Resident Information & FAQs

​Our standard lease length is 12-month lease, with all leases starting in August. Our fourth floor does offer an academic 9-month lease option that runs August to May. Depending on the time of year shorter terms may be available if we have residents looking to re-rent their apartments.

Every resident 18 years and older (including adult children) residing in the residence must complete a rental application. Incomplete or falsified applications are not accepted. We may verify each applicant’s housing history, employment, credit scores, criminal history, and/or income (at 3x the rent).

The following fees are due in full at the time of application and are required in order to reserve a space at Lucky. Our application is available online. Fees can be paid directly from your checking or savings account or, for a small third-party fee by credit/debit card, at the time of application.

• Application Fee: Steve Brown Apartments does not charge application fees.
• Credit Check Fee: There is a $7.50 credit check fee per applicant (or, $15 for applicant + guarantor) due with each application.
• Earnest Deposit: $300 is due in full at the time of application and is required in order to reserve an apartment until the application process is complete. Earnest Money will be applied towards your security deposit, the remainder of your security deposit will be due at the time of your lease signing.

If the application is rejected by management, the deposit will be refunded in full. If the application is approved and the applicant fails to take occupancy, management will retain the deposit.

The following fees are due prior to move-in and can be paid directly from your checking or savings account or, for a small third-party fee by credit/debit card, prior to move-in.

• First Installment: Your first installment payment is due in full on or before August 1st. All payments follow an installment schedule for the total contract amount and are not based on occupancy.
• Security Deposit: A security deposit, which is equal to one installment payment per resident, is due prior to move in. (As noted above, $300 of this payment comes from the Earnest Money that you previously paid.)

MONTHLY RECURRING CHARGES

• Installments: Your total contract price is paid in 12 (or nine) equal installments, depending on your lease length. These installments are due on the first of the month from August through July (or April). If you have a non-standard lease term, please follow the payment schedule outlined in your lease.
• Utilities: Water/sewer, laundry, and Internet with speeds up to 1Gbps are included for a flat rate $60/per installment, per person fee. To access the free Internet you’ll need to bring an ethernet cable and/or your wireless router. Cable TV and phone are available, but are not included.
• Insurance: If you do not provide proof of private renters insurance, you will be added to our master policy for $15/mo. (See details below.)
• Homebody Rent Reporting: All residents are automatically enrolled in this credit-building program through our lease agreement. By making on-time rent payments, you can build your credit history and improve your score. After your first 30 days of residency, a fee of $8.95/month per person or $14.95/month per household will be added to your rent for this service. You may cancel at any time.

ONE TIME FEES

Additional one time fees may occur during the length of your lease, including: sublet fees, late rent payment fees, and lost key/lock change. These amounts are outlined in your lease.

​Steve Brown Apartments requires that each resident maintain a renters insurance policy, with a minimum limit of liability for bodily injury and property damage of $100,000, throughout the term of their lease. We also require that you name SBA Management Services as an “Additional Interested Party” on the policy.  

​Most policies cost $15 or less per month. This small monthly bill can protect you from accidents that could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars in damages. 

​To protect you from a variety of accidents and losses, especially the very expensive ones we see almost every year. For example, a resident accidentally released the fire sprinkler valve in their unit and caused $40,000 in damage to their belongings, their apartment, their neighbor’s apartment, and the common areas in their building. Fortunately, this resident had renters insurance, and the damages were covered by their policy instead of out of their pocket.

• Theft, such as stolen notebook computers, or a missing package from UPS, FedEx, etc. 
• Damage from smoke, lightning, windstorms, or hail
• The vandalism or theft of your bike or damage to your property by a vehicle 
• Water damage caused to the property and your personal items from overflowing toilets and tubs 
• Liability for bodily injury to other persons

​Per our lease agreement, all residents without renters insurance on their move-in day will be placed on our master insurance policy for a nominal monthly fee. Please note the master policy DOES NOT cover your personal items, only damages to the building. Once we have proof of independent coverage, we’ll remove you from the master policy.

Simply add the policy with the company that holds your vehicle insurance, or call the insurance agent (or agency) of your choice. If you don’t have a preferred insurance provider you’re encouraged to consider ResidentInsure. All of our properties are pre-approved for coverage so you can sign up in less than five minutes. Click here to get started: www.residentinsure.com.

• Local Management
  Our Resident Relations Coordinators are located on the second level of the lobby (P2). They’ll answer all of your questions and make sure what needs fixing is fixed. P2 is your one-stop-shop for all things having to do with the business of renting.
• Lobby
  Jump on our wireless while waiting for a delivery or pickup, ask our concierge team for assistance, or rub The Luckiphant’s trunk for good luck on your way out the door.
• Laundry
  Each floor at Lucky has a laundry room. Unlimited laundry is included – no coins or cards needed!
• Floor Features
  In the center of each floor at Lucky, you will find an amenity space: either a glass-walled multi-purpose lounge, a quiet study room, meeting space, or our reservable, private fitness studio with on-demand classes. These rooms are open 24-hours a day and free wi-fi is available.
• Fourth-Floor Rooftop Garden Terrace 
  Here you’ll find the hot tub, fire pit, grilling station, outdoor study tables, a sports court for pickle ball and basketball, outdoor TV, snuggle pods, and more. (Open seasonally.)
• Penthouse Skydeck
  Lucky also offers a rooftop skydeck with cabanas and a gas firepit. The deck has plenty of lounge furniture for relaxing or catching up with friends.

Cats, Fish, and Caged Birds are welcome! Dogs and exotic pets are not allowed. Cats must be neutered or spayed. Maximum of 2 cats, $50/mo. per cat and $25/mo. per small, caged animal, bird, or reptile. No additional deposit is required. We ask that all pets who will be living or visiting your residence be disclosed. Qualified service animals are always welcome.

Residents at Lucky are responsible for setting up electric service for their apartment prior to move-in and for cancelling this service at move out.

Water/sewer, laundry and Internet are included for a flat rate $60/per installment, per person. To access the free internet you’ll need to bring an ethernet cable and/or your wireless router.

These are the current service providers available at Lucky:

• Electricity Provider: Madison Gas & Electric · 608-252-7222
• TV/Landline Provider: ResTech Services · 608-663-3868

You should call MG&E at least one week (but no more than one month) prior to the start date of your lease to arrange for the service to be transferred to your name.

Yes! Apartments come furnished and included a sofa, slipper chair, coffee table, side table, barstools, full beds (twin beds for double occupancy), desk and chair!

​This is a smoke-free community.

Parking is available to rent. Lucky has remote entry, covered parking in our two-story garage. The garage is conveniently located in the center of UW-Madison’s campus, next to Grainger Hall, the Fluno Center, and State Street. Give us a call or stop down to the leasing office to add a parking space onto your lease.

At Steve Brown Apartments, we hope your move-in experience will be a positive one. In order to help you with your move-in arrangements, we encourage you to use this checklist.

Before The Move

• Renter’s Insurance is required. If you do not want to be enrolled in our master Renter’s Insurance Policy please send us a copy of your insurance certificate. Insurance fees for those enrolled in our master policy will be added to your first installment payment.
• Be sure the total of earnest money and security deposit due for your apartment is paid on or before you arrive. Keys will not be issued unless your security deposit and first month’s rent are paid in full.
• Set up all necessary utilities for your new apartment home in your name, effective for your move-in date (you’ll need to coordinate this with your roommates).
• If you’re moving in during late August, and you are arriving during our normal office hours, you do not need to make a move-in appointment. If you are moving in during a different month, or are arriving after hours, please ensure that you have scheduled a time for your lease signing and your move in day with your Resident Relations Coordinator.
• During the course of the year we are happy to accept your packages for you at our offices. We are unable offer this service during the August move-in rush and we cannot accept packages for you before you move-in.
• If you are still in need of parking, there is a good chance we have spaces available. Call our offices today at 608-237-2777 to secure a spot.

Day of the Move

Your Move in Day: There are multiple August move in days at Lucky. Please check your lease for your start date. You can move in on that day (or later), starting at 8:00 a.m.

Where You’ll Check In: The Lucky Leasing office on the P2 level at 777 University Ave. You’ll drive into our parking garage (enter on W. Johnson St., look for the sign) and enter the lobby through the large red doors located on the first (P2) parking level.

• Your move in orientation will generally take less than fifteen minutes. We’ll make sure all balances are paid and provide you with your key card and all of the other necessities you’ll need.
• Please fill out your online move-in form sheet right away. This form is to protect your security deposit. Document any problems at the beginning, and return the form within 10 days to help avoid charges at the end of your lease!
• Please make sure all of your keys work and your door locks are working.