1. What is the average rent for an apartment in Sandburg Village?
Rents in Sandburg Village range widely based on the size of the apartment (sq ft and amount of bedrooms/bathrooms), location, building, finishes, amenities, floor level, and other factors. A rental agent can provide you with an estimate of what your costs will be based on your specific criteria. Our 2023 Sandburg Village Price Guide will give specific price ranges based on apartment size and finishes.
2. Are pet-friendly apartments available?
Yes! Many apartments in Sandburg Village will allow pets. Renters with very large dogs (50-100+ lbs), more than 2 pets, or unconventional pets beyond cats and dogs may have fewer options to pick between. Pet owners may also be expected to pay additional fees for their pets.
The two Sandburg Village buildings east of Clark St. (88 Schiller and 70 W Burton) are strickly no-pet buildings.
3. How close is public transportation?
Sandburg Village has ample public transportation options nearby including the CTA Brown Line (Sedgwick Stop) and Red Line (Clark/Division Stop) and bus service along all major streets.
4. Are there furnished apartments available?
Yes, but they are rare. Furnished apartments are more common in the luxury price bracket and may command rents of $500+ per month over a similar unit unfurnished.
5. What is the typical length of a lease?
Typically Sandburg Village landlords are looking for a minimum lease length of one year, though some landlords may require a two-year lease. It may be possible to secure a shorter lease, especially in the luxury market.
As the rental market in the neighborhood has grown more competitive, longer leases have become more common. Also, renters starting leases beginning in the winter may be asked to extend the lease length so it terminates in the summer (14-18 month leases).
6. What costs are associated with renting an apartment in Sandburg Village?
The costs of moving into an apartment will vary based on the requirements of the landlord, building, or management company. When touring units, your rental agent will outline the costs of securing each apartment.
Typically potential tenants will submit an application to a unit along with an application fee to complete a background and credit check (~$40 – $80 per application). Once approved, renters may be required to pay any combination of:
- refundable security deposit (typically 1-months rent)
- first months rent
- a move-in fee to the landlord ($250 – $500)
- a move-in fee to the building ($200 – $1000)
Chicago landlords and management companies have been moving away from security deposits in recent years and non-refundable move-in fees have become more common.
7. What is the parking situation like?
Overnight street parking around Sandburg Village is rare and tricky to find, so if you have a car, renting a garage spot is recommended. Most parking in Sandburg is valet-parking, meaning you won’t have an assigned spot. Spots are reasonable compared to other buildings in the area ($165-185 per month). Be sure to see if there is a waitlist in the garage or not, with buildings close to capacity there may be a short (1-3 months) wait-list for a parking spot in the building.
8. Will my utility costs be included in the rent?
Most likely your heat, internet, cable, and water will be included in your rent. You will have to pay your electricity bill. Your electricity costs will be higher in the summer if you run your A/C unit.
9. Do I need renter’s insurance?
Renters’ insurance may be required by some landlords or management companies. Regardless of requirements, we always recommend renters insurance to our clients. They are available all major insurance companies and are reasonably priced.
10. What kinds of rental properties are available in Sandburg Village?
Sandburg Village has several standard floorplans. These include:
- Large studios
- Convertible 1-bedrooms (studios that have been converted to 1-beds)
- Full 1-bedrooms
- A few 2-bed, 1-bath units
- 2-bed, 2-bath units (very competitive to secure)
- Rare combined 3+ bedroom units.
11. What is the rental market like?
As one of the most popular and enduring communities in Chicago, Sandburg Village has a highly competitive and active rental market. After several down years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rental market in 2022 saw strong demand and rising rents (up 20% over 2021). We expect that the rental market will remain red-hot in 2023 as rising interest rates deter potential buyers.
Apartment hunters in Sandburg Village should expect new apartments to rent quickly and possibly with several competing applications. For strategies to secure apartments in competitive markets, we recommend speaking with a rental agent.
12. When Should I Begin My Apartment Hunt?
The ideal window for finding an apartment is between 2-6 weeks before your ideal move-in date. For a June 1st lease, we would recommend starting your search around April 15th. This window is when the majority of new listings for that move-in date will be available.
13. What are the income and credit requirements for apartments in Sandburg Village?
Credit and income requirements will vary depending on the landlord and management company. Typically landlords are looking for credit scores at or above 650 and pre-tax incomes of 3x the monthly rent.
Due to the competitiveness of the rental market in Sandburg Village, securing an apartment with a lower credit score / income will be difficult. For students and others who do not meet these criteria, landlords may be willing to accept a co-signer.
14. What are similar buildings to Sandburg Village in the Gold Coast / Old Town area?
Some buildings similar to Sandburg Village we recommend are 1850 N Clark, 1122 Clark, 1636 Wells, and 1660 N LaSalle. If you’re interested in seeing similar listings in the area, contact an agent and they can send over some rental options that match your search criteria.
15. What information will I need to provide to find an apartment?
When applying for an apartment you may be asked to provide your photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc. ), a written or online application, 2-4 recent paystubs, and a credit score.
16. How much does it cost to work with a rental agent?
Working with one of our expert rental agents is a completely free service. Rental agents are paid a commission by the apartment’s listing broker.
17. When is the best time to look for an apartment in Sandburg Village?
Renters can find apartments in Sandburg Village all year round, though leases typically begin on the 1st and 15th of the month. More apartments become available during the warmer months, but that is also when demand and competition are highest. In recent years, it may be easier to secure apartments in colder months despite lower supply.
