When you start looking for an apartment at The University of Georgia, it may surprise you how early students start their search. In many cases at the University of Georgia, students start their apartment search a year in advance!
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At Rambler, we understand the stress that goes into searching for your future home while at college. We have helped hundreds of students sign leases and know the ins and outs of the leasing process.
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In this article, we will provide you with the major benefits of signing your lease early at The University of Georgia, so you can get a head start on signing your lease and moving into your college home!
How early is “early”?
Signing your lease “early” in Athens can mean different things to different people- it depends on who you ask. Students involved in Greek life sign a lease as early as a year and a half prior to move in, while others sign the October before move in the following August.
As a student, if you know where you want to live and who you want to live with, there is no reason you shouldn’t start to look. Existing properties near UGA typically start leasing units around a year prior to move in.
New developments will start making leases available up to 18 months before their delivery date. For example, if the delivery date is deemed to be August 2025, leases will be available to sign in spring of 2024, probably around February or March.
In simple terms, if you are wanting to live in a new development your junior year, you might consider signing a lease around spring of your freshman year. Giving yourself as much time as possible when apartment searching will ease stress and increase your chances of getting to live in your top choice!
5 Benefits of Signing Your Lease Early in Athens
1. Best Rates
If you go to The University of Georgia, you likely have seen advertisements for student housing apartment complexes that say phrases such as, “our lowest rates,” or, “almost sold out for fall, sign now!” While these phrases may feel overused, they hold some truth.
For new developments near The University of Georgia, most apartment complexes offer their best rates if you sign a lease early.
Many student housing properties use a tier system during the leasing process. When leasing first opens, rates will usually be at their lowest, the first tier. Then, as units decrease in availability, rates will typically be raised per month, per person. So, aside from occasional deals or discounts, rates will be lowest when leasing first opens.
Signing your lease early is a great way to save money when leasing in a new student housing development.
Read Next: 8 Ways to Save Money on Student Apartments in Athens, GA
2. Parking
As a student at The University of Georgia, I know how difficult it is to park on campus. Even though there are many options to choose from, it still does not make parking on campus an easy task.
Even if you sign a lease at an apartment complex, you can expect to compete with many other students also looking to sign a parking contract for the lease term. Since parking near UGA is limited, you may not get a spot if you sign your lease late.
If you are planning to park at your apartment complex, you should consider signing your lease early to increase your chances of securing a spot.
3. Choice of Apartment and Room
The earlier you sign your lease, the more apartments there are with availability, which gives you more apartment options to choose from.
Most developments have a limited number of units with special amenities, balconies, etc. If having these amenities is important to you, you should consider leasing early to increase your chances of securing one of these units. Keep in mind that these extra features usually come with some extra costs, so be sure to keep that in mind when budgeting for your living expenses.
Also, if you are interested in a floor plan with a popular view, such as one that overlooks downtown, you should consider signing your lease early because these units fill up fast.
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Similar to unit choice, you will also have more choice regarding the type of room you want when you sign early.
Student housing apartments typically offer different floor plans with varying features so you and your roommates are able to choose the one that is best suited for your needs. For example, in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment (3×3), it is possible that two of the bedrooms will have windows, and one of the bedrooms will not include a window.
By signing a lease early, you and your roommates will have more options and be able to choose the unit and room that suits each of your wants and needs.
4. Roommate Choice
By signing your lease early, you will have more options when it comes to roommates. As time goes on, more and more people have secured their living situation, so you will have a smaller pool of potential roommates over time.
If you know who you want to live with, you will be able to have your choice of roommates added on to your unit by the leasing associates at your student housing complex when you sign your lease. Plus, if you have a large group of friends who all want to live close to each other, you will have a better chance of all living on the same floor if you sign early.
If you do not know who you want to live with yet, don’t worry – you still have plenty of time to decide. To to be matched to a roommate with similar preferences, most student housing apartment complexes offer a roommate-matching survey.
If you are planning to sign your lease earlier than your future roommates, make sure to tell your leasing associate so they don’t assign another person to your room. To avoid this, it’s also beneficial to have your future roommates sign their leases at the same time as you.
All things considered, the earlier you sign your lease, the greater flexibility you have in choosing who you will be living with for the upcoming school year.
5. Feeling Secure
College can be stressful, and the last thing you want is for your future living situation to add onto these pressures.
By signing your lease early, you gain the feeling of security on your housing decision. It is one more thing that has already been taken care of and you won’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute to find a place to live in subsequent years.
It also produces anticipation and excitement when thinking about the years to come. The earlier you sign your lease, the more time you will have to get comfortable with all the amenities and features your apartment will offer.
Signing your lease early will also allow you and your future roommates to have time to think about decor and who is going to purchase what for the apartment.
It’s fun to look forward to and get excited about your future living situation!
Overall, signing your lease earlier rather than later provides a lot of benefits. It is the best way for students to feel secure about their living situation, while guaranteeing a top-choice apartment, room, parking situation and roommate.
Read Next: 15 Questions You Should Ask While Touring a Student Apartment in Athens
If you have any questions about University of Georgia living or want to learn more about Rambler Athens, contact our leasing staff, who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have during your student housing search.
