Apartment Leasing for First-Time Student Renters
Everybody will learn, at some point in their lives, the ins and outs of renting a home or apartment. For the college student, this will most-likely happen when they move off campus for the first time, having lived at home or in dorm rooms up to this point in their lives. If you or someone you know fits this situation, pay attention to the information given here. It may help them avoid a rip-off or future problem.
The first thing the student should do is assess her situation. Does she have a way to get around? How much can she afford to spend on rent and utilities? Will he need roommates to help cover the costs? What other furniture or appliances must be found to live in an apartment? Answering all of these questions is an important first step, since it will outline the size, style, and location the student will have to work with. Housing is less expensive as you get farther away from campus, but requires a car. Apartments with more bedrooms are harder to find for those looking to lower the expense with roommates. Renting a furnished apartment will be much more costly than an unfurnished one.
Once the parameters have been set, the student can then start searching. Once a place has been located, the lessee should do everything he can to find out about his future landlord. Check with the Better Business Bureau, find out what local affiliates the landlord has and do an Internet search through campus blogs or Angie's List. Some landlords are hard to deal with. They prey on the young, inexperienced college student, knowing he won't be there for long, and doesn't know all the right questions to ask. Rental agreements can be bent heavily in favor of the property owner.
When the property owner has been sufficiently researched, the student then begins the hard part of picking the one apartment from the several he has chosen as possibilities. Some questions to ask can be, Are there any grocery stores or restaurants within a nearby distance? Are there other people living in the building, and what are their lifestyles? Does the unit have good cell phone reception?
The more questions that get asked and answered up front, the more likely the student will be satisfied with his new living arrangement, allowing him to focus on school, and not they neighbor's love of the bagpipes!
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