Off Campus Housing Guide                          Back to Table of Contents

Preface                                                                      

As you look for rental housing, please ask the following questions of prospective landlords or property managers. Learn as much as you can about a place before you submit a rental application or a lease.

• How much is monthly rent?

• How many of us may rent and live at this rental address?

• May I rent from you for a twelve-month, nine-month, or lesser time period?

• Where and when must the rent be paid? If rent is paid after that date, do you charge a late fee? How much is it?

• If one month’s rent is late, does the lease contain an acceleration clause that causes all remaining rent to become due and payable?

• May each roommate pay his/her portion of the rent with separate checks?

• If my roommate leaves during the lease, who’s responsible for paying that share of the rent?

• heat (electric, gas, or oil)

• water/sewer

• hot water

• parking (What about guest parking?)

• air conditioning

• garbage collection

• repairs of any kind. If so, why?

• pets (Are pets allowed at all?)

• cable TV

• How much is the security deposit? When must it be paid? When is it returned, or may it be used as my last month’s rent?

• Do I receive interest on the deposit?

• What must I do to have my security deposit returned in full?

• Which bank will hold my security deposit?

• Who is the landlord and/or the landlord’s property manager?

• What are their addresses?

• Will the lease be written or oral?

• What rules and regulations must I follow upon signing the lease?

• How much notice is needed to renew or terminate the lease?

• Will my rent payments have to be guaranteed? If so, why and by whom?

• Does the lease contain escalator clauses that could cause my rent to increase during the lease period? For example, are energy-cost increases passed on to the tenant?

• In previous years, were such assessments made; and if so, by what amount did they exceed the base rental figure?

• May I sublet or assign my lease?

• May I find someone who is willing to make a new lease and end my responsibility?

• Must you approve my sublessee or assignee?

• Will you assist me in finding a sublessee or someone willing to assume a new lease?

• Are fees charged for these options?

• Is notice required to terminate or renew the lease, or will it automatically renew for another year? When must notice be given and in what form?

• If the lease automatically terminates, will I have the first right to renew it?

• Is it possible to terminate the lease before the stated date? What fee, if any, is charged for early termination? How much notice is required for early termination? In what form?

• Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished?

• Are a stove and refrigerator provided?

• Are drapes and curtains provided?

• Are there screens on the doors? Windows? Sliding glass door?

• Is there a fire extinguisher in the apartment? Are there smoke alarms? How often are they checked or tested?

• Has the apartment been insulated or weather-stripped for more energy efficiency? What are the average heating/cooling bills?

• Is a laundry available on the premises? If not, where is the closest laundromat?

• Is a storage area outside of the apartment provided? How is access to the area obtained? Is a fee charged?

• Is indoor or outdoor bicycle storage provided? Does a bicycle have to be registered? If so, with whom?

• How many parking spaces are provided per apartment? How do I get a parking space? Is a fee charged?

• If I pay for parking, is it assigned? What if someone parks in my space or the lot is full?

• Can my guests park in the lot? Is there a designated guest parking area?

• Who are the other tenants in the building/apartment complex? Will we be compatible?

• Are building quiet hours imposed? How are they enforced?

• How do I notify you of emergency repairs during the work day, on weekends, and after office hours?

• How soon after my request will repairs be made?

• If I want something special done, may I request that you do it if I am willing to pay for it (e.g., paint my apartment a color other than standard white)?

• How much advance notice will I receive before your staff comes to make repairs or conduct an inspection?

• Do I have to let someone in if doing so is inconvenient?

• If I am not renewing my lease, will I have to allow people in to see my apartment? How about if I am renewing?

• Do you change the locks at no charge between the moving out and moving in of tenants? Is there a charge for  keys?

• Do you have a dead-bolt lock or other secure locking device that operates only from inside the apartment on all doors?

• Do you have a mechanical locking device operated only from inside the apartment, other than those manufactured as part of the window or door, on all windows and sliding glass doors?

• If I wish to install a dead-bolt lock or other locking device, may I do it? Will there be a charge?

• Do you have a peephole or viewer in solid doors that enables the tenant to see who is at the door before opening it?

• If I loose my key and want either another key or the lock changed, is there a charge? If so, how much?

• What is the earliest date I may move in?

• May I move in earlier if the present tenant leaves early? Do I need the tenant’s written permission to do so? Is there a fee for moving in early? If so, do I pay you or the tenant?

• If my apartment is not ready, clean, or in good repair, who is responsible? When will the repairs or cleaning be done?

• Will someone help me complete the damage report when I move in or out?

• How much time is allowed to report damage that was not initially apparent (eg., a broken refrigerator-shelf support that won’t stay up when groceries are put on it)?

• Does the lease contradict a tenant’s legal right to have visitors for a “reasonable time”? Does it attempt to define “reasonable time”?

• Do I need to purchase it or do you provide it?

• Don’t forget to get receipts for money paid

• Also, keep copies of all correspondence between you and your landlord/property manager.

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