Frequently Asked Questions

Rapid City Apartments for Rent

Our Rapid City apartments feature one, two, and three-bedroom units. All of our Rapid City apartments are conveniently located close to the hospital, shopping, and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Rapid City Homes for Rent

We currently have two Rapid City homes, one on the upper east side and one on the lower east side.

How do I pay rent?

Rent rates for our Rapid City apartments and homes are set in the lease, as well as the due date and how the rent will be processed. As soon as you sign the lease, you’ve legally agreed to the terms, so be sure you fully understand the document before you sign.

There are several payment options. Online payments or automatic withdrawals can be set up, so you don’t miss a due date. Tenants can also mail payments or stop by the K&O Property Management office at 5955 Mnt Rushmore Rd Suite B, Rapid City, SD 57701, and pay by either check, money order, or cash. We are also available by phone at 605-939-8408.

Can my rent be raised during my stay?

No. We never raise your rent during the period of your lease. Rent can be raised once the lease has expired. If you decide to stay in the same apartment next year you should sign another lease to protect your rates. Housing is a supply and demand commodity and rates can and often do go up when supply gets low. If you are renting a month-to-month apartment, then rent increases are more likely to occur. However, we will give you a 30-day notice before the rent is officially raised.

What is my security deposit for? 

The security deposit is a set amount of money that you have on account as collateral for the structural integrity and cleanliness of the unit or home you rent. This money is set aside to ensure that the property is taken care of and left in the condition it was in when you moved in.

How do I get my security deposit back? 

If you keep the house or apartment in good condition and don’t inflict any damages on the property, then you will receive your security deposit back at the end of your lease. To ensure that there are no misunderstandings be sure to take inventory of any wear-and-tear you see when you move in, preferably via photo. This way no pre-existing damages will be mistakenly blamed on you. Once your moveout inspection is done, and if there is no damage other than normal wear and tear, your security deposit will be returned. Any damages, other than normal wear and tear are your responsibility and you will be responsible for 100% of the damage. If the damage exceeds the amount of the security deposit you will be required to pay the difference.

What are utilities and how are they paid for?

Utilities are the basics you need for any housing unit: electricity, heat, water, trash pickup. We pay for trash pickup and snow removal at the apartments. You are responsible electricity and pay a $50.00 per month water fee. If you rent a single-family home, you are responsible for all of the utilities. We pay the HOA fees.

What is the difference between a month-to-month and a fixed-term lease? 

It is very important to know the difference between these two terms, as they will determine how long you’ll stay at a place and sometimes even the rent price. A fixed-term lease is an agreement that states that you will remain in the apartment or home for a pre-determined amount of time — usually a year. Our month-to-month lease will have higher rent prices as will any lease less than 12 months

Am I entitled to know if anything bad happened in the unit before I was here?

Your right to know what happened in a house or apartment before you rented it — called disclosure laws — is based on South Dakota law. We are always happy to answer any question you might have. 

How do I know if my furniture is right size for the apartment I’m getting?

Be sure to know the size of your furniture before going to look at apartments. It might feel a bit odd but bring a tape measure to your apartment tour. Jot down the measurements of certain walls and openings then compare them with the furniture you plan to bring.

I want to make some changes to my apartment decor. How far can I go?

Making simple aesthetic changes, like swapping furniture, is not a problem (unless you rented a furnished unit). But if you want to make changes to the apartment or house itself — like painting or mounting some shelves on the wall — you will need to check the terms of your lease. We do have a clause in the lease requiring written permission before you make alterations to your apartment or house.

I got a pet and my landlord doesn’t know about it. What should I do?

This would be a violation of your lease. First off, don’t put yourself and your pet in a bad position by taking an animal into a building that is not pet friendly. Pet free buildings are for tenants that have animal allergies or a fear of animals. We do offer several pet friendly buildings. If you get a pet, please let us know right away. There is an additional security deposit required for all pets as well as additional rent to cover potential property damage. If pets are not allowed in your building, you will have to move out or get rid of the pet. All buildings have the right to forbid pets, aside from support animals. 

I want to sublet my place. Is this allowed?

Subletting entirely depends on what is stated in your lease and South Dakota tenant laws. If you have any questions, be sure to ask. If you find someone to sublet your room/apartment, be sure to inform us of the tenant change. Keeping open communication is essential on this issue. Any person who would like to take over your lease MUST to fill out an application with K&O Property Management and pay the application fee so that they can check the credit and background. This is required for anyone over the age of 18 who would move into the apartment.

Where is my parking space?

Every apartment comes with one reserved parking spot. We have enough parking to accommodate up to two cars per unit. If you have more than two cars you will be required to keep the additional vehicles in a location other than the apartment.

Are landlords required to make repairs?

We make routine repairs in a timely fashion, no matter how small. Major repairs that compromise day-to-day living are a top priority. Damage caused by you or someone living in your unit is your responsibility and you will be charged for those repairs.

What repairs is my landlord responsible for, and what repairs am I responsible for?

We will be responsible for all repairs not caused as result of damage by you except extremely small ones, such as changing lightbulbs.

When is a landlord allowed to enter my home?

As long as you are paying your rent in a timely manner, we generally stay out of a property. Exceptions are in the case of an emergency, a repair, or a house showing for potential tenants in the future (if you have given notice to move out). We will give you a 24-hour notice before entering your unit or house unless it is an emergency. You would be notified immediately if we had to go into your home without a 24-hour notice, for any emergencies.

Am I allowed to ask neighbors about the history of the landlord and the building before I sign the lease?

No one can dictate who you can and cannot talk to in the building. Feel free to inquire about the history of the building.

How do I deal with noisy neighbors?

You pay rent, so you have the right to enjoy peace and quiet in your home. Please call us when you have complaints about noise, trash, or drug use by your neighbors. If you live in a house,  you can report them to the police. But sometimes it’s just easier to knock on your neighbor’s door and politely ask them to be quiet.

What happens when I don’t pay rent on time?

If you are having problems, please communicate with us. Letting us know that your rent is coming late is much better than sending a check that will bounce or just not paying the rent at all. Keep in mind that if you don’t pay rent on time, we have the right to issue late fees and an eviction notice.

I need to move out early and break the terms of my lease. How does this work?

Breaking the terms of a lease is never an ideal situation. We will work with you to the best of our ability. Give us as much notice as you can. If we can find another tenant, we are more than happy to modify the lease. If another tenant cannot be found, you are responsible for the rent for the duration of the lease. One exception is for active duty military personnel that receive orders to relocate; in this case, you must bring us a copy of your orders as soon as you receive them.