Apartments
- An apartment is a complete living unit, with no facilities that must be shared, except for laundry machines, with other residents in the apartment building. An "efficiency apartment" has two rooms: a bathroom and another large room that serves as kitchen, bedroom, and living room. It is suitable for one or perhaps two people.
- There are also one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Unfurnished apartments have only a refrigerator, stove, and window coverings. The renter must acquire all other furniture that is needed.
- A furnished apartment includes furniture, but not linens (towels, sheets, etc.) or cooking and eating utensils. Since unfurnished apartments cost less and inexpensive second-hand (i.e., used) furniture is easy to buy and sell. You can also lease from a furniture rental company, however the costs over a one or two year period can be significant. A furnished apartment typically requires higher rent, but eliminates the need to buy furniture. There are more unfurnished than furnished apartments in the Arlington area.
- An apartment renter or "tenant" usually has to pay for his or her own Utilities (i.e., electricity and telephone), although the monthly rent may include some of these. The landlord or manager can explain what you must do to begin utility services. In addition to monthly rent, you may need to pay Application Fees (ranging from $25-$50) and a Damage or Security Deposit which is typically equivalent to one month's rent. Do not pay a deposit unless you are certain that you will move in. Deposits are generally non-refundable, even if you choose to live elsewhere.
- Finding an off-campus apartment can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are several ways to go about this process. You could walk or drive around and stop by various apartment complex offices to inquire about availability, quality, and prices, OR, you could search newspapers for advertisements, the yellow pages in the telephone book (listed under "Apartments-Furnished" or "Apartments-Unfurnished"), and free advertising magazines given away in grocery and drug stores.
- A lease is a written agreement between a tenant and landlord, describing the rights and responsibilities of each. It is a binding legal document which, among other things, makes the tenant responsible for minimal care of the rented property and for the monthly rent of a stated amount for a stated period of time such as 3, 6, or 12 months. Be careful of signing a lease for a longer time than you need the apartment. For example, if you sign a six-month lease at the beginning of September, you are obligated by that commitment not only for the fall semester, but through the end of February. There are also leases called month-to-month leases which you can cancel at any time as long as you give a 30-day notice before moving out.
- When you sign a lease, you usually have to pay a damage or security deposit. If you have a pet, an additional "pet deposit" may also be required. The landlord is supposed to return the deposit to you within 30 days after you leave the apartment if you have paid your rent, left the apartment clean and undamaged, and have not been evicted. If the landlord does not return all of your deposit, he or she should give you, within 30 days, a written statement explaining why some or all of the deposit was withheld.