First Time Looking for Off-Campus Housing? Check Out These Tips:

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First Time Looking for Off-Campus Housing? Check
Out These Tips
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• College is full of firsts, which can include
  moving away from home and finding your first
  rental. While moving on campus can be a big step,
  moving off campus can be an even bigger step.
  Plus, for many, its considered the first step
  towards adulthood. However, off-campus living can
  be rife with new information and experiences.

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• Foresight of new information and experiences can
  help make your off-campus life successful. And
  there are a few tips that can help you gain this
  foresight, including understanding lease
  contracts, looking for safety, and searching in
  the right area.

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Understand Lease Contracts

• For new renters (and some experienced ones),
  little is more confusing than the lease contract.
  However, little is more important than reading
  and understanding this contract. Leases can be
  confusing, but there are some basic elements they
  all contain. Identifying these basic elements is
  the key to understanding the entire lease. This
  can also make the lease easier to read. When
  going over the contract, just look for the lines
  that explain

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• Maintenance rules, schedules, and guidelines
• Duration of the lease
• Penalties for breaking the lease, as well as
  possible violations
• Additional fees you may incur
• The rental rate, payment due date, fees for late
  payments, payment options, and where and how the
  rent should be paid

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• Contact information for the landlord and/or
  property manager, as well as communication
  guidelines
• Guidelines for obtaining roommates, having
  overnight guests, and subletting
• Regulations for parking, including fees
  associated with parking or violating these
  regulations
• Guidelines for altering the rentals appearance
  (i.e. painting, changing window coverings, etc.)

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• Information about what your deposit covers, how
  it can be recouped, and what violations could
  lead to revocation
• Rules and fees associated with pets
• The grounds for eviction and how the eviction
  process works

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• This may seem like a long list, but each of
  these elements are important and can prevent you
  from experiencing rental hardships. However, if
  you're searching for apartments for rent,
  Peterborough offers Severn Court Student
  Residence, where you will receive the quality
  housing and most comprehensive lease out there.

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Look for Safety

• Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), apartment
  safety is major selling point for many property
  managers. It should also be a major concern for
  all renters, especially new renters. Before
  signing a lease, make sure your apartment or room
  is in a safe neighborhood and offers standard,
  high-quality safety features.

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• Some safety features to look for, include fire
  extinguishers and/or sprinklers, smoke and carbon
  monoxide detectors, designated fire routes or
  exits, basic security (e.g. security officers,
  cameras, alarms, security doors or gates, a
  secure lock or intercom system), functioning
  locks on all doors and windows, and basic safety
  procedures.

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• Additionally, ask to have the door locks changed
  before moving in. And ensure your apartment is
  free of potential hazards, as well as safe inside
  and out. Finally, any
• rooms to rent Peterborough offers should also be
  rodent, insect, and mold-free.

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Search in the Right Area

• Location matters, especially when youre
  searching for student housing. An off-campus
  apartment should be as close to the university as
  possible. It should also be close to public
  transit and amenities, like grocery stores,
  banks, restaurants, laundromats, etc.