How to Find the Perfect Off-Campus Student Apartment

As a university or college student, finding an off-campus student apartment can be an extremely exciting, but often overwhelming, experience. Paramount Properties wants all of Ottawa's students to find the best possible student apartment - that's why we've put together a quick checklist of all the things you should look out for while you're getting the grand tour of your possible new apartment.

What to Look For:

· Are there three-pronged electrical outlets in every room? And more importantly, are there enough outlets for all of your computers / video games / cell phone chargers / lights / etc.?

· Do all the apartment appliances work? Remember to check the freezer and whether the elements on the stove heat evenly.

· Are the doors and locks in reasonable condition?

· Don't forget to check the plumbing. Test out the taps and showerheads for hot water and water pressure, and be sure to check the sinks and tubs for cracks, leaks, rust or water damage.

· Remember to check the windows, too. Do all of the windows fit properly, or is there a draft? If so, how will your apartment heating costs be affected? Is there proper ventilation? Do all the windows in the unit open? Are there locks on the windows that are at street level?

· Is there enough storage space? If there is a locker in the basement, find out who has access to that area and what kind of lock is on the door.

· If possible, visit the apartment at different times of the day to see what the noise levels are like. A seemingly quiet student apartment during the day could actually be a noisy headache at nights or on weekends.

· How many bus routes run close to the apartment? Do they go where you need to get to?

· If laundry facilities aren't provided, where is the nearest laundromat?

Questions to Ask the Landlord:

· Are there any other students living in the building?

· Have there been any major repairs or renovations done in the past year? Are any major repairs anticipated in the near future?

· Who will be responsible for apartment repairs (even small, minor ones) - you or the landlord?

· Can the landlord or superintendent be reached at any time during the day in case of emergency?

· How is the rent to be paid - by mail or directly to the landlord? Cash or cheque?

· Who pays for heat and other apartment utilities?

· Is a parking space included in the rent, or will it cost extra?

· Do you have to sign a lease? If so, for how long?

· Are the washers and dryers shared with any other people?

· What appliances are included in the apartment rental?

· Can the apartment building handle cable/Internet?

· Are you allowed to repaint the walls?

· Are pets allowed? If so, which types of pets?

Yes, it's a lot to pay attention to as you're touring a possible new apartment - especially when you're focused on the bigger questions such as “how many bedrooms" and “how much rent". But, if you try to ask most of these questions as you're looking around, you'll have all the knowledge you need to make the best decision about which apartment to rent.

About The Author:
Looking for an apartment for rent in Ottawa? Paramount Properties is Ottawa's second largest residential property management company. With more than 4,500 Ottawa apartment rentals available in some of the city's finest locations, we're your #1 choice for an Ottawa apartment.

Tags: , APARTMENTS, OTTAWA APARTMENT, OTTAWA APARTMENTS, RENT, FOR RENT, RENTAL, RENTING, BUILDING, LISTING, HOUSING, LEASE, ONTARIO, OTTAWA, TENANT

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Title:	How to Find the Perfect Off-Campus Student Apartment
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How to Find the Perfect Off-Campus Student Apartment