Staying Away From Home Extract

Suddenly you are on your own and have to fend for yourself. You’ve moved out of home, not because you really wanted to, but choosing a University far away, made it necessary. You find yourself in a new city, perhaps a new country. And now you have to rent a place to stay, take care of yourself, and perhaps, even cook your meals for the first time! And all this apart from studying! Phew!
So, how should you go about it, where do you start?
Browse the Internet, you will find various websites that list accommodation to suit every pocket. Listing down your criteria will help you make the right choice in finding the appropriate accommodation.
But wait, before you make your decision do the following:
Inspect the place before moving in:
• Look for anything that might be broken.
• Windows and doors that stick.
• Bathroom fixtures that don’t work.
• Rodent of bug infestation.
• The front door should have a dead bolt and the lock changed before moving in.
Inspect the lease carefully. In all probability this is the first lease you will ever sign and you may not know what to look for:
• How many can live in the house?
• What is the early exit policy?
• Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance?
• Are parking spaces included?
• What is the policy on refunding the deposit?
Finding roommates:
• Your roommates should be responsible and pay the rent on time.
• There should be equal sharing in paying of utility bills.
• Keep masking tape and labels handy, so that each of you can label what is yours in the fridge and kitchen.
• Setting up the kitchen and allotting washing up tasks should be clear.
• Have a fridge cleaning schedule to avoid mysterious food experiments!
Being a good tenant:
• Be equipped with the necessary tools to keep the place clean.
• Being handy with a few tools to make small repairs is an advantage.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• Although these living arrangements are conducive to partying, it is better to keep it down so the neighbours are not disturbed.
• Lastly, say hello to your neighbours!
Well, now that you have decided that this is the most suitable accommodation for you, settling in comfortably is a process that might take a month or two. You will learn as you go along.
Conclusion
For a student to find the right place to live and to know what to look for is not very easy. This is probably the first time they are leaving home. Knowing what to look for and expect makes the whole process easier.
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