Your Guide to Off-Campus
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for playing (and winning) the off-campus housing game. Your student has decided to live off campus. While this can be a fantastic experience for students, it opens up a whole range of questions for you as a parent. Housing around universities gets snapped up fast; prepare yourself for the process now so you can start searching right away! We’ve broken the process down into 5 steps, and provided you with the tools and information you need to navigate the housing game.
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Find a Roommate: Many students start their housing process by deciding on a roommate. Make sure your student knows what factors to consider before making his roommate choice. Establish a Budget: Having a budget in place can help your student focus her search efforts. Use our article and interactive budget calculator to create a housing budget with your student.
Conduct the Search: Once your student knows what he’s looking for, it’s time to start his search. Check out our tips on where to look, or click on the “start your search now” button after any article to see UniversityParent’s housing listings. Evaluate the options: Find out what factors your student should consider to ensure she chooses the best property. Sign a lease: Now that your student has decided on a place, it’s time to sign. Find tips to help him protect his rights, and pass along our student checklist to make sure he’s prepared.
Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section at the end.
Remember, student housing options fill up fast. If you want your student to land on the best properties, January through March is the time to look. Read on, or use the button below to start your search now! Click here to start your search now!
www.universityparent.com/page/states UniversityParent has worked with college parents for over 10 years! We understand just what you need to know and when you will need to know about it. To learn more about us, visit www.universityparent.com/about.
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5 Things your student should consider when choosing a roommate.
As students begin to consider living arrangements for the fall, deciding on a roommate will have a major impact on their year. The process can begin to feel like a game of musical chairs, with everyone hurrying to find a roommate in order to avoid being the odd one out. However, choosing to spend a year in close quarters with someone is not a decision to rush into. Talk to your student about the following factors to help him make an informed decision.
Reliability A lease is a legally binding document, typically lasting 12 months. Your student can’t get out of a lease because she doesn’t get along with her roommate. Because of this, she should think about selecting someone who is going to be financially responsible. You don’t want her to be stuck covering for a roommate who skips out on rent. She should also select someone who is mindful about safety practices. Both roommates need to regularly lock doors and windows when they leave the apartment in order to keep their home safe.
Schedule Your student should try to room with someone who has a similar or at least compatible schedule. Encourage your student to ask potential roommates about their class and sleep schedules. If their schedules are complete opposites, he may want to consider a different roommate.
Significant Other Whether or not your student or her potential roommates are in a relationship now, chances are this is a topic that will come up at some point during the year. Before it becomes a problem, your student should talk to her roommates and come to an agreement on some boundaries. She and her roommates should discuss how often and at what times it will be acceptable to bring over a significant other, and come to an arrangement that will be comfortable for all roommates.
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Cleanliness Is your student comfortable with clutter and a messy house? If he tends to be disorganized, then he might not fit well with someone who falls on the opposite end of the spectrum, or vice versa. If your student wants to room with someone who has different standards for cleanliness, encourage him to talk to his roommate about what areas are shared and should therefore be kept tidy.
Sharing Ground rules are key in keeping the peace when your student’s belongings are at stake. Sharing food and cleaning supplies can be convenient and less expensive. Also, it doesn’t make sense to double up on items like toasters, couches or televisions. Still, it’s important for roommates to agree on what items are sharable. While grabbing a roommate’s soda from the fridge when she’s late may be no big deal for your daughter, depending on her roommate, it could spark issues. (Check out this roommate packing list for ideas on what your student should share with their roommate.) There are plenty of other factors that impact the living situation between your student and his roommates. Issues will likely arise, but your student will be better equipped to handle them if he’s already established ground rules with his roommates-to-be.
Click here to start your search now!
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BUDGET y to help m o d I n a c What manage a to rn a le t studen budget?
How to establish a housing budget.
12345 Talking to your student about budgeting can be an essential step to helping him become a financially responsible (and independent) adult. It is important for your student to go through the budgeting process with you now so he can use his money responsibly later. Using these steps and the budget calculator on the next page, decide on a housing budget with your student. 1.
Talk to your student about which parts of the bill you’re willing to cover and for how long. You may have budgeted to pay for a few years of housing, but don’t forget to help your student think ahead for the day when she’ll need to cover her own expenses. Talk to your student about what will happen when you transfer over car insurance, cell phone bills, internet and cable costs, and even monthly rental payments. Being a part of this budget discussion will be a huge help to your student once she starts budgeting on her own.
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Identify all sources of income. Include student loans and scholarships. If you and your student will work out an allowance system, record how much money he will receive each month and when he will recieve that money.
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List out the possible expenses that your student will need to pay each month. Gather the regular bills your student already pays. Don’t forget to budget for any travel your student plans to do throughout the semester.
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Now that you know your student’s estimated costs, determine what you can afford to spend on rent and utilities. Research your student’s area or encourage her to ask friends who already live off campus to come up with an estimated cost for water, electricity, gas, trash services and internet. Whether or not these services will be included in rent will vary from place to place. Having an idea of what each costs individually can help you better compare housing options that include different utilities.
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Remind your student to regularly keep tabs on the budget. After the first month at school, if the numbers are way off, adjust the budget to reflect realistic expenses and income.
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BUDGETTOR A CALCUL
Try our handy budget calculator!
ses nd expen o a e m o c What in ed to factor int do we ne et? our budg Insert your student's expected income and expenses per month: Wages Grants/Scholarships Loans Other Income Total Monthly Income:
$ 0.00 STUDENT
Tuition and Fees Books/Supplies Transportation/Gas Food Cell Phone Bill Car Payment/Insurance Health Care Costs Entertainment Other Expenses Total Monthly Expenses: Available Monthly Balance:
$ 0.00 $ 0.00
PARENT
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(student’s income - student’s expenses)
RENT AND UTILITIES RANGE
Expected monthly cost of: Electricity Water Gas Trash Service Cable/Internet
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Tools and tips to guide your student’s housing search.
Before 12345 you start:
Preparation is key in this process. Before your student starts sorting through all of the apartments in her area, it’s a good idea to make sure she has a clear idea of what she is looking for. Use these questions to help your student think about what she wants. • Do you want an apartment or house? • Do you prefer furnished or unfurnished? • How many bedrooms do you need? • How close to campus should you be? • Do you want to live in a quiet or busy neighborhood? • Are there occupancy restrictions in your area?
How to search: It’s important to start early to avoid the pressure of needing to find a place right away. The right time to start looking will depend on the rental market in your student’s area, but generally January or February is a good time to begin. Starting early will help ensure that your student has a great selection of places and plenty of time to make a good decision. Encourage your student to check out these great resources as he searches:
UniversityParent Click here to see the apartment listings available from UniversityParent in your student’s area. We have a variety of listings, including exceptional off-campus apartment communities from American Campus Communities, or ACC. ACC has locations near many college campuses. Because their apartments are geared toward college students, their housing options can be a convenient solution for
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your student. The company has more than 20 years of experience and offers premier amenities that are constantly evolving to meet the students’ needs.
Other students Encourage your student to talk to other students who already live off campus. Upperclassmen can be a great source of information about the best and worst off campus housing options.
Bulletin boards or posting sites Your student may also want to check bulletin boards around his university or online forums for places to rent. Potential roommates can often be found in this way as well.
University Housing Services Many universities have a On and Off Campus Housing Service office. Check the office’s website for listings or tips about where to look. They may also put on a housing fair or offer advice on the housing process.
Click here to start your search now!
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4 factors that can make or break your student’s housing experience.
Once your student begins to narrow down his options, he may be at a loss for how to choose a place, or conversely his criteria may be vastly different from what you think is important. While he considers whether or not the apartment has a pool, game room or fitness center, it may fall to you to bring up some of the other pertinent points.
Amenities While some amenities are simply additional perks, others are essential, especially for college students. Ask your student these questions to help him compare the pros and cons of different housing options: • What kind of parking is available? • What laundry facilities are, and where are they located? • What internet coverage, and how much will it cost?
Location and Safety Your student should consider the apartment’s distance from campus, grocery stores, and work. If she is planning on using public transportation, check for the nearest bus stop. Encourage her to think about the location of her apartment within the building as well. A first-floor room can be more convenient, especially when it comes to carrying in that couch or mattress, but living on a higher floor has benefits too (including a little more exercise and a little less money spent heating the apartment.) Encourage your student to research safety before he decides on an area. Check local law enforcement sites for crime statistics and the sex offender registry. If your student will be walking or riding a bus, encourage him to take a friend and try out his commute at night. If it’s not well-lit or he doesn’t feel safe, it may not be the best neighborhood for him. Also, he should look at the security of the building itself. Have him check for security cameras, deadbolts on the doors, and locking windows. If he has safety concerns he may want to choose an apartment on the second floor or higher, as they are less likely to be broken into. He can also talk to Housing Services at his university to find out about different neighborhoods.
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Scams While online posting increases the ease of finding housing, it also creates places for scammers to hide. Most scams involve fake postings: copies of real posts but with a different e-mail address. The scammer will try to get a deposit or personal financial information from potential renters. Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s page on scams for information on how to recognize a scam posting. Your student should arrange to meet with the landlord at the property. She should never sign a lease or send any money or financial information without having seen the property and met the landlord in person (with her roommate or another friend, not alone).
Property Management The landlord or management for your student’s housing will have a major impact on his housing experience, so encourage your student to research the property and landlord or management company. If he can, your student should try to talk to people who already lived in the building, especially other students. When your student visits the property, encourage her to keep her eyes open. Is it in great repair? Wonderful, that means the landlord probably responds quickly to maintenance issues. Are there major problems that should be fixed? That might be a warning sign. Make sure your student pays attention to her interactions with the landlord, as this is the person she will have to deal with throughout the year. If the landlord responds promptly to your student’s attempts to get in contact, keeps the property well-maintained, and is open about the perks and inconveniences of the property, chances are this could be a good place for your student to live.
Click here to start your search now!
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Preparing to sign the lease.
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There are a few things your student should do to protect himself in the leasing process. Walk him through this information to help him avoid potential problems. Document the state of the housing at the time of move-in. This can protect your student from being liable for existing damage or problems. Encourage her to bring a camera and take pictures of the: floors, walls, ceilings, appliances (inside and outside), and furniture. Also bring a rental inspection sheet to fill out, in case the landlord does not provide one. Make sure he checks for hot and cold running water, working locks on all doors and windows, and functioning toilets, heating, and air conditioning. Discuss any issues with the landlord. If she notices any issues, especially with necessities such as running water, she should talk to her landlord about when those issues will be fixed and get the agreement in writing. Once she’s filled out the form, she should have her landlord initial it. Save all housing documentation. Encourage your student to put together a folder for his housing documentation. This should include a copy of the lease, his rental inspection form and photos from move-in, and written documentation of any correspondence with the landlord, including maintenance issues or changes to lease terms. Your student can refer to this folder if he has any questions about his responsibilities as a tenant or the responsibilities of his landlord. Once you’ve talked to your student about these precautions, give her the checklist on the next page to help her go through the lease and prepare to sign it.
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STUDENT CHECKLIST Before your student signs the lease, give them this important checklist. 1. Read the lease! Thoroughly read through the agreement, after all, it is a legally binding contract. Make sure everything matches what you were told. If you have made any additional agreements, make sure you have them in writing! While reading the lease it’s good to check on the following: • How much will the safety deposit be? • Is any part of the deposit non-refundable? (Some apartments have a carpet cleaning charge, this should be noted in the lease.) Y/N How much? • What do you need to do to ensure the deposit is returned at the end of the year? • Which utilities are included? o Electricity o Water o Gas o Trash Services o Internet • Does the apartment require insurance coverage? Y/N If so, how much? • Are there any special rules about guests, subletting, parking, noise or late rent payments that you should take note of? 2. Prepare the necessary documents ¨¨ If you filled out an application for the housing, bring an extra copy along, just in case. ¨¨ Have a valid form of ID with you. ¨¨ If you need a guarantor, make sure you have filled out all of the necessary paperwork, and have had it notarized if necessary. (You will likely need a guarantor if your income or credit history are not sufficient. Usually the guarantor will be your parent or guardian.) ¨¨ Don’t forget to bring your deposit!
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
ed to e do I ne ls e t a h W know?my student get renter’s insurance? Should While your student’s landlord likely has insurance for the property itself, the insurance probably won’t cover your student’s personal items in the event of theft, 45 losses. Renter’s insurance can cover your student’s personal property 123other fire or and pay for replacing the items if necessary. Click here to learn more about renter’s insurance.
Can my student’s financial aid go toward rent and expenses? Yes. Once tuition and fees are paid, any remaining money will go to your student for use on his other expenses. Encourage your student to talk to his university’s Financial Aid Office if he has further questions. Remember, your student will have to repay his loan money, so encourage him to borrow as little as possible. For more information on Federal Loans, click here.
How long are leases? Leases typically last 12 months. However, month-to-month or 10-month options are sometimes available, especially from apartments catering to university students. Landlords generally do charge slightly more for month-to-month rents, and can legally change the rent if they give you sufficient notice (in most states 30 days). If your student can only find a 12-month lease but will not be in the area over the summer, she may be able to sublet her space. See subletting question.
Can my student sublet his place if he’s gone for the summer? The general answer is yes, with permission from his landlord. It’s important to check the state’s law first to understand your student’s rights as a tenant. If he is able to sublet, make sure he has written permission from his landlord and keeps the documentation in a safe place. He should also make sure his sublessee signs a contract. Your student will be still be responsible for the apartment, including any damage or late rent, so you may want to set up a damage deposit with his sublessee.
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Can my student have a pet? College may not be the best time for your student to get a pet. Pets tend to be time consuming, and add extra expenses to your student’s budget (such as food and medical care). Having a pet can also limit her housing options. If she does decide to have a pet, she will need to clear it with her landlord (and get the landlord’s agreement in writing). Even apartments that allow pets often have restrictions on the size or breeds allowed, and may require a pet deposit.
What if my student doesn’t have any credit? The most common solution for students who don’t meet income or credit requirements is to have a cosigner or or guarantor. Usually parents will fill this role, signing the lease along with their student and agreeing to pay if their student cannot. They will need to show that they meet the financial requirements and fill out paperwork (which may need to be notarized if they are out of state and cannot sign in person).
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