College Life Off Campus
Welcome to off-campus living! Breathe deeply and enjoy the sense of freedom that comes with moving out of the dorms. But moving into your first apartment can be daunting, with new responsibilities to navigate.
Fortunately, ForRentUniversity is here to help. We’re your guide to finding a place off campus, living with roommates, and knowing your rights as a tenant. Oh, and we’ll help you find an apartment with a washer and dryer to handle that laundry!
FAQ
What should I consider when assessing off-campus student apartments?
Choosing the right place to live involves plenty of decisions, and being in college adds another layer. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before apartment hunting:
- What’s your budget?
- Are you paying rent on your own, or will your parents or legal guardians be signing on as guarantors?
- Do you and your roommates want to sign individual leases or a joint lease?
- Do you prefer utilities included in your monthly fees, or would you rather pay utility bills yourself?
- How will you get to campus? Do you want to live within walking distance, or would you prefer to drive or take a bus?
- Do you need a furnished or unfurnished apartment?
- Do you need a pet-friendly apartment? If so, what are the going rates for pet fees and pet rent in the area?
- Which amenities are your must-haves, and which aren’t crucial?
Once you’ve narrowed down what you need, search and filter for apartments near your campus on ForRentUniversity.
Where can I find more information about living off campus at my school?
ForRentUniversity provides options and information about apartments near campus at universities and colleges nationwide. Just search your college’s name, then filter your search by your budget and preferred apartment size.
Our search results pages also provide information about living off campus at colleges around the country. After searching for your university, scroll down to learn about the best neighborhoods for students and what to know about living in the area.
What do I need to know before signing a lease?
A lease is a binding legal contract that you should read carefully. As you read through the lease agreement, consider the following:
- Beyond rent, what fees and deposits are you responsible for?
- What is the subleasing policy? If you decide to study abroad for a semester, will the apartment community allow you to sublet your room?
- If you have a pet, do you have to pay a pet deposit, pet fee, or pet rent?
- What is the guest parking policy?
- Does the apartment community have quiet hours?
It’s important to take note of all the rules and expectations outlined in your lease before signing to avoid lease violation fines. If you need help understanding a lease agreement, visit your college’s student legal services office.
What are my rights as a tenant?
It’s also important to know your rights before signing a lease. Here are a few federal laws and legal precedents that protect you:
- The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects renters from discrimination based on race, color, religion, nationality, sex, familial status, or disability. Property managers cannot deny a renter’s application based on these protected characteristics, target protected demographics in their listing or policies, or apply different lease terms based on protected characteristics.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires property managers to notify you if anything in your credit report is being considered against you, and you have the right to dispute inaccurate information.
- The implied warranty of habitability is a legal precedent that requires property managers to provide safe and sanitary living conditions. The exact definition of “habitability” varies by state, but property managers are generally required to address mold, pest infestations, or heating problems.
If you feel you have experienced discrimination in leasing an apartment, contact your student legal services office to learn how to take action.
Should I get an individual lease or a joint lease?
With an individual lease, each roommate signs a separate lease and pays rent separately. Each roommate will set up a payment system with the landlord through an online portal, a payment app, or traditional methods like paper checks or money orders. With an individual lease, each tenant is only held liable for their portion of the rental; you will not be held responsible if your roommate fails to pay rent or damages their bedroom.
With a joint lease, all roommates sign one lease and pay rent collectively. Typically, one roommate will take charge of paying rent on behalf of all the tenants, and the other roommates will reimburse them each month. Contrary to individual leases, joint leases divide liability equally among tenants; your roommates’ behavior directly impacts you as well.
While it’s ultimately up to you and your roommates which lease you sign, individual leases can help you avoid unnecessary drama. Paying rent separately can avoid disputes over late reimbursement and keep you from being held responsible for your roommates’ mistakes.
If you decide to go with a joint lease, make sure you choose your roommates wisely. Living with friends can be great, but your friendship can go down the drain if they’re a bad roommate. Make sure you set clear expectations about how you’ll pay rent, utilities, and any damage fees.
What rules should I expect when living in an off-campus apartment?
While apartment communities in college towns may be tailored to college students, living in an apartment is different from the dorms and comes with different responsibilities:
- Pay rent and utilities on time every month.
- Be respectful of neighbors and control the noise level in your apartment, especially on weeknights.
- Reach out to the property manager when your apartment needs repairs or maintenance.
- If you have a dog, pick up after them in community green spaces.
Read your lease so you know what’s expected of you, and contact your property manager with any questions.
What precautions can I take to stay safe off campus?
Crime has no address, so you should think about your safety wherever you are. However, living off campus can feel less protected than the dorms. Here are some habits and safety measures you can implement at your apartment:
- Keep windows and doors locked, especially at night and when you’re not home.
- When you go out of town, close the blinds and leave a light on. Don’t announce that your apartment will be empty via social media or apartment community chats.
- Never open the door for someone without checking the peephole first.
- Set up security technology like a camera doorbell and a home security system.
- Keep your car locked and never leave valuables inside.
Be observant and aware of your surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity around your apartment community, contact your local police department and your property manager.
How do I handle living with roommates?
Whether you’re living with childhood friends or someone you met two weeks ago, it’s important to have open conversations. Be upfront about your expectations when it comes to paying rent and utilities, sharing common areas, having friends over, and cleaning the apartment.
Draft a set of house rules when you move in and have frequent conversations about how each of you feels the expectations are being met. Keeping an open line of communication can help you avoid roommate disputes that will sour your apartment experience.
How do I budget my finances now that I'm living off-campus?
Budgeting can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start; you don’t want to under-budget and end up in debt, but you also don’t want to over-budget and deny yourself the college experience. Techniques like the 50/30/20 rule can help you build a balanced budget.
According to the 50/30/20 rule, 50% of your income should be set aside on essential living expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries, 30% should be set aside for non-essential expenses like dinner with friends or hobbies, and 20% should be put into savings.
Breaking up your finances like this can help make sure you have fun while covering all your bases. Keep yourself on track with a budgeting app or spreadsheet and adjust your budget as you get a better understanding of your finances.
How can I personalize and decorate my space within the restrictions of the apartment community?
While you can’t make permanent changes to the structure of the apartment, there are plenty of ways to personalize your apartment without incurring damage fees. Incorporate pops of color with throw pillows and blankets and set the mood with ambient lighting. Nail holes are typically categorized as normal wear and tear, but you can always hang wall art with adhesive wall hooks.
Before you come up with your design plans, review your apartment community’s rules and definition of normal wear and tear versus property damage. When in doubt, reach out to the property manager to get permission.