Off Campus Housing - What questions should we ask?

arabrab
Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:21:59 +0000

What needs to be done to get a new lock cylinder and new keys? Given that you don’t know who has had keys to the unit previously, I see this as a safety issue. The landlord/manager obviously has some rights to a working key, but I’d like to be assured that the other 30 keys hanging out there for the unit are no longer usable. This is something I’d be happy to pay for. The front door should have a deadbolt, but it should not require a key to exit, imo – if there is an emergency, you want to be able to get out quickly without fumbling for keys. (Some places don’t allow them anyway, but others do.)

The other thing I’d want checked is whether the egress routes – like windows – are all in operable condition, and if there are windows, that there is an ability to lock them securely. If there are bars on the windows, test that they can be released from the inside – this is something the student should try before it is needed.

As a (former) landlord, I’m also all in favor of taking a bunch of pictures before move-in that clearly show the state of the unit. If there’s a bad stain on the carpet before move-in, or a hole in the drywall, or a cracked window, so much better to capture that image before you move in than arguing about whether it should be deducted from your damage deposit when you depart.