1. How to Locate A Living Space

2. Introduction Needs and Wants Determining Housing Costs Housing Options
Locating a Living Space
Reading an Ad for a Living Space
Rental Search Checklist
Completing an Application form

3. Needs and Wants
Space
Location
Amenities
Parking
Miscellaneous

4. Space How many rooms are needed? Size of the rooms (total square feet)
Will there be roommates? Monthly charges are typically more affordable when people share the cost
Size of the rooms (total square feet)
Number of bathrooms
Garage
What is the size of the garage?
Storage Space
Yard

5. Location Distance from work, schools, shopping, laundromat
Consider the walking/biking distance from school or work
Minimize transportation expenses
Neighborhood
Safety
Quality of schools, streets, and homes
Presence of police, fire, and emergency services
Geographic location
Urban vs. rural

6. Amenities
Amenities include utilities like heat, electricity, garbage, water, and other features like Internet and telephone service
Heat- Examples include electric, gas, and radiant
Different heating sources cost different amounts of money
Power- Examples include solar, gas, electric, and wind
Different power sources cost different amounts of money and have different affects on the environment
Who is responsible for paying each bill?
Landlord is the person who owns the rental unit
Tenant, or renter, is the one who rents the property

7. Parking Location/size Number of vehicles allowed (for self and guests)
Permits needed

8. Miscellaneous Washer and dryer Dishwasher Smoking Pets Fireplace
Are hookups or machines provided?
Dishwasher
Smoking
Pets
Fireplace
Hot tub
Snow removal and lawn maintenance

9. Determining Housing Costs
Important to choose a rental unit one can afford
Create a spending plan
Spending plan is a financial statement used to assist in money management and track income and expenses
Based on this, determine what can be spent on rent and amenities
Rent is the payment made in exchange for occupying another’s land or property, usually paid to landlord or property manager
Property manager is a person who works for the owner to find/screen tenants, collect rent, maintain property, and respond to tenants’ needs

10. Housing Costs continued
General rule: Households should spend 30% or less of their net income on housing, not including amenities
Things to keep in mind when determining costs:
Determine maximum monthly amount (including amenities) you can afford and stay below that
Compare the costs of living spaces
One space may not include amenities in the rent, where another space will. Add in expected costs to compare the two

11. Housing Costs continued
Compare one time costs, like security deposits
Security deposit is money paid in advance of moving in to be used for repairs beyond normal wear and tear

12. Housing Options
Houses-Single housing units usually surrounded by a yard, varying in size
Apartments-Sets of rooms on one floor or a building used as separate residence spaces
Studio apartments-Usually one room with separate space for kitchen and bathroom
Mobile homes-Manufactured house that is
capable of being moved

13. Housing Options Continued
Condominiums-Single apartment in a multiple housing structure, that can contain multiple stories, garages, and yards
Duplexes-Two apartments, situated
side-by-side
Rooms-Private rooms located within
another structure
Residence halls-Usually located on college or university
campuses and available for attending students

14. Locating a Living Space
Friends and family members- If in the area you wish to inhabit
Newspaper Classifieds-Obtain these through newspapers as soon as possible for increased opportunities for the living space you want
Bulletin boards-Homeowners and property managers post listings this way
Internet-Great way to start searches from distant locations

15. Locating a Living Space Continued
Yellow pages- Search under “Apartment Rentals” and call apartment or property management offices
Local Chamber of Commerce- Valuable resource when relocating
Rental agencies/real estate agencies- Hold postings for rental spaces
In front of living space- Owners often post a sign when spaces are available

16. Reading an Advertisement For a living Space
Abbreviations are often used in advertisements for living spaces
BR-Bedroom
BA-Bathroom
W/D-Washer/Dryer (may be hookups or machines)
DW-Dishwasher

17. Reading an Advertisement Continued
NS- No smoking
NP- No pets (may be negotiable-you may pay more if you have pets)
F/P-Fireplace
AC- Air conditioner
W/S/G-Water, Sewer, and Garbage

18. Rental Search Checklist
Helpful to take a checklist while walking through rental units
Makes it easy to remember what was liked and disliked from place to place
May be difficult if one is not able to take a walk through
A person may be able to take a virtual tour and use the checklist

19. Completing an Application Form
If an individual locates a living space they would like to rent, they should complete an application form
An application form is a document used to determine if a person’s credit history, financial stability, and references make them a worthy candidate
All information on this form should be truthful, factual, and answered completely

20. Application Form continued
Before returning the application, a person should ask some questions:
Is there an application fee?
If there is a fee, how much is it?
Will this fee be returned if the application is denied?

21. Conclusion Prioritize needs and wants Determine housing costs
Locate a living space
Get ready to move in!