Pre-Lease An Apartment Near Campus at UT Austin

What Is Pre-Leasing?

Pre-leasing an apartment in Austin is becoming a norm for students preparing for fall admissions.  What is it, and why are you hearing and seeing banners on off-campus apartment buildings about it all the time? Many are moving, especially students wishing to live independently in apartments near the nearby campus.  We’ve all moved before, and you usually just rent as soon as the apartment is available, right?  Not quite. Not in Austin. Put merely, pre-leasing is just leasing a few months in advance before the semester starts. There’s no difference other than that.  Anyone can pre-lease an apartment, whether a student or not.

Pre-Lease An Apartment in Austin Early Before The Semester Starts

Multiple studies have shown that proximity is everything in terms of happiness (and grades for students). Being a short drive (or walk) from work, school, the fun can make a huge difference in your well-being.  Specifically speaking on the Austin apartments rental market in West Campus and North University/Campus is extremely high demand. Because of this, with well over 50,000 students at the university and limited dormitories, expect that housing near campus is in significant need.

Pre-leasing is the student housing in Austin solution to this high-demand-low-supply dilemma. Opening up leasing one month before the expected move-in (allowing tiny plans for the students trying to move) would be unreasonable. So, student apartment properties near the UT Austin’s north and west campus open up the leasing season 9 months or more in advance.  It allows students to know where they will be well in advance and not worry about not having a place to live at the last minute.

When Does Pre-Leasing Start?

As mentioned before, pre-leasing typically begins about nine months in advance from the expected move-in date. For example, in West Campus and North University area, this tends to be in November because most of the student residents move around the start of the fall semester (August). It means that your best time to start your search for housing is in October-November, and the best time to sign is before December. (If you’re reading this later than that, you’d better start calling!)

Remember:  When you pre-lease early you get the best rate, get the best selection, and open up your schedule to deal with all the other complexities of starting a new semester.

How Do I Start My Search?

Decide location, find apartment communities in the area, make a call, tour. That’s it! The only way to know what you’re getting is to tour. Understandably, not everyone can visit before signing, but ensuring you can see the apartment you’re signing for before moving in is always a good idea.  If you’re out of town, ask the leasing representative to send you a video tour of the property.

Whether doing it on your own or working with a locator, there are many questions you should ask yourself. Do you plan on having your pet?  Maybe being near a dog park is essential then.  Not to mention, many buildings and complexes (ours excluded) do not allow pets!  Do you want to have a roommate, or is that an option you’d consider?  Maybe then a two-bedroom is better for you and split the cost with a roommate. Splitting rent and utilities go a long way to save money.  Should I sign up early to pre-lease an apartment in Austin near campus, or wait for at least a month before the class starts?  Is renting from a local business important to you?  A simple check of a company’s website can tell you this.  I’m sure you see what we mean; you need to ask yourself what specific things you want in an apartment. 

No matter how specific, if you look early enough, there will be a place with the things you need at the price you can afford.  Whether in West Campus for the student energy, North University for a more mellow, quieter locale scene, or Downtown to experience all the city can offer, you want to experience these neighborhoods firsthand before making a choice.  It is not possible if you’re scrambling at the last minute.

How Does Pre-leasing Work Once I Find the Best Place?

Like regular leasing, it all begins with talking about when you’ll move in and how long you’ll stay in the apartment. Most properties in West and North Campus coordinate move-in with the Fall semester schedule. The Westside Group in Austin does it a little differently by ensuring we move all of our residents are in as early as possible for students to be settled in before classes start. Once you sign your lease at the property you’ve chosen and pay whatever security deposit there may be, it’s peace of mind from thereon. See you when you move in!

WEST CAMPUS

Montage Apartments
2812 Rio Grande St, Austin TX 78705

Rio Grande Square
2800 Rio Grande St, Austin TX 78705

Barranca Square
910 W 26th St, Austin TX 78705

Envoy Apartments
2108 San Gabriel St, Austin TX 78705

West Campus Flats
2104 San Gabriel St, Austin TX 78705

Diplomat West Campus
1911 San Gabriel St, Austin TX 78705

NORTH UNIVERSITY / HYDE PARK

Hyde Park Court
302 W 38th St, Austin TX 78705

Monticello Apartments
306 W 38th St, Austin TX 78705

Melroy Apartments
3408 Speedway, Austin TX 78705

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