What To Watch Out For In A Student Apartment Lease Agreement

What to Look for When Signing a Lease

Are you in search of student housing while attending the University of Florida? Many start their search simply looking for something “they like.” Searches however, quickly turn more intense as students and parents recognize the magnitude of their choices. Before you sign a student apartment lease agreement, there is much homework to be done.

Will you live on-campus or off campus? How much can you afford and how many roommates should you have? How will you find roommates? What number of bathrooms is convenient enough? How much will utilities cost? Is there a place to park your car? How is security and are there things to do nearby? Would you rather live in a new building or old? Do you want a pet-friendly building?

One of the most critical, yet overlooked aspects of a search of housing is the student apartment lease agreement itself. That’s because, after doing all of your research and selecting a place to live, the student apartment lease agreement sounds like the last check on the list. That can be a mistake.

Why A Student Apartment Lease Agreement Is So Important

The student apartment lease agreement is the legal document that binds you to the rental property for a specified period of time. While many view the lease as a monthly rental, it is better put in perspective by looking at the lease in its totality. In actuality, you are making a commitment for your share of the lease multiplied by,usually, 12 months. If your share is $500 per month, you are making a financial commitment of 12 x $500, or $6,000.

Many landlords want someone to be ultimately responsible if any roommate moves out. If that is you or your parents, that number increases by the number of roommates. In this situation above, with three roommates, the responsibility of the responsible party could be $24,000 or more. Other landlords, in an effort to best protect their interests, will make ALL parties responsible for ALL of the rent. They will have each sign the student apartment lease agreement and if anyone breaks the lease and the full rent is not received, everyone becomes responsible. The fact is, you may not find this out until the very last minute…unless you ask in advance.

What You Should Really Look For in a Shared Lease

What you likely really want is a lease that binds each tenant to only his or her share of the lease. Landlords don’t generally offer this type of student apartment lease agreement because it puts the responsibility on them to chase the amount due if one of the tenants breaks the lease. This is the type of lease you will find at The Retreat at Gainesville.

Opening In The Fall Of 2016

The Retreat at Gainesville offers the most modern, efficient, and amenity filled off campus housing option for University of Florida students. The Retreat offers 2 to 6 bedroom floor plans, with each bedroom featuring its own private bath and walk-in closet. Every unit has its own washer and dryer and kitchens have stainless steel appliances and upgraded counter tops.

Our community offers a resort-style pool, outdoor pavilion and volleyball court. The Clubhouse includes a fitness center, game room, study areas, wide screen TV’s, and a coffee shop. The Retreat is a limited-access community with front door parking and each unit has its own security system. There’s even 24 hour monitoring available if you choose. We are a pet-friendly community and have a roommate matching service.  See us at The Retreat at Gainesville. We are now leasing for the Fall of 2016. Consider signing a student apartment lease agreement with The Retreat today.

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