Should I Move to Perkiomen Place Apartments?

  • 99.7% of Perkiomen Place residents are satisfied with the completion of their maintenance requests. 

 

  • 99.6% of Perkiomen Place residents are satisfied with their move in experience. 

 

  • Perkiomen Place residents have been living in the community for an average of 5.46 years.

 

  • The resident retention rate of Perkiomen Place is 64% better than the industry standard.   

Why Should I Move to Norris Hills Apartments?

  • Norris Hills residents have been living in the community for an average of 4.16 years.

 

  • 25% of new residents at Norris Hills were referred to the community by satisfied current and previous residents.

 

  • 100% of applicants for apartments at Norris Hills are screened for criminal background.

 

  • Norris Hills team members have been working at the community for an average of 9 years.  

Why Should I Move to Millers Crossing Apartments?

  • The resident retention rate at Millers Crossing is 48% better than the industry standard.

 

  • 99.3% of Millers Crossing residents are satisfied with the completion of their maintenance requests.

 

  • 50% of Millers Crossing team members live at the community.

 

  • 99.8% of new residents at Millers Crossing are satisfied with their move in experience.  

Why Should I Move to Highland Manor Apartments?

  • Highland Manor residents have been living in the community for an average of 3.7 years.

 

  • 95% of Highland Manor residents are satisfied with the completion of their maintenance requests.

 

  • Highland Manor employs 30% more team members per apartment than the industry average.

 

  • Highland Manor has an ApartmentRatings.com overall rating that is 49% better than the average rating of apartment communities in Pottstown.

Why Should I Move to Goshen Manor Apartments?

  • Goshen Manor residents have been living in the community for an average of 3.14 years.

 

  • 91% of Goshen Manor resident’s maintenance requests are completed within one day.

 

  • The resident retention rate at Goshen Manor is 41% better than the industry standard.

 

  • 27% of new residents at Goshen Manor were referred to the community from satisfied current and previous residents.
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