Frequently Asked Questions

HOW CAN I SEE AN AVAILABLE APARTMENT?

Call us to set up a tour at 484-757-5696 or email us
at lehigh@collegetowncommunities.com.

DO I NEED TO ALREADY HAVE ROOMMATES OR CAN A ROOMMATE BE PROVIDED?

Any student will be accommodated at Polk on Third. If you already have another student that you know you would like to live with, you will be placed with them, within the same property. If you are looking by yourself, you will be put on our “Roommate Needed List” and matched with other single tenants of the same gender using our Roommate Matching System. The roommate matching questionnaire is part of your initial application that you fill out prior to signing a lease to live at Polk on Third. We use your answers to this questionnaire and compare them with other residents’ answers and match everyone accordingly.

ARE THESE PROPERTIES FURNISHED?

Polk on Third Apartments are fully furnished. Options vary by unit, but here is a brief overview of the furnishings offered: a sofa or loveseat, accent chair, coffee table, end table, media console, 27” HDTV, full-sized bed and hypoallergenic mattress, night table, desk, dresser, desk chair, counter seating or table seating.

WHAT APPLIANCES ARE INCLUDED?

Polk on Third Apartments are supplied with a refrigerator/freezer, a range/stove, dishwasher and microwave. Free laundry facilities are located on each floor.

ARE UTILITIES INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL AMOUNT?

Polk on Third Apartments: Electric, HD cable, high speed internet with password protected WiFi, water, sewer and trash are included in your rental amount.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY RENT PAYMENT?

Access to the entire facility for the complete duration of your lease term, a fully furnished apartment, 27” HDTV in every unit, FREE laundry facilities on each floor, FREE HD cable & internet, 24/7 emergency maintenance, Personal Online Resident Portal that allows you to make online rental payments as well as 24 hour work order requests, and a secure package delivery system.

IS THERE A SECURITY DEPOSIT?

Yes. Please see the Floor Plans & Pricing page of this website to view the property you are interested in to see the specific security deposit amount for that property or contact the Leasing Office. The balance will be returned to each tenant, within 30 days after the end date of their lease agreement, less any damage charges or outstanding balances that may have been incurred at that point.

WHEN DO I PAY RENT?

Rent is to be paid by the 1st of every month of your contract. Arrangements can be made to pay a full semester in advance or a full year in advance if that is desired by the tenant.

HOW DO I PAY RENT?

Rent payments can be made by check, money order, wire transfer, credit or debit cards (No cash will be accepted) in the Leasing Office or online through your Resident Portal account. Most debit cards have a daily limit for charges, so check with your bank to be sure you have the ability to make large payments before attempting payment. Convenience fees will apply to any online payment and vary depending on your payment method. Checks are the cheapest way to pay!

IS PARKING AVAILABLE ON SITE?

Please see the Floor Plans & Pricing page of this website to view the property you are interested in to see the specific parking available for that property.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO LIVE AT THESE PROPERTIES?

Any student enrolled at Lehigh University.

CAN GUESTS/ VISITORS STAY OVERNIGHT?

Any tenant is allowed to have a guest visit or spend the night at any time without the need to register or sign them in. However, a guest is NOT allowed to stay for more the 3 days at a time. Roommate consideration must be taken into account with all visitors. Guests must be accompanied by the tenant whom they are visiting at ALL times when inside the property.

WILL I HAVE A PRIVATE BEDROOM?

ALL tenants will have their own bedroom.

HOW FAR FROM CAMPUS IS YOUR FACILITY?

Polk on Third Apartments are located three blocks from Lehigh University campus.

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

No. Pets are not allowed at Polk on Third properties. No pets are allowed to “visit” any of the properties at any time either, due to the possibility of spreading allergens or fleas that could be disruptive to other tenants in the property. Following guidelines pursuant to the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, College Town Communities is committed to making reasonable accommodations to allow a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to live with a resident in the Leased Premises. Applicants and current residents requesting such accommodations must contact the Leasing Office prior to bringing the Service Animal or ESA on property, complete all necessary paperwork required by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and be granted written permission by Landlord in order to do so. More information regarding your rights and responsibilities to allow a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal to live with you in the Leased Premises can be found here and here or by calling the tollfree PA Fair Housing hotline at 855-866-5718.

ARE THERE LAUNDRY FACILITIES?

Polk on Third Apartments include free laundry facilities on each floor.

WHEN WOULD I MOVE IN?

Leases for the 2022-23 year will begin on June 1st, 2021. Contact the Leasing Office for more information regarding your specific unit move-in date.

HOW LONG IS A LEASE TERM?

All leases are a full year lease. But, since some of our properties are available in June while other are available starting in August, We do have our lease years broken down into three different options: Option 1: June 1st, 2022 - May 24th, 2023 Option 2: June 3rd, 2022 - May 24th, 2023 Option 3: August 1st, 2022 - July 24, 2023 Please contact our leasing office for information to figure out which available rooms would best fit your needs.

DO YOU PERFORM BACKGROUND OR CREDIT CHECKS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Background checks are performed on every student who wants to live at Polk on Third.

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE TO APPLY FOR AN APARTMENT?

No, there is no fee to apply to live at Polk on Third. There is, however, a $100 Administrative/Facilities Fee once you have decided to complete a lease to live at Polk on Third.

The Administrative/Facilities Fee is a nonrefundable annual fee due at lease signing for all applicants and renewals. The fee covers the online application process, renewal lease generation, resident and guarantor screening, annual lock programming, secure package delivery system, 24-7 access to the online Resident Portal, and after-hours services call center services.

IS ALCOHOL PERMITTED IN MY UNIT?

Assuming you are of the legal age, you may consume alcohol in your property/apartment. No alcohol is permitted in the outdoor areas and we expect tenants to follow ALL property guidelines and state/local laws.

MAY I PAINT THE LIVING ROOM/ KITCHEN AREA/BEDROOM AREA?

No. The properties are already painted. You may decorate your property with posters, tapestries, holiday lights, etc. Please use thumb tacks or nails when hanging things on the walls. Do NOT use Tape, Glue, Gummy poster hangers, 3M double sided sticky pads, etc. Do NOT use wall decals, as they will delaminate the face of the drywall. Any unnecessary damage to the apartment walls could be deducted from your security deposit.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN BEDDING OR WINDOW TREATMENTS?

Every unit will include mini blinds on each window and you may add window treatments if you desire, but the blinds must stay in place.

AM I REQUIRED TO CARRY RENTER’S INSURANCE?

Yes, renter’s insurance is required at all Polk on Third Apartments. Please go to the Resources page of this site for complete information.

ARE YOUR FACILITIES DIRECTLY AFFILIATED WITH LEHIGH UNIVERSITY?

Our properties are solely rented to Lehigh University Students. We work closely with Lehigh University but are a privately-owned company.

CAN GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT LOANS, OR FINANCIAL AID BE APPLIED TOWARDS RENT?

Yes. You may use financial aid proceeds or any other 3rd party payment process to pay for your rent at any of our facilities. Typically, financial aid proceeds are disbursed directly to the student who in turn can then use those proceeds to pay for housing. If a rental payment is due and the tenant has not received their source of aid yet, proper documentation of this delay in aid must be presented to management in order to avoid any late fees to your account.

WHO DO I MAKE MY RENT OR SECURITY DEPOSIT CHECK PAYABLE TO?

Check can be made payable to Polk on Third.

WHO PAYS AN ADMINISTRATIVE/FACILITIES FEE, AND WHAT DOES IT COVER?

The Administrative/Facilities Fee is a nonrefundable annual fee due at lease signing for all applicants and renewals. The fee covers the online application process, renewal lease generation, resident and guarantor screening, annual lock programming, secure package delivery system, 24-7 access to the online Resident Portal, and after-hours services call center services.