Off Campus Living

There are some obvious preferences you may have already thought of, such as rent price and location, or house vs. apartment.

However, before you begin looking at rentals, you may want to have a list of "necessities". Here are just a few questions you may want to consider before signing a lease. When you call about a place, ask about your preferences before arranging to see it. Taking the time to make a list of preferences before you start your search will save you time in your search process. 

• What is your price range for rent and utilities?
• Do you want to live with a roommate? If so, how many?
• Does parking cost extra?
• Is there a shuttle service to campus?
• Would you prefer laundry facilities on-site or would you rather use a laundromat?
• Are you eligible for a commuter parking permit at Ohio University?

Do not sign a lease simply to secure a place to live. Read your leases before signing them.

Signing a lease does not just reserve you a place to live, it is a legal document. Once you sign the lease, you are responsible for the provisions of that lease. If there are agreements between you and the property manager regarding changes to the lease or property, do not sign the lease unless the changes are in writing.

Questions to consider before signing a lease:

• When are your move-in and move-out dates?
• What is the penalty for late payments?
• Is a security deposit or application fee required? If so, how much are they?
• Are pets allowed? If so, is there a pet fee?
• Can your apartment or house be subleased if needed?
• Are there guest restrictions?
• Who is responsible for lawn care, trash collection, and snow removal?

Lastly, there are several types of lease agreements in general use. Each has various benefits for tenants and property managers. The most prevalent lease type in Athens is the "Joint and Severally Liable Lease". This type of lease states that the tenants are jointly liable for the property. This means that if one tenant were to not pay their rent then all the tenants could be held legally liable for that payment. The other lease agreement that is in use in this area is an "Individual Lease". In such an agreement each individual signs a specific lease and they are held individually liable for such an agreement. Depending on your specific situation you may want to ask your perspective landlord what types of leases they have available that might fit your preferences.

According to Ohio law, a "security deposit" is officially defined as "any deposit of money or property to secure performance by the tenant under a rental agreement." The property manager most likely will require you to pay a deposit to cover any unpaid rent or damages you might cause during your tenancy. A security deposit, however, does not give the tenant permission to damage the property during the leasing period.

Give your landlord, IN WRITING, your forwarding address when you move out. Once you have left, the landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit. If you don't get all of it back, the landlord must send an itemized statement regarding the deductions.

Like living on campus, it is important to have direct conversations with your roommates prior to living together. Consider talking to your roommates about the following:

• Cleanliness of common areas
• Privacy
• Guest policies
• Sharing belongings
• Splitting and paying for bills

Having these conversations early can prevent potential conflict later.

Before you move into your apartment, inspect your rental and record anything that is in need of repair, damaged or hazardous. You can use the sample inspection form by clicking the link below. If you find something wrong with the rental and it is not on the inspection form, make a note of it in the additional comments section.

Ideally, your property manager should be present when you inspect the property. After inspection is completed, ask your property manager to sign the inspection form to ensure that you both agree to the outcome of the inspection. If they are not able to be present or refuse to sign the inspection form, send them a copy of your findings. Furthermore, be sure you and your property manager are in agreement as to how the problems will be fixed. How these problems should be fixed should be listed in your lease.

It is best to videotape or photograph your inspection of you apartment or house. The key is to take pictures of everything. It is also important that you can prove that the pictures or video that you took are dated accurately. Holding up the daily newspaper in your picture is one way to do this. It is not absolute proof, but it is better than nothing. Also, do not pause the tape if you are videotaping because it may look like it has been edited. Be sure to take the same precautions when you move out of your apartment or house to help prove your case regarding the condition you left your place if it is challenged by your property manager. 

Subleasing is when a person, who has signed a lease with a landlord, rents their room or apartment to another person. In most cases, if you sublease you remain on the original lease. As a result, you continue to be responsible for all lease provisions and for the actions of the sub letter until the end of the agreement. Remember, the sublease agreement is separate from the lease.

One very important thing to consider before you choose to sublease, check your lease. It may not permit you to sublease the apartment or room. It is always best to get permission from your landlord first before trying to sublease your place. Keep in mind that since most landlords in Athens offer a 12 month lease, many students are looking to sublease their apartments or rooms in the summer.