Moving off campus?  There are some things that you should keep in mind when you are out on the Apartment hunt.

1. Make sure to have all the information for filling out a lease (references, banking information, etc).
2. Dress and act presentably – show the landlord that you are dependable.
3. Be wary of verbal agreements. Make sure it is all written down.

What You Need:

• credit report OR social security number and money for the credit check fee
• reference letters from previous landlords OR the landlords’ contact information
• money for the application fee
• money for rent and security deposit
• money for the broker, if you use one
• bag or folder to carry all of this and to carry your new apartment lease home

Checking out the Apartment: Things to look for during a tour.

• Sturdiness of front door, is there a dead bolt, etc.
• Are the walls dirty? Is the paint chipping away? If the paint on the walls is in bad condition is the landlord willing to have it repainted?
• Check electrical outlets to see if there are enough and if they are in working condition Consider how old the wiring is. If there aren’t many sockets or if they are two-pronged, there is a good chance the wiring is old.
• If the apartment is not furnished you should have a pretty good idea of what furniture you want in your apartment and where you want it to go. While examining the apartment keep this in mind.
• Tiling in bathroom and kitchen – is it moldy? chipped?
• Are there enough windows? Is there enough natural light?  Do the windows open and lock properly?  Is the glass and screen intact?
• Test the lighting; is it sufficient?  Does it work?
• Check for wear and tear, stains, etc, on carpets. On floorboards, check for rotted wood
• If you will be sharing an apartment with other people it is a good idea to examine the thickness of the walls. This may be an issue for when you are trying to sleep/study while someone is another room playing music, etc
• Check for cockroaches, bugs, etc – Check behind/under furniture, along baseboard, around corners, in cupboards, for evidence
• If you own a cell phone, be sure to see what the reception is like in the different rooms. Does it work only near a window? Under a doorway?  In the bathroom?
• Are utilities included on the lease? Which utilities? If not, how much extra will they cost?
• Do smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors work?
• Will the place will be cleaned before you move in?
• Is the front door locked? At all times? Are there security cameras?
• Have there been vermin problems in the past?
• What is the minimum term of the lease?
• Who are the neighbors? What are they like?
• Is the landlord present often?
• Are pets allowed?
• Is the property well insulated? Check the windows for drafts, possible water leakage, and rotting that prohibits safe operation.
• Operate furnaces and other provided ventilation equipment. Ask when it was last professionally serviced.
• Who is responsible for maintenance of the residence? Are you required to make normal repairs? Who is responsible for exterior or yard maintenance

When you are walking through the following rooms keep these questions in your mind:

Kitchen:

• Check cupboard for mouse droppings, rotting wood, etc
• Does the kitchen have enough space for you? Are there enough electrical outlets, etc.
• Is the stove a gas stove? If so, is it in good condition?
• Test out the sink, see if the enamel is scratched away Make sure water comes out of the faucets.
• Are appliances included? All the appliances you want/need?

Bathroom:

• Test out the sink, shower, etc. see if the enamel is scratched away. Check water in sink and shower heads, and the pressure is more than a dribble. Also see if the hot water works. No one wants to take a cold shower their first days in their new home.
• Flush the toilet to see if it works; listen for weird sounds
• Look around the toilet for mold or moisture condensation
• Check the cupboard underneath the sink for condensation or rotting wood
• Do water heaters and boilers look safe? Is there a safety relieve valve and is it piped close to the floor?
• Do the pipes drip of leak? Rust stains are a good indication of this.

Bedroom:

• Is it the right size?
• Will all your furniture fit?
• Look in the closets – Will all your clothes fit?

Here are BUDGETARY FACTOR$ to consider in making a housing decision:

1. Two month’s worth the rent to cover the first month’s rent and the security deposit.
2. Cost of utilities (if not included on lease)
3. Phone bill (if not included on lease)
4. Internet Access Costs (AOL, MSN, etc)
5. Furniture (if apartment does not come furnished)
6. Any other additional costs that you see coming with renting an apartment.
7. Even if it is furnished, you’ll need bedding, towels, and washcloths, kitchen linens, dishes and pots and pans.  You’ll need things like brooms and safety pins, needles and thread, light bulbs and trash cans and other things you won; think about until you need them.

Generally people spend about 1/4 of their income on housing, but if your income is not very large it may be as much as 1/3 or 1/2 of your budget. A good way to estimate how much you should be spending on rent is to add up all your other expenses and see what you have left.

These other expenses can generally be divided into the following categories:

• Groceries
• Medicine
• Leisure
• School
• Clothes
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous/Other

Lease Information

Security Deposit

• A security deposit is required at the time when you sign your lease to the property.
• It cannot be more than two month’s worth of rent and may be used at the end of the tenant’s lease either to pay for back rent or damages that are not reasonable wear and tear. You do have the right to be present during the move-out inspection provided you notify the landlord/manager with written intent.
• Should the landlord need to use the deposit during your lease, the tenant must be told of the deduction 30 days before the date of usage.
• If the security deposit is used, the landlord/manager must provide an itemized listing of expenses to the tenant. This listing, as well as a check for the balance of the deposit, is due to the tenant within 30 days after the lease’s termination.

Signing the Lease

• When signing the lease to your rental property keep in mind that it is a legally binding document, for both you and the landlord. Make sure that you thoroughly read the lease and that you understand the entire document. If you have questions contact someone who might know a bit more about the topic, such as Student Legal Services on campus. This extra attention to detail might save you money in the future.
• The payment of rent should also be included in your lease. Details on when to pay and to whom are topics that should be covered. Along these lines, it is also important that any initial improvements that your landlord has agreed to make based upon your property inspection should be included to ensure their completion.
• Pay attention to any legal restrictions stated in the lease, such as the number of unrelated occupants, pets, etc. Signing the lease and knowing that you will be breaking a restriction could pose a violation of the lease and cause the landlord to take legal action to terminate the lease.
• Be aware that it is extremely difficult to break your lease, and that even if you elect to legally terminate the lease you have to pay special attention to the correct procedures of notification as set forth in your lease itself, or by a lawyer.

Renter’s Insurance

• Insurance is a must in any situation where your belongings are involved. Similar to home insurance, renter’s insurance is the best way to make sure you have money on hand to replace your television if it is stolen, or to replace your books if there is a fire. There are a number of policies available to you, but it might take some time finding the exact right one.

Subleasing

• Subleasing can be a very tenuous arrangement because of the legal liabilities it places on both the original tenant and the new subtenant. It is important to realize that although someone else is residing in the rental space, you are still responsible for the original lease; therefore, your sublease should be as close as possible to the original lease.
• Before even considering subleasing your rental property you have the responsibility to ask your landlord/manager about the topic. They may already have a specific form to use, and they may have additional fees required in this situation.

If yes:

• Go through the property with the subtenant and carouse for damages. Using a form similar to the Damage Checklist will help in keeping things consistent, and also bring your attention to damages that might have occurred since your own lease began. Prepare three copies of this list: one for you, one for the subtenant, and one for the landlord.
• When you begin to put together your sublease consider the financial side. Do you want the subtenant to pay you or the landlord directly? And are you going to require a security deposit from the subtenant, and if so how much are you going to require? You want to make sure that you cover all possible situations so asking for a security deposit, much like the landlord asked of you, is not an unreasonable request.
• With the financial portion of the sublease complete, continue on to the responsibilities of the tenant with the rental space. Make sure that the sublease terms reflect the original lease. Include in the sublease reference information for the subtenant, as well as a parent’s contact information, in case of emergency. Upon final agreement, the sublease should be copied in triplicate for you, the subtenant, and the landlord.

If no:

• Speak with your Landlord/Manager about reviewing the subject and discuss the potential of securing their permission based upon your situation (summer break, study abroad, family emergency, etc.)