Planning and Searching
Steps to Living Off-Campus
Before you start your search
There are a lot of things to consider before you actually rent a house. You need
to decide how close to the school you’d like to live, how much you can afford to
pay for rent, and who (if anyone) you want to live with. Deciding on these things
will help narrow down your rental search.
Step 1: When to Start Looking
Start looking for a place around March/April. Most companies by that time know which properties will be available for the fall semester.
Step 2: Find out about the landlords/property managers in the area
Decide which property owners/managers you would like to rent from. Find out about their leases and rental practices. Talk to people who live in housing units you are interested in to find out how they feel about the location, management/maintenance services, terms of the lease, and apartment/house itself. Check with our office for additional guidance and information.
Step 3: Search for places that meet your needs
There are numerous places to find out what properties are available to rent. The Off-Campus Housing website, newspapers, property management websites, word-of-mouth and driving around looking for signs outside of properties are all good ways to find prospective places to rent.
Step 4: Visit the units that match your needs
Make sure the person showing you a place shows you the exact place you will be renting (if it is an apartment complex, for example). Compile a list of advantages or disadvantages for each place you see, so you can make the renting decision easier later on. If/when you fill out an application and put a deposit down, the deposit is usually non-refundable if you change your mind. That is why it is important to have some basic questions/requests answered (in writing) before putting any money down. (If you have a pet you must find out if the landlord allows pets, if you want to sublet you must know if your lease allows for subletting, etc.)
Step 5: Become an informed consumer and an educated tenant
Know both your rights and your responsibilities. Read “Becoming a Tenant" information and the "Checklist for the Smart Tenant". The time to negotiate the terms of your lease is before you sign and put money down. If repairs to the premises are needed and promised to you, write them into the lease with a time frame for their completion.
Step 6: Fill out a move-in checklist
Before you actually move in to the rental, fill out a move-in checklist. This list will document what condition the rental is when you move in, making it easier to define what damages were yours when you move out.
Step 7: Find out about your neighborhood and your rights and responsibilities as a resident in the community
As a resident in the community you need to follow certain rules regarding noise, partying, trash disposal and civilized behavior. Such rules are in most cases also written into your lease. Once your lease begins, meet your neighbors; your off-campus living will be more rewarding, enjoyable and safer.
Step 8: During your tenancy bring all the problems regarding your apartment/house to the attention of your landlord
It is your responsibility as a tenant to do so. Be sure to keep communication open. Make sure the landlord has provided you with ways of reaching him/her in case of an emergency and for any routine maintenance and repair problems. Follow up a call that has not been immediately responded to with a written note. If you get no response, send your letter certified mail, return receipt requested. This is how you are required to document your requests.
Step 9: Living in the rental
Keep the premises clean! Remember- you are responsible for any damage done through misuse, abuse and negligence.
Step 10: Give proper notice of lease termination
Be sure you provide the landlord with written notification of your forwarding address for the return of your security deposit. Leave the apartment clean and remove your possessions. Ask the landlord to inspect the apartment with you before termination. If you have doubts about the return of your security deposit, document with pictures the condition of the premises before leaving. Wear and tear is the responsibility of the landlord but delivering the premises clean and in a condition similar to the one at the beginning of the lease is yours. Remember that if you are sharing you can become responsible for the damage or rent of your roommate if he/she has failed to fulfill his/her obligations.
If you have any additional questions about living off-campus please give us a call at (970) 351-2172 or e-mail us at och@unco.edu
Budgeting
Living off-campus you’ll definitely need to learn to budget your money. Click here (Link to Excel Budget worksheet) to use our budget calculator!
Rental Search
Before You Start Looking
There are a lot of things to consider before you actually rent a house. You need to decide how close to the school you’d like to live, how much you can afford to pay for rent, and who (if anyone) you want to live with. Deciding on these things will help narrow down your rental search.
When to Start Looking
Start looking for a place around March/April. Most companies by that time know which properties will be available for the fall semester.
Where to Look
There are numerous places to find out what properties are available to rent. The Off-Campus Housing website, newspapers, property management websites, word-of-mouth and signs outside of houses are all good ways to find prospective places to rent.