One of the biggest concerns of most students after they graduate is where to live. What kind of community will you live in? Will you live in the city, a suburb, or in the country? Will you live alone or with roommates? Will you be using public transportation or have your own vehicle? Do you want action and energy or peace and quiet? While there are many factors to consider, one of the most important will be where you choose to look when you do move. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of life issues that relate to your job choice. You may want to write down some of the things that matter to you first before you go looking for a place to live. Is geographic location a big concern for you? What about the size of the place? Are there places that you feel more at home in than others? What is it about those places that make you feel at home? Once you have an idea about where you would like to be and what you would like to have, it’s time to go apartment hunting. Here are some ideas to keep in mind as you search for the right place to live.

PRIORITIES

Be aware of what you need

Before you start pounding the pavement, make a list for yourself. Write down the features that would be most important to you in a place that you were living. Things to consider include: 1) cost, 2) appliances, 3) size of kitchen (Is there a kitchen?), 4) size and number of bathrooms, 5) size and number of bedrooms, 6) living room or den, 7) utilities, 8) pets (Are they allowed or not?), 9) storage space, 10) size and number of closets, 11) laundry facilities, 12) trash disposal, 13) distance from work, 14) noise levels, 15) neighbors, 16) public transportation, and 17) parking.

Factor in the kind and cost of utilities

A word about utilities in case you haven’t thought about it. When you are looking for an apartment you will want to find out whether or not certain utilities are included in your monthly rent (heat, gas, electric, water). Find out how your apartment is heated (i.e. – gas, electric, forced hot air, etc.). Apartments that have electric heat can be very expensive. Some landlords include utilities or some combination in the rent, others do not. If utilities are not included in your rent you will want to estimate approximate monthly costs for each one you need to pay and factor that into your budget for living expenditures. Information about monthly utility bills can sometimes be provided by the landlord, but even better would be to talk with the former tenants or other tenants within your building or complex. Be sure to make estimates for varying times of the year (e.g. –heat and electric bills will be higher in the winter. If you have air conditioning and use it often, electric bills will increase in the summer too). Is there a thermostat in your apartment that you control yourself or is it located elsewhere in the building? Who adjusts it and how? Be sure to get a complete picture before you commit your self. Get accurate and complete information prior to signing a lease.

Security and condition of the property

Once you have viewed the apartment, take a walk around the building and the grounds. Are they well maintained? Are lawns cut and hedges trimmed? Does it look like the building is in good condition and taken care of? Do you notice anything broken, cracked or a safety hazard, such as windows, external wiring, or staircases? What kind of access is there to the building and do doors close and lock behind you? If it is daytime, consciously look around you for lighting fixtures and notice where they are (This is a good thing to come back in the evening to check). Does the property seem to be well lighted? Is the parking area easily accessible? How close to the building is parking? Remember, even though you may think that you will be spending most of your time inside your apartment while you are home, the condition of the property is a reflection of the landlord’s priorities and concern. You want to make sure that if you have a problem in you apartment, you will be calling someone who will take care of it for you.

When you are viewing an apartment you like and you think you might want to rent, make sure you take notes about the condition of everything. Document anything that is or could be a problem such as: 1) plumbing, 2) appliances, 3) marks, holes, cracks, chips in walls, paint or anything else, 4) doors and locks, 5) smoke detectors, 6) pipes, leaks, exposed wires, bathroom tiles, sealing, fixtures, 7) paint, 8) walls, 9) carpets. If you notice anything that might pose a problem or needs to be fixed, write it down. In addition, it is always a good idea to take photographs or make a videotape. Sign a copy of the document yourself and have the landlord sign it too, before you sign the lease. When it comes time to move out, you do not want to be held responsible for damage you did not do.

Leases

Leases have variations in terms and agreements, but essentially a lease is a written document (it must be in writing to be valid) that obliges the renter to pay rent for a specified time period. It requires a tenant to stay for a specific amount of time (e.g. – one year) and prohibits the landlord from changing the terms of the agreement during that period. The rent cannot be raised or conditions changed during that time period unless both the tenant and landlord agree. Some things to consider before signing a lease include: Does the lease contain certain provisions that apply to restrictions on interior or exterior design changes? Does it limit the number of guests? Are pets allowed? Is the landlord able to increase the rent? What does the lease designate as the amount of notice you must give before moving? What conditions apply to your security deposit and cleaning costs should you move? What are your privacy rights and how much notice must a landlord give before entering your apartment? How and when will the interest on you security deposit be paid? Before signing anything, read everything! Be sure that the terms and conditions stated in the lease are ones that you can live with and meet your needs. If they do not, renegotiate or reevaluate whether or not you should rent the apartment.

Where you look

  1. Regional and local newspapers. Check the classified section.
  2. Town papers. Many towns publish weekly newspapers that list rentals.
  3. Free newspapers and booklets listing rentals can often be found displayed in local businesses.
  4. Realtors. While many realtors do not handle apartment rentals, some do and it would be worth asking everyone you know for names of realtors they know. Checking the yellow pages of the phone book and making calls can be helpful too.
  5. Networking. Talking with family, friends, neighbors, service providers (e.g. – doctors, dentists, hair stylists, auto mechanics, etc.) and business owners (e.g. – local coffee shop, deli, pizza shop, etc.) can provide you with leads and helpful information. Sometimes when individuals own rental property rather than advertise they rely on word-of-mouth to market for them and provide referrals. Be sure you let everyone know what you are looking for and ask questions of people. You never know when someone will lead you to just the apartment you’ve been searching for.
  6. Internet. See web sites listed below.
Resources
  1. Places Rated Almanac – Your Guide to Finding the Best Places to Live in North America, David Savageau & Richard Boyer
  2. Every Tenant’s Legal Guide,Attorney Janet Portman & Marcia Stewart (Nolo Press)
  3. www.rent.net
  4. www.springstreet.com
  5. www.apartments.com