Living in an apartment is different than living in the dorms. In the dorms, you’re most likely paying your housing bill in one lump sum, or it’s being handled through the Bursar’s office on a payment program.
When you move into an off-campus apartment, you’ll be expected to take care of your rent on a monthly basis. Paying it on time is critical. Most campus apartments don’t allow you to get behind on your rent. If you don’t pay on time, you could be out the door within days.
One way to make sure you have the money to pay your rent is to budget for it on a weekly basis. If your share of the rent is $200, you need to put aside $50 a week to pay the rent. Since you pay in advance, at the start of the month, you’ll need to be doing this a month ahead of when you need the money.
Staying in good graces with apartment management or your landlord also means you have to make sure your roommates have their rent money when it’s due. If one of your roommates is always slow to pay, help him or her out throughout the month by pointing out the times when he or she is spending money on “non-essentials.” A couple pizzas a week can add up, so help your roommates understand when their spending is putting you all in jeopardy of eviction.
Another potential solution for paying rent and thus avoiding eviction, is finding an apartment that allows for individual leases. Renting an apartment with an individual lease means that you’re only responsible for your portion of the rent. Meaning if you’re the only person among your roommates who paid their rent, you’re not in danger of being evicted.
Now, it’s your turn. What methods have you used to remind yourself to pay your rent on time? Let us know about them in the comment section below.
Equal Housing Opportunity
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This is great advice! When I first moved to an off campus apartment, my roommates and I all struggled with budgeting our money for rent. Breaking the payment down into small weekly savings is a great tip!
Good advise!! Apartment off campus can also be an opening for other to flop out and party at your place. Even thou college is your best years, you still need quiet time to study.
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