If you are going to spend money on off campus accommodation,
you might as well get the best that your money can afford. You do not have to
rent out an entire apartment, as there are many complexes around most campuses
that are designed for students. Some of these housing units are shared to make
it more affordable for individual students and you get to choose who you want
to live with. The following are some of the must have features when looking for
accommodation off campus.
Individual leases
When sharing accommodation, every student should have an
individual lease, rather than having one-person sign the lease on behalf of the
others. This ensures that you are only responsible for your portion of the
rent. In case the other housemates fail to pay their rent, this should have no
effect whatsoever on your residency. Sometimes roommates transfer or even drop
out of school and you do not want to be left with the bulk of rent to pay.
Private rooms
One of the major reasons why people choose to stay out of
campus hostels is so they do not have to share personal space with others. The
least you should get out there is a large private bedroom where you can study,
relax and safely store your personal items without the risk of intrusion by a
roommate. You can find housing units with three or four bedrooms, shared
kitchens and living areas. You should get a private bath as well. You do not
want to be held up- in the cue for the bathroom in the morning when you have an
early class.
Household appliances
Kitchen appliances such as cookers, fridges and microwaves,
as well as a laundry machine should be a standard in the housing unit. This
equipment can be quite costly for a student and you don’t need to start
budgeting for such appliances this early. If these are not available, you are
going to have a hard time making the place homely. Air conditioning or ceiling
fans should also be available to you.
Furnishings such as beds and study tables may be available depending on
the housing company that you choose.
Security systems
Security should be a deal breaker for you. If the building
does not have security surveillance systems, security lights or a guard, you
should be wary of it. Security is very important for campus students. You
should choose a housing unit that is not too far from your campus and one that
exists on a well-lit street with regular security patrols.
Parking
If you have a car or a motorcycle, then you will definitely
need ample and secure parking. Parking out on the street could get you a ticket
or your car stolen or towed. The housing company should provide a lot of
parking space for residents, especially with designated parking so you know
your exact parking spot.
Posted By: Athens Commons http://athencommons.net/
