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Landlords who cater to college students usually ask them to fulfill specific requirements to ensure a good fit for their house or apartment. If you have a future college student in your household, the following information can help them find a place.
They should get started by gathering the following information and paperwork:
- Credit score, even if it’s low
- Official pay slips or statements from banks or monthly/yearly income
- Social Security number
- Any rental history, including contact info for past landlords
- Criminal history if applicable
- References from teachers, bosses, previous landlords, etc.
Having this information ready demonstrates a level of responsibility and help establish a good
relationship with the landlord.
How to get an apartment?
- Research options online: You can search the Internet for rental reviews and recommendations. You may even find local groups on social media where you can ask for suggestions.
- Drive around town: Look for signs that read “For Rent” in front yards or apartment complex driveways. If you see a place you like, explore the area to ensure it is secure.
- Advertise for roommates: Who they live with can make or break the living experience. Prepare a list of questions for your child to ask potential roommates:
- How do you spend your time at home?
- Do you have or plan to have pets?
- How often do you clean/wash dishes/use the kitchen?
- Do you want to have family, friends, or significant others visit frequently?
- What temperature do you prefer to keep your home?
- What are your work hours/weekend hours?
- Do you have any hobbies that take up space or make loud noise?
How to apply for an apartment with no credit?
- Seek out private landlords: Look for “For Rent” signs in front of properties. You may hear about these landlords from acquaintances or through school, work, church, etc. You can meet them in person and show them proof of your child’s ability to rent despite not having a credit score.
- Bring references: They can show potential landlords the recommendations others have written. Prospective landlords will appreciate seeing positive references that prove reliability.
- Look for no-credit-check rentals: Some apartment owners don’t require credit to consider applications. Be careful to avoid “slumlords” who don’t care for their property but still charge exorbitant fees in exchange for not checking credit.
- Find a co-signer: It may be possible for a co-signer with good credit to sign the lease with your child, typically you as a parent, legal guardian, family member, or other adult they trust.
- Pay the first few months of rent in advance: This is a surefire way to show they have the necessary money to afford the rental space.
Signing the lease. The main thing to remember when signing a rental lease is to READ IT. Don’t skip over the fine print. Make sure your child understands the terms of the lease agreement. Knowing what they sign up for will save them massive amounts of confusion, time, and money down the road if they run into problems with the property or landlord.
Basic terms to be familiar with in the lease before signing it:
- Cost: Price per month? When is the rent due? Who is responsible for landscaping, mowing, or other chores? Which utility bills are paid by the landlord? Which are paid by the student? If they live with roommates, who will be the primary tenant? The roommates should work out a plan for how and when they will pay their portion of the rent.
- Repairs: Some property damage is the landlord’s responsibility to fix, but some is your child’s. Know who will pay for what ahead of time and make sure it is documented in the lease.
- Pets: If dogs, cats, birds, etc., will be roommates, let the landlord know. This will need to be worked into the lease agreement, most likely with a fee. (Animals have been known to cause property damage, so most landlords charge extra for allowing them in the rental home.
How can LegalShield help your college student child with their lease? As your child starts their adult life, they are bound to have many personal legal questions. LegalShield’s Family Plan gives access to a dedicated provider law firm ready to assist with your renting journey. Your LegalShield Provider Law Firm can answer questions, offer advice, review important paperwork, make a phone call or write a letter if necessary, on your behalf.
Access your LegalShield Provider Law Firm for landlord/ tenant issues and other personal legal matters. If you still need to become a LegalShield member, consider enrolling at your earliest convenience.