Though it has been only a few months since move-in day, and we’re just a quarter of the way through the school year, it is time to begin looking ahead to next year’s housing.
Finding accommodations as a student in Knoxville can be quite stressful, but getting started early and knowing what to do can make a big impact.
Where to begin
The first step in locating your future place of residence should be researching all potential options that work within your budgetary, geographic and personal desires.
Many sites have compiled lists of student housing which compare the above aspects, making it easier to find great options. Some great sites to check out are Rentable, ForRentUniversity and UT’s very own off-campus housing site that partners with Apartments.com.
Make sure to keep a list of each place that interests you, even if it is not exactly your favorite. Having as wide a range of potential options as possible will help further down the road if some become unavailable.
Read reviews and verify
Once you have a list of potentials, it’s time to verify the information and investigate your chosen options more thoroughly.
The compilation sites listed above have review systems built into them where students can leave comments about their experience. Take some time to read through the reviews — good and bad — and see what might be in store should you pick a certain location.
Most importantly, when looking through reviews, try to avoid tunnel vision for singular cases and instead look for trends. A really good or bad review may just be the feelings of one person and not really reflect the general experience. If multiple reviews agree about how great the staff is or how horrible a certain issue is, then there is likely merit to what is being said.
In addition to reviews, reach out to friends, family or fellow students to see if anyone you know has stayed in any of your potential housing locations before. A firsthand account can go a long way, and UT is a great place for networking.
Take a tour
Once you have established a final list of five or more housing options, you can begin finalizing your future home.
Scheduling a tour is a great way to understand what’s available to you and perform a final test. Tours will allow you to meet the managerial staff, get an idea of amenities and see how the apartment will look once you actually live there.
It’s important to feel comfortable with the environment of the place you’re living in as a student, and nothing will help you test this better than going to see it firsthand. Most rental companies will have tour scheduling available on their website or by phone.
Applying
If you’re satisfied with the options you have chosen, then it’s time to begin applying.
Applications can be found on the apartment complexes’ websites and typically take an hour or so to complete.
Most applications require you to create a profile with your email and then will ask for basic demographic information like your age, sex, roommate preferences and more. Once you have this established, you can move on to select your floor plan and provide financial information.
If you will be receiving financial assistance for your student accommodation, there is a section that invites a guarantor to the application process. Otherwise, you can fill out any necessary banking information in the final sections of the process and be on your way to submitting.
Some applications require a fee upon submission, which typically ranges from $50 to $200. However, with that, you can finish and submit your application and be on your way to secured housing.
Some popular options to consider
As you approach your hunt to find an apartment, consider these student living options near campus. None of these apartments have a set application deadline.
– 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 bedroom floor plans
– $750 to $1100
– 2, 4 or 4 bedroom floor plans
– $720 to $855
– 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom floor plans
– $1099 to $1800
– 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom floor plans
– $1300 to $2000
