Tricks for Finding Off-Campus Housing

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Tricks for Finding Off-Campus Housing
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• Off-campus living offers many luxuries and
  freedoms. But its hard to get those luxuries and
  freedoms if you dont know where to look. For
  most students, the places to look are in their
  universitys off-campus housing services or in a
  student housing community. There, youll find
  tips and guidance for finding suitable off-campus
  housing. Below are a few of these tips.

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Look Early

• Start your search early. This is perhaps the
  most common advice youll hear while searching
  for off-campus apartments or rooms for rent in
  Hamilton. There are more apartment vacancies
  after exams and during the summer. So, early
  summertime is about the best time to find
  off-campus housing the earlier the better.

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• Searching while theres less competition will
  help you find the best deal and accommodations.
  For example, itll be easier to find an
  affordable, furnished, inclusive apartment in a
  great community thats close to campus and
  surrounded by practical amenities.

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Know Your Renters Rights

• Most student renters are unaware of their rights
  as renters. However, learning these rights is
  perhaps the most important step in apartment
  hunting. Knowing your rights will help you
  understand the lease agreement and flesh-out
  terms that arent beneficial to you. Itll also
  teach you appropriate questions to ask, such as

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• How, where and when is the rent paid?
• How are maintenance requests handled?
• How are utilities paid and how much do they cost?
• How is payment for damage recouped?
• What violations can cause a tenant to lose their
  deposit?

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• Are there any additional fees (e.g. parking fees
  or fees for amenities)?
• Is early lease termination possible? Is there a
  fee?
• How many people can be added to the lease? What
  are the procedures for adding or removing someone
  from the lease?
• Is subletting allowed?
• What are the penalties for rule violations?

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• Asking all these questions will give a better
  understanding of your landlord and apartment
  community. It will also ensure your rights are
  protected before and after signing the lease.

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Use Your Schools Housing Listings

• Many universities offer their own off-campus
  housing and roommate listings. For example, to
  find student housing with a McMaster
  accommodation, you should start by checking the
  schools housing listings. This will also ensure
  you find a reputable landlord with a track record
  of serving students at your university

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• Plus, universities are more apt to advertise the
  most affordable and convenient housing options,
  such as those found at West Village Suites. These
  listings also include the most student-friendly
  housing options.