Checklist for Moving Off Campus

Interested in moving into a home or apartment? Use these questions and suggestions to guide you through the selection and leasing process.

General Questions

How much money would you have to earn each month to pay rent and utilities?
What locations are practical for you to live in? Consider cost, safety, shopping, laundry, parking, bus routes. Will you be able to study if your street is “the party street”?
Are you prepared to pay two months’ rent and utilities as a deposit?
Do you want to live by yourself or with others?
Are you prepared to live with your roommates for the entire lease (usually 12 months)?
Do you know Bloomington’s and Normal’s ordinances and laws?

Is there sufficient lighting? Are all exit/entrance points well lit?
Are common areas well lit?
Are the trees and bushes well maintained?
Check the door systems (Do you have wood or metal door frames? Are doors in good condition? Is there a deadbolt? Are there peepholes on the doors?)
Check the windows and screens for damage.
Request information from the landlord or police about crimes and types of crimes in the area.
Make sure that fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are in proper working order.

Consider purchasing renters insurance to cover loss of belongings from fire damage, water damage, or theft. Your landlord is NOT responsible for your personal belongings.
Check if your family’s home insurance will cover you.

Before you sign a lease: If you do not understand the lease, ask for a copy of it and have someone review it with you.
Do not feel pressured to sign a lease immediately; there will always be another apartment available.
Ask questions!
Wait to sign a lease for an apartment—you do not know if you will still be friends with these people in a year.
Make sure you understand the terms of the lease completely.
When signing, make sure all tenants of the apartment are signing at the same time; this is so you know of any special provisions made to the lease for a tenant.
Most leasing companies require students to have a co-signer when signing a lease; make sure you have someone (parent or guardian) who can co-sign lined up.
Negotiate before signing; you may be able to get something added to your lease.
Inspect the apartment for which you are signing; do not sign blindly.
Get EVERYTHING in writing.

Before moving in, inspect the apartment thoroughly; report any repairs needed and demand that they are resolved prior to moving in.
If not resolved promptly, call the Town of Normal or City of Bloomington.
Living at the apartment
Have a list of contact numbers handy for your landlord, maintenance, and Town of Normal or City of Bloomington.
Do not try to repair something on your own—call maintenance to do it. That way, you are not liable if something else breaks or is damaged during the repair process.
Report all problems with your apartment to your landlord and/or maintenance services immediately.
Contact Off-Campus Services for advice on what to do if no action is made to correct the problem.
Contact the Town of Normal or City of Bloomington if no action is made to correct the problem.

Make sure your landlord allows for subleasing in your lease.
Create and post flyers that describe the apartment and provide your contact information
Tell friends to pass the word around.
Moving out/Getting your security deposit back
When moving out, CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!
Ask for an itemized list of charges.
Question all charges you feel are unwarranted or incorrect.
Contact Off-Campus Services if the problem has not been resolved promptly.

Get to know your neighbors.
Try to meet them as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of moving in. It is a good idea to know their names and telephone numbers in case of an emergency or if any other issues arise.
Offer to assist your neighbors if they need help.
Say “hi” when you see your neighbors.
Notify neighbors when you are on vacation.
Be aware of noise levels (music and television), especially early in the morning or at night.
Do not leave your dog outside all day.
Make sure your guests are not too noisy.
If you have more cars than spaces, do not use the yard as extended parking.
Park your car facing the right direction.
Park in appropriately marked spaces.
Do not keep cars that do not work sitting in the driveway.
Do not park your car in the yard.
Keep your place looking nice.
Pick up any trash in the yard.
Mow the yard on a regular basis.
Keep couches in the living room instead of on the porch.
Put up the trash can within 12 hours after garbage is collected.
Don’t overflow your garbage can.