Guidelines for staying outside the campus
- Determine Your Needs
- Furnished or unfurnished unit
- How much you can afford to pay
- Which location (eg. safety issues, shopping, laundry)
- Convenient commuting to campus
- Stay on your own or with room-mate(s)
- Finding Room-mate(s)
Choose room-mate(s) carefully! (Consider study habits, social habits, lifestyles and living expectations)
Discuss all issues with prospective room-mate(s) before deciding on living arrangement.
- Finding a Place to Live
- Use Off-Campus Accommodation System (OCAS)
- Explore opportunities in exchange folder: All Public Folders/Buy & Sell/Rent
- Classified Ads in the newspapers
- Friends (grapevine)
- Real Estate agent
- Shift Programme
- Speak with Prospective Property Owners
- What is the monthly rent? When and how is payment made?
- Is a deposit required and how much is it? (eg. cleaning, security, pets) Is it refundable?
- Are utilities (eg. hot water, electricity, gas, trash) included in the monthly rental?
- Are pets allowed? If yes, what type?
- Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs?
- Are you able to sublet and/or add tenant(s) to the lease? Is there an additional charge?
- Any special rule that you are required to follow? Ensure tenant and landlord have a good understanding of mutual responsibilities and expectations.
- Lease / Moving In and Out
- Read the entire lease with full understanding before you commit.
- Document agreements (repairs, painting, etc.) and ensure that notations of them are signed on all copies of the lease.
- It is advisable to use cheque, money order or bank cashier's order for payment. If you are making cash payment, REMEMBER to ask for a receipt!
- Sign an inventory which list all the items provided by the landlord.
- Ensure your rights as a tenant are protected and spelt out clearly in the lease.
- Before you move in inspect for damages, if any, WITH the landlord or property agent in order to avoid any misunderstanding subsequently.
- When you leave at the end of the lease period, inspect again WITH the landlord or property agent for any damages. With this documentation, you will be assured of claiming your security deposit fully.
