There’s a lot of excitement that comes with renting your own student apartment across the way from Ohio University. There’s a sense of freedom now that you’re finally, officially on your own and out of the dorms. You’ll be able to host parties with friends, kick back with your roommates in your student rental home with three big bedrooms, and you’ll be well on your way to making memories that last a lifetime. But, before all that happens, make sure you know to protect yourself as a student renter—especially if it’s your first time renting.
What do we mean by protecting yourself? Well, we’re talking about protecting yourself from some of the more… unscrupulous landlords. And protecting yourself and your belongings from disaster or break-in. As one of the leading rental companies that deal in student apartments around the area, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to make sure you know what to look for and how to best go about renting out that upscale rental home in Uptown.
Understand Your Rights as a Tenant
The first step in understanding your rights as a tenant is to familiarize yourself with your state’s tenant-landlord codes. These laws break down your rights and responsibilities. For example, in Ohio, the following are a few rights and responsibilities of a tenant:
- Quiet enjoyment – you have the right to enjoy your student rental housing, and your landlord cannot unreasonably harass or disturb you.
- Property care – it’s your responsibility to take reasonable care of your college rental apartment and not damage it.
- Rent payment – this one’s a no-brainer, but you must pay rent on time as stated in your lease.
Meanwhile, landlords have to uphold their end of the bargain and have their own rights and responsibilities, including:
- Habitability – the rental unit must be kept in living condition by the landlord. Working plumbing, heat, and electricity are a few of the things that need to be maintained consistently and timely.
- Repairs – it falls on your landlord to make needed repairs happen in a timely manner.
- Property entry – your landlord is required to give you a 24 hour notice before entering the property unless in case of emergency.
If you’re ever unsure of the rights you have as someone renting one of the many top-notch student homes around campus, or you’re in a heated dispute with your landlord, one of the many legal aid services around the city can help out.
Inspect the Property Prior to Move-In
We get it—that feeling of excitement after signing the lease to your spacious four-bedroom college rental with a backyard is near-palpable. All you want to do is move your things in, start hanging with your friends, and exploring the areas around Athens. But before you do that, make sure to thoroughly inspect your student rental. Inspecting your new abode is important for a number of reasons, but most importantly it allows you to document prior damage to the building. Making noted documentation of existing damage saves you from being charged for it by an unknowing landlord down the line. Here’s how to do it:
- Walk through your luxe student apartment close to the university. You’ll get to relax soon enough, but pay close attention to every room—this includes closets, cabinetry, appliances.
- While you’re doing this, look for any damage. Holes in the walls, scratched-up or damaged flooring, and other noticeable flaws are all great to make documentation of.
- Make a list of any damages. It helps to be as specific here as possible. For example, “hole in wall” doesn’t give your landlord a ton to go off of. Try “3-inch hole in kitchen drywall to the right side of the sink” instead. Take photos and videos of any damage around your Ohio University housing to back up your claims.
- Ask your landlord to sign off on your completed inventory. This serves as legal documentation and them acknowledging the existing damages. Keep an extra copy for yourself.
Protect Your Belongings
By no means is Athens a dangerous place to live, but break-ins always remain a possibility. It’s better to take precautions with your apartment near Ohio University than to be missing valuables and electronics suddenly one day.
Most break-ins are opportunistic—nearly half of caught criminals admit that open/unlocked doors or windows are what spur them to steal. The first line of defense is making sure that you lock your college rental pad before heading out to classes for the day. Make sure all your doors leading into and out of your charming rental home are locked securely. Shut and lock all of the windows, even if you’re above ground level. It also wouldn’t be a terrible idea to store your belongings out of sight or in a locked safe if you’re really worried about them. As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” If someone can’t see your valuables in the first place, they’ll likely be passed up in favor of something that’s out in the open.
In the event of theft or some other kind of damage, renter’s insurance is a handy option to have. For a small fee per month, renter’s insurance assists you in replacing any items that have been destroyed or stolen.
When it’s your first time renting one of the many affordable and spacious apartments around Ohio University, take extra time to learn your newfound rights as a renter as well as protecting yourself and your belongings. Even if you don’t plan on renting for long, you’ll learn practical skills that you can take with you into your next chapter of life.