It’s a right of passage—moving out of your freshman dorm room and into a campus house or apartment. Whether moving out on your own or in with a group of friends, it’s important to take the right steps and ask the right questions before putting the pen to the paper and landing yourself a brand new pad. 

One or two bedrooms?

The first step to finding an house or apartment is to think about who you would like to live with, or if you would rather live alone. Did you hate living with a roommate and would now rather live by yourself? Or do you have a few close friends who you can’t wait to live with? Be sure to really think about your roommate arrangement should you choose to have one—or three!  

Location, Location, Location

Once you’ve answered the roommate question, it’s now time to think about where you would like to live. There are many options on and off campus ranging from one bedroom apartments to multiple bedroom homes. Be sure to check out the neighborhood and, if possible any current tenants.

Someone who prefers a quiet Saturday night at home may not want to live in a downtown apartment above a bar, and a social butterfly may not want to live on the outskirts of town. Try searching sites like Facebook or Craigslist for groups or message boards about the rental. Also consider the distance from your campus’ academic buildings. Is the washer and dryer or walk-in closet worth the extra 15 minute walk to class? 

Linger in the Listings

Check for rental listings in your student newspaper as well as any publications distributed in the town your school is located in. Consider touring rentals with a rental broker from real estate agencies in your area as well. A broker usually has a full list of all rentals in the area and will be able to narrow your search to listings that most fit your needs. Don’t be afraid to be picky—if a listing’s rent has been drastically marked down it may be for good reason. So don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before signing a lease! 

Understand your Lease

Signing a lease is a big commitment. Be sure you understand the terms before signing. Sit down with the landlord or rental broker and read over every word in the lease before signing. Failing to read the fine print can get a renter into an agreement that the weren’t prepared for. Know the exact price of rent and don’t just rely on the price on the listing.

In addition to knowing the monthly price of rent, be sure to ask about a security deposit. Often, tenants are asked to make a security deposit for any repairs needed after they move out. Before you hand over the cash, ask if your deposit will be refunded if no repairs are needed after you move out. Lastly, be sure to ask who will be responsible for any damages made to the rental. For example, if your roommate has a raging party and breaks a window, are you partially responsible? All of these things should be spelled out in your lease so be sure to fully understand before signing on the dotted line.