Look Before You Lease
Getting an off campus apartment (if your college allows it) is an appealing option for many college students. However, living outside of the university system has its advantages and disadvantages, freedoms and responsibilities. It's important to get all the facts before you sign that first lease.
Living Off Campus: Pros and Cons
The first thing to do before deciding to live off campus is to consider how you live and study. Apartment or house living will involve some trade-offs. For example, the money you save by sharing an apartment might be balanced out by the extra money you spend commuting to campus. Here are some things to consider:
Pros
- Living off campus can be cheaper than university housing.
- You'll probably have more independence, freedom, privacy, and space.
- Private apartments are usually quieter and have fewer distractions, and therefore, are better for studying.
- Having a rental history will make it easier to get a place after you graduate. Plus, you'll have real world experience.
- You can make your own meals.
- No more shared bathrooms (or at least not shared by as many).
Cons
- Living off campus can actually be more expensive. You've got the security deposit, first and last month's rent, utilities, furniture, furnishings, appliances, cleaning supplies, groceries, and transportation.
- You're on your own for Internet and cable TV connections.
- You'll have chores: renters usually spend more time grocery shopping, preparing meals, cleaning, and commuting than dorm dwellers.
- You may be more isolated from campus and other students.
- You'll probably have more responsibilities and liabilities.
- For year-long leases, you may need to find someone to sublet your place during the summer.
Think about what's important to you and put together your own pros and cons list. You might also want to do a side-by-side comparison of all of the expenses involved with living on vs. off campus.
Hunting for Housing
Finding housing that matches your needs will require much patience and persistence. The good news is that you have plenty of resources at your fingertips to help you search.
Where to Find Listings
- Your College's Off-Campus Housing Office: Go to your college's off-campus housing office where you can get housing, landlord, management company, and roommate listings. Most off-campus housing offices do not inspect the housing options they list—that is the responsibility of the potential tenants. The office could also give you advice about topics such as: the best time to conduct your search, what to do if you encounter discrimination in your housing search, and how to resolve differences with your landlord or fellow tenants.
- Real Estate Agents: If you don't have the time to seek out and deal with landlords directly, a real estate agent can be a real convenience. Be aware that the fees can be considerable (a month's rent or more). Your college's off-campus housing office may have arrangements with local real estate agents for reduced fees for students.
- Search the Web: Use a search engine to find online real estate listings in the vicinity of your college. Here are some national listings you can use to help get a feel for the process:
apartmentGuide.com
apartments.com
homestore.com
Yahoo! Real Estate
- Neighborhood Listings: Students or landlords will often put signs in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Also check local newspapers, bulletin boards, and apartment guides.
Search Tips
Expect plenty of competition for choice apartments before the semester begins. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of landing the apartment you want.
- Start your search as early as possible—up to four weeks before the start of the semester. While you're looking, consider staying with friends or family, or in a hotel or short-term residence.
- Be prepared to put a deposit down on the spot (make sure to get a receipt).
- You and your guarantor should be ready to provide the following documentation: last year's tax return, recent pay stubs, personal and business references, contact information for previous landlords, and photo identification.
Signing a Lease
A lease is a binding, legal contract between you and your landlord. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties. It's essential that you and your parents read it carefully and understand and agree to everything before signing. Staff at your college's off-campus housing office may also be able to review your lease and give you advice.
Get It in Writing
Don't be afraid to negotiate any part of the lease with your landlord. Remember, your landlord is only obligated to provide services explicitly stated in your lease and under the housing laws. So if you want it—get it in writing. Here are some additional lease tips to remember:
- Pay special attention to any riders attached to your lease, as these are just as binding as anything in your lease.
- Make sure you understand the exact terms of renewing or terminating your lease, receiving your security deposit, and subletting your apartment.
- If you are renting with a group of people, is everyone named in the lease? Can each tenant sign separate leases?
- Do you understand what kinds of repairs your landlord is responsible for? Find out what types of improvements you are allowed to make.
- If you have questions about rent guidelines, maintenance codes, or your rights and responsibilities, contact your state attorney general's office.
Off Campus Living Advice
My senior year I lived in an apartment off campus, but made sure to stay on the campus meal plan. That way I still got to have marathon cafeteria meals with friends (and many, many coffee refills).
If you go the off-campus route with roommates, be sure to set ground rules about bills, cleaning, privacy, all of that mundane stuff. Otherwise, small things—like who used up the last roll of toilet paper—can become ugly issues. I assumed everything would just work out, but that wasn't always the case.
Lana, New York
