Pre-Search

Checklists and Details

Download your Pre-Search Checklist.  For more detailed information, look below to dive further into each item.  Be sure to also check out our Housing Terms to familiarize yourself with off-campus living lingo.

Budget - what can you afford?

• This is so much more than simply how much money you have or make.  Take the time to sit down and work through this Budget Calculator to truly assess your money situation and determine what you can afford.  If you need, make an appointment with the Financial Wellness team to help you with this process.
• Thinking about your income, there are many ways in which you can receive money besides having a job (though having one, even an on-campus job, is encouraged to earn money monthly, build and increase your credit, and even avoid spending money).  Gifts, grants, scholarships, and loans can be ways to bring in money, though these are typically one-time (or once a semester) items. So be sure to explore all options and ways to increase the money you have coming in…start this process early as some applications for these monies have early deadlines.
• Savings!!! It is always important to save some money each month, whether you have a specific, future large purchase to make, you just want to be prepared for emergencies, or you want to have some funds set aside for your distant future.  Even if you can only set aside $20 a month, this can add up and develops some good habits.
• As for expenses, there are even more considerations.
  • Utilities are usually something that you have not had to think about yet in life, so adjusting to their costs is often hard.  Some properties have some (or all) utilities included but be sure to check this carefully.  In addition to electricity, other bills to keep in mind would be water, sewer, gas, internet, cable, trash, and insurance.
  • If you have a car, not only is parking a cost to remember but also don’t forget your maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs.
  • Just because you live off-campus, don’t forget your school related fees as they will still be there.
  • Food is the most variable expense.  While you still have options for Dining Meal Plans, you may now consider cooking for yourself.  For many, this turns very quickly into eating out (a lot) which is quite expensive.  Be realistic about your food needs, shopping time, eating habits, and cooking skills.
  • Debt, like loan and credit card payments, are important to remember, as well as recurring items like car insurance, memberships, pet care, and health (insurance and/or prescriptions).
  • There are also many one-time fees related to moving off-campus: application fees, administrative fees, pet fees (these may be recurring as well), security deposits, co-signer fees, moving trucks (or buying furniture) if not furnished), set-up fees for utilities, apartment set-up supplies, etc.

Roommates - the social and monetary costs.

• Download this Roommate Agreement Checklist to ensure you are find the right roommate if you elect to have one
• Roommates can help to divide and lessen costs, both rent and utilities
• Roommates provide a social and support network, yet they also can be the cause of stress and frustration if there are conflicts
• Moving out is
• There are many factors to consider on this topic on both sides of the equation.
  • Pros
    • Having roommates can reduce costs as larger places are priced more economically per person, utilities are split, and other tasks/items can be shared.
    • Roommates help to maintain a social network, even if your roommates are already in your social circle.
    • Studying
    • Meet others, expand circle
  • Cons
    • Roommates requires sharing and dealing with another person in your home, which can be a challenge for some.  Whether it is just sharing spaces, adjusting to different schedules, dealing with noises and annoying habits, or, worse yet, bearing a financial burden (depending on the lease) for damages or delinquency.
    • Roommate conflict (even with the best of friends) can happen, but you can’t move as easily since you have signed a legally binding lease.
    • Noise
    • Deal with roommates friends, schedule, and study habits

Transportation - Needs and costs.

• You don't own a vehicle
  • You need a place either within walking distance or on public transportation
    • The public bus (CARTA) is FREE for anyone with a valid UTC Mocs Card
  • Places that are closer to downtown are often comparably more expensive for the convenience
• You own a vehicle
  • Are you willing to drive to school each day?
    • How far are you willing to drive?
      • Living further outside of the city is generally less expensive
    • Parking on-campus costs roughly $100/semester
      • Drive by at the times you expect to be looking for parking as space is tight
        • You could be driving around for 15-20 minutes or parking further away and walking
  • You have secure parking at your new home
    • Parking can take on many forms.
      • Off-Street parking can be a driveway, a parking lot, or a parking garage, with or without assigned spaces and usually with an additional cost.
        • Even if you plan to use off-street parking, it is always good to know and understand the street parking situation too.
      • Some spaces are metered (knowing the times is very important) and some are not.
        • Some might have street cleaning or other restrictions
      • Some require a neighborhood permit.
      • No matter what the situation, drive by at the times you expect to be looking for parking if you lived there to see how easy it is to find a space and how far away you might have to park.
        • This leads to questions about safety too.

Location - the environment matters.

• Location means different things to different people.
  • Some think of it in terms of transportation, so parking spaces, walking distance, or CARTA stops are at the top of the list.
  • Others think of conveniences, so grocery/retail stores, campus, restaurants, services, and other important places need to be easily accessible.
  • Still others are all about people, so city dwellers love being in the thick of it while nature lovers want the peace and quiet of woods and fewer neighbors.
  • Safety is often overlooked at this stage and then a regret later, so understanding the crime and safety measures within a certain neighborhood is important to research.

Term - 12-month is standard

• Some places will allow shorter lease terms, but often this includes a higher per month rent.
• Shorter-term leases may not be indicated, but you can always ask if you are seeking that.
• If you do not plan on staying in your apartment during the summer break, make sure you have a plan to sublease or pay the rent if you have a 12-month lease.
• Think about making the most of the summer by getting a job/internship, making connections, and not having to move (which can be expensive too)

Style - more than apartment vs house.

• Apartment vs House?
  • Proximity to neighbors
  • Shared walls and noise
  • Community spirit
• Big Complex vs Small Complex?
  • Access to Amenities
  • Events
• Outdoor Entrances vs Internal Entrances?
  • Privacy?
  • Safety?
• Individual Lease (by room) or Traditional Lease (by unit)
  • Flexibility?
  • Roommate uncertainty and lack of control
• Indoor Space vs Outdoor Space
  • How much space do you need?
  • What outside space is accessible?
• More rooms usually equals more space overall

Furnishings - Own or rent?

• One way or another, you need to pay for furniture
  • Furnished places cost more
  • Getting your own furniture costs to either buy or rent it
    • You can rent furniture, appliances, and even electronics
    • Second-hand/thrift stores are a great place to find furniture for college use
    • Roommates also means potential for shared costs or someone already having items.
• Be sure to ask this question as it might not always be clear from the advertising

Amenities - a needs vs wants debate.

This is the hardest debate you will have with yourself, but a good cost benefit analysis (a good old- fashioned pro’s and con’s list) should help a lot.  Look at the cost of each item (that cost can be money, time, convenience, or anything in between).  Think about what value that cost will provide and is that enough value to spend the cost.  The more honest you can be with yourself about the true value of something, the likelihood/frequency of your use of that thing, and the actual cost, the easier it will be to determine what is a need and what is a want.  Commonly debated amenities are washer/dryer vs. laundry room, dishwasher, private bathroom, parking options, or outdoor spaces (grill, pool, firepit, washing areas, etc.).

Pets - read the fine print.

• If you have a pet (or hope to get one), knowing ALL of the pet policies is important.
• There are often pet deposits, pet registrations, pet restrictions, and per month pet fees, so be sure to understand all of these costs.
• If you plan to have roommates, understand and consider the impact of pets on roommates and vice versa.
• Pets also limit your flexibility, so consider carefully before getting a new pet

Timing - There are two types of housing, each with their own general timelines: student focused and traditional.

• Student-focused properties
  • Students may sign a lease almost a year in advance.
  • Landlord will give tenants the right of first refusal.
    • Offers to renew the lease before considering other new applicants.
    • Renewal period ends early, usually sometime in the Fall.
  • Therefore, these properties often start searching and signing leases for new tenants before Christmas.
  • Often times, these properties also have waiting lists that start as early as August as students are looking ahead already to the next school year.
  • As a result of the early lease signings, many places are close to full by April.
  • Leases are usually per bed rather than per unit, allowing more flexibility.
• Traditional properties
  • Students find a place and sign a lease within a couple of months of the lease start.
  • Allow current tenants up to 60 days before the lease ends to indicate their preference to renew or not.
  • While some tenants do give early notice, this usually means that a unit might be listed only 2 months before the new lease begins.
  • Traditional properties allow those who start the process later in the Spring or even in the Summer to still find a place.
  • The tighter timing, though, means that there is greater competition (usually) for these properties, so being prepared to commit before touring is important.
• Hybrid properties
  • Some properties are moving lease renewal deadlines to April 1st, splitting the difference between these other two timelines.