CURRENT RESIDENT FAQS

You can move in as soon as your lease begins, and we have all the required documents. Lease start dates vary from building to building; please check your lease to confirm the start date. To ensure your unit is ready for you, we need to access it to clean and fix things before you move in. Please make other arrangements if you must be on campus before your lease begins.

We offer contactless move-in. A key box will be on your apartment door or another accessible location. We will provide a key box code around noon on your move-in day.

We offer an exclusive renewal period before our leasing season begins each year which offers renewal specials (and typically giveaways)! After this period ends, we will open up leasing to everyone so your unit could be signed for by incoming tenants. Please reach out if you're interested in renewing our lease with us!

Let us know, and we’ll fix it! Use your online portal to submit a maintenance request, and a tech will be out to help. Please note that the timeliness of the completed maintenance request depends on its severity. For example, heating or AC being out would be prioritized over chipped furniture.

It’s easy; you can do it online or through our app! You can also bring us a check or mail it to us. For everyone’s safety, we don’t accept cash payments.

Rent is due on the 1st of each month. However, you have a grace period until 11:59 PM on the 4th to make your payment without incurring any late fees. After this grace period, late fees will be applied to your account.

If you’re unable to make online payments, it’s likely because a previous payment was returned, possibly due to incorrect account numbers or insufficient funds. When this happens, your account is restricted to certified funds only (money order, cashier’s check, or electronic payslip). To restore online payment access, you must pay your full balance using one of these methods. However, if another payment is returned, the "Certified Funds Only" status will remain for the rest of your lease term.

Smoking (anything) is not allowed indoors at any Smile buildings. If you smoke, you must do it outside.

Yes! As a Smile resident, you are required to have Landlord Liability Insurance (LLI). This protects our properties from any damages throughout the duration of your lease. You may opt for our Appfolio insurance coverage or get a policy from another provider and upload the policy to your portal (minimum of $100,000 in coverage per resident). It is imperative that every resident in the apartment is covered, and Smile Student Living is listed as “additionally insured.” This policy does not cover damage to your personal belongings, so we highly recommend also getting renters insurance. Renters insurance protects your personal belongings if something happens to them. Sometimes, your parent’s homeowners or renters insurance covers your belongings, so please check their policy!

The University of Illinois provides great services for students who have questions about housing.  The Off-Campus Community Living (OCCL) program supports and assists students with questions about landlords, leases, and roommates. Students can also get free legal advice and representation from Student Legal Services. The Office for Student Conflict Resolution offers free conflict resolution services to any student experiencing conflict with another student.

Living with Smile has its perks! Get started with our loyalty rewards platform: Community Rewards! Complete various actions to earn points, including attending events, participating in photo contests, and more. Once enough points are earned, you receive a gift card of your choice! https://communityrewards.me/smile-student-living. Please email marketing@smilestudentliving.com if you need support with the rewards platform.

Pest control preventative services are included! Only preventative services are included with your lease, so an infestation in your apartment may become a resident charge on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, we offer subleasing or lessee removals/additions. Please see the definition and associated fees for both below:

Sublease: Tenants may find someone to sublet their bedroom for a period of time and at a rent determined by both parties. Both the current tenant and the sublessee are financially responsible for the unit during the duration of the sublease. This is ideal

 for tenants who are going to be gone for a few months but plan on coming back to their unit. In this case, the sublessee would benefit the most because the original tenant would still be responsible for the rent and the unit if the sublessee did not pay rent or caused damage. The fee for this is $100. 

Lessee Addition/Removal: Current tenants may find someone who wishes to be added to their lease. A document would be signed by all current tenants and new tenants allowing the specified current tenant to be removed from the lease and the new tenant to be added. The current tenant will benefit most from this arrangement since they will no longer be responsible for anything going forward. The fee will be $100 per switch.

Please notify Smile as soon as your new tenant has applied so we can review their application! To make finding their application and communication easier, please also provide the following information about your new tenant: 

• Full name 
• Email address 
• Phone number 
• Desired move-in AND move-out dates 
• SUBLEASE or LESSEE ADDITION/REMOVAL

Yes! We have parking spots for rent at or near our properties. Some buildings even have a free parking spot included. You can view the parking spot locations here.

Yes, we host multiple events each month! Remember to check your email for our Monthly Newsletter and follow us on social media (@smilestudentliving) to stay updated on upcoming events. You can also check them here.