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?
Safety Concerns
- 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.
Renters Insurance
- 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.
Roommate Considerations
- Choose roommates carefully.
- Ask about study and sleep habits.
- Discuss cleaning and food arrangements.
- Discuss how you will pay the utilities.
- Discuss boyfriend and/or girlfriend overnight arrangements.
The Search Process
- Call and make an appointment with leasing companies to view apartments.
- View many apartments before you decide on one.
- Compare apartments, amount of rent, and amenities.
- Speak to current tenants from the complex—ask questions!
Signing the Lease
- 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.
Moving In
- 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.
Subleasing
- 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.
Community Relations - Being a Good Citizen
- 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.