As spring approaches, landlords in Bellingham are pushing for lease renewals for next year and students are frantically trying to lock down a solid living situation for the upcoming fall quarter. Next fall quarter might be the farthest thing from your mind, but spring is prime time for finding a rental. Whether you’re planning on moving out of the dorms or moving into an apartment or house, here are some tips and guidelines to help get you through!
1. Roommates
Roommates will either make or break your housing experience. There are both pros and cons to living with friends or strangers and it really depends on personal preferences. Living with friends can make your temporary house feel more like home, but also keep in mind that being friends with someone and living with someone can be two very different things. Sharing a living space with a stranger can be an intimidating thought, but there are plenty of stories out there of people who end up becoming best friends. Just remember to choose roommates that you can rely on financially to follow through with rent and utility bills. Once you figure out how many people you are living with, you can begin the search!
2. Price
It is important to determine a price range that is affordable and realistic for everyone. Make sure you talk to each of your roommates about what they expect to pay for rent, and don’t forget to take utilities into account! It can be tough when you find a house that everyone likes, but is out of someone’s price range. There are ways to get around that situation with price cuts. Maybe two roommates are willing to share a bedroom in order to pay less, while everyone else pays a little more to get their own bedroom. Another option is whoever gets the master bedroom will pay more, which in turn lowers the price of rent for everyone else. Whatever you choose, make sure it is affordable and fair for everyone involved.
3. Location
One of the biggest deciding factors on finding a house to rent is location. How close do you want to be to campus? Are there stores or restaurants nearby? What is the neighborhood like? Do you want to live on North campus or South campus? How close do you want to live to the park and ride? There are many things to take into consideration when deciding where to live. Remember to be flexible because it can be a challenge to find a house that matches every single one of your criterias.
4. Quality
Check with your roommates and figure out what your expectations are for the quality of the house. North campus has many older houses with cool architecture. South campus tends to have newer, more updated housing. Are we talkin’ granite countertops and hardwood floors, or updated appliances and nice carpeting? It’s up to you and your roommates to decide! When looking at houses make sure you take a close look at lighting, locks, window quality, faucets, toilets, showers, tile and grout, wall damage, closets, pantries, floors, appliances, landscaping, outlets and the heating system during your walkthrough.
5. Landlord
Finally, what is your impression of the landlord? You may end up with an amazing landlord, but there are plenty of not-so-great ones out there too. Before you sign a lease, make sure everyone feels like the landlord is trustworthy and someone you are okay about dealing with for the extent of your lease.
Final Things to Keep in Mind
Be sure to see the house or apartment before you sign a lease. Pictures can be deceiving!
If you have a pet, make sure they are allowed. Many rentals have additional fees for pets.
If you are graduating at an off time, you’ll want to find out if the rental allows you to sublet. This means another person can live in your room and pay rent during your absence for the remainder of the lease.
Figure out the parking situation. Is there a driveway? A garage? Do you have to park on the street?
Lastly, be sure to read the lease in its entirety. Know your rights as a renter and what the landlord expects of you to avoid any incidents or misunderstandings.