Date post: | 14-Mar-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | uh-center-for-student-media |
View: | 223 times |
Download: | 0 times |
LOOKLEARNLEASE
THE DAILY COUGAR
1
YOUR SOURCE FOR APARTMENTS, HOME ACCESSORIES & MORE
THE INS AND OUTS OF LEASINGFIND THE BEST APARTMENT WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 2
FREE TUTORINGRoom N 109 Cougar Village (Building #563)Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu
Mon–Thurs 9am–9pm
Friday 9am–6pm
Saturday 1–5pm
Sunday 1–7pm
Learning Assessment Services
GET AHEADUniversity Testing Services
• Accuplacer• Credit by exam• Advanced Placement• International Baccalaureate• GRE• Placement tests
STAY ON TARGETRetention Programs
• Challenger Program
CATCH UPLearning Support Services
• Peer tutoring• Learning Strategies workshops/counseling
GET INVOLVEDParent Education Project
ONLINE FACULTY/ COURSE EVALUATIONhttp://accessuh.uh.edu
www.las.uh.edusurvey.uh.edu
HELP US HELP YOU BY GIVING US YOUR OPINION
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 3
• No application and administrative fee with this ad• Exquisite faux wood flooring & new carpet combinations• Interiors inspired by new home builders• New/recent GE appliance package• Stunning granite look counter tops• Two inch blinds• Two tone paint• Reserved covered parking• Resident fitness center• Resort–style pool
Villagesat Meyerland
8900 CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77096–2529
FOR MORE INFORMATION: [email protected]
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 4
CONTENTS
ROOMMATESEARCHING
8
LEASING LEGALITIES
12
LOCATIONSCOUTING
16
GOING GREEN
20
STAFF
Editor Allen Le
Design Andres Garcia Farah Hasnie
Advertising Michelle Hernandez Gabriela Padilla Paul Vilchez
On the cover Back row: Amanda Scott, Chelsey Watson Front row: Chris Luong, Kevin Orr Cover Design Andres Garcia
ABOUT LLL!Look, Learn, Lease! is a pro-duction of The Daily Cougar, the official student newspaper of the University of Houston.
© 2013 University of Houston Student Publications. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the permis-sion of the Director of Student Publications. Phone: 713-743-5350 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.uh.edu/sp
To Advertise Call: 713-743-5340
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 5
Harvest Hillapartments
• Internet Cafe • Billiards • Entertainment Lounge • Student Business Center • Walking distance to NEW UT
DENTAL COLLEGE
• Walking distance to Metro Rail System & UT Shuttle • Minutes from Downtown, UTMB,
Baylor, Rice, U of H, TSU & Prarie View Nursing College
Students Welcome
8282 Cambridge Houston, Texas 77054713-799-9046
CALL FOR MOVE IN SPECIALS!
HOUSTON APARTMENTSThe Houston region has over 583,552 Houston Apartments in 160 cities/towns, 314 zip codes, 53 public school districts (1,198 individual schools), 54 universities and colleges and 41 major market areas.
UP TO 4 HOURS FREE MOVING SERVICE Free Apartment Locating/Discounted Moving Service
Our extensive apartment database includes the following regions:
HOUSTON, DALLAS, AUSTIN,SAN ANTONIO
15 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY FACULTY, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS.
For more information:1-800-342-4933 [email protected]
1-800-342-4933 [email protected] Apartment Locating
Free Apartment Locating
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 6
A lmost any person who’s been asked will agree that moving out
can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t always have to be.
The process will be over with sooner rather
than later with the help of multiple to-do lists, a
great playlist and some helping hands.
UH freshman Christina Smith said the only way
she’ll justify moving without hiring a moving
service is if she has several friends helping her.
“I hate moving,” she said. “I don’t even want to
think about having to do everything myself. I’m
going to get my boyfriend and his friends to
help me out.”
BEFORE YOU MOVE (Tips from the Texas Apartment Association)
• Check to see how much advance notice you
must give before moving at the end of your
term. 30-day written notice is most common.
• Look for security deposit refund restrictions.
• Look for your rental housing owner’s obliga-
tion to make needed repairs. (A requirement for
diligence is common.)
• Be sure to read any cleaning instructions.
(Cleaning costs can usually be deducted
from your security deposit if you fail to follow
instructions.)
• Check on prohibitions against subletting or
keeping animals. (Written permission is usually
required. Also, there is usually a pet deposit.)
• Ask the manager to write in and initial any
oral agreements or changes in the lease
that are agreed to by you and the owner’s
representative.
MOVING OUT
BY AMANDA HILOW
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 7
State-of-the-Art Fitness Center
24–Hour Gate Attendant
Exclusive On–Site Convenience Store
Minutes from Medical Center & Universities
Minutes from Galleria Vicinity & Uptown
5402 Renwick, Houston, TX 77081
[email protected] | www.AFApts.com/230451
Text 230451 to AFAPTS (232787) Standard Text Rates Apply
° Spacious 1& 2 Bedrooms
° Fully–Equipped Kitchens
° Mini Blinds & Kitchen Bars
° Huge Walk–In Closets
° Designer Color Coordinated
° Interiors
° W/D Available*
° Professional Friendly Staff
° Large Laundry Centers
° 6 Swimming Pools
° Dedicated Resident Services Center
° Lush Landscaping & Mature Trees
° Pet Friendly
*In Some Homes
A Galleria address... surprisingly affordable!
Call for current rates. Local & Toll Free
1-888-419-7574
PAVILION PLACE
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 8
A SUCCESSFUL MATCH PROVES TO REQUIRE MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP
hen looking for someone to split half
of the rent, the most com-mon advice seems to be search within a circle of friends and acquaintances for potential roommates.
However, evaluating a room-
mate from your friends doesn’t
just require that the two of
you get along well said Don
Yackley, executive director for
UH Housing and Residential
Life.
“We’ve found that the most
important factors are: Do
you smoke or not smoke?
Non-smokers living with smok-
ers — huge issues. Issues are
cleanliness — huge issues. Are
you compatible with that?”
Yackley said. “I think that the
best thing that folks can do is
sort of vision-out what’s most
important for them in a living
situation.”
“First-year students or stu-
dents who have never had a
roommate sometimes come
with their best friend from
high school or their best
friend that they’ve met, and
often they are not the best of
roommates.”
UH senior Sarah Dyer said she
decided to live with someone
she had been friendly with in
high school, but had not been
as close to then.
“My current roommates are
friends of mine from high
school who happened to find
their way to UH after going to
other schools,” Dyer said.
“I didn’t expect to get as
close as I have with one of my
roommates. She and I kind of
drifted apart after high school,
but since we’ve been living
together we have shared a lot
and have ended up really re-
kindling our friendship.”
Those who must choose a
roommate from Craigslist
should make sure they get all
the information, Yackley said.
“I think generally when trying
to find a roommate on your
own for off campus, as much
background as you can about
the person — references, for
example, keeping in mind
that safety is really important.
Usually in an off-campus situa-
tion, you both are in charge of
rent, or sometimes there is a
‘lead’ person on the lease. The
roommate then pays that per-
son and that person pays the
landlord,” Yackley said.
“There are problems with
roommates where they’re not
able to cover their side of the
rent. The lead person is then
responsible for it all. Your is-
sue on how to find a good
roommate is critical.”
“Vet your possible roommate
out as much as possible,”
Yackley said. “Not only should
they connect well with you as
an individual, but financially if
anything goes wrong, you’re
on the hook too.”
W
BY JULIE HEFFLER
ROOMMATE SEARCHING
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 9
resort-style
great location on campus + individual leases + fully furnished apartments
cullenoaks.com713.748.3707 | 4600 Cullen Blvd | Houston, TX 77004
now leasingfor summer & fall 2013
facebook.com/CullenOaks
walk to class
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 10
hoosing a person who one will spend the next several months — or even
years — is a nerve-wracking process. For those who are moving into a place of their own without the benefit of student hous-ing choosing their roommate for them, selecting a potential roommate out of a list of strangers can be difficult. These questions can make the decision making process a little easier:
1. What’s your schedule like?
It’s important to know what the potential roommate’s schedule for work and school is. For those that go to work and school during the day and sleep at night, a night owl roommate who will be up all night making noise may not be appreciated.
2. What does your past rental history look like?
Landlords will ask this of their tenants, and those seeking a roommate should, too. It’s essential to know if a potential roommate has a history of not paying rent or break-ing their lease.
3. What chores do they like and dislike?
Everyone has a chore they hate doing whether it’s dishes, laundry or vacuum-ing. Finding out what chores each person likes or dislikes can solve future conflicts before they happen and create a satisfying compromises.
4. What are their allergies?
Allergies can run from irritating to poten-tially deadly. It’s important to understand a potential roommate’s allergies and other health restrictions before food, cleaning supplies, and pets are introduced into the scenario.
5. What are their interests?
Similar interests can keep mealtime con-versations lively and forge bonds between two people that might otherwise be strangers.
ROOMMATE QUESTIONSBY LAURA GILLESPIE
?
C
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 11
5514 Griggs Road, Houston | (855) 271.1021
5 minutes from Campus! Community is located on Metro Bus Route & future Metro Light Rail Southeast Line.
For more information call 855.271.1021or visit www.liveatskyviewpalmcenter.com
» Under New Management» Gated Community» Courtesy Patrol Officer» Bay Window at Dining Area» Ceiling Fans » Nine Foot Ceilings» Large Kitchen with Spacious Cabinets» Large Utility Room Included with Washer & Dryer
1 Bedroom from $6902 Bedroom from $865
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 12
fter what feels like an eternity of search-
ing, checking prices, analyzing locations and wrestling with expenses and unwelcome surprises, finally signing the dotted line on a leasing contract and moving into a new home or apartment is a welcome relief.
However, those few moments
before pen hits paper may
serve as the last moments be-
fore a first-time renter makes a
huge, costly mistake.
“The law does not say that you
have to have a lease in writ-
ing, but there are a number
of things that the owners
require to be put into writing
in that contract,” said Aimee
Arrington, director of commu-
nity engagement and media
with the Houston Apartment
Association.
“Number one: read that lease
contract. It’s a binding contract
between you and the property
owner. You need to know what
their responsibilities are and
what your responsibilities are,”
Arrington said.
“Before you even get to the
stage of getting a contract,
you usually have to put in an
application with the property,
and before you do that ask the
property what kind of criteria
is going to be evaluated.”
According to Arrington,
the biggest reason for dis-
putes between tenants and
landlords lies in lack of
communication.
A landlord who failed to estab-
lish what he wants in a lease
and a tenant who does not
discuss any accidental dam-
age to a property or comes
up short on rent day cause
problems.
That’s why it is important for
a first-time renters to under-
stand not only the property
itself, such as the atmosphere
and safety, but also what the
property owner expects.
“Some properties look at
criminal history. Some look
at credit history,” Arrington
said. “If you have an issue that
may cause you to be denied
that property, you may want to
save your money and go to a
property that better fits your
needs.”
The cost of moving posses-
sions to a new home, seem-
ingly a simple task, can quickly
rack up costs if tenants aren’t
careful.
The cost of hiring movers,
renting trucks, buying packing
material and taking care of
pets for a move takes first-
time movers by surprise. More
problems can arise if one
needs to take leave from work
or purchase food and lodgings
to move across the country.
Moving to one’s first place can
be frightening as the paper-
work, fine print and hidden
fees often seem overwhelm-
ing, but it doesn’t have to be.
Continued communication, re-
search and budgeting are the
keys to keeping costs down
and making sure that nothing
comes across as brand new
information.
A
LEASING LEGALITIESBY LAURA GILLESPIE
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 13
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...
CRESCENT CITY APARTMENT HOME IS THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.
PRICES AS LOW AS $509!APARTMENT FEATURES:•AIR CONDITIONING •BALCONY •CABLE READY •CEILING FAN(S) •DISHWASHER •NEW/RENOVATED INTERIOR •OVERSIZED CLOSETS •SOME PAID UTILITIES
COMMUNITY FEATURES:•EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE •GATED ACCESS •LAUNDRY FACILITY •PLAYGROUND•PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION •SWIMMING POOL •PET FRIENDLY
Crescent City
CRESCENTCITY•8501BROADWAYHOUSTON,TX77061•(713)644-7581
LEASING LEGALITIES
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 14
S
UH POLICE LT. BRET COLLIER GIVES ADVICE FOR STAYING SAFE ON, OFF CAMPUS
afety is a main con-cern for future renters,
but how do you go about becoming more aware and ensuring your security?
There are so many bases to
cover. It seems to be an almost
impossible task that takes a
backseat to other things such
as convenience or price.
However, there are many ways
students can stay safe when
looking for apartments and
UH Department of Public
Safety’s Lt. Bret Collier was
generous enough to provide
tips.
• Whether it’s your first or fif-
teenth do your homework.
“Talk to the residents, staff and
on-site security about com-
mon crimes at the residence
hall you are considering,”
Collier said.
Being aware is always the first
step to staying safe.
IF LIVING ALONE • Never give your keys to any-
one who is not listed on your
lease. Never leave a key under
the doormat or on top of the
door frame for a friend.
• Lock your windows and
doors when leaving, even
if only going out for a short
while.
• Look into buying renter’s
insurance. If you’ve been a
victim of a crime, this will help.
• Get to know your neighbors,
and agree to look out for one
another.
A strong network of friends is
useful, and four eyes are bet-
ter than two.
If you witness a crime such as a
burglary, Collier said, “Try to be
a good witness, make note of
every detail possible. Contact
the police as early as possible.
Do not try to engage a suspi-
cious person, let us do that.”
FOR BIKES • Use a bicycle rack, not trees,
fences, or shrubbery.
• Use a quality, U-shaped lock.
• Place the lock through the
front tire and the bike frame.
This will keep your tires from
being stolen.
• Register your bike with the
UH Police Department.
FOR CARS • Lock you doors, talk your
keys, don’t leave valuables in
view. This will prevent most ve-
hicle burglaries,” Collier said.
“Statistically speaking, college
campuses are some of the saf-
est communities in the country.
While we do let students know
about the crimes that are oc-
curring, this doesn’t mean
there are more crimes than
other areas; often, exactly the
opposite is the case,” Collier
said.
SAFETY TIPSBY AISHA BOUDERDABEN
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 15
SEE IT. LIVE IT. LOVE IT. Pet Friendly with Dog Park
Free Fitness Membership
Planned Social Events
Close to The Heights/Washington Social Scene
Washer/Dryer Included in Every Home
Easy Access to Major Highwayswww.LiveAtTheGroveAtWhiteOak.com
1710 West TC Jester Blvd, Houston Call (855)263-6267
5514 Griggs Road, Houston | (855) 271.1021
5 minutes from Campus! Community is located on Metro Bus Route & future Metro Light Rail Southeast Line.
For more information call 855.271.1021or visit www.liveatskyviewpalmcenter.com1 Bedroom from $690
2 Bedroom from $865
» Under New Management» Gated Community» Courtesy Patrol Officer» Bay Window at Dining Area» Ceiling Fans » Nine Foot Ceilings» Large Kitchen with Spacious Cabinets» Large Utility Room Included with Washer & Dryer
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 16
LOCATION SCOUTING
BY LAURA GILLESPIE
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 17
FIND THE PERFECT PLACE THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS
eing a full or part-time student can be
hard and holding down a job on top of that is harder, but trying to find an af-fordable apartment that fits one’s needs perfectly? That task seems nearly impossible.
Taking into account of
Houston’s chaotic and
sprawled out city, weighing
the pros and cons of its many
neighborhoods inside the
loop can make the task less
daunting.
Before a first-time renter
Googles apartment prices, it’s
imperative for them ask what
they want out of their home.
Do they need to be closest
to family, school or work? Do
they want to be close to the
hottest nightlife or a large
library to spend the evenings
studying? Do they want near-
by grocery stores, bars and
restaurants? Do they have a
group of friends to room with
to ease the burden of rent on
an expensive apartment in a
nice neighborhood?
All these questions are crucial
in understanding what student
want from the beginning.
Newly renovated and restored
areas can have surprisingly
low prices and are commonly
filled by students. These areas
include East Downtown, in the
cradle north of UH and east
of the intersection of I-45 and
US-59 and is rapidly devel-
oping a fresh character and
vibrant nightlife.
Cost of housing is also one
of the largest appeals with
this area with two-bedroom
apartments ranging from $500
to $600, but the (improving)
crime rate can be a deterrent.
Despite some homes in
Bellaire and West University
that costs up into the millions,
the apartments in the area are
surprisingly affordable with
two-bedroom apartments that
cost around $700. The lack of
nightlife and distance from the
university can be a significant
disadvantage, but the area’s
safety can be a tempting
choice for those who aren’t
so keen on spending their
Saturday nights at a club.
B
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 18
LOCATION SCOUTING CONTINUED
Montrose, largely considered the cul-
tural hub of Houston and rated one of
the “great neighborhoods in America”
by the American Planning Association in
2009, provides a great wealth of dining,
museums and nightlife that can appeal
to just about anyone. Local specialty
shops and grocery stores also make
it easy to get the essentials without
spending money on gas.
Also considered one of the largest gay
neighborhoods in the country, Montrose
can be a safe option for gay, lesbian, bi-
sexual and transgender individuals who
may not feel comfortable elsewhere.
However, the eclectic nature and safety
of the neighborhood comes at a steep
price, as the rent can range from any-
where from $800 to $2,000 a month.
Houston Heights, Upper Kirby, Rice
Village and Pearland all run a similar
price tag to Montrose, but many of
those neighborhoods don’t have the
nightlife and shopping that Montrose
has to offer.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the
individual. Finding the perfect location
comes down to personal preference,
desires and needs.
HEIGHTS
MIDTOWN
MEMORIAL
GALLERIA
DOWN-TOWN
UHMEDICAL CENTER
MUSEUMDISTRICT
HOUSTON GEOGRAPHYI-45
I-45
I-10
61059
59
288
610
I-10
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 19
C ome experience Skyview at Palm Center Apartments, a
quiet rental community developed and managed to make your daily living a pleasure. Surrounded by luxurious spaces, you’ll find unlimited possibilities to reflect your lifestyle. When you arrive here at Skyview at Palm Center you’ll know this is home. For your comfort and convenience, Skyview at Palm Center offers many features including over 1000 square feet of living space in all our floorplans and a full sized washer and dryer in every apartment home. We are adjacent to a City Park and centrally located. COMING SOON...Metro Light Rail Line at Palm Center Transit Center will be opening across from the Community.
FEELS LIKEHOME!
Located at 5514 Griggs Road, Houston
For more info:855.271.1021 www.liveskyviewpalmcenter.com
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 20
ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS PRACTICES FOR LIVING IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES
BY LAURA GILLESPIE & ELLEN GOODACRE
N o matter where you live, it’s easy to stay
green and avoid bad hab-its that waste energy, gas, landfill space and water.
RECYCLE
Collecting recyclable garbage
throughout the week can be
easy, even if a recycling truck
doesn’t come to one’s local
area. Recyclable garbage can
be collected throughout the
week in large bags such as
those from grocery stores,
restaurants or in plastic bins
bought at dollar stores. At the
end of the week, the garbage
can be taken to campus or the
nearest recycling center to be
disposed.
BYOB
Despite the convenience of
bottled water, “roughly 50
billion plastic water bottles
end up in U.S. landfalls each
year —140 million every day”
according to the website of
the recycling organization
Back2Tap. Purchasing a reus-
able water bottle and a water
filter for home faucets can
easily solve the issue. If some
landlords don’t allow the alter-
ing of faucets, a water pitcher
with a filter works just as well.
UNPLUG A LITTLE
Energy can be conserved
by waiting to wash dishes or
clothes until such devices are
full and by unplugging appli-
ances like coffee makers and
cell phone charges that are
only used for part of the day.
Even though these appliances
may not be on, they still draw
energy from the outlet while
plugged in.
Although there may be an
additional cost, compact fluo-
rescent bulbs are also a wise
purchase because they last
almost ten times longer than a
traditional light bulb.
CARPOOL
Carpooling cannot only save
gas costs, but can also reduce
the amount of carbon dioxide
that’s released into the air.
Those that live on or close
to campus can also consider
biking to save on the cost of
transportation and as a means
of exercise.
JUST ASK
Lastly, those who live in apart-
ments should talk to their
leasing offices about sustain-
ability options in their com-
plexes — there may already
be programs in the building
to help tenants preserve the
environment.
Staying green while on a
hectic schedule may seem
difficult, but it may be surpris-
ing how easy and fun it can
be with preplanning and only
little effort.
GOING GREEN
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 21
E scape the stress of classes and run to The Heights. The Grove is conveniently
located within walking distance of shopping and minutes from the always fun Washington Avenue. The Grove at White Oak provides residents a free gym membership; the community has an onsite volleyball court with easy access to local jogging trails. The Grove is the perfect place for the active person. Make your home in The Heights today!
CALLING ALL COOGS!
Located at: 1710 West TC Jester Blvd.Houston
For more info:855.271.1021 www.LiveAtTheGroveWhiteOak.com
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 22
f the lease requires management to make repairs, inform the manager in writing and keep a dated copy.
The law requires in nearly every instance that
the owner must repair security devices and
conditions that materially affect the health
and safety of the ordinary resident. Give the
manager written notice of the needed repairs,
and keep a dated copy. If you don’t receive a
response within a reasonable time, re-notify the
manager orally and in writing.
If you still don’t get a response, you may have
legal grounds to exercise statutory rights of
lease termination, compulsory repairs, damag-
es, penalties, thirdparty repair and deduct, and
attorney’s fees. (Instead of giving two separate
written notices, you can give a single notice by
certified mail, return receipt requested.)
Specific procedures must be followed for statu-
tory remedies, and disregarding those proce-
dures can expose you to a civil damages suit
against you by the owner. Repairs of problems
resulting in mere discomfort or inconvenience
are not covered by the statute. The city build-
ing inspector’s office or county health depart-
ment can be of some help if the condition
violates state statutes or local housing codes
regarding safety and sanitation.
In the City of Houston, you can contact 3-1-1
(the City’s help line) to reach the Apartment
Inspection Division and request an inspection.
TELL THE OWNER: IF IT’S BROKE, THEY’LL FIX IT
I
TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 23
ore and more people are finding themselves
using their smartphones for just about everything. With more than 775,000 apps currently in the iTunes App Store, they are more than just games and music. They encompass banking, reading and even apart-ment shopping. Below are five free helpful apps to help you hunt for the best apartment:
1. “Rent.com - Find Apartments and Homes” – FreeDeveloped by Viva Group, Inc.
A spin-off of the popular web-
site, the Rent.com app filters
through apartment listings
based on location, rent price,
number of bedrooms and
bathrooms and pet laws. What
makes it unique is its feature
for the user to take notes and
photos and save them for each
property they look at, and its
ability to zoom into listings’
photos and floor plans.
2. “Apartments.com – Apartments for rent”
– FreeDeveloped by Classified
Ventures, LLC
The Apartments.com app,
also a popular website, has
the ability to find nearby
apartments through GPS and
contact landlords on the spot
for easy scheduling. The addi-
tional option of walk-through
videos makes it easy to get a
good look at listings.
3. “Apartments” – FreeDeveloped by Primedia
With a visually appealing,
clean and easy-to use inter-
face, “Apartments” is one of
the best-looking apartment
apps. It allows users to share
their newest property findings
through social media such as
Facebook and Twitter.
4. “Apartment Search by UDR, Inc.” – FreeDeveloped by UDR, Inc.
While it may not have list-
ings everywhere in the U.S.,
Apartment Search does in-
clude listings in Houston. It
has features such as live chat
with UDR, Inc.’s central leasing
office, making reservations on
the spot and the myudr.com
website, where rent can be
made and service requests can
be submitted.
5. “PadMapper Apartment Search”
– FreeDeveloped by PadMapper, Inc.
Another popular site-turned
app, “PadMapper” is an ag-
gregation app that combines
listings from different websites
such as Apartments.com and
local apartment listing sites.
While this can make the in-
formation slightly unreliable,
it means that users get the
chance to find the best deals
on apartments as soon as they
become available.
M
APARTMENT APPSBY LAURA GILLESPIE
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 24
W hether from across the U.S. or raised in the heart of Houston,
students starting or con-tinuing their college ca-reers anxiously wait for the day they move into their own space for the school year.
However, before that happy
moment, students must make
looming decisions in regards
to living on or off campus,
renting apartments or houses
and other choices before
they find their perfect living
situation.
“Students should be looking
for what is included in the rent,
where the complex is located,
the amenities and the length
of the lease,” said Robin K.
Myers, vice president of mpm-
Houston Real Estate Services.
“They may want to do some
checking on the reviews for
the units.”
Renting houses is an option
that students may consider,
but qualifications can be strict-
er and rent can be steeper,
Myers said.
“The tenant has more respon-
sibilities with things in a home
than they do in an apartment,
such as the yard, more utilities
and the HOA (homeowners
association) violations,” Myers
said.
Repairs are something else
to consider. Apartments have
offices on site where work
requests can be filed, but
that convenience isn’t present
while renting a house.
“If you are going to be renting
a home, I would suggest that
you rent a home that has a
property manager handling it,”
Myers said.
“The repairs seem to be han-
dled more readily then one
that is an owner handling it.”
Myers suggested using real-
tors to aid in the hectic pro-
cess, particularly if venturing
off campus.
BY NATALIE HARMS
APARTMENT VS. HOUSE
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE HOUSING OPTIONS OTHER THAN APARTMENT, LOFT LEASING
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 25
MONTHLY EXPENSE CALCULATOR
NOTES
Rent
Telephone
Cable/Internet
Utilities
Car/gas/insurance
Groceries
Dining/going out
Miscellaneous
TOTAL
SUDOKU 1
SUDOKU 2
Answers on pg. 30
26Look, Learn, Lease! 2013
LOOK. LEARN. LEASE.
EDITOR’S NOTE
ALLEN LE
his edition of “look, Learn, Lease!” focuses on young adults who have never lived
on their own before and are ready to break free.
“Look, Learn, Lease!”
is a comprehensive
guide to finding a
place to live — from
tips for finding the
right neighborhood and apartment to
arranging, moving and working with a
landlord.
Committing to a long-distance rela-
tionship, moving to a new city (the
fourth largest at that) and finally
starting college can be overwhelm-
ing. But searching for a new place to
live doesn’t have to be. The writers
involved with UH Student Publications
have done the hard work already. They
talked to officials, researched neigh-
borhoods and highlighted the essen-
tial information.
Although this magazine is geared
toward college students, urbanites
who want a change of scenery will
also benefit from the 32 pages of this
apartment guide. Articles about the
hidden legalities of apartment renting,
going green at home and the center
spread — location scouting — are
waiting to be read by you.
I would like to thank Student
Publications director Matt Dulin,
advertising manager Delores
Crawford, production assistant Justin
Schneewind and the students involved
with the editorial, design and advertis-
ing departments who helped me with
“Look, Learn, Lease!”
T
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 27
Even if you’re lucky enough to have perfect 20/20 vision,
4901 Calhoun Road • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler • patient parking access entrance 2A. Visit uei.uh.edu for more information or please call 713.743.2020
We accept most health and vision plans, including the UH student health insurance.
protecting them against injury or infection is important.
The UEI provides a wide range of services from comprehensive vision examinations to the medical and surgical management of eye disorders.
Comprehensive Vision Care on the UH Campus
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 28
ACROSS
1 Bourbon barrel 5 Nuclear power plant units 9 Cause to laugh 14 First word of “The Raven” 15 Toil in the cutting room 16 Barbers shave them 17 Straddling 18 Musical
conclusion 19 Ready to be drafted? 20 Where even grown men
have to go sometimes 23 Some Wordsworth works 24 Longboat propeller 25 Bring ruin on 29 Cold-water diver 30 Home-
builder’s buy 33 Counters with beads 34 Hair
preparations
36 Classic TV clown 37 Healthy
delivery, often 40 Run in place 41 Annoys with constant com-
plaints 42 Worth or Dunne 43 March Madness souvenir 44 Utmost (Abbr.) 45 Walk
unsteadily 46 Mudpack offerer 47 Whitman sampler? 49 Comment from a mom with
rowdy sons 56 “The Lower Depths” writer
Maxim (Var.) 57 “Father,” in toddler talk 58 Orchestral “tuning fork” 59 Seeped slowly 60 ___ and terminer (hearing
or trial) 61 Light quality in music
62 The written word 63 Long and lean 64 Inquires
DOWN
1 Black vein contents 2 Prefix with “bacterial” 3 Aberdeen native 4 Held on to 5 Move back 6 Baked-brick building 7 Mischievous pranks 8 Reprieve from the governor 9 Inuit
outerwear 10 Plantation house 11 Step ___
the plate 12 Baseball part 13 Telepathic gift (Abbr.) 21 Aristotle’s forte 22 March master 25 Israeli Nobel Prize-winner 26 Habitation 27 Place for jewels 28 Teen’s skin woe 29 Clerical robes 30 Like human ears 31 Certain atmospheric layer 32 One who’s not playing seri-
ously 34 Teeny biter 35 One of a dozen at the
grocery store 36 North Pole explorer 38 Eloper’s acquisition 39 Ecological community 44 Encouraging aspect 45 Leave, as
a ship 46 Wanda of comedy 47 ___ Del Rey, Calif. 48 ___ days (yore) 49 Country bumpkin 50 Rice-shaped pasta 51 Pedestal percher 52 Gaucho’s weapon 53 Kimono sashes 54 Albumen adjunct 55 Studio structures 56 U.S. political party
TIME KILL: CROSSWORD
Answers on pg. 30
CROSSWORD 1
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 29
ACROSS
1 Fodder housing 5 Acct. ledger entries 9 Delicate pancake 14 Cut the fat 15 All dried out 16 Expands one’s staff 17 “The Godfather” composer
Nino 18 “... with a banjo on my ___” 19 White heron 20 Start of a sage thought 23 Part of F.D.R. 24 Performed badly 28 Preposition in poetry 29 Lacking brightness or color 32 AFC Central player 33 High-end hotel
offerings 35 He played Ponch 36 Second part of a sage
thought 40 Piano
chanteuse Amos 41 Dumbbells 42 Having star quality? 45 Average golf scores 46 Oft-mispunctuated posses-
sive 49 Furthermore 51 Unpopped popcorn 53 Third part of a sage
thought 56 Magazine installment 59 The embryo of an
invention 60 Source of an artist’s inspira-
tion 61 Kind of common stock 62 Baltimore’s McHenry, for
one 63 Winning cards
64 No longer novel 65 Arctic Ocean floater 66 Cozy spot
DOWN
1 Take giant steps 2 One with pressing issues? 3 “Stuart ___” 4 Biggest city in Nebraska 5 Invite
punishment 6 Choice of courses 7 Allowance after tare 8 No-___ (gnat) 9 Romano or Swiss 10 Physical property of inflex-
ibility 11 Commit a faux pas 12 The Carolinas’ ___ Dee
River 13 Wintertime in D.C. 21 Endow, as with a quality 22 BBQ serving 25 Fairy-tale baddie 26 Depilatory brand 27 Fraternal fellow 30 Basic unit for the
elements 31 Jazz genre 33 Concerned with sacred
matters 34 Lyric sung by Doris Day 36 Women hate it when they
run 37 Dinner crumbs 38 Associate on the job 39 Enlarged area on a map 40 Can opener 43 Stick 44 Pasture 46 Bring about 47 Acts the coquette 48 Most like a fox 50 Take a whiff of 52 Circus Maximus attendee 54 Pedestal percher 55 Prefix for “sol” or “space” 56 Elected ones 57 AA candidate 58 Whirlpool site
Answers on pg. 30
CROSSWORD 2
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 30
NOTES
CROSSWORD 1 SUDOKU 1
SUDOKU 1CROSSWORD 2
TIME KILL: ANSWERS
2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 31
Text “SAVOY”
to 47464
Upgrade yourlifestyle!
Live at Savoy!
5500 Sampson, Houston, TX 77004t 713 630 2900 f 713 630 6525www.savoyapartments.com
COMMUNITY FEATURES• Newly renovated state of the art club house with WI-FI• Detached garages available• Resort style pool with sunning deck• Luxurious outdoor grilling station• Business center with computers, fax, copy & internet access• Pet friendly• Courtesy Patrol Officers• Fitness Center and outside grills
FEATURES OF YOUR NEW HOME• Washers and dryers included• Slated tile entries*• Microwave ovens • Frost free refrigerators with icemakers• Vaulted and 9 foot ceilings*• Built in shelves & computer niches*• Spacious closets and storage• Private patios/balconies• Sprinkler system in each unit
Individual leases available
Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 32
University Eye Institute
4901 Calhoun Road • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler • patient parking access entrance 2A.
Visit uei.uh.edu for more information or please call 713.743.2020
Comprehensive Eye Care The UEI has designed a vision program for students. If you do not have medical insurance
Please give us a call for details.
Eye Examination Contact lenses Glasses