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Know Your Rights: A Student Advocacy Primer
CollegiateParent
If you’ve decided that you’ll live off campus next year, it’s worth the trouble to do it right. When you’re happy with your living situation, you have more energy for being a successful student. How do you go about finding a safe, clean, convenient, and affordable place? Here’s how to check all the boxes.
Unless you’re 100% financially independent, before you start looking, have a family conversation to determine what you can afford to pay for rent.
Things to factor in:
→ Are you hoping to rent a one-bedroom or studio, or will you want to share with roommates?
→ What are typical utility costs in the area? (electricity, gas, water, cable/internet)
→ Will there be transportation costs to get to campus? Will you pay for a parking pass?
→ Do you need to buy furniture and small appliances? Could a furnished unit offer benefits?
→ Moving expenses: Will you rent a truck? Buy boxes? Pay for a storage unit over the summer?
→ What will food cost? You can save money cooking for yourself, but it can be convenient to keep a partial meal plan. Plus, you won’t save money if you discover you hate cooking and end up getting takeout every night.
Remember: You’ll need money up front as soon as the lease is signed — typically first months’ rent plus a security deposit and some fees.
Good news! For those enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program, you can use some 529 funds towards off-campus housing expenses. Your college or university determines the allowable off-campus-room-and-board figure for federal financial aid purposes; contact the financial aid office for details.
There are many differences between rental apartments and houses, especially those “quaint” houses that have been student rentals for decades (and likely a bit worse for wear). Before you contact landlords and property managers, you can take virtual tours of available apartments and do a walk or drive by, checking out various neighborhoods, their amenities, and overall vibe. It can be a good idea to visit neighborhoods at night, too, to ensure they are well lit and appear safe.
Consider your top priorities for your off-campus experience. Ask around: Where do your fellow students love living? Is there an apartment complex that people move into and want to stay until they graduate?
Location is the most important consideration. How far are you willing to live from campus? Will you have a car or use public transportation, and is the latter readily available?
→ Take a friend or prospective roommate along to meet the landlord or property manager.
→ Ask to view the room/unit/house you will actually rent (not a model) and confirm that the property is as advertised.
→ Have questions ready, such as: What are typical utility costs? Is subletting allowed and on what terms?
→ Check security features of the unit, the condition of appliances, storage space, and parking availability.
This may be the first legal document you’ve encountered. It’s very important to review it carefully. You might ask a parent or guardian to look it over as well, especially if they are required to co-sign.
Be clear about the following:
→ What’s required up front in addition to a security deposit? First and last months’ rent, fees?
→ What are the conditions for getting the full security deposit back?
→ What dates does the lease cover and is sub-leasing allowed? (This is very important if you’re signing a 12-month lease but might want to live someplace else over the summer.)
→ What utilities are provided (heat, water, garbage collection, etc.)?
→ What are tenants’ responsibilities for upkeep (lawn mowing, landscaping, snow removal, minor indoor repairs, etc.)?
You and your roommate(s) will do this soon after moving in. Make notes and take photos, paying special attention to stains on the ceiling, holes in the walls, a cracked bathroom sink, etc. so that, if there is a dispute at the end of the lease, you can prove your case and get your security deposit back.
Renters insurance is a must for students living off-campus. Your personal belongings won’t be covered by your parents’ homeowners policy or the landlord’s insurance. Renters insurance is affordable (typically less than $20 a month) and will cover the loss of possessions in case of fire, flood, or theft. Renters insurance will also protect you if you accidentally damage another person’s property or if someone is injured in your apartment or house.
