Renter's Guide brought to you by:

Garden State Apartments is doing its very best to help you find the perfect place. We know renting is a difficult process, especially if you've never done it before. Here we have compiled some quick tips to renting your first place! More coming soon.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER: Landlord - Safety & Security - Parking - Cost - Location - Housemates - Neighborhood

• LANDLORD
  A landlord’s honesty and responsiveness can be major factors in how satisfied you are with an apartment. Find out as much as possible about your potential landlord from:
  • other students living off campus.
  • any landlord reviews you can find.

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• SAFETY & SECURITY
  To guarantee your safety, certain considerations should be made before renting any apartment. These include:
  • At least two legal means of egress in case of fire or emergency. There are clear guidelines defining a legal egress (for example, trap doors in closets do not count).
  • Accessible and working fire escapes.
  • Electrical wiring that is up to code. Exposed wiring and overloaded outlets or extension cords suggest larger problems. Outlets near water sources must have a GFC outlet.
  • Operable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, certified fire extinguishers, appliances, and door buzzers.
  • Secure, functioning locks on all exterior doors and windows, and dead bolt locks on apartment doors. Building doors should fall shut by their own weight, and self-lock.
  • Security screens or metal grates on windows accessible from the ground.

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• PARKING
  It is important you make parking arrangements because
  • Some areas have traffic regulations prohibit parking on city streets at certain times.
  • There are various fine for violating these ordinances.
  • You must, therefore, be sure to arrange for off-street parking if you plan to have a car.
  • If your rent includes parking, be sure that fact is written in your lease.

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• COST
  Make a realistic budget that includes the cost of:
  • heat
  • hot water
  • gas
  • electricity
  • parking
  • phone, internet & cable TV services
  Rental costs vary, depending on:
  • the apartment’s size
  • the apartment’s physical condition
  • the apartment’s location/proximity to campus
  • whether utilities, if any, are included
  • whether furnishings and appliances, if any, are included
  • whether parking is included
  Stay within your budget!

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• LOCATION
  Consider the apartment’s proximity to:
  • campus
  • grocery stores
  • laundry facilities

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• HOUSEMATES
  Your choice of housemate{s) is very important in determining how comfortable and relaxing your living situation is. Be sure to discuss the following with prospective housemates honestly and thoroughly, clarifying what you can and cannot tolerate and defining your expectations as specifically as possible:
  • cooking
  • food sharing
  • cleanliness
  • noise levels
  • study habits
  • guests
  • smoking
  • responsibilities incurred if one party leaves before the lease expires (remaining tenants may be legally responsible for that person’s portion of the rent and other shared expenses) 

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• NEIGHBORHOOD
  The nature of your prospective neighborhood may have a major impact on your daily life. Ask yourself these questions about the neighborhood when considering an apartment:
  • Is it well-populated or isolated? How will this affect me?
  • Is it safe? How will I successfully cope with the level of safety?
  • Is it noisy? How will that noise level affect me?
  • Does my renting there have a positive or negative impact on the neighborhood structure?
  • Will my lifestyle be in conflict or accord with community norms?

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