Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus Worksheet
Typical Monthly Costs
3 Steps to Off-Campus Living• KnowtheTypicalMonthlyOff-CampusCosts
IncludesTipsforSavingMoney• CompareApartments• KeepYourOff-CampusFinancialLifeOrganized
How You are Approved
Rent
• InLincoln,ifyouwantafford-able,qualityhousing,planforhaving1or2roommatesandpayingaround$350perpersoneachmonth
• Somestudentswillpayupto$900fora2bedroom,butthisisusuallypurelyforaesthetics
• Housingrentalpricesareusuallycomparabletoorlowerthanapartmentrentalprices
• WanttorentintheRailyard?Expecttopayupto$2,800perbed,utilitiesincluded-Parkingisanextra$70+permonth
Beforeyourapplicationwillbeapproved,theapartmentcompanywillcheckyourcreditreport,ahistoryofhowyou’vepaidyourbills.Youcanlookatyourcreditreportforfreeat:www.annualcreditreport.com.Ifyoudonothavealongcredithistory,youwillprobablyneedacosigner.Ifyoudon’tmakeyourpayments,thecosignerisresponsibletomakeyourpayments.Cosign-ersaretypicallyparentsorotherrelativeswhohavegoodcredithistories.
TIP: Visit at least 5 properties before choosing
TIP: Start your search at: rentping.com
TIP: Pick your roommates carefully!
Where Students Rent
Top 10 Affordable, Quality Apartment Communities Voted on by UNL Students
Complex Miles from campus
1 Bedrooms start at
2 Bedrooms start at 3 Bedrooms start at
FolsomRidge 3miles $615 $690($345perperson) $875($292perperson)
LakeviewPark 3miles $625 $735(388perperson) $1,005($335perperson)
HighlandView 4miles $600 $725($363perperson) $740($247perperson)
OldCheneyPlace 5miles $605 $715($358perperson) $975($325perperson)
FountainGlen 5miles $550 $650($325perperson) $940($313perperson)
TrenridgeGarden 3.5miles $575 $675($338perperson) n/a
LionsGate 2.5milles $550 $765($383perperson) n/a
Tanglewood 2.5miles $545 $760($380perperson) n/a
Northridge 5.5miles $640 $680($340perperson) $735($245perperson)
CentralPark 3miles n/a $695($348perperson) n/a
Warning: Initial Costs Security Deposit=Typicallyonemonth’srent.Intendedtocoverdamagetothepremisesbeyondnormalwear&tear-Ifthereisnodamagewhenyoumoveout,yougetthedepositbackApplication Fees = Usually$30perpersonFirst Month’s Rent= NOTE: Youmayalsoneedtopaythelastmonth’srentupfront!
Downtown Studentsliveinfurnishedorunfurnishedapartments,ClosetoCityCampus,Higherrentpricesthanotherareas
North Bottoms Studentsliveinhousesorapartments,ClosetoCityCam-pus,Canwalktocampus,Knownforactivity&noise
Hawley Neighborhood
Studentsliveinhousesorapartments,ClosetoCityCam-pus,CaneasilytakebusdirectlytoCityorEastCampus
Near Capital Moststudentsliveinhouses,Cheaperpricesbutit’simpor-tanttomakesurethehousingissafe&secure
West O St. Moststudentsliveinapartments,Reasonablerentprices,Formostareasthereisashortcommutetocampus
East CampusNeighborhoods
Moststudentsliveinhouses,Reasonablerentprices,CaneasilytakeUNLbustoCityCampus
North Lincoln Moststudentsliveinapartments,Reasonablerentprices,Formostareasthereisashortcommutetocampus
South Lincoln Moststudentsliveinapartments,Usuallyamoderatecom-mutetimetocampus,Somereasonablerentpricesandmoreexpensiveoptions,Morelikesuburbanliving
City Campus
East Campus
North Bottoms
East Campus
Neighborhoods
Downtown
North Lincoln
South LincolnNear Capital
West O St.
Hawley
Neighborhood
Typical Initial Costs for a 2 Bedroom (per person) =
$730
Example Monthly Budget w/1 Roommate
Income/Scholarship $955
Rent $350
Utilities 35
Food-Groceries&EatingOut 215
Netflix/Hulu 15
Internet 20
Entertainment 65
Transportation(Gas,Insurance)
110
Renter’sInsurance 15
Cellphone 40
Laundry 10
PersonalNeeds/Miscellaneous 80
$0
Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus Worksheet
FoodIf you cook a majority of your meals:
AccordingtotheUSDA,foranutritiousdietatmoderatecost:
Male-$54.70perweek-$237.20permonthFemale-$47.60perweek-$206.20permonth
Best FREE Meal Planning Website:
foodonthetable.com
If you eat out a majority of the time:
Youcanexpectyourfoodcoststobearound$200morepermonth.
Averagefastfoodmeal-$7.58Twiceperday=$15.16or$454.80permonth
Insteadofpayingforcable,manystudentsgetNetflixandHulusubscriptions.
• Netflix/Hulu-$8each
• PlantoshareInternet-Servicestartsaround$40
Gas
Manystudentswholiveoffcampus,around3-5milesaway,gothrougharound2tanksofgaspermonth.
The average spent is around $60 per month.
Youcanestimatewhatyourfuelpriceswillbe,basedonyourspecificcar,at:fueleconomy.gov/trip/
Insurance
Somestudentspayfortheirowncarinsurance.
The average spent is around $50 per month.
Youcanestimateyourcarinsuranceratesat:allstate.com
Maintenance
Thetransportationbudgetalsoincludesmain-tenancecosts,suchasoilchanges,whichoccuraboutevery3months.
Thelandlordofyourapartmentorhousehasinsurance,butitprobablyonlycoversthebuild-ingwhereyoulive—notyourbelongingsoryourliabilityforaccidents.Ifyourpossessionsarestolenduringabreak-inordamagedbyafireorsevereweather,arentersinsurancepolicycanallowyoutorecovertheirvalue.
Average Renter’s Insurance in Nebraska = $12 per month
Where do you get it?
• First,askyourparentswhotheirhomeown-ersinsuranceisthrough-Youmightbeabletogetadiscount
• AnotherOption:WellsFargowellsfargo.com/jump/insurance/renters
• AnotherOption:StateFarmstatefarm.com/insurance/renters/renters.asp
Entertainment
Transportation
Renter’s Insurance
UtilitiesNOTE:Someutilitiesmightbeincludedinyourrent.Formostapartments,youtypicallyonlypayforelectricityandgas.Forhouses,youwilltypicallypayallofthefollowingutilities.
Guidelines for a 2 Bedroom
Electricity (Between $30-$100)Moststudentspayaround$65permonth
Other Utilities You May Need to Pay for:
If you have Gas for heat & hot waterPlanfor$30 permonth
Water (Between $10-$30)Planfor$15permonth
Garbage (Between $10-$30) Planfor$15permonth
Typical Monthly Costs
Example Monthly Budget w/1 Roommate
Income/Scholarship $955
Rent $350
Utilities 35
Food-Groceries&EatingOut 215
Netflix/Hulu 15
Internet 20
Entertainment 65
Transportation(Gas,Insurance)
110
Renter’sInsurance 15
Cellphone 40
Laundry 10
PersonalNeeds/Miscellaneous 80
$0
Warning: Don’t be surprised by utility costs!Whenyou’reshoppingforhousing,askforwhatutilitiesyou’reresponsibleforandtheaveragemonthlycost.Youcanalsocalltheutilitycompaniesandaskforthetypicalmonthlycostsforyournewaddress:
Lincoln Electric System les.com
CanalsoopennewaccountonlineYouwillneedtostartserviceinYOURname
Black Hills Energy (Gas) blackhillsenergy.com
CanalsoopennewaccountonlineYouwillneedtostartserviceinYOURname
Lincoln Water lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/water/
Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus Worksheet
Togettheirfirstapartmentsset-up,manystudentsneedtobuyitemsfortheirlivingroom,kitchen,diningarea,andbedroom.Followingisalistofitemstoconsiderpurchas-ingandtheestimatedcostperroommate.
Estimated Initial Expenses Splitwith1Roommate• Livingin2bedroom,nofurniturecosts
$629• Livingin2bedroom,furniturecosts
$1,594
Estimated Initial Expenses
• Welcomemat(foroutsidethedoor)• Smallarearug(forjustinsidethedoor)• Wallhooksforjackets,keys,etc.
• Couch,chairs,orotherthingstositon• Coffeetable• Television• StandforTV• Throwpillowsforcouch/chairs• Artwork• Lamp(s)• Tableandchairs• Tableclothorplacemats• Napkins
• Silverware• Silverwareorganizer(drawerinsert)• Dishes(e.g.plates,glasses,mugs,bowls,etc.)• Trashandrecyclingcans• Potsandpans• Ovenmitts• Spatulas,ladles,whisks,etc.• Containerforcountertopstorageofspatulas,etc.• Dishtowels• Dishdryingrack• Measuringcupsandspoons• Mixingbowls• Bottleopenerandcorkscrew• Plasticcontainersforfoodstorage• Rollsofaluminumfoil,waxpaper,andplasticwrap• Paper(ornewspaper)tolinecupboardsandshelves• Zip-topplasticbagsofvarioussizes• Cuttingboards• Toasterortoasteroven• Microwave• Coffeemaker• Icecubetrays• Blender• Handmixer• Canopener• Good,sharpknives(atleastonelargechef’sknifeand
asmallparingknife)• Servingspoon• Colander• Additionalfree-standingshelvesorstorage,asneeded
(e.g.metalshelfunitsfromTargetorIKEA)• Dishsoapandsponges/scrubbers• Trashcan• Smallarearug
• Showercurtain(andringstoholditup)• Toiletpaper• Toiletbrush• Toiletplunger• Bathmat(s)• Airfreshener• Tissues• Trashcan• Over-the-doortowelhook
• Cleaningsupplies(e.g.rags,papertowels,sprays)• Trashbags• Vacuumcleaner• Smallbroomanddustpan• ExtensioncordsandSurgestrips• Basictools,includingscrewdrivers(flatandPhillips-
heads),hammer(andsomesmallnails),ducttape,box-cutterorX-actoknife,ducttape,pliers,wrench,andmaskingtape
• Largeplasticbinsorotherstorage• Flashlight(s)• Batteriesofvarioustypes• Candle• Matches• Tweezers• Fans• Internetrouterandassociatedcords• Lightbulbs• Firstaidkit• Carbonmonoxidealarm• Firealarm(Yourlandlordisresponsibleforproviding
asmokedetector,butyoushouldchecktomakesureitworks)
• Laundrysoap,fabricsoftener,stainremover(e.g.Shout)
• Towels• Bed!• Pillows• Sheetsandcomforter• Nightstand• Lamp• Dresser• Hangers(morethanyouthinkyouneed)• Hamper• Trashcan• Curtains• Desk• Chairfordesk
• Hand-me-downsfromFamily&Friends• Goodwill• Craigslist• Target/Walmart/Shopko/
Entrance Area
Living Room & Dining Area
Bathroom
Miscellaneous
Bedroom
Kitchen
Where to Get Furniture
• Youshouldn’tsignanythingthatadjustsyourleaseafteryou’vealreadymovedin.
• Exception:Yougetsomethinginreturn,forex-ample,yourlandlordagreesinwritingthatapetisallowedifyoupayapetdeposit.
• Alandlordcannotraisetherentormakeotherfundamentalchangesduringtheleaseterm.
AskaStudentLegalServicesattorneytoreviewtheleasewithyoubeforeyousignitItshouldcontain:• theamountofrentandsecuritydeposit• thetermofthelease(thelengthoftime)• yourobligationregardingutilities• Whetherornotaguarantororcosignerisre-
quired• Otherrulesandobligations
• Doesyourleasesayanythingaboutpets?
• Ifnot,itisbesttocheckwithyourlandlordtofindoutwhattypesofpetsareallowed.Putanyagreementallowingapetinwritinginthelease.
• Ifpetsarenotallowedandyouhaveone,youcanbeevictedafterwrittennoticeand14daystoremovethepet.
• Ifpetsareallowed,itislegalforthelandlordtorequireanadditionalsecuritydepositequalto¼ofonemonth’srent.• Duringthewalk-through,youneedtodocument
anypre-existingproblemsyoufindwiththeapart-ment,sothatyou’renotheldliable.
• Thismeanstestingeverythingfromtheburnersonthestovetothequalityofthecarpettothefunctioningoftherefrigerator.
• Ifanything’soff,documentit.Ifthelandlordneedstofixsomething,getitinwriting.
• Thisisthebestwaytoprotectyourself,yourfu-turehomeandyoursecuritydeposit.Turnontheappliances,includingA/C,andseeiftheywork.
• Use the: Sample Apartment InventoryDownload at: http://asun.unl.edu/stu-dent-legal-services-0
The Lease: Before You Sign
Pets
Lease Addendums
Walk Through: Before You Sign
• Aleaseisacontractbetweenthetenants(includ-ingyou)andthelandlord;aroommateagree-mentisacontractjustbetweenroommates.(seewww.unl/asun/slstodownloadaroommateagreement)
• Anagreementavoidsproblemsbydiscussingliv-ingconditionsbeforeyoumovein:
• Howwillutilitiesandrentbeshared?
• Willfoodcostsbeshared?
• Anyrulesonguests?Parties?Noise?Pets?
• Whatifsomeonedecidestomoveout?
Roommate Agreements
• Requestsforrepairsshouldbeinwriting.Dateandkeepacopyofyourrequest.
• Iftheneededrepairaffectsyourhealthandsafety,youcancontacttheLincolnHousingCodeofficeforassistance,orcometoSLS.
• Youmightbeabletobreakyourleaseiftheland-lordrefusestomakerepairsaffectinghealthorsafetyafterwrittennoticeand14daystomakethem.
• Thelandlordisrequiredtogiveyou3daysnoticetopayrent.Ifyoupayfullrentwithinthe3days,youcannotbeevicted.
• Ifyoufailtopayrentwithin3days,thelandlordcanfileevictionproceedingsandtakeyoutocourtwithin10-14days.Afterhearingevidence,thejudgecanorderthatyoubeevicted.
• Thecourtprocessmovesquickly,soifyougetanoticeofnon-payment,getlegalhelprightaway.
• CallorvisitUNLStudentLegalServices.
If You Don’t Pay Your Rent
Requesting Repairs
Download These Documents at:http://asun.unl.edu/student-legal-services-0
• SampleApartmentInventory
• SampleRoommateAgreement
• SampleRequestsforRepairsLetter
• SampleLeaseTerminationLetter
• SampleUtilityTerminationLetter
• SampleRequesttoReturnSecurityDepositLetter
Understanding Your Lease &
Legal Rights
Tips from UNL Student Legal Services
Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus Worksheet
Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus WorksheetTips for Keeping Your Off-Campus
Financial Life Organized
Easily Track All Expenses
• Ifyoupayyourrentontime,notonlywillyouavoidlatefees,butyouwillalsobeabletouseyourgoodpaymenthistorytobuildacreditscore.
• Acreditscoreisameasureofyourresponsiblerepaymentofyourfinancialobligations.Ifyouhaveahighcreditscore-over700-whenyougotobuyanewcarorhouse,orgetabusi-nessloan,youwillbeofferedalowinterestrateonthemoneyyouborrowfromabankorcreditunion,whichmeansyouwillpayless!
• MostutilitycompaniesofferAutoPay.Youcanhaveyourbillautomaticallytakenoutofyourcheckingaccounteachmonth.
• Mostcompanieswillsendyouabilleachmonthforyourrecordsandautomaticallywithdrawthebillamountontheduedate.
• AutoPayisavailablethroughmostfinancialinstitutions,includingbanks,creditunionsandsavingsandloans.
Pay Utilities Automatically
Always Pay Your Rent on Time!
Use Your Rent Payments to Build Your Credit Score
• Manyrentalpropertieswillrequireyoutopayrentintheformofacheck.Ifyouneedtomailyourcheck,makesuretodoitatleastoneweekinadvance.
• Ifyoudohavethemoneytopayyourrentformonthsinadvance,considerdoingittoavoidforgettingandrackinguplatefees.
• Manystudentssetare-minderontheirphonestopaytheirrent.Also,putyourrentduedateinyourplanner.Ifyoudon’tpayontime,you’llwastemoneyonlatefees,andcouldevengetsenttocollections,whichwouldruinyourcreditscore.
• Employersalsolookatcreditscores.Whenyou’reapplyingforyourfirstjob,havingagoodcreditscoremighthelpyoustandoutbecauseitwillshowyou’reresponsibleandagoodmoneymanager.
• Togetyourrentalhistoryaddedtoyourcreditreport,youwillneedtoaskyourlandlordtoreportittotheExperiancreditbureau-www.experian.com/rent-bureau/rental-history.html.
• Manystudentschoosetohavedifferentnamesondifferentutilities.Thenonepersonisnotrespon-sibleforeverybill.
• Toeasilycommunicatetoeachotheraboutbillpay-ment,haveawhiteboardwhereeveryonecanwritedownthebillsthey’vepaidandyoucanworktogethertoeasilycalculatehowmuchyouoweeachother.
Split Utilities
Wheretosign-upforautomaticpayments:
Lincoln Electric System
les.com/quick_links/autopay.aspx?look=h
Black Hills Energy (Gas)
blackhillsenergy.com/auto payments
Lincoln Water
lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/business/wtswbill
• ManystudentsusetheMint.comapptokeeptrackoftheiraccountbalancesandtheirex-penses.
• Mint.comautomaticallyrecognizesyourtrans-actionsasgroceryspending,utilities,etc.andwillcreatechartsshowingwhereyourmoneyisgoing.
• Stayontopofyourmonthlyrentalbudget!Notonlywillyouavoidoverdraftfees,usinganoff-campusbudgetwillhelpyoustartbuildinggoodmoneybehaviorsthatwillhelpyoubeamastermoneymanagerinthefuture!
Comparing Apartments WorksheetApartment #1 Apartment #2 Apartment #3 Apartment #4
Address
Date&TimeofTour
PhoneNumber
SquareFootage
DistancetoCampus
RentAmount&DueDate
SecurityDeposit
ApplicationFee
PetRules/Deposit
LatePaymentFee
LeaseLength
Sublease
PenaltyforBreakingLease
UtilitiesIncluded
AdditionalCosts
Electric
Gas
Water
Cable/Internet
Garbage/Recycling
Parking/Garage
Total
Comparing Apartments WorksheetApartment #1 Apartment #2 Apartment #3 Apartment #4
FloorLevel
#Bedrooms
#Bathrooms
AirConditioning
FloorLevel
CarpetorHardwoodFloors
PatioorBalcony
LightFixtures
NaturalLight
#Outlets
Ageofappliances
Dishwasher
Gas/ElectricStove
GarbageDisposal
Microwave
CounterSpace/Drawers
WaterPressure
LaundryMachine/Facilities
OutdoorCommunityLighting
SmokeDetectors
Window/DoorLocks
FireExtinguishers
DistancetoShopping,Bank
Husker Money Tool: Moving Off Campus Worksheet
Contacts:UNL Student Money Management CenterTo receive help with creating your off-campus budget:Make your appointment at: www.unl.edu/smmc
UNL Legal ServicesTo receive help reviewing your lease:Make your appointment at: asun.unl.edu
