Select and Manage an Apartment - Ressen

(Prerequisite to Practicum for Independent Living  -South)  This course focuses on five areas: Rental costs, leases, defining terms, furnishing an apartment, and living with a roommate.  Students will have a better understanding of factors that are important in locating an apartment or independent living arrangement, reading ads and abbreviations, accessing information via the internet, and determining monthly expenses.  Students will have a greater understanding of periodic vs. fixed term leases, understanding leases, and tenant rights.  Students will learn about security deposits, application fees, rent credits, renters insurance and utility bills.  Students will also learn about items needed to furnish and stock apartment, and compare the costs of new vs. used.  Students will increase their awareness of living with a roommate, expectations, compatibility and resources to find roommates.