Lesson 21.1 Housing Decisions

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Lesson 21.1Housing Decisions

• Describe the various housing rental alternatives,
  including commuting to school or work from home,
  living on campus, apartments, duplexes, and
  houses.
• Discuss potential living arrangements and
  decisions related to moving choices.

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Housing Alternatives

• Still live at home
• May or may not be charged rent
• Least expensive option!
• On-Campus
• Dormitory
• Small rooms rented to students
• Contains bed, desk, dresser and maybe couch
• Sorority and fraternity houses
• Cooperative housing

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Housing Alternatives

• Duplexes
• Looks like single family home
• Two separate living quarters with two separate
  entries
• Larger than an apartment, but not as expensive as
  a house
• Condominiums
• Own/Rent
• Individual in shared communities with common
  grounds (house, apartment, duplex)

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Housing Alternatives

• Houses
• Usually most expensive option
• More roommates to share expenses
• Apartments
• Small size
• Furnished (bed, tables, couches, etc) or
  unfurnished

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Living Arrangements

• Choose your roommate
• Get to know each other before moving in
• Discuss lifestyle habits
• Smoking, drinking, clean, use of free time,
  boy/girlfriends
• Source of income
• Share common expenses
• Rent, utilities, food, laundry, etc.
• Transportation

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Living Arrangements

• Choose where to live
• Budget rent to be 25-30 of net pay
• Security deposit
• Refundable amount of money paid in advance in
  order to protect landlord against damage or
  non-payment
• Cleaning fee
• May be charged upon leaving

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Living Arrangements

• What to take
• Furnished or unfurnished?
• Towels, sheets
• Dorms need extra-long twin sheets
• Cleaning supplies
• Mops, broom, vacuum, detergent, cleaners
• Personal items
• Shampoo, cosmetics, medicines
• Clothing, shoes, dress clothes
• Pots, pans, dishes, silverware
• Lamps, hangers, clock, television, decorations

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Planning Your Move

• Plan the move
• Hire movers?
• Installation charges
• Electricity, gas, cable, phone
• Deposits
• 75-100 or more may be required
• Refunded when your credit is established
• Parents may co-sign to avoid deposits

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Lesson 21.2The Rental Process

• List the advantages and disadvantages of renting
  a place to live.
• Describe the elements of a rental application,
  rental inventory, and lease.
• Discuss landlord and tenant responsibilities.

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Advantages of Renting

• Mobility
• Can move on short notice
• Month-to-month or yearly lease
• Convenience
• Located near shipping areas, school or city
• Minimal responsibilities
• You dont have to cut grass or worry if something
  breaks, just call landlord
• Social life
• Many young, single or newly married people
• Lower living expenses
• Less expensive per month to rent

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Disadvantages of Renting

• Noise
• Live in close quarters, share walls
• You can hear music, talking, walking around at
  late hours
• Lack of privacy
• People nearby all the time
• Can also be an advantage if living alone!
• Small quarters
• Lack of storage
• Often no garage or safe place to store bikes or
  other items
• Lack of parking
• May have to park on the street

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Landlord Responsibilities

• Habitable dwelling that includes
• Wall, windows, roof and doors to keep out cold
  and water
• Floors, walls, ceilings and stairs in good shape
• Elevators, halls, stairways meet fire and safety
  standards
• Secure locks
• Plumbing facilities up to code
• Adequate water supply
• Lighting, wiring, heating and appliances in good
  shape and meet safety standards
• Clean and sanitary building and grounds

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Tenant Responsibilities

• Usually clearly stated in lease
• Must abide by the terms of your agreement
• Pay rent on or before due date
• Give at least 30 days notice of moving
• Keep place in good condition
• Prevent unnecessary wear and tear
• Use the apartment/house for the purpose it was
  intended
• Notify landlord of any needed repair
• You must grant access
• Obey rules of building and be respectful of other
  tenants