With the recent college consolidations, finding off-campus housing at Rutgers is harder than ever. Whether you’ve lived off-campus before or are venturing into the reality of it for the first time, here are a few tips to help you navigate through the confusing process.
1. Can I live with this person/these people? A common mistake when choosing room or housemates is jumping the gun. Just because you get along with someone, doesn’t mean you will enjoy living with him or her. When thinking about potential roommates, there are a few to ask yourself. Does this person do little things that get on my nerves and if so, could I live with those things? How clean or messy is this person compared to myself? (You don’t want to live with someone messier than you, but you also don’t want to annoy that person by being messier than them.) Could I talk openly with this person about problems that may come up? How financially responsible is this person? Does this person have similar studying/partying habits as me? Do I get along with this person’s friends and does this person get along with my friends? It’s essential to be thorough and impartial when asking these questions because they can prevent miserable living situations.
2. It’s important to know what you want. Start by making a list of things you want in a house: single room vs. a double, apartment or house, length of the lease, washer/dryer, off-street parking, spacious living rooms, kitchen size, distance from classes, newness of house, basement, etc. When making this list go through your weekly routine and think about necessities you have during the week. Consider off-campus houses you’ve seen in the past and write down things you liked or didn’t like. It’s important to also keep in mind things you don’t want: dirty or small bathrooms, old carpets, bad lighting, lack of windows, safe neighborhood, low ceilings, etc. Making a list ahead of time will help you distinguish good houses over the bad ones. Once you’ve made a list, split it up into three categories: Must-Haves, Maybes, and Deal-Breakers. Determine things you cannot live without and aren’t willing to compromise on (Needs), things you would like but can live without and things you don’t want but can live with (Maybes), and things you definitely can’t live with (Deal-breakers).
3. Start Early. Obviously, the earlier you start looking increases the number of houses available. Although don’t give up hope if you start late and it doesn’t seem like anything is left…it just requires you do to a little more searching.
4. The Search. Once you’ve decided who you want to live with and the kind of place you want to live, the next step is finding that perfect place. New Brunswick, and the surrounding areas, have thousands of off-campus housing and the search for the one your group wants can be daunting. The best place to start looking is http://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu. The website offers housing for all three Rutgers campuses, as well as housing outside of the Rutgers area. The website is easy to navigate and offers search filters to help you find housing in your preferred area, price, and space range. Potential renters can search for houses, rooms, and/or roommates. Landlords post vacant houses and rooms daily, so it’s important to check often. Students also post listing for vacant rooms they need to fill in their current houses. Another option involves hitting the streets. Plenty of landlords do not use the off-campus housing website and instead post “For Rent” signs on their houses, if you see a house you think you’d like don’t hesitate to call the number, that’s why it’s there!
5. Get a Notebook. Make sure to write down the address, phone number, rent amount, and brief description of the houses you see or read about. If you are starting your search early, try to find at least ten houses you think you might like and prioritize them based on your descriptions. Then, call the landlords and set up appointments to see the houses (don’t forget to bring your list from tip #2 with you). Bring your notebook with you to the viewing and write down pros and cons of each house so you can compare them later. If you’re looking at houses closer to your move-in deadline, call the landlords of any houses you might like immediately. Houses tend to go much faster the closer the semester start gets.
6. Don’t feel pressured. Although the process is stressful, with so many available houses, you will find a house. Don’t let landlords pressure you into signing a lease right away. Most landlords will tell you there are several other groups waiting to see the house and sign a lease. While this may be true, in most cases it isn’t, don’t let this trick you into signing a lease for a house you’re not sure about. Chances are if you have doubts, the house isn’t right for you. However, if you find a house you like, don’t wait too long. Tell the landlord you need a day to think it over and then decide on a time to get a copy of the lease. During this time, consider your list from tip #2 and look over your notes from tip #5. Ask yourself if the house meets your needs and is better than all the rest.
7. The Lease. Landlords are required to give you a copy of the lease and let you look over it before signing. I suggest having a parent (yours and/or your housemates’) look over the lease as well. Adults have more experience with leases and contracts and can help prevent you from being trapped in a bad lease. Make sure all the terms you discussed are included in the lease. Did he agree to pay any utilities? Whose responsibility is it to shovel? Will any repairs take place before you move in? etc. Remember: A lease is a LEGALLY binding contract, it is very important you read over all the terms thoroughly.
8. Follow-up. Once you’ve signed the lease and turned in a security deposit, you should be all set. Make sure you call your landlord a month or so before moving in to make sure everything is on track. If there are any discrepancies between reality and the lease, a lawyer may be necessary. This is very rare, however.
Finding a house can be a stressful situation but if you take your time, proceed with caution, and follow these steps, the perfect house is only a mouse-click, phone call, and signature away.
