Step 2: Choose your housing preference: Apartment Rentals There are a variety of apartments available for rent in Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. Free lists may be found in local newspapers, on the internet, or at the CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES. Useful Tips to Keep in Mind When Selecting Your Accommodations: What to expect: When renting an apartment, be prepared to fill out a background check, which usually requires bank account information, previous addresses, and personal and professional references. Often, landlords will also request a Social Security Number to check on your financial history. If you do not have a Social Security Number, please visit the CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES and you will be given a letter for your landlord stating that you are not eligible for a Social Security Card unless you work as Student Help at MSMC. It is normal for a landlord to require first and last month's rent, and a damage deposit. Utilities (water, gas, electricity) may or may not be included in the rental amount. This information will be contained in your lease; this is a legally binding agreement, so make sure to read it carefully before signing. About Leases: Landlords are looking for responsible, financially secure tenants; they usually prefer to have local references. It is best to be prepared, so before looking for an apartment to rent or lease be sure to download a copy of your financial statement from your on-line application. As explained above, the International Education Counseling Center will also be happy to provide you with a verification letter that many landlords will accept in lieu of local references. When you find the apartment of your choice, make sure you receive a lease agreement. All rental agreements or leases should be in writing. Read it thoroughly and make sure you understand it completely. If there is any language you do not understand, ask a reliable person to explain it to you. If your landlord does not give you a copy, it is important to request one; your lease is the only evidence of your legal tenancy and is designed to protect both parties' rights. At a minimum, a lease or rental agreement should include the following: rental rate required damage deposit length of occupancy apartment rules termination requirements Some questions you may want to ask include: what is the amount of rent what is included in the rent (i.e., gas, electric, water, parking, laundry, etc.) how many people may occupy the apartment when and how must rent be paid each month if roommates share the apartment, who is responsible if one should leave under what conditions is the damage deposit refundable what is the length of occupancy what is the landlord's right-of-entry what is the sub-let policy what is the guest policy what are the rules concerning pets, conduct, and use of recreational facilities
If corrections or repairs are needed before you move in, make the rental agreement contingent upon these corrections and agree upon a completion date. This agreement should be in writing, dated and signed by both parties. It is always good to pay rent and other payments by check, not cash. Write the purpose on the face of the check (example: "April rent for Apt. #1, 123 Elm Street"). If you must pay in cash, get a signed and dated receipt from the landlord. Leasing versus month-to-month renting: Most apartments are rented under either a lease agreement or a month-to-month rental agreement. A lease agreement is usually for a one-year term. Remember that you will be responsible for the rent for the entire lease period, even if you wish to move out. Before you sign a lease agreement, make sure that you are completely satisfied with the accommodations, and that you like the landlord. Some landlords allow month-to-month rental agreements. This type of arrangement allows you and the landlord to have more flexibility. The negative side of this arrangement is that the landlord may decide not to renew your rental agreement, and you will be forced to relocate at the end of one month. Damages: Protect yourself from false accusations of damage by going through the apartment with the manager before you move in. Make a list of existing damages, paying attention to appliances, cracked plaster, draperies, carpets, lighting fixtures, etc. Ask the manager to sign this list and date it. Sign it yourself, and make copies for both to keep. Should you damage the premises, you are responsible for making repairs. You are expected to leave the premises in the same condition as when rented, reasonable wear-and-tear excepted. Sub-Letting: If, for any reason, you need to leave before your lease expires, some landlords will allow you to sub-let to another tenant. You would most often do this if you want to travel during school breaks, but do not wish to lose the right to live in that apartment after returning. Sub-letting is only allowed with the landlord's permission, and some landlords do not permit it. Keep in mind, that even if you have permission to sub-let, you are responsible for the rent payment each month, whether or not you have collected it from the sub-tenant. Be very careful when you choose your sub-tenant and have him or her sign an agreement which states the amount of rent, the dates of occupancy, and a statement that all damages caused during your absence will be fixed. It is wise to get information about the sub-tenant's family, workplace, and anything else that might be helpful in case you return to find that he or she has disappeared and left you with unexpected expenses. Finding A Place The following resources may be valuable in your apartment search: 433 Midvale Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 824 1737 www.433midvale.com Apartment Guide Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley 16360 Roscoe Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91406 Tel: 818-893-1249 www.apartmentguide.com Apartment Magazine 130 East Tyre Road Santa Ana, CA 90702 Tel: 310-479- 5541 Fax: 714-545-3044 www.aptmag.com
Apartment Source 9028 Sunset Boulevard, #200 West Hollywood, CA 90069 Tel: 310-777-7591 aptsla@apartmentsource.com Equity Corporate Housing 26970 Aliso Viejo Parkway Aliso Viejo CA, 92656 Tel: 310-707-8900 socalsm@eqrworld.com http://www.equityresidential.com. Video about Equity Corporate Housing Home away from Home 15th & Arizona Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: 310-454-5048 Tel: 310-359-3585 sarasherman421@yahoo.com Hayworth Company Post Office Box 1455 Santa Monica, CA 90406 Tel: 310-576- 1327 Fax: 310-434-1557 Homehunters 1038 North Fairfax Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90066 Tel: 800-987 -3682 Fax: 323-848-8763 www.bestrents.com L.A. Home Rentals 1834 Lincoln Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: 310-392-2334 Fax: 310-392-5234 www.lahomerentals.com Los Angeles Times 1717 4th Street, #100 Tel: 310-456 -6666 www.latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/rentals/ Pico Lanai Apartments 2501 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: (310) 828-9389 Fax: (310) 828-2119 Email: PicoLanai@CarmelPartners.net http://www.carmelapartments.com/pico-lanai- apartments
Universal Student Housing (USH) 424 Kelton Avenue, #514 Los Angeles, CA 90024 www.usaish.com T: 310 824 4908 ushstudent.com ushhost.com F: 310 824 2412 facebook.com/usaish twitter.com/@ushhousing Westside Rental Connection 1110 Wilshire Blvd. Tel: 310-395-7368 www.westsiderentals.com Westwood Villa Apartments 2901 South Sepulveda Blvd. West Los Angeles, CA 90064 (866) 626-1632 westwoodvilla@mosscompany.com Apartment management companies: Miller & Desatnik 3627 Motor Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90034 Tel: 310-836- 0860 Fax: 310-848-2161 www.mdrents.com RST & Associates 3653 Overland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90034 Tel: 310-479- 2565 Fax: 310-478-5631 www.rstrents.com Web sites to visit for rental lists: www.apartments.com www.realtor.com www.rent.net www.rentimes.com www.zillow.com
Things You Should Know After Your Move Utilities: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) https://www.ladwp.com/ provides water and electrical services for both Santa Monica and West Los Angeles. Water from faucets (indoors and out) has been purified and does not require boiling. Electricity for Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and West Hollywood is handled by the DWP. Household current is 110 volts, AC 60 cycles. Foreign appliances without adapters will not work here. For more information, please call the DWP at 800-342-5397. For other cities and most parts of Santa Monica, Southern California Edison handles electricity. Please call them at 1-800-655-4555 for more information. https://www.sce.com/ To establish gas service, contact the Southern California Gas Company at 800-427-2200. (https:/www.socalgas.com/ ) When the service representative comes to connect your gas, ask him or her to show you where the pilot lights for heater, stove, and water heater are located and how to turn them off in case of an emergency such as an earthquake. Appliances: Ask your landlord or building manager to show you how to use and clean your stove, oven, refrigerator, heater, air conditioner, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and other appliances which are included in your rent. Remember that gas stoves, if turned on but not lit, are dangerous because gas is poisonous and explosive. If you detect the smell of gas in your apartment and cannot determine why, call the gas company. They will send someone to check it for you. There is no fee for this service. Burners on electric stoves may be hot without appearing red in color. Electric burners will stay hot for some time after the control has been turned off. To keep your refrigerator working properly, you may have to defrost the freezer compartment. Some refrigerators defrost automatically, others must be turned off for several hours until the ice melts naturally. Do not allow frozen foods to thaw while defrosting your refrigerator unless you plan to use them right away. It is a good idea to store them in a neighbor's freezer. If your frozen food thaws, do not refreeze it. This can be very dangerous to your health. Right-of-Entry: The landlord has a right to enter the premises at reasonable times to inspect the unit and make repairs. Your landlord should not enter your apartment without calling to ask permission or notifying you that there are repairs to be done. California law requires the landlord to obtain a court judgment before entering an apartment when the tenant has broken the lease and the landlord has a lien on the tenant's personal property. Eviction: Regardless of whether or not you have a lease agreement, your landlord has the right to ask you to vacate the premises, with proper notice (usually 30 days). Keep in mind that without a lease, you have no extended right to remain in an apartment. Even with a lease agreement, you may still be evicted from your apartment if you engage in illegal activities or violate the rental agreement. Turning off utilities: California law forbids a landlord who intends to evict a tenant to turn off water, electricity, or gas. When you vacate the premises, you must call each utility company and order the service disconnected. If you do not, you will be responsible for gas, electric, and telephone usage after you leave. You must give a forwarding address for final bills or go in person to close these accounts. Giving notice to leave: To end your tenancy, write a dated letter to your landlord 30 days in advance of the date you plan to leave. Be sure to include your name, address, apartment number, and telephone number, as well as the date you wish to vacate the premises. Deliver the letter to the landlord in person and ask him or her to sign and date a copy for your records. At the time you vacate, do not leave anything behind and surrender your keys. If you leave any belongings behind or if you keep the keys in your possession, you have not legally vacated the premises and your landlord will be entitled to keep your damage deposit for every day that you do not comply with the terms of vacancy.
Sharing a house or apartment If you prefer to rent a room in a privately owned home, the CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES maintains a current listing of rooms for rent that includes a limited number of rooms in private homes. Please stop by the CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES to pick up a current copy of the housing list. Keep in mind, however, that this list is offered as a free service and MSMC does not investigate, endorse, or guarantee the availability of these listings. The average monthly cost varies, depending on the facilities provided, which may or may not include food. The price of utilities is typically incorporated into the rent. Keep in mind that move-in costs may include first and last month's rent as well as a damage deposit. Shared Housing If you choose to share an apartment or a house with other students, the CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES maintains a current housing list of students who are available to share an apartment or who have a room in their apartment for rent. Students who wish to share their apartment make their own terms; be prepared for move-in costs to include first and last month's rent as well as a damage deposit. Approximate monthly cost to share an apartment varies and may often exclude the cost of utilities, telephone and Cable TV. Universal Student Housing (USH) 424 Kelton Avenue, #514 Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tel: 310-824-4908 Fax: 310-824-2412 www.usaish.com Students share an apartment with one to five other students. USH offers airport pick-up, telephone and answering machines in each apartment, free incoming fax service, tour packages, and weekly grocery shopping trips. All rooms are fully furnished; the building offers controlled access, a pool, laundry facilities, and is located near a bus stop. F.I.S.H. Living F.I.S.H. Living is your home away from home! Located in a great neighborhood, F.I.S.H. Living provides students with a safe, convenient and familiar "home" atmosphere. The house is very clean, quiet and organized to fit the needs of students. info@fishliving.com telephone: 1-310-804-6815 http://www.fishliving.com
Corporate/Furnished Housing Typically more expensive than the average apartment rental, but less expensive than many hotels, corporate-style apartments offer nightly, weekly and monthly rates. They may provide a valuable short-term alternative to a hotel stay or a long-term alternative to renting an unfurnished apartment. These apartments are fully furnished, the kitchens are fully equipped and there are laundry facilities on site. Avalon Westside Terrace 3636 South Sepulveda Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90034 Tel: 310-398-2794 / 800-266-7080 x70480 Living at Santa Monica / Alliance Residential Company 1519 6th Street, #100 Tel: 310-393-3500 Fax: 310-395-7615 www.livingatsantamonica.com http://www.allresco.com/property/lasmbook Oakwood Corporate Housing Oakwood Marina del Rey 4111 Via Marina Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Tel: 1-800-846-8465 ; Tel: 310-751-4500 Fax: 310-578-1372 e-mail: jjanes@oakwood.com http://www.oakwood.com Archstone Santa Monica Apartments 425 Broadway Tel: 866-995-7102 Fax: 310-943-7217 http://www.archstoneapartments.com