Spring 2020 Living Guide by OU Daily

OU DAILY NAVIGATING LEASING LINGO • 4

SPRING 2020

LIVING GUIDE

TIPS ON HOW TO BUILD A BUDGET • 8

COMPARING APARTMENT PRICES • 11

THE ESSENTIAL ROOMMATE CHECKLIST • 13

THE COMMONS ON OAK TREE 405-321-8877

LOCATED ON CAMPUS ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED

2020-21 Rates

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4 Bed / 2 Bath $599 per month

2 Bed / 1 Bath $699 per month

1 Bed / 1 Bath $1,099 per month

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THE

LINGO OF LEASING BY TIM HATTON

PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SNOW

TENANT

APPLICATION

GUARANTOR

RENTERS INSURANCE

A tenant is a person living in and renting the space, used interchangeably with “renter” or “resident.”

The first step in renting a space is applying for it. Most applications require basic contact information and evidence you can afford to live in the space, as well as proof of ID (like a driver’s license), your Social Security number to check your credit and references of previous places you’ve rented, if applicable. Most applications require a nonrefundable fee as well — expect to pay $20 to $100 for this in Norman.

A guarantor (pronounced gar-en-TOR, related to the word “guarantee”) is a person who signs a lease agreement along with the tenant, ensuring that the rent and other financial obligations will be paid. A landlord often requires a guarantor if a tenant doesn’t independently make enough money to afford the space. For college students, this is often a parent.

Renters insurance policies charge a monthly fee, or premium, in exchange for financial protection for the policyholder in the event that their belongings at the rental property are stolen or damaged. Policies are relatively inexpensive — most cost around $12 to $15 per month and are available from the same companies that offer car or homeowners insurance. Some landlords require renters insurance, but most only recommend it.

RENT Rent is the cost to live in a space, usually paid once per month. The dollar amount of rent is laid out in the lease, along with any late fees associated with rent paid after its due date.

LEASE

SUBLEASE/SUBLET

UTILITIES

SECURITY DEPOSIT

The lease is the contract you sign in order to rent a space. It lays out how long the space will be rented, the cost of the rent, as well as other guidelines like noise restrictions or eviction procedures. Because a lease is a legally binding document, a renter should read it carefully — or consult an attorney — before signing and keep a copy for themselves. An individual lease applies only to one tenant. In this arrangement, each resident in a shared space signs a separate lease which applies only to themselves. A group lease, on the other hand, applies to and is signed by all roommates living in the space, making each legally responsible for the others.

A tenant can sublet their space by having someone else rent it for part of the length of their lease (if the lease is a year long and a tenant graduates or studies abroad during that year, for example). This is also known as subleasing. Some landlords, especially large complexes, will handle subletting on a tenant’s behalf by finding a new renter using a process similar to roommate matching. Some leases make clear that subletting is not allowed.

Utilities are services associated with living in a home or rental space, like electricity, trash, water, heat, WiFi and (sometimes) cable. Some landlords pay those costs themselves and include them in the cost of rent, while others will only charge rent and make the tenant responsible for other utility bills. The lease will make clear how responsibility for utilities is divided between landlord and renter. When calculating the total cost of living in a space, it’s important to include utilities as well as rent — an apartment with $500 rent and utilities included is probably a better deal than an apartment with $400 rent without utilities included.

Before allowing a tenant to move into a rental space, landlords will require a security deposit to cover the cost of any damage the tenant causes to the property. The amount varies, but it’s often similar to one month’s rent. At the end of the tenant’s time in the space, the security deposit is refunded after the landlord subtracts the cost of any repairs. If the tenant vacates the property before their lease is up (“breaking” the lease), the security deposit is not refunded.

PET POLICY

PRORATE

UTILITY CAP

FURNISHED

Different rental spaces have different requirements for pets permitted on the property. Some ban all pets, while others allow only certain breeds or sizes. A private house is likely to have a more lenient pet policy than an apartment complex. Often, a landlord will charge an additional fee for allowing a pet in a rental space. These requirements will be outlined in the lease.

To prorate a cost means to adjust it proportionally to reflect actual amount of services rendered. For instance, if you typically pay for internet on the first of each month, and upon moving out, you cancel service in the middle of the month, you will be refunded what you paid for the remainder of that month. Gas, rent, homeowners association fees and property taxes are all commonly prorated.

Some leases build the cost of utilities into the price of rent. Occasionally, these agreements specify a maximum amount of utility costs that will be covered by the property each month. If exceeded, the tenant must cover the difference. For instance, if the water utility cap is $40 in a given unit and the tenant uses $54 of water in one month, the tenant will be responsible for paying the $14 difference.

If an apartment or house comes furnished, it includes the basic furniture you need to live in the space. For example, the freshman dorms at OU come furnished with beds, desks and dressers. Renting an unfurnished unit means the tenant has to provide all furniture. Because the cost of furniture is factored into the price, a furnished unit is often more expensive.

LANDLORD

PARKING PERMIT

ROOMMATE MATCHING

EVICTION

This is the person who owns the space being leased. For large apartment complexes, the landlord is usually a corporation, while an individual person might be the landlord for a private rental house.

Most apartment complexes require tenants to register their vehicles in order to park at the complex itself. Sometimes, though rarely, these parking permits are an additional cost. Policies regarding guest vehicles vary from complex to complex.

Many off-campus housing complexes offer to pair roommates up with one another, using information from questionnaires in an effort to find a good fit. Most often, these will match roommates of the same gender together. Some complexes will also charge an additional amount for this service.

If a renter fails to meet requirements laid out in the lease — usually failing to pay rent — the owner of the property can legally evict that person, removing them and their belongings from the space.

The OU Daily is a public forum, the University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice and an entirely student-run publication. Nick Hazelrigg Jordan Miller Vic Reynolds Caitlyn Epes Will Conover

Editor in Chief News Editor Sports Editor Visual Editor Video Editor

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160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-2052

phone:

405-325-3666

Enterprise Editor Culture Editor Copy Chief Art Director Staff Adviser

email:

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The Editorial Board, which consists of student editors, meets Monday to Thursday in Copeland Hall, Room 160. The newsroom is open to the public. To advertise in The Daily, contact the advertising manager by calling 405-325-2521 or emailing dailyads@ou.edu.

One free copy of The Daily is available to members of the OU community. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents by contacting The Daily business ofﬁce at 405-325-2521. Corrections: The Daily is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you ﬁnd an error in a story, email dailynews@ou.edu or visit oudaily.com/site/ corrections.html to submit a correction form. VOL.105, NO. 6 Copyright 2020 OU Publications Board FREE -- Additional copies 25 cents

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BUILD-A-BUDGET BY MEGAN ROSS INCOME + RESOURCES

DISCRETIONARY EXPENSES

all the money you have coming in

non-necessary, just-for-fun spending SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, ENTERTAINMENT

JOB 1

SHOPPING

JOB 2

TRAVEL

ALLOWANCE/PARENTAL ASSISTANCE

CHARITY/DONATIONS

SAVINGS

GIFTS

SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID

OTHER

GIFTS

TOTAL

OTHER

Whether you’re signing your first lease or accepting a post-graduate job, budgeting is a great way to stay on top of your finances. This simple practice will guide you in determining how much you can afford to pay in everything from rent and utilities to new clothes or fun nights out with friends. If you’re not the pencil-and-paper type, try building a digital spreadsheet. Or download a free budgeting app — like Mint, Goodbudget, Personal Capital or Buddy — to help you track spending and build a financial plan. For more budgeting tools and money management resources, check out the OU Libraries Financial Literacy Guide at guides.ou.edu/financial_literacy/9things. There are lots of ways to build a successful budget. Choose a plan that works for you and reflects your personal habits and values.

TOTAL

VARIABLE EXPENSES necessary monthly expenses that vary in amount from month to month

FIXED EXPENSES necessary monthly expenses that do not vary in amount

UTILITIES (WATER, ELECTRICITY, ETC.) GAS/TRANSPORTATION

RENT

FOOD/GROCERIES

CAR PAYMENT

PHONE BILL

TUITION

OTHER

LOAN PAYMENTS INSURANCE

TOTAL

INTERNET & CABLE

PERIODIC EXPENSES necessary expenses that are not incurred regularly and change in amount

OTHER

TOTAL

MEDICAL CARE VEHICLE REPAIR TEXTBOOKS PERSONAL CARE (HAIRCUTS, SPA, ETC.) MOVING EXPENSES OTHER

TOTAL

PHOTO BY PAXSON HAWS

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COMPARING RATES BY PAXSON HAWS

COTTAGES OF NORMAN

MILLENNIUM

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $719-$824 3 bedroom: $619-$634 4 bedroom: $569-$634 5 bedroom: $589 Furniture: $20 EXTRA PER MONTH

1 bedroom: $955 2 bedroom: $699 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $510-$535 5 bedroom: $469 Furniture: $35 EXTRA PER MONTH

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

CRIMSON PARK 1 bedroom: $934 2 bedroom: $634 3 bedroom: $499-$564 4 bedroom: $449 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: ADDITIONAL COST

THE EDGE WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: NO Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

CALLAWAY HOUSE 1 bedroom: $934-$1,069 2 bedroom: $794-$844 3 bedroom: $734 4 bedroom: $634-$744 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

THE AVE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: N/A 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $485 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $699 3 bedroom: $599 4 bedroom: $559 5 bedroom: $549 Furniture: $35 EXTRA PER MONTH

STATE APARTMENTS

CAMPUS LODGE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $649 3 bedroom: $509 4 bedroom: $504 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: N/A 3 bedroom: $429-$439 4 bedroom: $369-$439 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

VARSITY HOUSE WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $564 3 bedroom: $464 4 bedroom: N/A 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

EMERALD GREEN APARTMENTS

ASPEN HEIGHTS WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: ADDITIONAL COST

1 bedroom: $895-$984 2 bedroom: $639-$659 3 bedroom: $519-$524 4 bedroom: $469 5 bedroom: $459 Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: $544-$564 2 bedroom: $600-$660 3 bedroom: $795 4 bedroom: N/A 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: NO

WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: NO Parking: FREE

OU TRADITIONS WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $579-$700 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $555-$577 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

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THE ROOMMATE CHECKLIST BY MOLLY KRUSE When searching for a roommate, you can encounter a lot of different personalities. Some are lifelong best friends, and others are ghosts who seem to come out of their rooms only at 3 a.m. Some like to chill on their own, and others like to throw huge parties. Regardless of personal habits and quirks, you and your roommate(s) will be sharing a space, and it’s important to make a contract or have a discussion up front to make sure you both feel at home. Here are some things to keep in mind when establishing rules and boundaries for your apartment or house:

CLEANLINESS 1. On a scale from 1 (messy) to 10 (neat freak), what are my roommates’ cleanliness preferences?

2. How will we keep our

space clean and how often? Will we use a cleaning chart, honor system, etc.?

3. Should we make a laundry

PETS 1. Does anyone have pets?

Will anyone be getting a pet?

2. Is anyone allergic to or

scared of certain types of pets?

3. Where will pets be allowed to go in our space?

4. Who will take care of the pets?

schedule?

1304 Wylie Rd. Norman, OK 73072

GUESTS 1. What is our party policy?

How many people are allowed, will we serve alcohol and what days are best for parties?

2. May roommates have

overnight visitors? If so, how many nights a week?

3. Should we notify one

another before hosting guests?

405.364.9414 www.liveatlandry.com

OTHER 1. Are my roommates

introverts, extroverts or a mix?

2. What are my roommates’

communication styles? Would they rather be confronted in person, via sticky note or text?

3. Does anyone have any

allergies to smells or foods?

4. How do we feel about

borrowing items or sharing food?

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE BY ABIGAIL HALL

It’s finally here: move-in day. You’ve signed the lease agreement, paid the move-in fees, packed all your belongings into your car and now it’s time to officially make the big move. Whether you’re moving into a new dorm, apartment or house, move-in day can be stressful and chaotic. To help ease the stress of move-in day, here’s a checklist of everything you may need to know for the big day.

1. PACK BY ROOM When you’re packing, it’s easy to throw whatever is closest to you into a box or bag. However, if you organize your packing by room — kitchen, bedroom, bathroom — your unpacking experience will be quicker and pre-organized, eliminating half the battle and ensuring a smooth experience.

2. DOCUMENT Before you rush to unpack, make sure to take photos of the condition of your new residence. If you see any marks on the walls or issues with appliances, make sure to document and inform your landlord so you aren’t responsible for any damages that occurred from previous tenants.

3. PRE-PLAN Map out where you think you want your larger furniture before you get into the nittygritty of unpacking. Once you open those boxes, everything will get messier and more difficult to move large items around. The best course of action is to maneuver your large furniture first and then begin unpacking room by room.

4. TAKE BREAKS It’s easy to get caught up in moving in and trying to get it all done at once, but it’s important to pace yourself. Take your time to figure out where you want everything located. It’s OK if you decide to rearrange when you’re less stressed and tired — just remember where you’ve stored things and keep your most frequently used items in easy-to-grab places.

5. DON’T DO IT ALONE PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SNOW

Moving alone is frustrating and unnecessary. Whether you’re a traditional student or not, your family and friends are there for moments like this. Don’t make moving harder than it needs to be — ask for help and it’ll make your unloading, organizing and unpacking a much easier experience.

ENTER

TO W

ONE Y

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Spring 2020 Living Guide

Articles inside

DON’T DO IT ALONE

PACK BY ROOM

TAKE BREAKS

PRE-PLAN