Advice on college apartments?

franglish
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:26:32 +0000

Sounds like you are going in with open eyes regarding the managing company. Here’s what I would look at in the apartment:


Wiring-- make sure there are not wires dangling, loose, and unsafe
Windows-- if this is in a city where winters are cold, be sure the windows are not leaky, broken, and rotting out.
Floors-- they should be solid, not springy.
Look for water damage on the ceilings
BED BUGS!!-- try to find out if there ever were any and if so, how were they handled. I would also try to find out what the managing company’s history or policy is regarding their extermination. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!!
Each roommate should sign a lease and they should have an open discussion about sharing/paying for utilities. It can get awkward/uncomfortable later.
Appliances-- Fridge, stove, etc. Is there a washer and dryer in the apartment? Close by?
That’s it off the top of my head. If I think of anything else later, I’ll post again. These are things that my daughter needed to consider in her two off-campus apartments.


Bed bugs were an issue last summer. The girls were really lucky with their landlord who lived in the building and was a solo owner. But this can be a terrible problem.