Hooray! You’ve found the perfect college house or apartment. Before you sign your lease and move in, read it over carefully! Your lease should clearly include:

• Name and signature of the landlord Name and signature of the tenant
• Rent amount to be paid, how frequently, and when and where it is to be paid
• Address of the rental property
• Starting and ending dates if it is a fixed term tenancy
• Landlord’s mailing address
• Amount of the security deposit, if any
• Name and address of the financial institution holding the security deposit
• Notice of the tenant’s obligation to provide a forwarding address to the landlord within 4 days of terminating the tenancy
• Who is responsible for paying utilities?
• Repair and maintenance responsibilities
• Eviction procedures
• Any other terms and conditions that the landlord and tenant agreed to.

Protect your Security Deposit

• When you move in, document all existing damages to the house
• Take pictures or video of visible damage
• If the landlord provides a check-in sheet, fill it out completely and thoroughly.
• Before reporting damages to landlord, live in the house a few days to make sure all appliances, electrical plugs/fixtures and plumbing are fully functional.

• Home: Renter’s Insurance will cover anything that is stolen or damaged by fire or flood.
• Car: Renter’s insurance will cover anything inside your car like CD or MP3 players and other property.

• You’d be surprised at how much you stuff is worth!
• Estimates show that the average person owns $20,000 of personal property.
• Renter’s Insurance is available through most insurance providers and is available for as little as $5/month.
• Companies will often offer discounts if you already have a policy through them.
• Policies might also be available through your parents’ insurance