Getting that first apartment when entering college is a huge accomplishment and is considered one of the bigger steps into adulthood. Moving out of that dark shoebox of a dorm room into an apartment is absolutely game-changing, especially if you’re lucky enough to live with some of your close friends who make your college experience significantly more enjoyable. But finding an apartment can be tough, especially finding one that accommodates budget, privacy and standards of living. As someone who has lived in two different apartments with two totally different vibes, here are my top five things to know before you sign that lease.
- Read the reviews
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When picking out an apartment, people always look at staged photos for references of what the apartment looks like to make sure that everything meets their checklist. However, it’s important to get some advice or opinions from past tenants, not just the leasing company trying to sell you on the place. There could be a smaller room that looks bigger on the website, the kitchen stove could work differently than promised or even just the location could be inconvenient when it comes to transportation, depending on your preferences. Having those second opinions on what the reality of the apartment you are looking at is important to making the most of your college experience and getting the place you deserve.
- Take pictures of everything
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As you first fill out your application, many apartment companies will ask for a security deposit on your apartment to make sure everything is in order. This money will come back to you as long as the apartment is not damaged. However, it is important to note that certain companies will do whatever it takes to get that additional money from you, so please make sure you take pictures or take note of any prior damage already in your apartment before moving in. This will avoid getting any amount of your security deposit deducted. Having photographic evidence of any property being rented is important to protect you and your roommates.
- Be Vocal
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Whether it be a maintenance request not being delivered or a roommate causing issues, it’s important to be vocal about the things that bother you. Communication is key when living with others, especially in a shared, rented place. Besides, how are you supposed to solve your problems if you suppress them? Having to defend your boundaries and set standards for the people who take care of the apartment is essential to living on your own, because it allows for less stress during the college years.
- Make sure you like the people you are living with
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It can be hard when you sign a lease with people and things change, especially friendship-wise. If you ever feel a slightest bit of uncertainty with the people you choose to room with, DO NOT LIVE WITH THEM. Resentment grows, and if you already feel as if you would have issues sharing a safe space that everyone wants to come home too, I would recommend reconsidering. Nobody wants a toxic living situation, and I firmly believe it’s better to get out of it before it gets worse.
- Be Safe
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A lot of people believe that since they are in a college town, nobody will cause harm to others because most people are all on the same college boat. This is not the case; anything could happen at any moment. Feeling safe in your own apartment is so important to a successful and fun college life, so making sure you are turning off stoves, locking doors and checking your surrounding when entering your apartment will add a lot more security and relief to your new home.
These are just a couple of my tips before and after leasing an apartment. Having a fun and safe college experience while living independently changes the game for so many young students. So, having that knowledge allows for an easier and exciting new experience. Have fun!