Moving and Relocating

College students are usually excited to get an apartment off campus, but they don’t always take the time to carefully look over the lease, according to kykernel.com.

Even landlords agree that people should do their research before deciding on an apartment and signing a lease. For example, if any changes are made to the lease, both parties should initial those changes so there is no argument in the future about what was decided.

Other things to look for in the lease include what utilities the resident is expected to pay and what utilities the landlord will cover – usually water, garbage and sewer. That’s easy for students to look over because they are used to living on campus where everything is included. For example, living in an NDSU apartment in Fargo is not the same as living in off campus apartments.

Tips to save on energy bills include making sure windows are closed and sealed all the way to keep out the cold and hold in warmth. Apartments near NDSU can get pretty cold because of Fargo’s long winters if the windows are not properly maintained. Just don’t turn off the heat completely because this could lead to pipes freezing or other damage related to temperature.

It’s very important to look over the property closely with the landlord before committing to moving in or signing a lease. If there is damage you can live with, take pictures of it so you are not charged when you move out. And don’t forget the small things like replacing smoke detector batteries.

Renters’ insurance is always a good option to cover your belongings if there is ever a break-in or fire, because most landlords only cover the outside building itself.

Just remember to take your time and really think about the lease and what you are getting into before making a commitment to an apartment.

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