Getting Started
When to Start Looking for Housing
Many rental properties may allow you to sign a lease as early as January for the upcoming school year, however don’t get so caught up in the early lease signing panic. There are still plenty of apartments and houses that will be available into the spring and early summer months.
Fall Semester
Vacancies for fall begin as early as January. The largest selection is typically between January and May for the next school year. There will still be some options available in June and July but the closer you get to August the fewer options you will have. When signing a lease most leases will require you to agree for 12 months. There are options for shorter lease time but they may charge a higher monthly rent price.
Spring Semester
Many advertisements for Spring housing options begin appearing around October and into November. You will find a lot of options to sublease and some availability at different apartments but the selection is usually much smaller than for fall. Because these are slow months for apartment complexes they may be offering specials on security deposits or month rent costs, shop around to find the best deal for you.
Summer Semester
Summer housing options are usually sublets and are advertised as early as March. Due to it being summer, rental costs are usually lower and lease terms are more flexible.
Looking For a House?
Most houses for rent have about a two week window for availability before you want to move. If a rental house is owned by a leasing company you may be able to sign a lease more in advance. There are much fewer options for houses than apartments, but a house may be more affordable to split between roommates.
Housing Search Basics
- Search the Housing listings and filter by bedrooms, price, neighborhood, and more.
- Sign up for an account to save listings you may be interested in and contact properties.
- Always tour the property if possible before signing a lease. If you aren't in the area, ask if the landlord provides virtual tours.
- Be on the lookout for scams.
How to Avoid Scams
When you’re sifting through listing after listing months into your apartment search, you may be tempted to go for the post with the most-everything you’ve ever wanted in an apartment (dream location, every amenity imaginable, etc.) for hundreds of dollars under your budget. But unfortunately, when a rental seems too good to be true, it usually is.
However, rental scams can be easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. Watch the video below and check out these real life examples of scams and fraud to learn more about what to look out for during your housing search.
Renting Without Credit
The good news: no credit is better than bad credit. This video shares ways to be approved to lease an apartment before having established credit.