How to Find Your First Apartment Rental as a College Student

Congratulations for getting into the college of your dreams. You probably have a lot of pressure concerning tuition, class scheduling, and even finding a part-time job, but you also have to find a nice place to live. College students generally prefer to stay in apartments that are close to campus. In addition, Ulster County Rentals tend to be leased by several students so they can split rent costs. You’ll need to find a responsible roommate who you want to live with long-term, but you also need to find the best rentals. If you’re a college student setting out as an adult on your own for the first time and you want a rental in Ulster County, here’s what you should know.

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Credit is Necessary

With the exception of a very small number of private landlords, all rentals require applicants to have a particular amount of credit history. So, what does this mean for the average 18-year-old who is headed to college? Applicants without any type of credit history will need a cosigner. Thankfully, landlords in places like Ulster County are aware of the challenges that young adults attending college can face when they’re first trying to establish themselves. In many cases, a parent can cosign for an apartment with no problems.

Getting Your Security Deposit Together

In the state of New York, landlords can charge two times the monthly rent to hold in security at the beginning of each new apartment lease. In short, this means that you’ll probably need to come up with three times the normal monthly rent before you can move in. If you’re sharing an Ulster County pad with other roommates, then each person that is going to be on the lease will need to have their share before a lease is signed. Additionally, have plans to assemble your security deposit payment and get it to the landlord before you sign the lease as you want to make a good impression on your new landlord.

Screen Your Potential Roommates

If you have a roommate and you plan to split the rent 50/50, remember that you’re still responsible for your roommate’s share if he or she ever comes up short. So really, you should have a nest egg available in case your roommate flakes out or suddenly move out. Make sure that you have a contingency plan worked out with your landlord so that you are able to stay in your apartment in the event your roommate needs to move unexpectedly. For college students, it might be best to stay with a roommate who looks great on paper as opposed to sharing a space with a friend.

You can get an apartment rental when you’re going to college anywhere in the country. After you’re given your first apartment lease, you just want to pay your rent on time and avoid violating the lease so that you can stay the full-term. Afterwards, each subsequent landlord is going to be a lot more willing to rent an apartment rental to you.


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