What is a lease?

A lease is a contractual agreement between the owner of property, an apartment complex, car etc. 和一个潜在的承租人的使用权，但不拥有一个房子或房子的房间, a unit in an apartment complex, or a car, usually in return for a periodic payment. When you sign a lease, you are bound to the terms of that lease legally for the agreed time period and must abide by the conditions stated within it in order to have continued access to whatever you are trying to use under that lease.

Increasing Your Odds

• Make an appointment & arrive on time: 一定要提前打电话预约参观时间，并坚持下去. And arrive at least 10 minutes early. 在房东眼里，准时是你能否按时交房租的一个很好的指标.
• Follow up: 跟进可以让房东知道你很感兴趣，提醒他们你是谁.
• Be presentable: 可能有很多人对你感兴趣的综合体或单位感兴趣. Proper attire can help you stand out.
• Have money ready: 如果你找到了喜欢的房子，准备好花钱买房. However, make sure you get a receipt for the deposit and note whether it is refundable if you decide not to rent, or if the deposit will be applied toward the rent. Note: 在萨克拉门托，一居室公寓的平均起价为1850美元. Be prepared to have that along with money for a deposit, which typically equals one month’s rent.
• Start early: Get a jump on the search. Keep in mind that other people will be looking to rent as well so make sure to start looking early. 如果你想在秋天租房子，那就在春季学期结束前开始找吧.

What the Landlord Will Need

• 申请表(通常可在物业或经理办公室获得).
• Credit check.
• 共同签署人(如果您没有建立信用评分并且年龄小于25岁).
• Rental history/references
• 租约或租赁协议(按月、6个月和1年的协议而定).
• Application or broker fee.

Credit Checks

Before your rent, a landlord might perform a credit check. This is to see if you have a good history of making payments on time and that you don’t have a lot of debt that could limit your ability to pay rent. Different housing options will have different credit score requirements, 因此，您必须检查您打算申请的每个实体的要求.

你可以通过与三个主要的信用公司核对来跟踪你的信用评分: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months. 你有责任维护自己的信誉，知道自己的立场.

Rental Insurance

Renters insurance is important to have as it provides you with financial coverage for many unexpected events. 租房保险可以为你的个人财产提供财务保障, liability, and additional living expenses, depending on your policy. Your landlord’s policy does not cover your belongings.

For example, if there is a fire that causes damage to your belongings, renters' insurance can cover costs up to your policy limit.

租赁保险通常包括由于以下原因造成的个人物品损失或损坏:

• Fire
• Lightning
• Windstorm
• Hail
• Freezing temperatures
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Impact by Vehicle

Renters insurance may also cover you if you are forced to temporarily move out of your home because it is unlivable, if a person is injured on the property and require medical attention, and items you keep inside your car are lost or damaged.

When selecting a policy, it is important for you to consider the coverages the policy provides, the dollar amount of coverage it provides, and the annual premium (cost of coverage).

Compare policies and make an informed decision. It is always advised to secure renters’ insurance. 好消息是，租房者的保险费通常是可以承受的.

Renters insurance can be purchased from any insurance provider (USAA, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Geico, etc.). Additionally, Sac State currently works with Grad Guard to provide renters insurance to those living in on-campus housing.

Your Rights as a Renter

As a tenant of an apartment complex, you have the right to a habitable dwelling, as ruled by the California Supreme Court. This means that your landlord is legally obligated to repair any items that affect the home’s livability. 这些物品包括冰箱，炉子，灯，任何危险，门等. You also have the right to privacy. A landlord cannot enter your unit without at least 24 hours' notice

City of Sacramento Tenant Protection Program

Fair Housing Information

Renter's Helpline

Security Deposit

Another part of moving out is getting your security deposit back. Some tips to make sure that you do get it back include:

• Repair damages: 如果能很快修好，你搬出去的时候可能就不是问题了. 如果你把修理费留给房东，他或她会用你的押金来支付.
• Properly restore any fixtures or furnishings you remove: If you swap out the blinds for curtains, you'll need to put the blinds back up in the same condition they were in when you took them down.
• Ask for it!: 除非你说点什么，否则很多房东是不会努力把钱还给你的. Be sure to leave a forwarding address where your check can be sent. And if all of the above fails...
• Take Action: 如果你没有收到你的押金，或者一份详细的损害赔偿清单，是时候采取行动了. Write a certified letter asking for your deposit. If that doesn't work, look into small claims court. 这些费用低廉的审判不需要律师，而且完成得相对较快. Most of the time, the landlord won't want the hassle of a court appearance and will give you back the deposit to avoid any further legal action.

Moving-In

Upon arrival to your new home, there are many tasks to complete. 从卸载和拆包到设置实用程序，再到记录先前存在的问题, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make the process a little less overwhelming, use this list to ensure you get everything completed.

• Set-up your electric and gas utilities. If you live in Sacramento, your electricity utility is SMUD and your gas utility provider is PG&E. If you live outside of Sacramento, find out who your utility providers are and set-up accounts with them so that your service is not impacted. You can complete this prior to move-in.
  • On their websites, you can also view rates so that you can make educated decisions on things like what temperature to set the thermostat to.
• Set-up your internet service. You will likely have a few different providers (I.e. Comcast Xfinity, AT&T, Verizon, etc.) and many plans you can select from. You can complete this prior to move-in.
• Prior to moving any of your belongings in, walk your new home (look at floors, walls, in drawers, appliances, etc.) and take photos of any issues you notice. Then email those to your landlord so that you have it documented that those were preexisting issues. 这将有助于确保您在搬家时不会因先前存在的问题而收费.
  • If something isn’t working correctly, you can request that the landlord send someone out to fix the issue. As a tenant, you typically do not need to pay for things that break due to normal wear and tear.
• Some landlords have online portals for making rent payments. Make sure to set-up an account and automatic payments, if interested. This can ensure you are never late on your rent. This can typically be completed prior to move-in or after move-in.
• Unload and unpack in your new home! Enjoy!

Alternative Transportation to Campus

As a Sac State student, 所有学生都可以免费乘坐萨克拉门托地区公交和轻轨. You will need to obtain a commuter sleeve that fits over your OneCard from the Bursar’s Office in Lassen Hall. Note that you will need to get a new sleeve every semester. ZipCar and Gig Car are also services students can utilize to rent a vehicle for a certain time period. Lyft and Uber are also other alternatives to getting around.

Alternative Transportation:

• Sacbike Program – This page has lots of resources for bikers, including bike maps.
• Sac Bike Kitchen -萨克拉门托自行车厨房是一个购买好的社区资源, used bike and for keeping one’s bike in good working condition. It is often a transportation starting point for many students.
• Sacramento Regional Transit – Here you can find public transportation routes and schedules.

Meal Plans for Off-Campus Students

大黄蜂酒店为住在校外的学生提供各种膳食计划. To view the current off-campus meal plan offerings, visit the Hornet Hospitality Off Campus Meal Plan Website.

Farmer's Market Locations – On this page, you will find all the local farmer’s markets that take place in Sacramento and their hours of operation.

Being a Good Neighbor

It is likely that you have one or more neighbors where you live. 这些邻居可以是你的邻居，也可以是你的室友. In any case, it is important for you to be mindful of your behaviors so that you are a good neighbor.

Being a good neighbor can include:

• Being mindful of noise you create (I.e., personally, from a vehicle, watching the TV, etc.)
• Letting neighbors know if you notice something off (I.e., left a car door open)
• Helping a neighbor if you see they need help (I.e., a grocery bag broke open)
• Letting a neighbor know if you have an issue with something that occurred so that you can resolve it
• And more

It is recommended, that you introduce yourself to your neighbors and exchange contact information (if you are comfortable). 这可以让你开始一段互惠互利的关系. It helps to create an environment where you (and your neighbors) are thoughtful of how your behaviors might impact others and if there is an issue, you are more likely to address it internally, instead of involving a 3^rd party (I.e., Police or landlord).

Roommate Finder location?

If you are looking for a roommate to move into a housing unit with or are looking for a roommate for a place you already live in, you can use the Sacramento State Roommate Finder to find one.

Budgeting

The Student Services Center offers a variety of resources to aid students in any challenges that they may face while in school. Sacramento State Financial Wellness Resources can help students with financial education, budgeting, and even applying for loans to buy a house or car.

Basic Needs Resources

If students find themselves in need of food, clothing, etc., Sacramento State CARES Basic Needs Resources can assist students with those things.

Campus Rapid Rehousing Services

Sacramento State offers rapid rehousing to individuals who are in emergency situations that need a place to stay. You can apply at CARES Rapid Rehousing Resources for academic year-long support.

Saving Money on Energy

以下是美国能源部提供的一些节约能源的方法:

• 冬天把恒温器调得低一些，夏天调得高一些.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Plug home electronics into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Wash your clothes using cold water whenever possible.
• Drive sensibly. 攻击性驾驶(超速、急加速和急刹车)会浪费汽油.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Use fans, instead of air conditioners, to cool your house in the summer. Leave your window shades drawn to reduce heat coming in from outside. 同样，在冬天，白天把窗帘打开，晚上关上.

Moving-Out

• Check your rental agreement:
  Look for any information regarding moving out, 无论是协议到期的日期还是具体的程序.
• Notify landlord in writing:
  You should let your landlord know of your intent to vacate, in writing, at least 30 days in advance of the termination date. Even if your lease is set to expire, you are still required to submit notice 30 days in advance.
• Arrange to have landlord inspect apartment:
  安排你的房东在你面前完成检查, using the same checklist you completed when you moved in. Be sure to have all rooms thoroughly cleaned; it is also common to have your carpets professionally cleaned prior to the move out date.
• Notify utilities:
  至少提前一周让你的公用事业公司知道你要搬家. 一定要给他们一个转寄地址，最后的账单可以寄到那里.
• Remove all trash & personal possessions:
  等房东来检查的时候，你应该已经全部搬走了, including removing all items you plan on getting rid of. Clean the floors, closets, fixtures and appliances. Many landlords provide guides for their cleaning specifications.
• Return all keys to landlord:
  通常，房东会在检查时要求交出钥匙.
• Leave a forwarding address:
  Contact your local post office branch and fill out change-of-address and mail-forwarding forms so your landlord can send you the remaining deposit.

SMUD, PG&E, and Emergency Phone Numbers

If there are problems with your power or a gas leak in your area, 拨打下面的电话号码，以获得任何问题的帮助.

SMUD: 1 (888) 456-7683
PG&E: 1 (800) 743-5000
Police and Fire Services: 911

Parks and Public Garden

Public Garden Finder – For students who enjoy visiting gardens, 我们还列出了所有你可以参观的公园和花园.