For whatever reason, you’ve decided to move.
Perhaps you’re tired of the residence halls. Maybe it’s your neighbors. Or it could just be that you and your roommate have absolutely nothing in common.
Regardless of your motivation, the fact remains that moving is not always an easy task. However, knowing how to begin can really take away some of the pressure.
First, you face the task of finding a roommate, or perhaps making the decision to live alone.
Selecting a roommate is a very important step, ASUO housing advocate Matthew Lieuallen said, because you have to be able to trust the people you decide to live with.
“Choose who you live with wisely, because it could make or break your housing experience,” Lieuallen said.
He also warns that, in many situations, if your roommate abandons his or her responsibilities, you are left individually obligated.
The Roommate Survival Guide, available at the Rental Information Office in the EMU or on-line at oregon.uoregon.edu/~rio/survive.html, suggests a variety of options for effectively selecting and getting along with roommates.
Next, it’s time to decide what type of housing you’re looking for.
Do you want to live in the residence halls? Hoping to share space in a fraternity or sorority house, a co-op or a private residence? How many bedrooms are you looking for? Do you want a washer and dryer? Do you need a parking space? All these questions and more abound.
Thankfully, many options are available. And once you have a good idea of what best suits your needs, you’re ready to start your search.
According to the Renter’s Handbook, prepared by OSPIRG and the ASUO, it’s in your best interest to look at many different places before choosing one, even if you like the first one you come across.
Several resources are available for you to consider when looking for a place to live. Try newspaper advertisements, the Rental Information Office and property management firms. Also, bulletin boards throughout campus carry notices from renters seeking roommates or people to take over their leases. Several landlords use signs in windows and lawns, as well, to attract renters.
Also, never overlook the power of word of mouth referrals. If you know people who live in places you’re interested in, ask them to notify you of vacancies. According to the Renter’s Handbook, many residences are rented even before they are advertised. Friends can also help you weigh the pro and cons of places they are familiar with.
But no matter how you go about finding a place to live, make sure you do it with time to spare.
“Don’t wait,” Lieuallen said. “If you wait, you’re not going to find much.” He said there’s always a supply of apartments — although the longer you wait, the harder they are to find — but procrastinators do not usually have much luck finding houses.
During your search for a new place to live, you’ll likely find yourself meeting landlords or managers. It’s important to take advantage of this opportunity, said David Lussier Dyer, University senior and resident manager of Blackstone Manor. At this time, the landlord or manager can answer most of your questions.
The most important questions to ask, Lussier Dyer said, involve proximity, security and neighbors. People should familiarize themselves with the distance from a residence to places such as the University, grocery stores or bus stops. Also, security questions about the neighborhood, such as inquires about robberies, are useful, Lussier Dyer said.
Of course, once you have decided for sure where and with whom you’ll be moving, you must move out of your old place.
If you are currently renting on a month-to-month basis, it’s necessary to give notice of your departure at least 30 days prior to your move, according to the Renter’s Handbook. When leasing, however, notice is not required, but you are responsible for paying rent for the entire duration of the lease — even if you move out before your lease has been terminated.
According to the Renter’s Handbook, make sure you immediately contact the utility company when moving out to shut off your services. Otherwise, you could be billed for the next tenant’s use of those services. The person whose name appears on the bill is legally responsible.
Additionally, a residence should be left in the same or better condition than it appeared when you first moved in. According to the Renter’s Handbook, you should ask your landlord to walk through the unit with you a few weeks before moving out. This way, you can attempt to make repairs he or she noticed rather than facing fees.
Finally, it’s time to move into your new place.
If you sign a lease or agreement, make sure you understand the terms. According to the Renter’s Handbook, feel free to make any changes to the agreement as long as the landlord or manager permits the new conditions.
Make sure you know whether you or your landlord is responsible for providing utilities and what additional services are included with your rent payment. Also, if you are required to pay a deposit or other fees, understand what exactly that covers.
Additionally, inspect the unit to avoid future disputes about breaks, damage or cleanliness. Lussier Dyer stresses the importance of checking everything. You should keep a record of what you observed while inspecting the residence.
“Write everything down, and give it to your manager,” Lussier Dyer said. Also, keep a copy for yourself. You can obtain a complete checklist for inventory and condition in the Renter’s Handbook.
Finally, once a new residence is officially yours, you’re ready make it your home.
The first thing you should do is meet all your neighbors, Lussier Dyer said: “Establish communication.”
He stresses that most problems with neighbors can easily be solved if you feel comfortable confronting them about issues.