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APARTMENT GUIDE 1
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
TO DO LIST: APARTMENT HUNTING Take this handy guide with you while searching for your perfect apartment. BY HALI BAKER
1. Locate:
Think about how far away from campus you want to be. Are you willing to drive 10 to 15 minutes to get to campus, or would you rather be able to walk to classes? Chet Batson, community assistant at the Reserve Apartments, said to check if there's a bus route nearby, especially if you don't have a car.
2. Price: Before choosing the apartment with crystal chandeliers and glided faucets, take into consideration how much money you're willing and able to spend on housing per month. As much as you would enjoy living in a better place than your parents, The Ritz-Carlton is probably not in the budget.
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3. Prepare: Jessica Rogers, Hawks Pointe Apartments employee, said you should make a list of questions before visiting potential apartments. Make up a list of important questions you might have concerning furnishing or pets, for example. Some places charge extra for or don't allow animals, so if you can't live without Fido, don't choose a place that doesn't allow dogs. Batson said to ask whether the apartment is furnished or not so you have an idea of what you'll need to bring when you move in.
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4. Visit: Rogers suggests narrowing down your choices then visiting each apartment so you can get a feel for the different places. You might find that the choice you were leaning towards isn't as good a deal as it seemed in the advertisement.
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5. Scrutinize: Don't sign the lease, until you have read through it carefully and picked out any extra fees you didn't notice before. Batson said to check to see if utilities are figured into the monthly rate or if you have to pay an additional amount. He said renters should be sure to fill out an inventory checklist when they move in so they aren't charged extra for previous damages, such as nail holes, when they move out.
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6. Communicate: Between the time you sign the lease and when you move in, check with your leasing agent periodically so you don't encounter any surprises when the time comes to move into your new apartment Notes:
7. Remember: Contact the utility company and put your name on the utility service. Rogers said people have the most difficulties remembering this step, and the apartment complex can't give new residents a key until they have switched the name on the utilities.
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Sources: sources Ragus, Howie Polk Apartments employee Baiton, community attire at the Reservoir