COMM U N I T Y
BY: ROXANNE AVERY
Charleston Apartments Norman apartment complex offers summer leasing options
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or many college students, summer is a time of transition and that transition often means packing and moving their belongings, only to have to move and unpack them a few months later. But, Maria Ramirez, the manager of Charleston Apartments, has a solution. “Charleston Apartments is implementing a program where students no longer have to move out in May, sign a new lease and move back in the fall,” she explained. “We let them keep everything as is, with limited access to their apartment during the summer.” While renters are required to keep the utilities on, rent is reduced by half during the summer months.
56 | May 2020
Describing the program as a winwin, Ramirez said it cuts costs for the complex associated with re-doing the apartment when tenants move out and with re-signing leases. “Our goal is to retain our percentage of occupancy and help students and parents at the same time. It’s a winwin for everybody. Kids don’t have to move out, store their stuff and then come back in the fall and find another apartment.” Located at 2073 W. Lindsey St., Charleston Apartments is within walking distance to OU as well as restaurants and grocery stores, which is why the student-focused summer leasing option is likely to be a valuable resource.
Other amenities aimed at serving college students include on-site laundry facilities, two pools, a barbeque area, sand volleyball court and cornhole. Pet stations are available throughout the property too. They have one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans and most of the leasing process can be done online. “I’ve had several people go through the entire process online,” Ramirez said. “They looked at the floor plans, applied, signed the lease and paid all online.” The staff of Charleston Apartments plans events for tenants every couple of months, Ramirez said. “Last year, we hosted a ‘decorate
