Moving Out

Dorm to Off-Campus Rental: Tips for the Transition


Making the transition from life in an on or off-campus dorm into a rental property such as an off-campus apartment can be tricky, and students and parents are often missing the key pieces of information they need to make sure the transition is a smooth one. For useful tips on the ins-and-outs of this move, check out the information below, as well as our FAQ and Leasing 101 Guide.

Rent and Amenities:

There are a number of factors that contribute to the total cost of renting an apartment. These factors can be divided into two major categories: amenities and location. How much you pay in rent is chiefly dependent on the amenities offered by the house, condo, or apartment, such as the quality and age of the finishes, exterior and common-area features, square footage, appliances, and parking. The location is also key, and in general the closer the property is to the university the higher the rent will be.

Something to keep in mind when deciding what monthly rental price is affordable for you is what is included in the base price. The rental price for many apartments in West Campus, for example, includes cable, internet, or parking, and sometimes all three. In other instances, parking, storage, internet connections, and other amenities will mean an additional monthly cost. Make sure you check with your agent and with your property manager to avoid confusion.

Remember to consider all the costs associated with living on your own, such as food, transportation, utilities, and rent before setting your final budget.


Roommates:

Though some people enjoy the privacy that comes with living alone, many students prefer to live with roommates. Living with friends during college is a tried-and-true tradition, and can be a lot of fun, but it's also important to remember to take the appropriate steps to ensure that your living arrangement doesn't become stressful.

Perhaps the most common point of contention between roommates (and their parents who support them) is the payment of the monthly rent and utility bills. Check with all of your roommates before you sign a lease and discuss your financial situation in detail -- the best way to avoid problems when it comes time to pay rent and bills is to discuss things ahead of time. For example, rent is almost always due on the first of the month, and in a four bedroom apartment the landlord will accept only one check for the full amount. Who will write the check to the landlord, and how will the collect rent from their roommates to cover the balance? This type of question can only be answered by discussing the issue in detail with your roommates before you move in.

Another common point of contention between roommates is that of the security deposit and damages. What happens when your roommate damages something in the property and then the group is charged for that damage after move-out? Because a joint lease means that all roommates are jointly liable for the condition of the property, it's imperative to discuss this issue prior to move-in and decide on a fair method for assessing any damages should they occur.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it's imperative that all roommates understand that they are entering into a joint contract, and that each resident is equally responsible for paying rent, maintaining the property, and following the move-out procedure. Some apartments offer individual leases in which a tenant is only responsible for their portion of the lease, but for rental properties that don't offer this feature, it's essential to discuss the situation ahead of time and to work with roommates that you trust.


Leases:

When it comes to leases (and any other legal contract), it's imperative to read the fine print and discuss any questions or concerns before you sign. Discuss the contract with your landlord and make sure that you understand the obligations of both landlord and tenant. Some important questions are:

-What is the exact lease term? If I'm taking the apartment for a full 12 months, am I permitted to sublease the apartment if I decide to return home during the summer?
-Is there a charge for each additional person living in the apartment?
-What is the penalty for breaking the lease voluntarily?
-Who is responsible for maintaining the lawn and outdoor areas (if applicable)?
-What happens if I am late paying my rent?

Asking these questions is the best way to avoid any sort of misunderstanding as you prepare to sign the lease for your new property. Another invaluable resource for information about renting in general and conflicts between tenants, landlords, and roommates is the Texas Apartment Association. The Austin Tenant's Council is also an excellent resource for information about lease contracts, maintenance problems, and more.


Security Deposit:

Security deposits, which are due at the time that you apply for the property, range from a few hundred dollars to the price of a full month's rent. The purpose of a security deposit is to provide the owner with funds to fix any damages you may cause to the property during your lease term or pay for the expenses of releasing the property should you violate the terms of your lease.

In most cases, the security deposit is shared between the roommates, but at properties that offer individual leases such as The Block or The Quarters, deposits will be collected for each tenant individually. At the end of lease, if you abide by the policies of your contract and the move-out instructions, the deposit will be returned to you in full. In the case of a joint deposit for several roommates, the check will be payable jointly to each roommate within 30 days of your move-out.

Make sure you look over the move-out policy carefully. The primary reason for the retention of security deposit money is a simply failure to follow the move-out or cleaning instructions, so simply look over your instructions carefully to avoid any unnecessary charges.

If you have a pet, you may also be charged a pet deposit, which can range anywhere from $50 to $300 and is often partially refundable.


Utilities:

Your utility bill is completely dependent on the way you use water, gas, and electricity, but a general estimate for the total costs of utilities per bedroom is as follows:

City of Austin (water, trash, waste water, electricity): $50-60 per month
Texas Gas Service: $8-25 per month

In addition, many students choose to have cable and internet service. Through the primary provider for central Austin, Time Warner Cable, a bundled package with high speed internet and digital cable costs approximately $100 per month.

Always check to see which utilities and expenses are covered by your landlord. Often, smaller bills such as water or gas may be included in the cost of rent, and at many of the newer or corporate complexes cable and internet are included as well.


Food:

One primary difference between living on campus in a student dorm and living off-campus in an apartment or house is that only the dorms offer comprehensive meal plans. As you are planning a budget for your move into your first rental property, don't forget to account for the extra cost of food. Though you won't have the expense of a meal plan anymore, consider the cost of groceries and eating out when you calculate a budget.


Renter's Insurance:

Though it's highly unlikely that anything unfortunate will happen at your rental property, rental insurance is an excellent idea. The yearly cost is usually between $150-250, a small price to pay for the security of knowing that your belongings are completely covered in the event of fire, break-in, etc. Most landlords and property managers, however, do not require that you purchase renter's insurance.

To obtain renter's insurance, simply talk to your insurance provider and get a quote – ordinarily you'll have to pay les than $15 per month for the service.


Transportation:

Living in the West Campus area means being close enough to walk or ride a bike to the majority of your classes and extra-curricular activities, but many students still decide to keep a car for use at night and on the weekends. If you are planning to have a car with you at UT, make sure you factor in the cost of parking at your rental property. In many instances, parking is included, but there are still many complexes that charge an additional monthly fee for a reserved parking space. These fees range from as little as $50 to as much as $125 per month per space.

Public transportation is also readily available near UT, with both Capitol Metro and the University providing bus and shuttle service to many convenient locations. The university shuttles run around the perimeter of campus as well as to popular off-campus locations such as Enfield, Riverside, and North Campus.