Do you want to live by yourself or with roommate?

Deciding whether you prefer living alone or with roommates is an important first step, as it will influence many of the following considerations.

Living alone has its benefits—you have your own space, no need to negotiate with roommates, and you only have to manage your lease. On the other hand, living with roommates can be a positive experience too. Not only does it provide social interaction, but roommates often share costs and responsibilities within the household.

While there is information available on the pros and cons of having roommates, it’s crucial to start by reflecting on your own situation. Can you afford to live alone if that’s your preference? Do you have friends you’d like to live with? Do you know where to search for potential roommates, especially if you’re moving to a new area?

Do you need a short-term lease? Year round?

Depending on your situation, you may need a place to stay for anywhere from a month to several years. Many landlords and rental companies offer various lease options to fit different needs.

Short-term leases, typically on a month-to-month basis, are often available through rental agencies, but they usually come with a higher rent compared to longer agreements of a year or more. Additionally, when leases are renewed, landlords and agencies often increase the rent to account for rising housing costs, inflation, and other factors. If you know you’ll be staying for an extended period, it might be worth considering a two-year lease or longer to help reduce long-term housing expenses.

Are you taking a multi-year job or enrolling in an academic program? Or are you just passing through for a few months? Make sure to ask your landlord about the lease options available to best suit your needs.

How much can you afford to spend?

As a general rule, individuals should aim to spend no more than 40% of their monthly income on housing expenses. This includes rent, parking, utilities, renter’s insurance, and other related costs.

Spending less than this amount can free up your budget for savings, loan repayments, and discretionary spending. Consider whether you truly need all the features that come with a 40% price point, or if a more affordable option could still meet your needs.

Sharing housing costs with roommates can significantly reduce expenses, so keep this in mind when deciding if living with others is a suitable option for you.

Some potential questions to ask:

How much is the rent?

When is the rent due?

Is there a penalty/fee if the rent is late?

If someone moves out, how will the remaining roommates pay the difference?

How much is the deposit?

How and when is the deposit refunded?

How long is the lease?

When does the lease end/begin?

What is the penalty for breaking the lease?

Should all roommates sign the lease?

What utilities are included in the rent?

How much is the installation charge for the utilities, if any?

What is the average monthly cost for heat, gas, electricity, etc., if they are not included in the rent?

Is internet service provided?

Are there laundry facilities in the building?

How many laundry units are there? Are they on every floor?

Are they coin operated? How much does it cost?

Are pets allowed? What kind? How many?

Is there an additional charge for having pets?

May the apartment be altered (painted, etc.)?

Can you hang pictures on the wall (and how)?

Under what circumstances may the landlord enter your apartment?

How much advance notice must be given prior to entry?

How are maintenance concerns handled?

What is the procedure to report problems or concerns?

What is the turn-around time for getting a maintenance problem corrected?

Is subletting permitted?

What are the procedures for subletting?

Is there a penalty for subletting?

Moving In

Utilities

Contact utility companies a few weeks before your move-in date to ensure that phone, cable, internet, and electricity services are set up and ready for your arrival. Otherwise, it may take several days for these services to become available in your rental. For more information, check the Renting Requirements, as some rentals include some or all utilities in the rent, while others do not

Security Deposits

You should receive a receipt for whatever deposits are paid. Getting a deposit back will be much easier if you keep your canceled check or receipt. Try to never pay in cash, it is harder to trace payments.

If your landlord requires a deposit, which almost all do, he or she must give you a summary statement of all damages initially existing in your apartment, including all housing code violations. You must then review the list, include any additional discrepancies, sign it, and return the list to your landlord . Your landlord cannot ask for more than two months worth of rent for your security deposit per the Connecticut Housing Law. See Leasing Information for more on Security Deposits.

Property Inspection

Before you move into your rental, inspect it and record anything that is in need of repair, damaged, or hazardous with a check-in form. If you find something wrong with the rental and it is not on the check-in form, make a note of it. Ideally, your property manager should be present when you inspect the property. After the inspection is completed, ask your property manager to sign the checklist to ensure that you both agree to the outcome of the inspection. If the property manager is not available for move in, 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 will be fixed should be listed in your lease.

Take video or photos during the inspection of your rental. The key is to take time-stamped pictures of everything. Take the same precautions when you move out of your rental to help prove your case regarding the condition you left your place in if it is challenged by your property manager. If you do not hear from your property manager within 30 days after you have moved out of the rental and have provided a forwarding address, (or if you gave a late notice of forwarding address, 15 days after you gave the address), or if you believe your security deposit is being unfairly withheld, email offcampus@uconn.edu.

If you have questions regarding the health and safety of your property, contact the local Housing Authority through the Town Hall.

To report a complaint or concern about a public health nuisance or suspected Code violation, you can contact:

Cuyahoga County Board of Health

5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130

Phone: (216) 201-2000

Moving Out

Remember to disconnect utilities when you move out.

If you are moving out of your rental, read about how to get your security deposit back and who to call about your utilities. Ensure that you schedule a final walk-through with your landlord and go over any and all possible damages.

Before your final walk-through with your Property Manager/Landlord:

• Clean, clean, clean - make sure all trash is removed including in cupboards and refrigerator. Wipe down every room including the common area, bathroom(s), and your personal area. The cleaner the place, the easier the final inspections should be.

• Address all damages. Do not hide a damage that might become a dispute later when you are already gone. If you know of a damage, address it in person and see what your options are.

• Have all copies of all keys ready to be returned.

• Talk to your roommates. It is easier if you are all leaving at the same day/time. If someone is moving out later, be sure they are keeping the place clean and ready for inspections.

• Try to leave on good terms because you might use them as a reference for future rental applications.

Take notes, pictures and if possible, a video. If there is a disagreement, talk to your landlord about how to best address the issue and refer back to any move in photos or documentation that you might have. It is important to go over everything with your landlord before handing in your keys. If your landlord does not offer this as an option, see if you can do a video walk-through with them or have one of their team members meet with you to review everything.

Make sure to provide your landlord with your forwarding address. Your lease should have all of the information you need regarding moving out dates and expectations.

Roommate(s)

Several issues should be considered when deciding who would make a good roommate. Even if you know someone well and you feel that you get along, it doesn’t guarantee that you will live together problem free. The issue isn’t whether or not you will have differences of opinion, but how you handle and resolve the disagreements that will determine your satisfaction in living together. Here are a few compatibility expectations to consider when selecting a roommate:

• Cleanliness/Housekeeping

• Privacy

• Guest Policies

• Parties

• Sharing Belongings

• Paying Bills

The key to making your roommate experience work is based on communication and the respect you show one another. If you’re not talking or not respecting each other, then you are bound to have problems which will make your off-campus experience difficult.

A roommate agreement is a great tool to use after deciding who to live with in your apartment or house. The roommate agreement can assist with determining house rules, financial responsibilities, and establish expectations for creating a successful living environment. It may also help resolve informal issues or legal issues if they arise.

Pets

A landlord can prohibit all pets from the property, or allow some and exclude others. The only situation where the landlord cannot prohibit pets or require additional deposits is for assistance animals to help a person with a disability, such as seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired and assistance/companion animals for mental health consumers. In all other situations, a landlord can either exclude pets or require a pet deposit to cover any additional damage caused by pets.

Many landlords who allow pets will charge "pet rent" or a "pet deposit". Make sure that you understand what you are paying for, and whether or not the fee will be refundable at the end of the lease. Most pet rent and pet deposit charges are enforceable. If the pet deposit is non-refundable, you may have a claim that it should be treated like the rest of your security deposit and returned to you as long as there is no damage done to the apartment beyond reasonable wear and tear.

Any "material", or serious, violation of a lease or rental agreement may be grounds for eviction. If your lease prohibits pets, your landlord may be able to evict you if you have a pet on the property.

Tenants with pets or assistance animals have many responsibilities:

• You must make sure that your pets are clean, adequately fed and watered, taken to the vet regularly and properly immunized.

• You may be required to purchase a license for your pet.

• You must clean up after your pet - waste tends to attract rats and other pests.

• Do not allow your pet to disturb your neighbors by barking or running loose. It is your responsibility to keep your pet under control.

Find out if you need insurance for your dog. Owners of many dog breeds that have been deemed dangerous may be required to maintain liability insurance, even if the pet owner has never had a problem with his/her dog. Failure to maintain the proper insurance for your pet may mean that it could be put down.

If you are aware that your dog is risky (it has bitten or attacked someone in the past), you may be liable civilly and/or criminally if your dog attacks anyone again.

Remember, if you do not control your pet, you may be liable for fines, court costs, and any injuries inflicted by your pet.

You will also be responsible for any damage done to your apartment beyond reasonable wear and tear.

Pets are a lot of responsibility! If you ever find that you are no longer able to take care of your pets, DO NOT ABANDON YOUR PET! Contact the local animal shelters to help them find new homes!

Berea Animal Rescue Fund

10015 E River Rd

Columbia Station, OH 44028

Email: dfarinacci@bereaanimalrescue.com

Phone: (440) 234-2034

Most landlords do not provide insurance for you or your belongings. If you already have renter's insurance, make sure to update your provider with your new address. If you don’t have insurance yet, consider exploring different options from various providers to find a plan that fits your needs.

In apartment buildings, events like fires, floods, and other disasters can happen unexpectedly and may be beyond your control. Having renter's insurance ensures that you are prepared and can begin the recovery process quickly if something goes wrong.

Learn more about renters insurance by clicking here.