Policies

  • The following items are included in your rent: Range, refrigerator, curtain rods, window shades, routine maintenance, snow removal, pest control, trash pickup, trash container, and water/sewer.
  • All tenants are responsible for turning the electric and gas on in their name before moving into any apartment. Ameren UE supplies electric services in Brookfield. They no longer have a local office, so arrangements for electric service will need to be made by telephone. Their number is 1-800-552-7583. When you call, you will need your social security number, the address you are moving to, and a telephone number. Liberty Utilities provides the gas service. Their telephone number is 1-800-424-0427. These utility companies usually require 2-3 days notice to have the utilities turned on. The Housing Authority pays water and sewer charges. Your hot water will be turned up once we have received verification that electric and gas services have been transferred into your name. When lease papers are signed, a confirmation number and/or account number for your utilities are required.
  • Our insurance does not cover your personal property inside your apartment. You must purchase your own personal property insurance if you desire to have any. If you want to buy “renter’s insurance,” please get in touch with your insurance agent to assist you. If you do not have an agent, any insurance agents in town would be willing to help you obtain the coverage you need.
  • You will receive one key to your apartment when you sign your lease and do your move-in inspection. The front, back, and outside storage closets all use the same key. Additional keys may be obtained by posting a $5.00 per-key deposit. The deposit will be refunded when you move out and return the keys. Mailboxes at Fessler Vista are on two pedestals along High Street. They are locking boxes that require a key to unlock. The #1 space on each bank of boxes is for outgoing mail. A key will be left in your mailbox if you receive a package by parcel post. You open the package box on the pedestal, take your package out, and leave the key in the box. The carrier will pick up the key the following day. If you are disabled and unable to get to the mailbox, please call the Post office at 660-258-7044 and request a form to have mail delivery service to your door. There is a section that your physician will need to fill out explaining why it is a hardship for you to get to the mailbox. Our maintenance staff will install a mailbox at your unit if you qualify.
  • Your apartment number is your mailing address: ** Joyce Place or ** Fessler Vista. Mail at Joyce Place is delivered to the mailbox on the wall outside each apartment. Outgoing mail may be attached to the front of the mailbox on your apartment using a clothespin or other item that will secure the letter to the box until the mail person picks it up.
  • Each apartment has a hookup for a full-size washing machine. The 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom apartments have a hookup for a full-size dryer in the back bedroom. The one-bedroom apartments will accommodate a stacking washer/dryer or a compact pair, but not a full size of both. The efficiency apartments are not set up for a dryer. A clothesline is provided behind each building.
  • Laundry facilities are available in the Community Building. Washers and dryers operate for $.50 each. There are 4 wash machines and 4 dryers. All laundry must be started before 3:30 pm weekdays and finish no later than 4:00 pm. Animals are not allowed in the laundry or community building.
  • You and your guests are NOT allowed to drive any vehicle on the grass. You must park in the parking lot or along the curb. When moving heavy objects, you may borrow a dolly to get the items from the parking lot to your apartment. Call the office if you would like to borrow the dolly.
    Tenants with cars are assigned a parking space with their apartment number on the parking bumper. Unfortunately, we do not have enough spaces for each apartment. If you have more than one vehicle, unless there are vacant spaces in your parking area, you will need to park one of them along the street or in our visitor parking lot. Guests should park along the curb or in the visitor parking area and be careful not to block the mailboxes at Fessler Vista.
  • OUR HOUSING COMPLEX IS SMOKE-FREE. AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018, THERE IS A BAN ON ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING E-CIGARETTES AND CHEWING TOBACCO. A COPY OF THE POLICY IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE.
  • We ask that our tenants not hang pictures or other items on the wall. Once you are settled into your unit and have decided where you would like to place these items, our maintenance staff will happily hang them for you. Just call the office to set up an appointment.
  • You can plant flowers, vegetables, etc., around your apartment. They must be kept free of weeds and tied up so they will not sprawl out into the lawn or in the way of the mowers. The maintenance staff will till flowerbeds in the spring at the tenant’s request. Tilling will be done as time and weather allow.
  • Swing sets are not allowed. Fairview Heights Park, which has playground equipment, is within easy walking distance of Fessler Vista. Wading pools are permitted. However, they must be moved regularly so that they do not sit in one place long enough to kill the grass. They should be emptied each night and kept on the porch when not in use. Toys should also be kept on the porch when not in use and picked up while lawn mowing is in progress.
  • Domestic pets no larger than 25 pounds are allowed at Joyce Place and Fessler Vista and are limited to one pet per unit. There is a pet deposit of $100 per bedroom size. (The pet deposit is in addition to the security deposit and is fully refunded if there is no damage to the unit and no balance is due at move-out). Dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on shots. Verification will be required before the pet can occupy the unit. A copy of the complete pet policy is available upon request, and all papers must be completed and returned BEFORE the pet is allowed.
  • During the summer, we rent an outside water knob for $5.00. The knob attaches to the outside faucet to allow you to water your flowers and plants. This is optional; however, to use the outside faucet, you MUST obtain one of these knobs from our office.
  • Family members over the age of 18 are required to serve 8 hours of community service unless they are determined to be exempt. Community service may be provided by any non-profit organization that can use your services. You must provide proof that you meet any of these exemptions which includes:
    • Over the age of 62
    • Having a disability that prevents you from working
    • Working at least 20 hours per week
    • Being a participant in a Welfare to Work Program
    • Receiving TANF and participating in a required economic
      self-sufficiency program
    • Full-time student
  • Our complex has 5 units designated as handicap accessible. These units have wider doorways and hallways, lower cabinets, and no steps. If you require a handicap-accessible unit, you must mark this on your application. Most handicap accessories, like grab bars and ramps, can be added to our regular units at the tenant’s expense.