Tricks for Finding Off-Campus Housing
Off-campus living offers many luxuries
and freedoms. But it’s hard to get those luxuries and freedoms if you don’t
know where to look. For most students, the places to look are in their
university’s off-campus housing services or in a student housing community. There,
you’ll find tips and guidance for finding suitable off-campus housing. Below
are a few of these tips.
Look Early
“Start your search early.” This is
perhaps the most common advice you’ll hear while searching for off-campus
apartments or rooms for
rent in Hamilton. There are more
apartment vacancies after exams and during the summer. So, early summertime is about
the best time to find off-campus housing – the earlier the better. Searching
while there’s less competitionwill help you find the best deal and accommodations.
For example, it’ll be easier to find an affordable, furnished, inclusive apartment
in a great community that’s close to campus and surrounded by practical
amenities.
Know Your Renters’ Rights
Most student renters are unaware of
their rights as renters. However, learning these rights is perhaps the most
important step in apartment hunting. Knowing your rights will help you
understand the lease agreement and flesh-out terms that aren’t beneficial to
you. It’ll also teach you appropriate questions to ask, such as:
·
How, where and
whenis the rent paid?
·
How are
maintenance requests handled?
·
How are utilities
paid and how much do they cost?
·
How is payment
for damage recouped?
·
What violations
can cause a tenant to lose their deposit?
·
Are there any
additional fees (e.g. parking fees or fees for amenities)?
·
Is early lease
termination possible? Is there a fee?
·
How many people
can be added to the lease? What are the procedures for adding or removing
someone from the lease?
·
Is subletting
allowed?
·
What are the
penalties for rule violations?
Asking all these questions will give a
better understanding of your landlord and apartment community. It will also
ensure yourrights are protected before and after signing the lease.
Use Your School’s Housing Listings
Many universities offer their own off-campus
housing and roommate listings. For example, to find student housing with a McMaster
accommodation, you
should start by checking the school’s housing listings. This will also ensure you
find a reputable landlord with a track record of serving students at your
university. Plus, universities are more apt to advertise the most affordable
and convenient housing options, such as those found at West Village Suites. These listings also include the most “student-friendly” housing
options.
Comments
Post a Comment