13 Additional Costs to Consider When Looking for an Apartment in Downtown Phoenix

If you’re looking for an apartment in Phoenix, Arizona, you’re probably aware of the perks of living downtown. You’re immersed in the area’s eclectic art scene and have easy access to countless restaurants, bars, coffee shops and events.

However, it’s important to understand your all-in monthly cost before making any final decisions about where to live. If you aren’t aware of the additional fees of leasing an apartment, such as utilities, amenity fees, renter’s insurance, technology fees and application fees, these costs can easily sneak up on you.

Read Next: How Much Does it Cost to Live in Downtown Phoenix?

At Moontower, we understand the importance of making an informed decision. That’s why we’ve created this list of 13 additional fees you should expect to be responsible for on top of your base rental rate, so you can feel more prepared when renting an apartment.

13 Additional Apartment Costs to Consider on Top of Rent in Downtown Phoenix

1. Application Fee

Many apartments require prospective tenants to pay an application fee when submitting a housing application. While the price varies greatly from apartment to apartment, application fees at properties in downtown Phoenix tend to range from $50 to $100. This fee typically covers the cost of running your background check and processing your application.

Since the costs of application fees vary by property, you should contact any apartments you are interested in to properly budget for this fee. For more information on application fees and the application process, contact the Moontower leasing team, who is happy to answer any questions you have during your housing search.

2. Admin Fee

Like application fees, administration fees will vary greatly between apartments. At apartments in Downtown Phoenix, these typically range from $150 to $250.

Admin fees generally cover the cost of administration, billing, bill auditing, overhead and similar expenses. Depending on which apartment complex you are looking at, admin fees may be due at the time you submit your application, though sometimes they are not due until move-in.

Admin fees are usually non-refundable, meaning that if your apartment requires you to pay this fee when you submit an application, you should consider that you will typically not be reimbursed if you end up deciding not to sign a lease.

Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living in Downtown Phoenix

3. Parking

We all know that parking around downtown Phoenix can sometimes be a hassle. If you own a car, it’s important to plan for the cost of a parking spot.

Many apartments in Phoenix offer long-term parking contracts for the period of your lease. Parking contracts at apartments in downtown Phoenix typically range anywhere from $100 to $250 per month.

Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Parking in Downtown Phoenix

Photography by Brookklyn Huberty.

4. Security Deposit

A security deposit is a refundable fee that is held by your apartment for the duration of your lease term and typically ranges from around $250 to the equivalent of one month’s rent.

Security deposits are usually due before move-in and are refundable at the end of your lease term as long as there are no damages to the apartment beyond typical wear. At some complexes, security deposits will be credited toward your first month’s rent.

If your security deposit is refundable, your landlord will assess any damages to your apartment after move-out beyond typical wear and tear. Most apartments have certain charges associated with specific types of damage. Your landlord has the right to deduct the amount of these charges before returning your security deposit. If you owe more in damages than you initially paid as a deposit, you may be billed for the additional cost. However, as long as you keep your apartment in good condition, you can expect to receive your security deposit back within 45 days of move-out.

5. Utilities

Aside from your rent installments, utilities are one of the biggest monthly costs to prepare for when leasing an apartment. At almost every apartment, you should expect to pay utilities once a month, and your monthly cost will vary depending on your usage.

Utilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Electric
• Gas
• Trash
• Water
• Cable/TV
• Internet

When looking at apartment complexes, you should ask specifically which utilities you will be responsible for in addition to your monthly rent. Average utility costs can vary greatly depending on factors like how old the building is and how large your apartment is, so it’s important to ask the leasing office what the typical utility rates are before signing a lease.

Some utilities will need to be set up individually by the resident. If this is the case, you will likely be responsible for a one-time utility setup fee which generally ranges from $25 to over $100.

Read Next: 11 Questions You Should Ask When Touring an Apartment in Downtown Phoenix

6. Renter’s Insurance

Although renter’s insurance is not legally mandated in Arizona, many apartments will require tenants to show proof of renter’s insurance before moving in. This insurance typically needs to cover you, your belongings, and potential damage to the property during the term of the lease.

Even if you aren’t required to purchase renter’s insurance, it’s always a good idea to have. Luckily, it is pretty affordable, generally ranging from $10 to $30 per month depending on the amount of coverage needed.

For more information on renter’s insurance, read our Guide to Renter’s Insurance in Phoenix, AZ.

7. Trash

Some apartments require tenants to pay for trash service each month. This fee can run anywhere from $5 to $25 per month, so be sure to check your lease or ask your leasing office if you need to factor trash fees into your budget.

8. Technology Fee

Some apartments in Phoenix charge a monthly technology fee. This fee typically covers the cost of your internet usage, but may also include services such as cable. Technology fees generally range from $25 to over $100 per month, so make sure to ask if an apartment you’re interested in charges this fee.

A rooftop pool deck is one of the many luxury amenities available at Moontower.

9. Amenity Fee

Many newly developed apartments in Downtown Phoenix charge an amenity or lifestyle fee. This is charged in exchange for residents to have access to high-end amenities like in-house dog spas, expansive fitness centers and spas, and envious rooftop pool decks. The fee helps offset the property’s cost of maintaining such amenities. Amenity fees are often charged monthly with your rent installments and typically range from $30 to $150.

10. Moving Costs

When moving in and out of apartments, there can be fees that you might not initially consider. These include, but are not limited to:

• Storage space
• Cleaning services
• Moving services

These fees are highly variable depending on your personal needs and can range from less than $100 to over $1000.

If you find that you need to rent a storage space when moving between apartments, this can easily become one of the largest moving-related costs to account for. In Phoenix, the cost of a storage unit can range anywhere from under $100 for a small locker to over $500 for a large, climate-controlled storage unit. You should also consider how long you’ll need the space for, as most storage units are leased at a monthly rate.

When moving out of an apartment, it’s important to leave your space clean to avoid being charged additional cleaning fees. While it’s definitely possible to do this yourself, some people opt for hiring a cleaning service. In addition, you might choose to hire a cleaning service when moving in, especially at older apartments where many people have lived in your room before you.

Professional cleaning services may range anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on your needs, but this cost typically falls on the lower end of the range for apartments.

It’s also important to consider the cost of movers if you need them. Hiring movers can cost $25 to $50 an hour per professional, plus $20 to $50 per hour for the vehicle.

11. Pet Fees & Pet Rent

If you’re looking to bring a furry friend to your apartment, you should account for the additional fees that many apartments will charge.

First, most apartments require a one-time pet deposit. Similar to security deposits, pet deposits are usually refundable and are intended to cover any damages your pet might cause beyond normal wear. Ranging from around $250 to upwards of $600, pet deposits may be due either at the time of signing your lease or at the beginning of your lease term and vary depending on the type and number of pets.

Additionally, some apartments charge a one-time pet fee. Generally ranging from $250 to $300, this differs from a pet deposit in that it is not refundable and may be used for things like deep cleaning to remove pet allergens before the next resident moves in.

Finally, many apartments charge monthly pet rent. This is typically due at the beginning of each month along with your rent payment and generally ranges from $30 to $60. Also note that this fee may depend on the type of animal and is usually charged per pet, so if you have two pets, be sure to budget twice as much for pet fees.

12. Pest Control Fee

Some apartments in Phoenix charge a monthly fee for pest control services. This fee ensures that if any unwanted bugs or critters find their way to the premises, the expense of pest control is taken care of. In downtown Phoenix, pest control fees typically range from $1 to $5 per month.

13. Technology/Upgrade Packages

Last but not least, technology packages have become popular at new apartments in the last few years.

These packages may include luxury upgrades such as Bluetooth shower heads, smart home technologies, floor-to-ceiling windows, or balcony premiums.

Depending on the specific technology or upgrade these can vary from less than $50 to several hundred dollars each month. This is typically charged in addition to your monthly rent, but some apartment complexes may have an upfront cost at the beginning of your rental period.

Comparison of Additional Costs at Downtown Phoenix Apartment Complexes

Now that you have a better idea of what additional costs and fees you might be responsible for, it’s also important to understand that each of these fees varies depending on the apartment you choose. To give you a better idea of what you can expect to pay, we’ve compiled this table of fees that popular apartment complexes throughout downtown Phoenix charge (at the time of publication).

Tables last updated June 19, 2023. While we do our best to provide up-to-date information, no warranties or guarantees are made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein.

All factors considered, living in an apartment in Downtown Phoenix definitely has its perks, including amenities, location and overall convenience. However, it’s important to take into consideration the additional costs you might have initially overlooked when planning your monthly and yearly budgets.

We hope this article better helps you understand what you might spend in a year on an apartment in Phoenix and brings awareness to the costs and fees commonly associated with renting. If you have any questions about the fees at Moontower or Phoenix living in general, contact the Moontower leasing team who is always happy to help!