<p>Hi, I'm a transfer student en route to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. I accepted my admission offer a few months ago and will begin classes at the U-of-I this fall.</p>
<p>It seems that, owing to my ignorance of housing arrangements, I will likely have to take an off-campus apartment: the application deadline for on-campus dorms and the like ends on May 15, I believe, and they will probably not have space for me even if I were to apply now.</p>
<p>So, to cut to the chase, I would like to know how I can guarantee myself a SOLO studio or SOLO 1-bedroom, i.e. with no other tenants/roommates. As I mentioned, I am awfully uninformed about the apartment renting/leasing/subletting/etc. process and just confused myself when I attempted to research the matter on my own. (For example, the rental agreements I've come across seem to imply that I have to find other students to sign the contract, which I am unwilling to do.)</p>
<p>I know that new homebuyers are encouraged to consult a realtor for advice on mortgages, legalities, and other knowledge; is there an equivalent for first-time apartment renters?</p>
<p>I apologize for this hodgepodge of a message - it's just that I don't know where to begin planning my living arrangements.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that it’s a standard form and since you’re planning on living in a single or studio, you don’t need to fill that part in. The only thing you might need is a co-signer if you don’t have any rental history.</p>
<p>This page is intended for international students, but it might be helpful to you, too:</p>
<p>The question about apartments for one person is whether you can find one for the fall semester this late. You might have to start out sharing an apartment and seek a place of your own later on.</p>
<p>UIUClan - are you on a tight budget? UIUC offers a range of private housing options with single rooms possibly still available. </p>
<p>One of the dorm options, Presby Hall, is really like a suite style arrangement with single rooms centered on a common living room/dining room. This is the new green dorm - I toured it and it was amazing. </p>
<p>This will be my second year living off campus. I’m a transfer and haven’t had an issue sining an apartment either year. Both colleges have very large surrounding areas with a lot of student housing, and landlords who are used to dealing with students (ie, not having much credit, etc).</p>
<p>Depending on the apartment or landlord, they might want an application to be filled out. I didn’t do this with either of my landlords. I just went on craigslist, emailed people, put down a deposit (security, dog security, first month’s rent, and last month’s rent) and signed. It really wasn’t a big production.</p>
<p>I have however lived with 2 others, and will be living with 2 others, so perhaps its easier.</p>
<p>But usually in a college town it won’t be too difficult, as long as you can prove you can afford it (I get refund checks, for instance).</p>
<p>JohnIV76 - you are so right about the $, I wasn’t trying to achieve anything - I should have said, Are you on a tight budget IF NOT then blah, blah, blah. We ruled out presby house because of the $$$ but if money was no object is really was a great place.</p>
<p>BTW - Next time you should pm someone your phone # and email instead of posting it</p>
<p>Wish I knew - I’m a newbie too - right after you post you have an option to edit. Unless someone else posts to tell you how to do it why don’t you report it as a problem post and tell the moderator that you want your phone#, etc. out of your post. Good luck!</p>