What kind of rental unit you want to live in:

• Apartment complexes: 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartment or efficiencies/studios (one room dwelling)
• Converted apartments in private homes
• Rooms in student houses (occupied by a group of students)
• Rooms in private homes (occupied by private residents)
• Is the unit already furnished, or will you be bringing your own furniture?

Your transportation restrictions:

• Within walking distance?
• On a Metrobus/train route (REDLINE)?
• Are you planning to car pool?
• Do you need to be near shopping and/or a job site?

Your financial means:

• One bedroom apartments tend to be more expensive
• Rooms in student or private houses tend to be the least expensive
• When calculating your maximum affordable rent, be sure to include utilities!

Your privacy needs:

• Do you prefer your own private bedroom, or can you share a bedroom with someone else?
• Are you willing to share a bathroom?

What features you can/cannot do without:

• Dishwasher
• Washer and dryer in the unit
• Air conditioning (room units or central air)
• Off-street parking

The amount of legal protection you require:

• A one year lease offers a certain amount of legal protection
• Some units carry negotiable or short term leases!
• Units that do not carry a lease offer maximum flexibility, but limited protection

The following items will limit your housing search

• Pets
• Smoking
• Searching for only one type of housing
• Searching for only those units within walking distance to campus
• Searching for only those units within your lowest price range
  

Before you sign your lease...

• Inspect the actual unit you intend to lease.
• Consider writing necessary repairs into the lease.
• Check the security of the unit (See Off-campus Housing Security Checklist).
• Check the fire safety of the unit (a smoke detector is required by law).
• Arrange for the telephone service (and possibly utilities) to be turned on by the time you move in.
  

After you move in...

• Complete a thorough inventory of your apartment.
• Give a copy of your inspection form to the landlord.
• Add locks to the windows of doors if necessary.
• Consider purchasing renter’s insurance.
• Consider purchasing additional fire safety equipment (fire extinguisher, and/or smoke detectors).