Considering the financial implications of moving off campus? Check out our Cost Comparison Guide compiled with data from current off campus Augie students.
Tips for Apartment/House Hunting
Searching for your first off campus space can be stressful. Here are some tips to make your search safer and more successful.
- Never commit to any space you haven’t seen in person.
- If you are going to see a space and/ or meet your landlord, take a friend or trusted person with you. This is not only a good safety practice, but they may notice things you don’t and can offer an unbiased opinion.
- Trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Visit the space and neighborhood at different times of day and on different days of the week. This will help you get a better feel for what a neighborhood is really like.
- Take a drive or walk around your space for about 3- 4 blocks. Note what the rest of the neighborhood is like and any amenities such as businesses or restaurants that appeal to you, as well as any concerns or safety hazards.
- Apartments are typically a 12 month lease, but some privately owned properties will have shorter leases or no lease at all. Weigh the pros and cons of each choice before choosing which one is right for you.
- Your transportation needs are an important factor, such as proximity to Augie, shopping and bus routes, and available parking for you and your roommates.
- The typical renter will spend about 1/3 of their monthly budget on their living space and utilities. Keep this in mind when determining if you can afford multiple bathrooms, private bedrooms, etc.
- Decide if you want a furnished apartment or plan to rent or buy furniture.
- Before buying a pet, find out if they are allowed, then ask about pet rent or deposit prices, and consider the additional cost of pet ownership.
Choosing Your Roommates Wisely
After living on campus, you know how important it is to choose your roommate wisely. Once you move off campus, this becomes an even more critical decision. There are no Viking Advisors or housing staff to turn to for help, so make sure you interview roommates and ask important questions before legally binding yourself to someone for a year or more.
Some helpful conversation topics to discuss are:
· Sleep and study habits
· Temperature of the space
· General noise level, including music and television
· Evening/ overnight guests
· Cleanliness
· How grocery/ apartment shopping will be divided
· How/ when rent or utilities will be paid if not under separate contracts
· How roommate issues will be discussed and resolved
One important legal note to understand is that, once someone has begun using a space as their primary dwelling space, they must have prior notice of eviction before it can be enforced, even if their name is not on the lease.
Understanding Your Lease
Before you sign your lease, consider the following tips:
- A lease is a legal contract and binds you and your landlord to certain expectations. Do not take it lightly!
- Don’t sign a lease before seeing the actual space and doing (at least) a self inspection. Check safety and security measures as well such as doors, windows, locks, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Don’t take simple verbal promises. Get all important details in writing.
- Read your lease thoroughly to make sure everything you discussed with your landlord is accurately conveyed in the contract.
- Get receipts for deposits, rent and utilities bills.
- Don’t put deposits down on a space until you are certain you will take it. Landlords aren’t required to return the money.
- You are responsible for keeping the property clean. If you don’t find the information on your own, ask your landlord about trash and lawn service.
- It is the tenant’s responsibility to pay the rent on time. Some but not all landlords offer a grace period.
- Discrimination in housing based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability is illegal. If you are searching for a space and feel you have been a victim contact the City of Sioux Falls Fair Housing Program or contact the Center for Campus Life at 605.274.5215 or reslife@augie.edu.
- It is the landlord’s responsibility to provide a safe space for you to live. If you have any issues or concerns, they can be taken to the Sioux Falls Building Services’ Housing Division.
Cosigning a Lease
When a tenant does not meet the minimum qualifications for signing a lease (credit score, employment history, income level) they may have the option of having a cosigner. A cosigner is someone who, in the event that the tenant cannot pay for the apartment, becomes liable for the remaining amount. Most people will use a parent or guardian, but a cosigner can be anyone who meets the criteria for renting. Remember, your cosigner is supporting you in your desire to have your own space, so make sure to keep up on payments, inform them of any problems you may have and check with them before signing a new lease when your original lease runs out. (Cosigners are carried over to the next lease automatically.)
Security Deposit
Security deposits are amounts paid to the landlord to protect the landlord from unpaid rent and damages beyond the normal wear and tear of the apartment. You should receive a receipt of the security deposit from your landlord, or it may be a clause in your lease. Here are a few tips on how to get your security deposit back.
- Take an inventory of pre-existing damages with your landlord before moving into the space.
- Keep the space in good condition, pay rent on time and have any damages properly repaired.
- Give your landlord sufficient notice before vacating the property. (The amount of time is typically outlined in your lease.)