FAQs - Current Tenants

We schedule check-in and check-out appointments directly with you at a time that works for your schedule. You can move in on or after your lease start date. You must be completely moved out by the date and time stated in your lease. We'll be in touch before both appointments with everything you need to know.

We walk through the apartment together and document its condition with photos. You receive a copy. This protects you — it's your record of what the apartment looked like when you arrived, so there's no dispute at move-out about pre-existing conditions.

We want to return your full deposit and we'll help you get there. About one month before your lease ends we'll send you a reminder with specific tips. The short version: keep the apartment clean, report any damage or issues during your tenancy rather than waiting until the end, and return everything in the condition it was given to you. We don't charge for normal wear and tear — small scuffs, minor nail holes, and carpet worn from regular use are expected. For full details, refer to the Security Deposit and Damage Charges Guide you received at move-in.

Within 14 days of check-out, by check mailed to the address you provide at move-out.

Please contact Karla at 214-289-5134 via phone or text. You can also send an email to info@WestShoreApts.com anytime.

We are always ready to help; we just need to hear from you. Please submit a maintenance request through your online tenant portal as soon as something comes up. No issue is too small to mention, and early communication always leads to a faster fix.

Yes, subleasing is permitted with our approval. Here is some helpful subleasing information. Contact us and we will walk you through the process and the required forms.

On either the 1st or 15th of the month as stated in your lease. Payments are accepted within 5 days of the due date. Note: our system posts rent charges on the 1st of the month even if your due date is the 15th. Your lease is what determines your actual due date.

Through the online Tenant Portal, available 24/7. Pay by eCheck/ACH or credit card (convenience fees apply). You can make one-time payments or set up monthly auto-pay so you never have to think about it.

Call or email us directly. We're happy to walk through any charges or credits with you. There are no posted office hours — just contact us.

In buildings where we provide heat, sensors monitor the outside temperature. When it stays cold enough long enough, the heat turns on automatically — you don't need to do anything to activate it. Heat is available starting in mid-September through May.

If your unit has its own thermostat, you can adjust it to your preference anytime. To save money, keep it below 70 degrees when you can. Important: never set your thermostat below 55 degrees, even when you're away for break or the holidays, to prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep your windows closed during the heating season (mid-September through May). Open windows prevent the system from working properly and can cause problems for the whole building. Remove window air conditioning units at the start of heating season.

During what we call "swing season" (early fall and spring) some days are warm and some are cool but it's not consistently cold yet. The sensors need the outside temperature to drop below a certain level and stay there long enough before the heat activates. This is normal. If it's been consistently cold and you still have no heat, call us right away.

Call us immediately — 607-273-7368 — any time of day or night. We will work with the Fire Department and NYSEG to resolve it as quickly as possible. Do not wait.

Contact us as soon as you notice it, even if it seems minor. Faucet leaks and running toilets waste a lot of water and can cause damage over time. The sooner you tell us, the faster we fix it.

NYSEG bills are not always based on your actual meter reading. Look at page 2 of your bill and find "Current Meter Read." If there is an E next to the reading, that month's bill is estimated — meaning it may be higher or lower than your actual usage and will be adjusted the following month. An A means it's an actual reading. Estimated bills can look alarming if the amount is different from your usual bill — don't panic, it corrects itself. Questions? Call NYSEG at 800-572-1111 or call us at 607-273-7368.

Set your computer and monitors to sleep after 5 to 15 minutes of inactivity. Shut down and unplug computers and other devices when not in use for extended periods, they draw power even in sleep mode. Turn off the lights in rooms you aren’t in.

City of Ithaca trash tags (currently yellow) are required for trash pickup. Trash tags are included in some locations. You can purchase trash tags at several locations including the Cornell Campus Store, Jason's Deli at 301 College Avenue, Tops at 2300 N. Triphammer Road, and Wegmans at 500 S. Meadow Street. Note: if you live at one of our lake properties (Town of Ithaca, not City of Ithaca), you use Casella tags instead — green and yellow striped. We'll let you know which applies to your unit.

Tompkins County has a specific list of accepted recyclables. Visit the Tompkins County recycling page for the full current list — it's more detailed than most counties and worth a quick read so you don't accidentally contaminate a load.

TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) serves all of Ithaca and Tompkins County. Cornell students ride free with their student ID. Most of our properties have a TCAT stop right out front or very close by. Visit tcatbus.com for routes and schedules.

Free street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Permitted parking is available in our lots at most properties for a separate fee. City of Ithaca permit parking information is available on the city website if you need a residential street permit. Contact us for details on lot parking at your specific property.

Ithaca Carshare is a local nonprofit that gives members access to shared vehicles by the hour or day — useful for errands, day trips, or any time you need a car without owning one. Some of our properties are located near Carshare pods. Visit ithacacarshare.org for membership details.