Housing hunt begins early
Landlords, students frustrated off-campus lease signing comes early in school year
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 10/17/05 Section: Campus News
McHugh warned that finding a subleaser does not release that individual from responsibilities he or she signed on to.
"The main thing we try to clarify is signing a lease is not a handshake," said McHugh, adding the lease is a contract with obligations to live up to. "It should not be taken lightly."
He said finding someone to take the lease is not always easy.
Junior Jordan Palma said one of her roommates who left at the end of the fall semester last year was able to find a subleaser within three weeks.
Palma, who is transferring and looking for a subleaser for next semester, hasn't received any phone calls yet.
Gratke said her roommates who are graduating early were looking into living in Chancellor's Hall for a semester.
Many students are moving from residence halls to off-campus housing for the first time and should carefully consider their options, McHugh said.
"They need to look at the full cost and compare one to another," he said.
The cost of rent varies significantly, ranging from $175 a month to $325 at McQ Properties, not including the price of utilities.
The main factor of rent cost, like the old saying goes, is location. The cost of rent generally will be higher the closer the house is to campus, McHugh said.
Other area student housing agencies were unavailable for comment.
"The main thing we try to clarify is signing a lease is not a handshake," said McHugh, adding the lease is a contract with obligations to live up to. "It should not be taken lightly."
He said finding someone to take the lease is not always easy.
Junior Jordan Palma said one of her roommates who left at the end of the fall semester last year was able to find a subleaser within three weeks.
Palma, who is transferring and looking for a subleaser for next semester, hasn't received any phone calls yet.
Gratke said her roommates who are graduating early were looking into living in Chancellor's Hall for a semester.
Many students are moving from residence halls to off-campus housing for the first time and should carefully consider their options, McHugh said.
"They need to look at the full cost and compare one to another," he said.
The cost of rent varies significantly, ranging from $175 a month to $325 at McQ Properties, not including the price of utilities.
The main factor of rent cost, like the old saying goes, is location. The cost of rent generally will be higher the closer the house is to campus, McHugh said.
Other area student housing agencies were unavailable for comment.