Understanding Apartment Terminology In Bloomington

April 16, 2026
Aerial wide view of the exterior of Penrose On Mass Apartments

If you are hunting for or have recently relocated to your first apartment in Bloomington, you might encounter a word or expression you don’t know. You can always contact the community’s office staff to get clarification, but some words are easily decipherable with a quick look at an apartment glossary.

Have you come across a word you didn’t know? Wish to be more in the know while you apartment hunt? Use this list of apartment terminology in Bloomington to learn more about apartment life.

Apartment Terminology You Need To Know When Looking For Bloomington Communities

Pristine pool surrounded by apartment buildings at Wheelhouse Apartments.
 
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A

Accessible apartment

An apartment that is ADA compliant.

Addendum

An addition to the basic lease contract, such as a pet policy outlining policies on pets living on site.

Amenity

Additional features in an apartment or in the community, such as in-unit washers and dryers or a community pool and health center.

Applicant

Any individual who submits an application for an apartment lease.

B

BR/BA

Bedrooms/Bathrooms. 2BR/1BA refers to two bedrooms and one bathroom in the apartment.

Breed restrictions

Guidelines on what dog and animal breeds are prohibited from living in an apartment.

C

Common areas

Communal areas available to all Residents, such as the clubhouse, laundry facilities, walking areas, and community amenities.

Concession

Funds applied to your account due to overpayment or special discounts.

E

E-payments

Rent payments submitted digitally as opposed to by check.

Elevator building

A multi-story apartment equipped with elevators for Residents. These are usually four or more stories.

Eviction

The legal procedure of property management ending your lease agreement and requiring you to vacate in response to your failing to comply with lease terms or community policies.

F

Fair housing laws

Legal guidelines that shield specified groups of people from unfair housing practices.

G

Galley kitchen

A narrow kitchen with counters, cabinets, and appliances on either side that are common in apartment floor plans.

Garden apartment

Apartment buildings of no more than three stories that are surrounded by wooded or grassy areas.

Grace period

A short time period following your rent due date during which you may still pay without being charged with late fees or other charges.

Guarantor

A co-signer who agrees to take financial responsibility for your lease if you fail to pay your rent.

I

Income requirement

An earnings threshold you must satisfy to qualify for renting an apartment.

L

Exterior shot of the Highpointe Apartments leasing office

Lease

A rental agreement that states the guidelines and terms of renting an apartment.

Lockout policy

A property's process for letting you into your unit if you get locked out.

Long-term

A rental agreement of at least 12 months.

Luxury apartments

Apartments with community amenities, appliances, and upscale finishes that go beyond builder-grade offerings.

M

Maintenance

The team tasked with apartment repairs and maintenance. You should contact them if you need something fixed in your apartment.

Market rate

The current going rate for rent, according to what similar apartments are leasing for in the surrounding area.

Multi-family

A building with multiple apartments designed to accommodate numerous households.

O

Occupancy standards

Restrictions on the number of individuals who may reside in an apartment.

Online portal

A convenient digital platform for apartment Residents to make a payment, ask a question, submit a maintenance request, and more.

P

Dog park at East Bank Noblesville Riverside Apartments

Pet policy

A community's guidelines for what pets are allowed or prohibited and the fees owed for having a pet in your apartment.

Prorate

A per diem calculation of rent if you move in or out in the middle of a billing cycle, instead of charging you the entire month's rent.

Prospect

A would-be Resident who is looking for an apartment but has not agreed to a lease yet.

R

Renewal

The extension of your lease once the initial term is over.

Renters insurance

An insurance plan that provides coverage for personal property damage and loss in case your apartment is affected by a disaster.

Rent

The monthly amount you pay to occupy your apartment.

S

Screen

Performing a background check and assessing your history as a tenant during the application period.

Security deposit

Money you pay before starting your rental term. It is intended to cover unpaid rent or damages at the expiration of your lease. If you depart with no outstanding rent or damage, you are refunded your deposit.

Short-term

A lease for fewer than 12 months.

T

Term

The duration of your rental agreement.

Term fee

A charge you pay for ending your lease early.

U

Utilities

Electricity, gas, water, and garbage removal. These may or may not be included in your rent.

W

Walk-up apartment

An apartment accessed by stairs rather than an elevator.

City Flats on Tenth Is Pleased To Answer Questions About Apartment Terminology In Bloomington

Bring your questions about apartment vocabulary to the pros at City Flats on Tenth! We’ll help you understand the leasing process and show you our stunning apartments and community. Call us at 812-561-1974 or book a tour to discover the outstanding apartment living experience we offer.