5 Things You May Not Know about Living Off-Campus

By Christine Ascher on August 4, 2018

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Living off-campus for the first time is a major transition. You may not realize right away all of the ways that off-campus living differs from dorm life, but there are definitely some things that you’ll have to get used to. Along with the additional independence comes new responsibilities that you’ll have to adjust to, and you’ll probably find that living in off-campus housing has a different feel than the dorms that you’re probably used to. To help you make the transition from dorm room to off-campus living, check out the following things that you should know—but may not—about living off-campus.

Keys, hand, apartment

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1. You Might Have to Set Up Your Own Utilities

One major difference between living in a dorm and living off-campus is the fact that you’ll probably have to set up and pay for at least some of your own utilities. When you’re used to living in a dorm, it’s easy to forget about all of the extra costs that can come about when you’re not in school-owned housing, like electricity, water, and even your WiFi. Once you move off-campus, you’ll have to figure these areas out pretty quickly. Depending on where you’re living, you may have some of your utilities covered by your building management. However, in most cases, you’ll be responsible for setting up your utility accounts and for making sure the bills are paid on time. Make sure that when you’re looking for off-campus housing, you ask about the utilities that they do or do not cover, as these bills will be an additional cost on top of your rent.

2. You’ll Have to Put Down a Deposit

In most cases, when you rent an apartment or a house with your friends, you’ll need to put down a security deposit when you sign your lease. The security deposit will cover any damage to the property while you’re living there, and whatever is left over will be returned to you once you move out. While the amount of your security deposit will vary based on the property, you can pretty much count on having that expense whenever you’re renting. Make sure that when you’re touring a property you ask about the security deposit, to avoid being caught off-guard.

3. You’ll Need Renters Insurance

Many rented properties will also require you to obtain renters insurance when you move in. Renters insurance will cover damage to your personal possessions, so it’s pretty important to have. Even if your landlord or building management doesn’t require you to purchase a renters insurance policy, it still may be a good idea to have one, especially if you have some more expensive items in your apartment. If you already have car insurance, you can typically add on a renters insurance policy easily. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to shop around to find the best policy for you.

4. There are a Lot of Hidden Costs

Unfortunately, moving off-campus may be more expensive than you initially expect it to be. This is due to the fact that living in off-campus housing can bring forth a lot of expenses that you hadn’t previously considered. For instance, if you have a car, you’ll probably have to pay for a parking spot. You may have to pay for some of your utilities, such as electricity or WiFi. If this will be your first year living without a meal plan, you’ll probably find that the cost of groceries can add up pretty quickly as well. You’ll also have to purchase a renters insurance policy and put down a security deposit, so be sure to take into account these additional costs when you’re looking for an apartment.

5. You Might Want to Consider Subletting Policies

When you live off-campus, you may not have the same flexibility that you had in a dorm to move out or end your housing contract if necessary. Since dorms are university-owned and host only students, they tend to be more tailored to student life. In other words, if you have a serious roommate problem, you can switch dorm rooms. If you need to move out of your dorm for some reason, maybe because you’re transferring or because you’ll be studying abroad, there’s probably a policy in place to make that possible. When you move into off-campus housing, however, that flexibility will most likely not apply. It’s not easy to break a lease once you’ve signed it, so if you need to move out of your apartment for some reason, you’ll probably need to sublet it. Subletting your apartment means that, while your name will still be on the lease, another person will live there and take over responsibility for the rent. Every building has a different policy on subletting, however, so if you think that you may need to sublet at some point, make sure you find out your building’s policy before signing a lease.

The first time you move off-campus, you may be intimidated by all of the changes that are coming your way. However, as long as you do your research, the transition from dorm life to off-campus living will be a smooth one.

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