Fall 2020 Living Guide

NAVIGATING LEASING LINGO • 4

TIPS ON HOW TO BUILD A BUDGET • 8

COMPARING APARTMENT PRICES • 9

ROOMMATE CONFLICT AMID COVID • 10

OU DAILY Living guide FALL 2020

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you belong here.

At Aspen Heights, our goal for every resident is simple – the best possible student housing experience. We help deliver this with spacious, luxury-style homes, unbeatable amenities, and concierge service. We invite all to make their Norman living experience the best it can be, by joining our community! BOOMER! SOONER!

CONTENTS:

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04 THE LINGO OF LEASING

06 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE

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BUILD-A-BUDGET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jordan Miller

ENTERPRISE/ FEATURES MANAGING EDITOR

Bailey Lewis

CULTURE EDITOR Sam Tonkins

VISUAL EDITOR Trey Young

COPY MANAGER Donna Edwards

COPY CHIEFS

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Francisco Gutierrez Halea Timmons

COMPARING RATES

Megan Foisy

10 COVID-19 AND CONFRONTATION

ART DIRECTOR DESIGNERS Graham Buchanan Rachel Lobaugh Alayna Weldon

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THE

LINGO OF LEASING

BY TIM HATTON

PHOTO BY PAXSON HAWS

TENANT

LANDLORD

GUARANTOR

APPLICATION

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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LEASE

RENTER’S INSURANCE

UTILITIES

PET POLICY

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.

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.

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.

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.

SUBLEASE/SUBLET

PRORATE

UTILITY CAP

PARKING PERMIT

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.

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.

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.

SECURITY DEPOSIT

ROOMMATE MATCHING

FURNISHED

EVICTION

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.

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 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.

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.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE

BY ABIGAIL HALL

1. PACK BY ROOM

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.

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 nitty-gritty 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 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.

PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SNOW

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BUILD-A-BUDGET

BY MEGAN ROSS DISCRETIONARY EXPENSES

INCOME + RESOURCES

non-necessary, just-for-fun spending

all the money you have coming in

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

TOTAL

INSURANCE 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

COMPARING RATES:

BY PAXSON HAWS COTTAGES OF NORMAN

MILLENNIUM

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $729-$849 3 bedroom: $649-$659 4 bedroom: $579-$619 5 bedroom: $559 Furniture: $20 EXTRA PER MONTH

1 bedroom: $990 2 bedroom: $734 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $474-$624 5 bedroom: $444 Furniture: $35 EXTRA PER MONTH

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

CRIMSON PARK 1 bedroom: $979 2 bedroom: $649 3 bedroom: $499-$599 4 bedroom: $459 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: $954-$1,084 2 bedroom: $784-$809 3 bedroom: $699 4 bedroom: $594-$719 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

THE AVE

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

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

STATE APARTMENTS

CAMPUS LODGE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $649 3 bedroom: $499 4 bedroom: $489 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: N/A 3 bedroom: $479 4 bedroom: $359-$424 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

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

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

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

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

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $599 3 bedroom: $499-549 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 WiFi: YES In-unit laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: $545-$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: $606-$700 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $577 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

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

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COVID-19 AND CONFRONTATION: What you need to know about handling roommate-related conflicts

BY JACINDA HAMEON AND JILLIAN TAYLOR COMMUNICATE • Be open-minded. Start with a conversation, and try to find common ground.

EMPATHIZE

The college experience has differed greatly from years past amid the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing students like you from enjoying life outside of classes to the fullest. There are, however, still ways to enjoy the company of the people you’re stuck inside with — even though you have relinquished parts of your social life.

In the event you butt heads with your quarantine buddies, Goddard Counseling Center’s Clinical Services Director and staff psychologist Brittany Stewart shared a few tips with The Daily on how to handle conflicts related to COVID-19.

STAND UP FOR YOURSELF

• Acknowledge and validate your roommates’ feelings. It is important to remember you’re both facing separate challenges.

• Clearly express respective boundaries and find a way to come together without compromising them. Empathy is important, but you should not have to compromise when it comes to maintaining your health.

“This public health issue has become a very charged political issue and that makes people kind of shut down when they’re trying to have conversations or when they are approached with viewpoints that are different from the viewpoints they hold,” Stewart said. “But I think my suggestion would be to start with having a conversation — finding areas where there might be some overlap or agreements.”

“I think a good place to start is being open and kind and calm, which is sometimes hard because you can have to regulate your own reactions,” Stewart said. “So you have to do a lot of work when you’re trying to initiate that conversation.”

“Your feelings are always valid,” Stewart said.

“You have to be working from that level of understanding with the person you’re communicating with. … Be assertive and say, ‘As a result of me feeling this way, I would really appreciate it if.’ Then you can make a request.”

FIND A WORKABLE SOLUTION

REFER TO PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS

SEEK HELP

• Express your concerns and be transparent about the way you feel.

• After you have established boundaries, you can work toward addressing the issue.

• If conflict resolution attempts fail, consider bringing in a mediator to help. Resident assistants are a great resource when it comes to settling conflicts.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are a useful starting point in structuring roommate agreements. The CDC has specific guidelines for shared housing outlined on its website, including recommendations on how to social distance in common areas and avoid sharing drinks and dining utensils.

• If you feel unequipped to manage these conflicts, head over to the Goddard Counseling Center website. The center provides a variety of resources promoting the development of interpersonal skills and effective communication.

• Consider joining the Feel Better Fast group at Goddard to learn more about interpersonal and coping skills.

“Maybe there isn’t a workable solution and things become more complicated,” Stewart said.

“That’s when I would encourage the person to say, ‘What are the things that I can do to take care of myself here?’”

“I would always refer back to the CDC guidelines. … Using that as a foundation for building universal policies or guidelines would be really helpful,” Stewart said.

“We ultimately don’t have control over what other people do, which kind of sucks in this situation when they’re doing things that might be putting another person at risk of getting sick,” Stewart said. “When things get confrontational, and it doesn’t feel like there’s efforts to make a resolution, I always encourage people to just focus on what (they) can do.”

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