Questions to Ask Before Renting a Townhouse

Rent or own? For the past few decades, the number of people who rent a house, rather than own one, has gone up and down. The percentage of rented households dipped to 31% in 2006 but climbed back to more than 36% in 2016.

Although renting a home might not be as permanent a decision as buying one, it is still a big decision to make. You want to know as much as possible about the property and about what you can expect when living in the home before you sign the lease. If you've found a townhouse that looks like it's an excellent fit for your household, be sure to ask a few questions before you sign, so you can avoid any surprises in the months ahead.

From making sure you fully understand the terms of the lease to having a good idea of what the house includes and what you're allowed to bring to the house, here's our checklist of questions to ask the leasing agent before renting a townhome.

1. What Are The Terms of The Lease?

Before you can move into your rental house, you need to sign the lease. And before you sign the lease, you should be sure that you fully understand what it says and what its terms are. Leases tend to be written in legal language, which can be a bit tricky to decipher. It's worth discussing with the landlord or property manager what the lease says and clarifying the terms of the lease so you know exactly what you're signing. A few things you want to be clear on include:

• The length of the contract: How long is the lease for, and what are your move-in and move-out dates?
• How much rent is: The lease should state your monthly rent, as well as when it is due.
• Other deposits or fees: If you have to put down a security deposit, the lease should state the security deposit amount. If you need to pay additional fees, the lease should explain what they are and how much they are.
• The grace period: Your rent is going to be due by a specific date each month, such as the first of the month. Many leasing agents offer a grace period of several days. Your lease should let you know if there's a grace period, how long it is, and what the late fee is if you send in payment after the grace period.
• Notice period: If you get to the end of the lease's term, and you aren't interested in staying in the house, when do you have to let your property manager know? The lease should clearly state how much notice you need to give before the end of the term.

2. What Appliances and Amenities Are Included?

It's also important to understand what appliances come with the house and what amenities are available. Although many rental houses do include appliances such as an oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher, not all do. It's up to you to confirm with the property management company or landlord what appliances they offer. It's also a good idea to find out what will happen if an appliance breaks.

If the house doesn't come with appliances such as a clothes washer and dryer, you might want to ask if laundry facilities are available nearby or if you're allowed to bring your own machines into the house. In some cases, a shared laundry room might available somewhere in the development, or there might be a public laundromat close by.

Rental houses can vary when it comes to the amenities they offer. Garbage pickup and recycling pickup are included in some rentals, but not all. If your lease doesn't include trash or recycling, you'll want to ask what the process is for arranging for pickup.
 

3. What Utilities Are Included in the Rent?

Water, sewer, heat, electricity — you need these utilities to live comfortably in your house. Depending on the terms of your lease, they might be utilities you are responsible for paying for. Paying for your utilities can add to your monthly costs considerably, so it's essential to ask the property management company what, if any, utilities are included in your monthly rent. You want to avoid the surprise of having a gas bill, water bill, or electricity bill add hundreds of dollars to your monthly living costs.

Along with finding out what utilities you are responsible for and which ones are part of your monthly rent, it's also a good idea to find out how you can go about arranging to pay for your utilities.

4. How Do I Pay Rent?

The townhouse community might offer limited ways to pay your rent. Some still only accept physical payments, such as a check, each month. You might want to look for a rental townhouse that offers multiple ways to pay, for your convenience and peace of mind. Online payments are becoming more and more common and mean that you no longer need to make a special trip to pay your rent or need to hunt around for stamps and an envelope. Property Management, Inc. gives our tenants the option to pay online, which simplifies the payment process. Along with paying online, you can confirm that you made a payment and can review your overall payment history.
 

5. What Is the Maintenance Policy?

If something in the house breaks during your rental period, who is responsible for repairing it? What is the process for putting in maintenance requests? You want to know the answer to both of these questions before you sign a lease and move into a house.

When it comes to maintenance, you might feel better knowing that the rental company offers around-the-clock service. Before you sign the lease, ask the property manager if there is an emergency number or after hours number to call if there's an issue at your house during the middle of the night or on weekends. It's also a good idea to ask about general maintenance issues. For example, if you have a problem with a sink that doesn't need immediate attention, can you put in a maintenance request online or do you need to call for assistance?
 

6. What Is the Neighborhood Like?

When looking for a new house to live in, you want to look beyond the boundaries of the home's four walls and beyond the property line. It's also a good idea to understand what the surrounding neighborhood is like and what you can expect when living there.

Think about what you want in your neighborhood and ask the leasing agent if those features are close by. If you have children, you might want a playground or park within walking distance. If you work from home, you might want to be able to escape to a quiet coffee shop or library for a change of scenery from time to time.

If you're not shy, you might want to ask people who already live in the area what they think about it. Your landlord might not be able to give you an as in-depth or detailed idea of the neighborhood as people who already live there. Asking your potential future neighbors about the area helps you make a decision about renting a house, and it can also help to break the ice and make it easier to make friends with people once you move in.

7. Where Can I Park?

If you have a vehicle, one thing you might be particularly interested in learning more about is where you park it each night. It might be that the house you're renting has an attached garage or driveway and you can pull up practically to your front door when parking each day. In some cases, there might be a parking lot outside of the house, and you might be allowed to use one or two spots in front of your home.

If there isn't a driveway or parking lot attached to the property, ask if you'll need to get a permit to park on the street or if there are times when you won't be allowed to park your car on the road. Along with finding out where you can park your vehicles, it might be worthwhile to ask where people who are visiting your house can park. Some townhome communities have designated visitor parking areas, for instance. If that's the case, you'll want to let any houseguests know where they can leave their cars when visiting you.
 

8. What’s the Security Deposit? Is It Refundable?

It's a good idea to make sure you're clear on how much you need to pay as a deposit and what you can expect when the lease is over. The security deposit is meant to be just that — security in case you cause any damage to the house while living there.
 

9. Can I Renew the Lease, or Does It Go Month-to-Month?

If you like the townhouse, it can be worth finding out what happens once your original lease is over. Some property managers will send you a new lease, which might be for another year or longer. When you renew the lease, the landlord might raise the rent or make other adjustments to the terms. If you don't agree to the changes, you can decide not to renew and to move somewhere else.

Another common situation is for a one-year lease to convert to a month-to-month agreement if the landlord doesn't prepare or send you a new lease. A month-to-month lease might have some benefits to you compared to a renewed lease or a lease for another full year. If you think you might need to move at some point during the next 12 months, you can get out of a month-to-month lease by giving the landlord 30 or 60 days notice. If you've agreed to another 12-month or longer lease term, you'll need to break the lease to get out of it.

Breaking the lease can be expensive, as you will most likely need to keep paying rent on the house until the landlord finds a new tenant. When asking your landlord about what happens at the end of the lease term, be sure to carefully consider your needs before agreeing to a renewable lease or a month-to-month option.
 

10. Are Pets Allowed?

Not every rental is pet-friendly, so if you have a dog, cat, bird, or another animal companion, it's a good idea to ask about the rental's pet policy sooner rather than later.
Some landlords or property managers might be more flexible about pets than others. Sometimes a landlord will have a strict no-pets policy. But many will take things on a case by case basis. They might not want you to move in with a 150-pound St. Bernard but will accept a 10-pound cat or a 20-pound dog. Many communities also limit the number of pets in a house, so if you have more than one animal companion, it's crucial to find out how many you can have in your rental.

If you do bring pets to your rental, be prepared to pay a bit more for the privilege. While not every community charges a pet deposit or pet rent, many do. The extra charge for pets might take the form of a refundable deposit, a one-time, upfront fee, or additional monthly payment in the form of pet rent.

Find Your Next Rental House With Property Management, Inc.

Are you looking for a townhouse to rent in Pennsylvania? Property Management, Inc. has rental opportunities in townhome and apartment communities across the state. Take a look at our available listings and get in touch today if you see a home you'd like to tour.
 

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One of the most important decisions you'll make in life is where to live. Whether you're moving into your first apartment or relocating to be nearer to family, a job, or school, it's a good idea to get the full story on an apartment before you decide to rent it. Asking lots of questions during your search and before you sign a lease may help you avoid any surprises and can ensure that you rent the apartment that is perfect for you. Here's our checklist of the most important questions to ask when renting an apartment.

1. What Is the Lease Term?

When you begin your search for an apartment, one of the first and most important questions to ask a landlord is how long the lease is. A one-year or 12-month lease might be standard, but some apartment communities offer shorter or longer options.

One thing to consider when it comes to the length of the lease is whether or not the apartment community changes the amount of rent it charges based on the lease term. Some communities charge a higher monthly rent for leases that are for less than 12 months.

Along with finding out how long the term of the lease is, it's also a good idea to find out what will happen if you have to break the lease or leave the apartment early. In many cases, moving out before the end of the lease doesn't mean you no longer have to pay rent. Usually, you'll be responsible for the rent on the apartment until the end of the lease term.

2. What Is the Application Process Like?

Although some landlords are more lenient than others when it comes to the process of applying for an apartment, you can usually expect to fill out an application and provide the landlord or property management company with your personal information. If you have found a place you're interested in renting, you want to find out what sort of process the company uses to screen applicants and what information it will be reviewing.

Generally speaking, the property management company will want information about your employer and a list of references, such as past landlords. A credit check and a background check are often part of the application process, too. The property management company will also want to verify your income or that you have the funds to pay for your apartment. If your income isn't high enough, you might need to find a co-signer to apply for the apartment with you.

Another thing to find out when asking about the application process is whether or not you'll have to pay for it. Fees vary based on the company you're considering renting from.

3. How Much Is the Deposit?

When you rent an apartment, you typically need to put down a security deposit. Your security deposit isn't the same thing as your rent, although it's often the same amount as a month's rent. The deposit is meant to give the landlord some protection in case you damage the apartment or fall behind on paying rent.

Since you need to pay the security deposit up front, before you move into the apartment, it's a good idea to ask how much it will be before you get to the point where you're seriously considering signing a lease. You don't want to move through the application process and get accepted only to find out that you don't have enough money to move into the apartment.

4. How Much of the Deposit Is Refundable?

Since your security deposit isn't rent, it remains yours. That means that the landlord should return your deposit to you when the lease is up, and you've decided to move.

There are some reasons why your landlord might not return the full amount of your security deposit to you, though. Before you sign the lease, it's a good idea to ask what factors can affect your security deposit. Landlords can't charge you for things like normal wear and tear on the apartment, but if you caused damage to a fixture or appliance in the rental, they are likely to charge you for it and to take the money out of your deposit.

5. How Do You Pay?

The process of paying rent varies from property management company to property management company and from landlord to landlord. Some companies expect a check mailed to them by the first of the month. Others, such as Property Management, Inc., accept online payments. Paying your rent online can be much more convenient than sending in a physical check. You don't need to make sure you have stamps, and you don't need to worry about having your payment get lost in the mail or stolen. Plus, the process is quick and easy.

Along with finding out what payment methods the company or landlord accepts, it's also a good idea to ask about due dates. The first of the month is an expected due date, but your rent date might be different if you move in in the middle of the month.

While you want to get in the habit of paying on time or before the due date, you might also want to ask if a grace period is available. Your landlord might give you a few days to pay after the due date each month before tacking on a late fee.

6. What Appliances Are Included?

You probably can't imagine living in an apartment that doesn't have an oven, a dishwasher, or a refrigerator. If you've ever lived through a Pennsylvania summer, then you know that air conditioning is a must in some parts of the state.

Just because appliances like a refrigerator, oven, or air conditioner make your life more comfortable doesn't mean your apartment has to come with them. It's common for rental apartments to include those things, as doing so makes for a more attractive rental. But you don't want to assume that your new apartment is going to come with every single appliance you found in your previous location.

When touring an apartment and before you decide to apply, it's a good idea to ask the property manager what appliances come with the rental. If it turns out that you need to provide or purchase items you consider must-haves, you might decide to continue your search or rent somewhere else.

7. What Amenities Are On-Site?

In some cases, amenities available on the property or in the apartment building can make a ho-hum apartment much more attractive. When you're touring a rental, it's worth asking the property manager what amenities come with the rental. Some properties offer a gym or fitness center, a lounge or rec room, and a pool. Other common amenities may include a walking trail, laundry facilities, community room, or clubhouse.

If you're renting an apartment in a building or at a property that is adjacent to another rental property, you might be able to take advantage of the amenities available at the nearby rental property, too.

Another thing to find out when asking about available amenities is if there is an additional fee to use them. Some rental communities offer a pool or a gym, but charge residents an extra fee on top of their rent to get access to certain features.

8. What Utilities Are Included?

When you're trying to decide between two different apartment units, which one sounds like the better deal? An apartment that rents for $800 per month and doesn't include heat, or an apartment that costs $900 per month and does include heat? Depending on the size of the apartment and how toasty warm you like to keep your home, the $900 per month apartment might be the better bargain.

As you tour apartments and speak to property managers, it's a good idea to ask what utilities, if any, are included in the monthly rent. Some places may include water, sewer and trash pickup in the rent, and some may even offer heat or air conditioning.

If a rental doesn't include certain utilities, such as heat or electricity, you can ask the property manager what the average or typical monthly cost of those utilities is. The exact cost will vary based on usage and apartment size, but having a ballpark figure to work with will help you determine if an apartment's overall price fits with your budget.

9. How Long Does It Take Maintenance Issues to Be Resolved?

When something goes wrong at your apartment, you don't want to have to wait days for the issue to be fixed. Before you sign a lease and move in, you want to ask the property manager how long it takes to resolve maintenance issues or to make repairs.

Some of the things you want to find out include whether the maintenance team responds to issues right away, whether someone is available on weekends, and whether someone is available at all hours of the day.

Along with finding out how long you can expect to wait if your heater breaks or if there's a leaky pipe in your bathroom, it's a good idea to find out what the process is for putting in a maintenance request. Is there a number to call or can you submit a request online? PMI offers tenants the option of putting in maintenance requests online. When you move into the property, you'll also be given a 24/7 phone number to call in an emergency.

10. What Is Your Parking Policy?

If you have a car, where will you put it when you're at your apartment? Some apartment communities offer off-street parking, which takes the hassle out of finding a spot to park every day and also eliminates the worry that you'll get a parking ticket if you don't move your vehicle in time.

Along with finding out if a parking lot or garage is available, it's also worthwhile to learn if parking is included in your rent or if you need to purchase a separate parking pass for your vehicle. If you are going to have visitors over, where will they be allowed to park their cars and will you need a separate visitor's pass for them? Is there a parking lot specifically for visitors?

12. Am I Allowed to Hang Items on The Wall?

Once you move into an apartment, you might be interested in hanging up photos of your loved ones or prints and posters. You might also be interested in hanging up shelving to give yourself a bit more storage space or in painting the walls to put your stamp on things.

Before you make any changes to the apartment, no matter how small, check in with the landlord or property manager and ask about the rules. In some cases, your lease might clearly state what you can and can't do to the walls and fixtures in the apartment. Some buildings are more lenient than others and will let you paint or put in holes in the walls to hang pictures, provided you restore everything in the apartment to its original condition before you leave.

Other apartment communities are stricter and don't allow any holes in the wall or new paint colors. You might be allowed to hang items using removable adhesive, though.

13. Do You Allow Pets?

You may not be looking for a home only for yourself. If you have a furry, four-legged companion or two, it's vital that you confirm that the rental allows pets before you sign the lease.

Asking about pets before you move in also ensures that you and the landlord are on the same page. If you don't mention your dog or cat, and the lease doesn't specifically say anything about pets, there's the risk of some confusion come move-in day or if the landlord happens to drop by and finds evidence of a pet when no pet was ever mentioned.

Another reason why it's worthwhile to ask about pets is that some apartments have pet restrictions. A quiet, fuss-free cat might be allowed, but a loud dog who barks a lot might not be welcome. Some places allow certain types of dogs, but not others. Other places are fine with dogs but don't allow cats. Whatever you do, if you have a pet, you want to make sure that your specific animal companion is allowed to live in the apartment.

14. Is There Pet Rent, a Pet Security Deposit, or Both?

You may need to pay extra to have your pet share your apartment. Ask the landlord if you need to put down a pet security deposit or pay another type of fee to bring your animal into the apartment. It's also a good idea to find out if you'll need to pay extra pet rent each month. Some management companies or landlords charge a one-time, non-refundable pet fee, others charge a monthly rent for pets, and others ask for an additional deposit, which you may get back when you move out, provided your pet doesn't cause too much damage.

Looking for an Apartment in Pennsylvania? Check out PMI's Rental Offerings

Whether you're on the market for a one or two-bedroom apartment, looking for student housing, want to live in luxury, or are searching for a budget-friendly place, PMI has the home that's right for you. We have apartments available throughout Pennsylvania, in Shippensburg, Camp Hill, Williamsport, Mechanicsburg, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, State College, Lancaster, and more. Check out our current listings and get in touch with us today to learn more about what life is like in our apartment communities.

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The decision to live on or off-campus can be a heated debate. Living on-campus puts you in the center of the college experience and within walking distance of your classes, but on-campus life isn't for everyone. Students who decide living off-campus in college is right for them will find there are plenty of benefits.

Depending on your school's student housing options, opting for an off-campus apartment can save you money. Plus, it offers you the freedom and privacy dorm living often lacks. So, are you ready to live off-campus? Here are comprehensive tips for students living off-campus in college.

Finding an Apartment

The prospect of living off-campus is exciting. You get to choose the neighborhood you live in and find an apartment that fits your lifestyle. Before renting an apartment in college, you need to consider several crucial factors.

1. Know Your Budget

More than half of colleges — 60 percent — either overestimate or underestimate the cost of living off-campus. That means you will need to do thorough research to create and manage a budget for yourself. Your budget could include things like income from your job, financial support from your parents, and scholarship funds. You should know approximately how much money you will have to spend each month. Here are seven major expenses to factor into your plans for living off-campus.

• Rent: Rent will probably be the biggest item on your monthly budget. How much of your income can you allocate to paying your apartment's rent? It is a good rule of thumb to put no more than 30 percent of your monthly income toward rent. You still have other expenses to pay besides rent. If you find a beautiful apartment that will put a lot of stress on your budget, it is probably a good idea to keep looking for your off-campus home.

• Security deposit and move-in fees: Some apartments will require a security deposit and/or move-in fee. Others may not have either of those requirements, but you need to be prepared to include that amount in your budget. A security deposit could be as much as one entire month's rent. Keep these two potential costs in mind when searching and budgeting for an off-campus apartment.

• Utilities: Your monthly rent may or may not include utilities. When you are considering an apartment, be sure to ask this question, so there are no surprises. Typical utilities include water, gas, electricity, heating and cooling, trash, and Internet service. The monthly cost of utilities will vary based on location, so you will need to do your research to find out how much you can expect to spend. Each utility is a vital part of a functional home. Make sure you factor in those costs.

• Pet fees: Do you have a dog or cat? You will, of course, need to factor pet care into your budget, but you could also incur a pet fee when you move into your apartment. Some apartment buildings do not allow pets, while others have an open-door policy for four-footed critters. In between, you will come across buildings that have pet fees that work much like a security deposit. Some buildings have monthly pet fees you will need to pay in addition to your base rent. Always ask about an apartment building's pet policy. In addition to fees, some buildings may have breed or species restrictions.

• Laundry: When you live in a college dorm, laundry is sometimes included in your overall cost of boarding. When you decide to live off-campus, laundry becomes your responsibility. Many apartment buildings have coin-operated washers and dryers. It usually costs a few dollars to wash and dry a load of laundry. You will need to remember to stock up on quarters. You may find an apartment with an in-unit washer and dryer, which means you can forget about quarters. However, this will contribute to your water bill if you live in an apartment where you pay for that utility.

• Parking: Do you drive a car? Some apartments have paid parking spots that offer a convenient and close spot to leave your car. Be sure to ask about that when you are on the hunt for an apartment. If you don't drive, you might need to pay for public transit to and from campus, depending on how far you live from your classes.

• Food: A meal card is one of the perks of living on-campus. You can swipe that card multiple times a day and grab ready-made meals at almost any time of day. Like laundry, meals become your responsibility when you live on your own. When you are considering apartment options, find out the location of the nearest grocery store. Then, think about how much it will cost to feed yourself three meals each day.
•  

2. Do Your Due Diligence When Selecting an Apartment

Once you have set your budget, you can narrow down your apartment search. But your budget isn't the only factor that matters. Here are few apartment features to evaluate.

• Size: You do not need the biggest apartment when you are a student, but you do want somewhere you will feel comfortable. Additionally, you want to ensure you are not overpaying for an undersized apartment. Go online to check out the average size and price of apartments in the area you are hoping to live. Compare those statistics to the size and rent of any apartment you consider.

• Walkthrough: Before signing any paperwork, you will want to do a walkthrough of the entire apartment and check that everything works. Do the lights turn on and off? Does the toilet flush? How is the water pressure in the shower? Do the locks work? Do the appliances that come with the apartment work? Is there any sign of bugs? Are there enough outlets, and do they work? You don't want to move into an apartment only to find a bunch of things in your new home are in dire need of repair.
• Amenities: Just because you are on a budget does not mean you can't look for apartments with amenities. Does the apartment have air conditioning? Check for that in-unit washer and dryer. Ask the leasing agent if there are any perks that come with renting the apartment. For example, a building might have a gym open to residents.

• Check your commute time: Whether you are driving, walking, or taking public transportation, you need to know how long it will take you to get to class and work. Commuting can eat up a lot of your time and your budget. Try a couple of test runs between the apartment and campus to get a good idea of how much you can expect to spend on the go.

• Lease duration and details: When you have found an apartment you want to snag, take time to read the fine print before you commit. Your apartment's lease will contain all the details about the rent amount, how to pay, the length of the lease, and any restrictions. Twelve months is the typical length of an apartment lease. Are you planning to live there for an entire year, or just the duration of the school year? Know the answer to that question before you sign. If you only want a nine-month lease, talk to your leasing agent and try to negotiate that. Breaking a lease can be costly and damage your chances of finding an apartment next time. 

Packing and Shopping for Off-Campus Life

Now you have tips on how to rent an apartment as a college student. Once you have signed the lease, you can start thinking about your move-in date. Are you paying for movers or a moving truck, or will you be recruiting family and friends and their vehicles? Have a plan in place to get all your belongings from home to the new apartment, which brings us to your packing list. Here are a few college apartment tips that will help you make sure you have everything you need.

1. Bring What You Can From Home

It can be tempting to buy all-new things when you are moving into a new apartment, but remember, you still need to live on a budget. Look at the things you own at home when you are packing. Of course, you will want to pack basic things like clothes, your computer, and toiletries. When it comes to getting items you may not already own, ask your family. For example, do they have kitchenware they don't need anymore?

You will also want to take into consideration the duration of your lease when putting together your packing list. Will you be living in your off-campus apartment for an entire school year or more? Or, will you be making frequent visits home and living there between school years? If you are staying at the apartment for a 12-month lease or longer, you will want to pack the majority of your belongings. If you are living there just for the academic year, you can pack a bit lighter, which will make the move back home easier.

2. Remember You Might Need to Supply Your Own Furniture

On-campus dorms usually come with basic furniture: a bed, a nightstand, a desk, and a dresser. It is possible you will be able to find an apartment that is already furnished, but most apartments come unfurnished. Once again, check what pieces you can take from home to furnish your apartment. Try not to leave furniture until the last minute, so you can avoid living in a bare apartment.

3. Consider the Space You Have

When you are packing your things and buying new items for your apartment, remember the square footage of your new home. Can you fit a new flat-screen TV? Will that king-sized bed fit in the bedroom? Packing for the size of your apartment will help you make sure all your things fit. Plus, you can avoid packing unnecessary items that will end up making your new home feel cramped. If you have a studio apartment, you will have limited space. If you have a larger apartment with roommates, you need to remember you will be sharing common space in the apartment.

Quick tip for anyone living with roommates: Ask them what they are bringing. That will help you avoid having duplicates of things like microwaves and couches. Here is a look at some of the basics you may need for the rooms of an off-campus apartment.

Bedroom

• Bed frame
• Mattress
• Nightstand
• Bedside lamp
• Closet hangers
• Laundry basket
• Wastebasket

Living room

• Couch
• End table
• TV
• DVD player/gaming system
• Floor lamp

Kitchen

• Dishes
• Utensils
• Pots and pans
• Microwave
• Dish detergent

Bathroom

• Toilet paper
• Toiletries
• Shower liner and curtain
• Wastebasket
• Towels

Living in an Off-Campus Apartment

Once you have found out how to get an apartment in college, you will need to figure out how to live in one. Here are some basic guidelines to help you navigate the ins and outs of living in an off-campus apartment. 
 

1. Keep Your Kitchen Stocked

Remember how we talked about food being part of the budget? Well, grocery shopping for yourself can be a tough transition for a lot of college students. When you live at home with your family, you are probably used to finding a fully stocked pantry and fridge, if not having your meals made for you. Start out by buying yourself basic staples, such as salt, pepper, and flour. From there, you can make yourself a weekly grocery list that covers your meals for the week. Try to stick to your list and shopping schedule, so you don't find yourself in the middle of a study session with an empty kitchen. It can be helpful to meal prep, so you have food ready to eat throughout the week. Plus, this trick helps reduce the amount of food you waste.
 

2. Set Roommate Ground Rules

Living with roommates in an off-campus apartment means you are sharing space, expenses, and schedules. This might seem like nothing new to people who grew up sharing everything with siblings, but it can be a bit jarring for some college students. Whether you are friends with your roommates or you are just meeting, you can avoid a lot of squabbles by putting down some basic ground rules.

• Shared space: Roommates share the kitchen, living room, and bathroom of an apartment. That means everyone is responsible for the cleanliness of those rooms. Set basic expectations for how clean those rooms should be and split up chores. If one person ends up picking up after everyone else, roommate tension is inevitable. Likewise, you will need to coordinate use of those shared rooms. What time does everyone need to shower? What time is everyone going to cook their meals? How often can one person use the couch and TV in the living room?

• Shared expenses: Rent and utilities are obviously going to be a shared expense among roommates. Determine who will be in charge of paying those expenses and find a way to ensure everyone is pitching in their fair share. Beyond those two costs, you and your roommates will need to decide what else is a shared expense. Do you each pay for your own food? How about things like toilet paper and toothpaste?

• Guests: This issue can cause a lot of roommate disagreements, especially when quiet time for studying is essential. How often can each roommate have guests over? Is everyone comfortable with overnight guests?

3. Keep Track of Your Bill Due Dates

Living in an off-campus apartment means you have to juggle several separate bills. You need to pay for rent, Internet service, and any other utilities not included in the cost of rent. Forgetting to pay any of those bills can mean a utility gets shut off, and it could also affect your credit score. Avoid that issue by knowing your bill due dates. If you are forgetful, most utilities allow you to set up autopay.

4. Be a Considerate Neighbor

You probably do not want to deal with loud music and rowdy neighbors while you are trying to study or sleep. The same goes for your neighbors. Dorms have RAs to help keep noise in check and mediate disputes between residents. Off-campus apartments do not have that perk. Your neighbors might be fellow college students who don't mind late nights, but they might be people who have to get up for work the next day. Keep an eye on how much noise you are making when you blow off steam after a long week or a big test. If a neighbor asks you to quiet down, respect that request.
 

5. Use Your Freedom Wisely

The freedom that comes with living off-campus is one of the biggest benefits. You do not have to answer to a dorm's restrictions, such as hall meetings or mandatory quiet hours. Just remember, this freedom comes with responsibility. You still need to study for your classes. You need to pay rent and all your bills on time. You need to get along with your roommates. Balance your newfound freedom with the adult responsibilities of maintaining life in an off-campus apartment.

If you have decided to live off-campus while you attend school in Pennsylvania, PMI can help you find an apartment with the right budget, location, and amenities so you can focus on your academic career. Visit our student housing page to see our apartments available for rent in Shippensburg and State College, PA!

The post A Guide for Students Living Off-Campus appeared first on GET TO KNOW PMI.

But all good — and terrible — things must come to an end, and the dorm room experience is no exception. You’ve decided it’s time to abandon the tiny double room and public bathrooms of your college dorm and instead rent a place with your friends. Easy, right?

Not so much. No matter how many classes you’ve taken on gender studies, research methods, and abnormal psychology, there never seems to be a class on really useful life skills. No one sits you down and teaches you how to pay your taxes, how to recognize when a car salesman is trying to scam you — or, in this case, how to rent an apartment as a college student.

Renting as a student can be a complicated process with a lot of technical ins and outs no one prepares you for. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to tell you everything you need to know as you begin this process. We’ll try to answer the most pressing questions you might have and teach you the top apartment renting tips and tricks to keep in mind as you begin browsing nearby apartment listings.

Don't Wait to Look for a College Apartment

Here’s the thing about college towns — rentals go fast. Really fast. Even if you go to a small school, think about the sheer number of students who are going to be looking for rentals within a few miles of the school. If you go to a large school, this becomes an even bigger problem.

If you decide to wait until a week or so before school begins, you probably won’t be able to find an apartment. And if you do, it will be one everyone else has already passed on — either because it’s too expensive, it’s in a bad neighborhood, or it has insulation falling out of the holes in the ceiling.

If you’re looking for an apartment to move into in September, start looking right after your school’s graduation the previous spring, when many apartments will open up thanks to the mass exodus of graduating seniors. If you’re looking for an apartment to move into at the beginning of the spring semester, start looking during the fall.

A great way to begin your search is to drive or walk around the nearby neighborhoods, taking note of which areas you prefer. Additionally, you can talk with other students you know who are already renting. If they’re going to be leaving their current apartment, they might just be willing to let you know  or to put in a good word with their property manager. They also might be able to tell you if their property manager has other properties for rent.

You can also check for property listings online. If you are searching for a property lister near Penn State University, you can browse PMI's comfortable rental listings.

Decide on a Budget for Your College Apartment

Getting an apartment as a college student will require you to budget your expenses. Maybe you have already made a budget — if so, good for you! If not, this step is absolutely essential before you begin renting your first apartment. For many students, this is their first experience with budgeting. As intimidating as it might seem, it’s absolutely crucial to your success as a renter and as an adult.

Add up how much you spend on things like gas, food, textbooks, and other necessities, as well as any fixed payments like car insurance, health insurance, or any loans you’ve started to pay off. Designate a chunk of money you can allow yourself to have fun with — to go shopping, out to eat, to the movies, or any other activity. Decide how much you want to save each month.

Once you’ve done all this, look how much money you have left. This amount is how much you can spend on an apartment every month. Keep in mind that this figure doesn’t just include rent. It will also include any utilities that aren’t included in the rent, such as water, electric, trash, or sewer.

Compare your budget to the average prices of apartments in the area, and make adjustments to your budget as necessary. Determine which neighborhoods and which apartment sizes fit into your budget.

Renting a House or Apartment With Friends

You probably want to rent a house or an apartment with friends because it helps save money and allows you to hang out with your favorite people more. While this is a great way to rent while you're in college, there are some things you can do to ensure it's a smooth process. Before renting a house or apartment with your friends, consider the following tips:

Make Sure Everyone Agrees on the Apartment

Before signing a lease, make sure everyone who will be living in the home has a chance to walk through it or atleast take a virtual tour. You can even have everyone decide which room will be theirs to avoid confusion or disagreements on move-in day. Making sure everyone agrees on the house or apartment will help prevent any hard feelings in the future. It's also important to make sure everyone will be able to handle their share of the rent of utilities before deciding on an apartment. Some student housing management companies offer leases by the bedroom for student apartments.

Decide How to Split Costs

Rent and utilities are more manageable when you can split them between two or more people. However, it's important to decide how you and your friends will split costs once you move in together. It's a good idea to make each roommate the primary account holder for at least one bill and have everyone pay their fair share toward the expense to that person. This will ensure that one person is not responsible for all of the bills.

Additionally, if someone wants to take the largest room in the apartment or a room with an attached bathroom, they might be willing to pay a little more on the rent than everyone else in the house. If one friend primarily takes online classes and uses a lot of electricity throughout the day, they might be willing to pay a little more towards the electric bill than everyone else.

You should also talk with your friends about splitting grocery bills. You can keep your grocery bills separate and agree that everyone will take care of their own groceries, or you can purchase groceries together and split one bill. If everyone shares food in the apartment, splitting the bill may be the best option.

Set Rules Everyone Agrees on

Each of your friends may work different schedules, so make sure everyone can respect sleep schedules and keep the noise down when needed. It's also important to set cleaning schedules or expectations so everyone pulls their weight when it comes to maintaining the space.

Make a Checklist for Your College Apartment Visit

Picture this. You’re at an apartment visit, and the property manager shows you the coolest window seat you’ve ever seen in your life. You’re so thrilled by it that you put a deposit on the place right then and there. It’s not until after you move in that you realize the place has no laundry units and hardly any storage space.

It’s important to spend some time thinking about what you want in an apartment. What are absolute essentials that you’re not willing to compromise on? For example, you might need a certain number of bedrooms, or you might want to be within a five-mile radius of your school.

Next, make a list of the things you’d really like but don’t absolutely need. Some examples here might be a dishwasher, an extra half-bathroom, or a ground-floor location.

It doesn’t matter if your list is all in your head or a physical list you bring with you. Once you’re armed with lists like these, you can be more informed about your needs and wants when you go on apartment visits and tours. You can come prepared, knowing which things to look for and which questions to ask. You’ll never be so enthralled by a novelty feature that you forget your basic essentials.

You also might make a checklist of questions you want to ask every potential property manager. Some questions to include on such a list might be, “Are any utilities included in the rent? Are all the appliances in good working order? Who is responsible if the stove breaks or a pipe bursts?”

Visit Multiple College Apartments

You’ll often hear people say you shouldn’t marry the first person you ever date. After all, you don’t know who else is “out there.” How do you know the first person you’re with is the one if you have no one to compare them to?

Whether or not you believe that’s true, this principle is very applicable when it comes to apartment hunting. You might think you absolutely love the first place you visit. But it’s also possible you’re just overwhelmed with happiness at the prospect of having your own bathroom, a bedroom to yourself, and a kitchen that has more than a microwave and a mini-fridge.

You owe it to yourself to check out at least two or three apartments. Give yourself options to compare. Maybe it will turn out your first visit really was perfect. But either way, it’s worth seeing your options.

Don't Limit Yourself to Apartments

While apartments might be the first thing you think of when you think about renting, they aren’t the only option out there. Most towns and cities also have a wide selection of houses available for rent. There are also hybrid options, such as a single house that’s been subdivided into two or more apartments. Depending on your location, there are also options like townhouses or rowhouses.

Let’s look at a few pros and cons of houses vs. apartments.

Off-Campus Apartment Pros

• Fewer roommates are required to pay rent.
• Less responsibility for outdoor and household maintenance — a maintenance worker will usually take care of these things.

Off-Campus Apartment Cons

• You have to share spaces such as a laundry room and lounge.
• There is a higher potential for noise from neighbors.
• There are shared spaces in the building such as hallways and stairwells.

Off-Campus House Pros

• Houses usually have more space.
• You will have more privacy — for example, you won't have neighbors you can hear through walls.
• You will have a private washer and dryer.
• The lproperty manager will be more likely to allow pets.

Off-Campus House Cons

• More roommates are required to pay rent.
• More outdoor and household responsibilities, such as mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.

Pay Attention to the Whole Apartment Complex

Even though you’ll undoubtedly pay the most attention to the individual apartment you’re touring, don’t forget to look at the entire apartment complex as a whole. Whether it’s a multi-story apartment building, a row of houses split into apartments, or some other situation, it’s always worth it to be aware of how well they’re maintained.

Be Wary of Housing Scams

It’s unlikely you’ll encounter something like this, but it’s always best to be prepared. Because most property listings occur online, it’s only too easy for someone to grab photos of a random, nice-looking house and try to pass it off as a real rental they own. If you seem young and inexperienced, you may be a particular target for these types of scams.

Some warning signs of a scam include:

• Prices that seem too good to be true or are inconsistent with the neighborhood and size/quality of the property
• Endless excuses as to why you can’t visit the property
• Requests to receive payment before you’ve seen the property
• Odd grammar mistakes or broken English in the rental listing

Visit Any Potential College Apartments at Night

One of our most important tips when renting an apartment is to visit a rental property at different times of the day. Any apartment can easily pass as cozy in the daylight. The sun is shining, there are plenty of cars driving by, and there might even be kids playing in a nearby park. But no matter how much you like an apartment during the day, drive by it again at night and take a good look at the neighborhood.

If it looks the same at night, that’s great. But many neighborhoods that look good during the day become unsettling at night. As you drive past your potential apartment in the dark, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable walking down this street at night by yourself. If your answer is no, you may need to seriously consider looking for a different apartment.

Be Ready to Make Your Deposit on the Spot

As we’ve mentioned, competition for apartments near colleges is fierce. Imagine this scenario. You visit an apartment and love it but decide to take a day to think about it — to be sure you’re making the right decision. The next day, you call the leasing agent up and announce you’ve decided to take it. There’s just one problem: In the day you took to think about it, someone else snatched it up.

When you go to apartment viewings, you have to be ready to put down a deposit right away. If you love a place and feel confident in it, don’t be afraid to put down the deposit right then and there. Always bring your checkbook to events like these for this very reason.

When you do fill out an application or sign a lease, you may also need to provide copies of certain documents and information.

You may need:

• Your Social Security number
• Any previous renting history
• Personal references
• Proof of income such as bank records or paystubs
• Credit score — If you don’t have acredit score yet, you may need to bring information for a cosigner.

Talk About the Length of Your College Apartment Lease

Technically, a lease can be for any amount of time. Most commonly, though, leases are for one of the following durations:

• One year
• Six months
• Nine months

It’s important to talk with your landlord or apartment leasing office and discuss which option works best for both of you. While this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, many leasing agents and property companies will rent at a lower price if you agree to rent for longer. They don’t want the hassle of putting the place back on the market after only a month or two. That means they’ll often try to make it worth your while to rent for longer. If they don’t make such an offer upfront, you might propose it yourself.

Read Everything Before You Sign It

Yes, the lease might be 10 pages worth of tiny print and technical jargon. It doesn’t matter. You still have to read it. If there’s anything that still seems murky or confusing after you’ve read the lease, ask a parent, a trusted mentor, or perhaps a friend who majors in technical writing. Ask them to walk you through the document, and then thank them profusely afterward.

Thanks to the internet, we live in an age where most of us blindly click the “Yes, I Agree” box without even bothering to read the thousands and thousands of words in the terms of service. You probably do this every day and never think twice about it. However, your lease is different. You need to read through it carefully and know what you’re legally binding yourself to.

What is the penalty for breaking the lease? What does it say about late fees for your rent? What does it say about who is responsible for anything damaged within the apartment? What does it say about starting a business from your home? The list goes on and on.

Check Out PMI’s Rental Properties For Students

There are many factors to consider when renting an apartment in college, but it’s not impossible! If you’re going to school, have a summer internship or are otherwise interested in renting in Central Pennsylvania, we hope you’ll consider our comfortable rental properties in State College. Use our off-campus housing services to find your college house or apartment. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you at 717-730-4141.

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