Why get the special in writing?
An advertised special isn’t yours until it’s in your lease. Flyers change, websites update overnight, and leasing staff turn over. The signed concession addendum is the record that counts. That’s why every deal on our confirmed specials page is confirmed with the office in writing first.
Here’s the process we follow, from the first quote to the second month in your new place.
Step 1: Get the quote in writing
Ask the leasing office to email the special: the amount, the lease term it needs, the unit or floor plan it applies to, and the end date. A dated email is the version we put in your shortlist. If the special says “up to,” ask which unit gets the full amount.
Step 2: Check the end date before you apply
Specials end. Some end on a set date, like the Oct 31 end dates we saw at several buildings in late October 2026. Others depend on applying or signing within a window, like a look-and-lease offer. We confirm the end date and the window before you pay an application fee, so the special doesn’t lapse while you wait for approval.
Step 3: Read the concession addendum
Before you sign, check that the addendum matches the quote. It should list:
- The amount. In dollars or weeks, and how it’s applied.
- The months it applies to. Up front, spread across the lease, or at a set month.
- Conditions. A minimum term, autopay, or move-in by a certain date.
- Repayment. What you’d owe if you leave early.
If something doesn’t match, ask for a corrected addendum before signing. Our guide on weeks-free math shows how to check that the dollar amount matches the weeks.
One page, signed
The concession addendum is the page we read most carefully. If it isn’t in your lease packet, ask for it before you sign.
Step 4: Check your ledger at day 7
About a week after move-in, log in to the resident portal and look at your ledger. You should see the concession as a credit, either applied to the first months or set up to apply over the lease. If it’s missing or the amount is wrong, email the office with a copy of the addendum.
Step 5: Check again at day 30
At day 30, check the ledger once more. Credits sometimes post after the first rent cycle, and fees sometimes post twice. If something is still off, we follow up with the community in writing.
| When | What to check |
|---|---|
| Before applying | Quote by email, end date, application window |
| Before signing | Concession addendum matches the quote |
| Day 7 | Credit appears on the resident ledger |
| Day 30 | Credit applied correctly, no duplicate fees |
What a clear concession addendum looks like
Here’s a labeled example of the details a good addendum spells out. Your community’s form will look different, but the facts should all be there.
| Item | Example wording to look for |
|---|---|
| Amount | 6 weeks of base rent, $1,827.69 total |
| How it’s applied | Credited to months 1 and 2 |
| Term required | 12-month lease |
| Conditions | Move in by a set date |
| Repayment | Prorated if the lease ends early |
If the addendum only says “move-in special” without an amount, ask for the dollar figure. If it lists a different term or condition than you were quoted, ask for a corrected version before signing.
Keep the signed addendum, the quote email, and your day-7 and day-30 ledger screenshots together. If anything is ever questioned, those three documents tell the whole story.
What if the credit never shows up?
Keep it in writing. Email the office with the signed addendum and a screenshot of the ledger, and ask for a corrected statement by a set date. Most issues are clerical and get fixed quickly. If you’re one of our renters, ask us to check your ledger and we’ll follow up with the community, usually the same day during our hours.
