Frequently Asked Questions

Live Close to the Action! At Accolade Athens, you're just an easy 8–10 minute stroll from the iconic UGA Arch—hello, perfect campus access! Whether you're heading to class or catching up with friends downtown, you're never far from where you want to be.

Accolade Athens is pet-friendly! Dogs and cats under 75 pounds are more than welcome at our community. Please check with the leasing office regarding restricted breeds and the costs associated with bringing your furry friend! All animals must be approved by the property, and we do not allow visiting pets. Our community is smoke-free in all indoor and adjacent areas.   Guests are always welcome, subject to the consent of roommates and security considerations. Overnight guests do have limits on the number of days and guests (please review your lease for specific guest info). You are responsible for the conduct of your guests, invitees, family members, and any other person whom you allow to enter the property or apartment as if such conduct were your own. 

You can request your lease renewal directly through your Resident Portal—no hassle required! Just log in, head to the Lease Options tab, and choose whether you'd like to renew your current lease or request a transfer. Thinking about switching floorplans? Be sure to select the transfer option so we can help you find your perfect fit!

Controlled access: Accolade Athens provides residents with fob access to all exterior doors and amenity doors. Additionally, each unit has electronic key access to all front doors and traditional key access to individual bedroom doors.

After-hours courtesy officers: Accolade Athens also provides professional, on-call security after hours, who will be dressed in uniform. Deadbolts: All units will have doors equipped with deadbolts.

All bedrooms include full sized- extra long beds and mattresses. We suggest purchasing queen bedding. 

Our onsite, professional maintenance team would be happy to help you. We will need some details so be prepared to provide specifics with your requests. You may submit a service request in the following ways:
 
Option 1: Enter a service request through the online resident portal.
Option 2: E‐mail your request to your community and a team member will enter a service request on your behalf.
Option 3: Visit or call the office during normal business hours and a team member will be happy to enter your service request. If it is after business hours, you are welcome to leave a message and we will respond the next business day. 

For Emergency Requests: A maintenance team member is on call 24/7 for emergency maintenance needs (i.e. door/window lock issues, major leaks, plumbing, no heat or AC during weather extremes, refrigerator not cooling, no electricity/gas/water, etc.) you will be provided the emergency contact information at move-in. 

At The Accolade Athens, you will create life-long relationships and connections! Our team plans resident events to get you involved. These events range from pizza parties to karaoke nights, from resume-building classes to gaming tournaments. 

You are welcome to bring additional furniture with you, but don't forget that we fully furnished all of our apartments. You are welcome to move the furniture around to best suit your preferences; however, if any furniture is removed from the property, it will need to be stored at the expense of the resident and brought back at the end of your lease in the same condition it was originally in. 

Community Rewards is a digital rewards platform for residents who live at our community. You can earn any combination of digital reward cards from more than 100 brands including virtual VISA. You will receive more information and log-in details closer to move-in. 

While the furniture and appliances are included, below is a guide to help you with the personal belongings that you will need to provide:
 
COMMON AREA: Electronics and corresponding cords/adapters, décor, trash can, trash bags, pots and pans, plates, cups, eating/serving utensils, coffee maker. Cleaning/disinfecting supplies, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, etc.
 
BEDROOM: Linens, pillows, mattress pad, towels, toiletries, shower hooks and curtain, trash can, décor, electronics and corresponding cords/adapters, and anything else that makes you feel at home.

If you have roommates, check with them to see what items you can share so you don't bring duplicate items. 

Mail - Resident mail is delivered by the US Postal Service to your assigned mailbox. At move-in, you will receive a mailbox key. When you move out, if you want to have your mail forwarded, you will need to complete a Change of Address Form with the local US Post Office.

Packages - Packages will be delivered to the package room and can be retrieved 24/7 with your unique pickup code. 

Resident-Link is a service that enables you to build your credit by simply paying your rent on time. Pay your rent on time each month and ResidentLink will take care of the rest. An additional fee of $6.95 is required for this service and residents can sign up here. 

Your rental installment includes high-speed internet, community-wide Wifi, furniture, on-site maintenance, amenities, community events. The resident is responsible for electricity and water/sewer, pest control and trash. Please review our community fee guide on our website for a list of all of our fees. 

Get excited—Move-In Day is August 2nd, 2026! We can’t wait to welcome you home and kick off an amazing year together. Start counting down the days!

At this time, we do not offer short-term lease options. Our upcoming lease term runs from August 2nd, 2026 to July 17th, 2027. If you're interested in one of our available floorplans, feel free to reach out—we’d be happy to help you find your perfect home!

After the initial installment, rent is due the first of each month and may be paid online by ACH, debit, or credit card through the resident portal. Convenience fees may be charged for online credit/debit card payments.  Late fees vary by property. Refer to your lease for more information. 

Your first monthly installment is due July 15th, 2026. Be sure to get it taken care of before move-in day so picking up your keys is quick, easy, and stress-free!

Your living costs can be covered by financial aid, just like on-campus housing. Any available financial aid funds, after university charges are satisfied, are released to the student for non-institutional expenses, such as off-campus housing. These funds can be used to pay rent. Normal payment deadlines will continue to apply. 

The typical lease term is approximately 11.5 months of occupancy which coincides with the university’s academic calendar. The resident is charged a total rent amount for the contracted lease period. The lease agreement will reflect the total rent amount divided into 12 equal installments with the first payment due on July 15th, 2026 and the last payment due on July 1st, 2027.  These installments do not represent a monthly rent amount and are not prorated. 

We do not send any type of invoice for rent. However, rent is due at the first of the month and is considered late after 11:59 pm on the 2nd. 

You can submit payment via electronic check, or pay with a Visa, Master Card American Express, or Discover online 24 hours a day from any computer or smartphone by clicking the "Resident Login" button. We also offer automatic payment by either credit card or checking account — just fill out one page, one time and payments will be made automatically. Convenience fees apply for credit card and debit card payments or no fee for payments made by eCheck. We do not accept checks or cash in the Leasing Office. 

Accolade Athens does not offer discounts for rent paid in full. However, prepayment gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your account is in good standing at all times! 

When comparing our rates to on-campus rates you must take into consideration many variables, including floor plan layout, square footage, furniture, utilities, and community events. Our leasing staff is available to discuss with you how our rates compare to other housing options and validate that our community offers you the best value for your money, as well as a great location and incredible amenities. 

While parking isn’t included in your rent, we offer two great options you can add to your lease for extra convenience: 

General Parking – A budget-friendly option! Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Reserved Parking – Want a guaranteed spot waiting just for you? This option gives you your very own assigned space. 

Add your preferred parking option when you sign your lease, or let us know anytime if you’d like to add it later! Subject to availability.

Want more say in who you live with? We’ve got you covered! With the RoomSync app, you can choose your own roommates based on what really matters—like sleep schedules, study habits, cleanliness levels, and more. RoomSync helps you connect with like-minded individuals and build a strong sense of community—on your terms. 

Bonus: It’s built with inclusivity in mind! The app supports gender-inclusive matching and takes important lifestyle factors into account, including emotional support and service animals. Ready to find your perfect match? Let’s sync up! Once you sign your lease....

The first step is to get in contact with the leasing staff at Accolade Athens by giving us a call or text at (706) 355-9997. Or you can start your online application now, and a staff member will reach out to you!

A guarantor is an individual who signs a lease agreement along with a renter, promising to uphold the lease agreement in the event a renter defaults on their financial obligations. The guarantor can be a parent, spouse, extended family member, or a friend, but will need to be in good financial standing and pass all necessary screenings. If you have a guarantor, you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit.
 
If you do not have a guarantor, Accolade Athens will require a security deposit. The lease will not be sent until the security deposit is paid. 

No! As long as you meet our qualifying criteria, you do not need to be a student to live here. 

Residents sign a legally binding contract for the entire term of the lease. Accolade Athens does offer reassignment options, which allow you to provide a new leaseholder to assume responsibility over the remainder of your lease for a fee. Please contact the Leasing Office for more information. 

Yes, every resident is required to obtain a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance. Verification of coverage will be necessary before you can receive keys. Our insurance partner, Assurant, will be sending out instructions closer to move-in on how to easily enroll or provide proof of coverage. Please be advised that liability insurance does NOT cover your personal belongings. You may obtain a renters' insurance policy if you desire.