Finding a good student apartment can be a deterring and tedious task. In some areas finding a suitable apartment may take more than a month, especially in a busy college town. Following a structured procedure in considering the important factors makes it easy to find a good student apartment.
First, let your relatives and friends know that you are looking for an apartment. They are a great source to tell you where to search for and where not to. Check out newspaper listings, advertisements and online listings. Most of the advertisements specify the area in square foot and number of rooms, furnishings and amenities. If you are desperate, look for some affordable real estate agencies.
The following are some tips to be noted in finding a good student apartment.
The Owner: If you are renting from a private owner (a room in a private home, some small apartment complexes and an individual home) it is a good idea to have a tenant resume.
There are, in general, two types of tenancies. The first is a lease agreement between the landlord and the tenant for a fixed period of time like 6 months or 12 months. The second type of tenancy is a periodic tenancy, also known as month-to-month tenancy.
Check the landlord is registered with the appropriate authorities. When moving into the property, take photos and date them so that the state of the apartment is indisputable. Inform the landlord immediately of any problems in the house. Ask the permission of the landlord before making any structural alterations, even the smallest change e.g. installing a sky dish.
The Price:According to budget experts, your monthly rental should amount to not more than one week's income. Find out the apartment's rent, it is important to compare apartments. Some apartments may have low initial rents, but may be able to raise the price of rent over time. It is a good idea to check apartment reviews and ratings by some reliable sources.
Be prepared to pay first and possibly last month's rent as well as a security deposit to cover any damages incurred during your stay. Inspect the apartment carefully before committing to it. You don't want to be financially responsible for it later.
Before embarking on your apartment-hunting trip, determine what you can afford to spend. Draw up a budget. You don't want to run out of funds two-thirds of the way through the school year! Learn how to manage your money before you move out on your own.
Roommates: Carefully select your new roommate or you could be disappointed to learn that your lifestyles don't match well. Speak with grad students at your new school and you may find a roommate with similar needs for quiet study time. Roommate matching services are also available.
The Amenities:Check out the perks of the apartment, like the proximity to the school, college or university as well as parking facilities, whether or not pets are allowed, laundry facilities, public transportation and the security.
