Don’t just sign a lease at the first apartment you tour. Shop around and get the best value for your money. Find a landlord/management that you like and trust, find a place that is safe, and try to find a place where you will want to live for your time at Monmouth.
Tips
- For crime information in specific areas visit Monmouth.edu/mupd, the Monmouth University Police Department website.
- Know your budget and live within your means.
- Location – how close to campus is it? Do you need to drive or can you walk or bike to campus? Drive around to get a feel for the neighborhood.
- Create a list of wants/needs before you start your search: your own room, washer/dryer, backyard, gym, close to local businesses, etc.
Things to Consider & Questions to Ask When Searching for Housing
- Is the rental unit in a location I would feel comfortable living in?
- Make sure you visit the place during the day, at night, in the rain, and on the weekend to get a full perspective.
- Does the rental unit contain most, if not all, of the amenities I desire?
- Make a list of all the amenities you would like to have before going to look at rental properties.
- Would I feel comfortable renting from this landlord?
- Talk with current tenants to discover what their experience with the landlord is like.
- Is the unit in a condition I am willing to live in?
- If any promises are made about repairing any part of the rental property, make sure you get that promise in writing.
Choosing the Right Lease
Once you’ve made the decision to move off-campus, you’ll have to sign a lease for an apartment or house. Signing a lease may be one of the most important things you do when moving off-campus. Make sure you read and understand the FULL lease agreement before signing. Remember that leases are a binding legal contract.
- A lease is a contract between you and your landlord that spells out specific details of your living arrangement. Leases often involve policies about pets, deposits, legal entry, and other important information. There are two major types of leases: Joint Leases and Individual Leases.
- A joint lease means a landlord will hold all roommates responsible for the lease. If one person breaks the lease, the other roommates are held responsible for paying the total rent. A joint lease is most common when renting a house.
- In an individual lease, a landlord holds each person responsible for his or her own actions. For instance, if one roommate breaks the lease, that person is still responsible for paying his or her own rent and the other roommates are not held responsible if they don’t.
- For most college students, individual leases are the best choice. Each person in the lease is responsible for his or her own actions and not the actions of a roommate/housemate.
- Most landlords or apartment managers have the option of providing you with a joint or individual lease. Be prepared to pay more for an individual lease.