Renting the first apartment is something that many students are not prepared for. If you are also a first time renter, make your apartment renting easy by following the provided tips.

1. Apartment Renting Tips

2. Moving away from home and into your own
apartment is an exciting experience. However, it
can also be a challenging one, especially if you
are unsure about what to look for. You can avoid
being stuck with subpar housing or needing to
live in McMaster residences by following just a
few basic tips.

3. 1. Start as Soon as Possible
Many other students will also be searching for
apartments around McMaster University, and all
of them will have similar criteria to you. If you
wait too long, the best housing will be gone. You
need to begin your search at least one semester
before school starts — or even earlier if you want
to begin a part-time job or internship.

4. 2. Know What You’re Looking For
Make a list of the features your apartment must
have, as well as things you would like to have. For
instance, you may need to be close to campus or well
connected to public transport. You may also want a
grocery store or laundry facilities nearby. There’s also
the apartment itself: you may prefer it to be
furnished or want it to have particular appliances.

5. 3. Schedule Several Visits in a Day
If you live outside of Hamilton, make the most of
your time by planning to see three or four
apartments. Even if you love the first place you see,
continue your visits. There is always the risk that
someone else will rent the apartment you want
before you have time to sign the lease. Alternatively,
you may find something just as good at a lower price.

6. 4. Have a Security Deposit Ready
You can increase the chances that you do secure an
apartment by bringing along enough for a security
deposit. Be prepared that some landlords will also
want a co-signer before they will rent to students.
You can avoid this by searching just for student
rentals.

7. 5. Read and Understand the Lease
Only rent from a landlord who is willing to provide
you with a lease in writing. Make sure that you
understand and agree to all the terms. It is
particularly important to note terms about
subletting, sharing, penalties for late rent, and
maintenance procedure.

8. Save time and prevent stress by renting a room from
West Villages Suites — the top choice for off-campus
McMaster University student housing. It would be
impossible to find anything closer to campus and
with better amenities. Plus, the building is clean and
secure and has friendly staff available 24 hours a day
to help you with whatever you need.