It’s that time of year again to start planning out your future living arrangements! There is no doubt that signing a lease for an off-campus house or apartment can be a rushed and somewhat overwhelming task. We’ve put together a list of tips to help ease the process.
Decide how many people you would like to live with and where you would prefer to live.
First, decide how many people you would like to be living with. Then, as a group decide if a house or an apartment is the best option for you. Next, decide on a location that all group members would be okay with. If most of the group have classes in Farmer, maybe look for options closer to campus. If group members would prefer to be closer to uptown, look for options that are within reasonable walking distance.
Attend the Off-Campus Housing Fair.
Check out tons of off-campus housing options at the Off-Campus Housing Fair, sponsored by Associated Student Government and the Office of Off-Campus Outreach, this WEDNESDAY! Learn what options you have for the 2017-18 year AND the 2018-19 year at the fair.
Do your research.
Go online and search available leases in Oxford for the correct school year, or schedule an appointment to meet with a realtor and/or landlord. Meeting with a professional who deals with leases everyday is a great way to get insight and advice on what may be best for you and/or your group. And take a look at the Lease Signing Tips on the Off-Campus Outreach website.
Physically walk through the houses or apartments you are interested in.
After calling or meeting with a realtor or landlord, you may be able to schedule a time to walk through houses or apartments that you are interested in. However, some places will suggest that you simply walk around Oxford and knock on doors of houses you are interested in seeing. The current student residents are usually willing to let you take a quick tour and answer any questions that you may have.
Don’t judge it by its current state.
Chances are that the current tenants were not expecting guests. When you first walk through a potential lease, the house may not be in pristine condition. Landlords often clean up the house (often replacing flooring, paint, and some appliances) in between new tenants making the house/apartment look much better on move in day! Keep notes on things in the house that you would want fixed or replaced before you live there, and make sure these things are noted in the lease before you sign it (especially if the items to be fixed or replaced are deal breakers).
Ask about utilities and appliances.
Talk to current residents about their utilities. Are they included in the rent or do they need to be paid separately? How much do their current utilities cost per person? What cable/wifi company do they suggest? How often does the trash and recycling get picked up? Also be sure to ask about their current appliances (washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, A/C and heating, etc.) to make sure that they are all working properly and that you do not need to have the landlord replace or fix them before moving in.
Find out about parking options.
Many houses and apartments in Oxford do not include parking. However, some do have small driveways that can easily fit a few cars! If parking is not included, look to see if street parking is an option. Some streets in Oxford require a city parking permit, so check to see what is close by!
Get your parents involved. Have them read through the lease as well.
Having a parent read through the lease is a great way to get a better understanding of what you are signing. If your parents are paying your rent, having them read through the lease and keeping them involved in the signing process is very important!
Keep everyone in your plans updated so you can make informed decisions.
In most cases, it is a good idea to designate one person in your group to serve as the liaison between the landlord and the rest of the group. This way the landlord isn’t bombarded with the same questions from multiple people. If you are heading the house/apartment hunt for your group, make sure to keep them updated and informed so that the whole group can make the best decisions.
Establish how you’re going to pick rooms before you sign.
Make sure that everyone in the group is on the same page when it comes to picking rooms. If no one likes the idea of sharing a room, make sure you’re looking for houses or apartments that can accommodate single rooms for the whole group. Some houses/apartments have rooms that are better than others so it is a good idea to decide who will be in what room before signing the lease so that no one is stuck paying for a room they didn’t want.
If you’re studying abroad, find someone to take your lease for the semester.
Plan your housing arrangements around your study abroad program. Studying abroad in the fall is much easier to find someone to sublet your space than trying to find one for spring semester. Keep this in mind when picking roommates and finding someone to sublease!
Take time before you sign.
The student housing market in Oxford is competitive – but probably not as competitive as many students think. Take a look at the advice for slowing down on the Lease Signing page of the Off-Campus Outreach website.
Remember that you’re in college, so it’s not going to be perfect or permanent.
Keep in mind that college housing is only for one or two years! Houses/apartments in Oxford may not be your dream design or style and may not have all the features you would like, but they are also temporary. And chances are, you’ll miss it when you leave!
