Housing

There are a lot of housing scams, especially on the Internet, so you must conduct your housing search carefully. It is highly recommended that you secure short-term housing upon arrival (e.g. in a hostel) and conduct your housing search once you are in the U.S. If you absolutely must secure permanent housing before arriving in the U.S., it is recommended that you look for an established university or residence facility rather than an individual apartment owner.

Employers: Ask your employer or future coworkers for suggestions. Many employers either provide housing, are happy to help you arrange housing, or have recommendations.

• www.craigslist.org
• www.apartmentlist.com
• www.apartments.com
• www.roommates.com
• University Listings and Bulletin Boards: Many campuses have bulletin boards where students post notices looking for roommates. Keep in mind that many students with year-long leases need to sublet their apartments for the summer, and often do so with affordable prices. Most universities also have an Off-Campus Housing Office, with lists of available housing and rental options in the local area.
• Classified Advertisements: Another place to look for available housing is the classified section of a local newspaper, either online or in print. Note that the Sunday edition often has the most listings.

When looking at options, consider the following questions:

• What is the lease length?
• Are utilities included?
• Is furniture provided? Furnished will be more expensive; however, may cut down on the cost of purchasing individually.
• Is it within walking distance of my job? Is it near public transportation?
• How accessible are stores, banks, entertainment, etc.?
• What's the average rent for a place this size in the neighborhood?
• How soon can I move in?
• How much do I have to pay before I move in (security deposit, first month's rent, etc.)?
• Does it have laundry facilities?

Safety should be a high priority when looking for housing. The best thing to do is to visit a neighborhood before moving there. Do not accept the landlord's word. Be sure you are satisfied with the security of the neighborhood and the apartment/house itself. You can also ask other people for their opinion. Trust your instincts!

If you rent or sublet, you should make sure you sign a rental agreement. Keep a copy for yourself. A rental agreement may be optional, but you should still insist on signing one. The contract should define the terms you are agreeing to, including rental amount and dates, and protects the tenant and landlord. Before you sign any rental agreement, be sure to read it carefully and get an explanation of any terms that are unclear. Remember that only written information on a rental agreement makes an official legal contract.

Many leases last for one year so look for a lease that will allow you to rent month-to-month or for a shorter term. Do not sign a lease for a period longer than you think you are going to stay in the housing, because you may be charged a fee for breaking the lease if you move out early.

All states allow landlords to collect a security deposit when a tenant moves in. Security deposits are usually one month's rent. Your security deposit will be returned to you when you leave, as long as there has been no damage to the apartment during your occupancy and you fulfilled the lease agreement. It is a very good idea to inspect your new apartment with your landlord before signing an agreement. Be sure to get a written record of existing damages and a list of all included furnishings and their condition. You can also take photos of the apartment's condition when you first move in to make a visual record.

When looking for an apartment, know how much you can afford to pay for housing and think about your additional living and entertainment expenses. Be smart with your budget so that you have enough money left for food and other necessities after you pay your rent. Make sure you have enough money to pay the first month's rent and security deposit when you arrive in the U.S.

When you share your housing, you should make sure that everyone understands financial and other responsibilities within the apartment. Request a written agreement about the cost of housing and be sure to ask any questions that will be important to you. Some suggested questions you might ask are (write these down, and consider if there are other questions to ask before making a decision):

• How much does each person pay for additional expenses like electricity and Internet?
• How do you feel about having guests in the apartment?
• How do you feel about drinking and smoking in the apartment?
• Are there any things or areas in the apartment that will be private?
• How should grocery expenses be handled?
• Are you messy or neat?
• What should we do about keeping the apartment clean?

"Eviction" means being removed from your housing, and there are many reasons your landlord can do this, including: not paying rent on time, making too much noise, or damaging property. If you are evicted from your housing, you should get an eviction notice and be given a deadline to leave the housing.

Do not let eviction happen to you! Be respectful of your living situation. This means paying the rent on time, taking care of your property, and following all of the rules in your lease or living agreement. If you have any concerns, talk to your landlord or the person responsible.