So you think you’ve found the perfect place? Although you may have the first month’s deposit check in your hand, below is a list of factors you may want to consider before signing your name on the lease. Take a moment to check out your new place and think about these important details.

Remember, with New York City housing, you have to act fast but you always have to do your homework!

Cost

This is the million dollar question. In a city with notoriously high housing prices, find out all of the details about the cost of your potential place. Is the rental rate per night, per week, or per month? What does the rental price include? Be sure to look into additional building fees, utilities such as water and energy, cable/internet/phone, and security deposits.

Location

Location is everything in the world of real estate – and in finding good internship housing. Find out the exact address of the building you are interested in living in. Is public transportation close by? Is entertainment, dining, a laundromat, or even a grocery store, within close distance?

If you can’t actually walk around your prospective neighborhood, you can now use sites like Google Maps to search for services around your new building. Finally, ask around and do your homework about the area – is this area well-trafficked and safe?

Available Dates

Find out exactly when you can move in and when you are required to move out. It is important to match these dates with when you will need housing. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you can stay the entire summer – some buildings reopen for fall students earlier than when your internship ends.            

Amenities

Not that your new place needs to necessarily be a spa, but look into the features and amenities that the apartment building or dorm provides. Are you renting simply a room or are there communal study rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms? Features like a gym, laundry facilities, or even air-conditioning, are not present in all buildings.

Length of Stay

Depending on the building or apartment that you are looking into renting, some have strict rules the on minimum or maximum stay. While one building may have a maximum of 25 days another apartment may have a 4 week minimum. Ask the right questions so you don’t get put out on the street!

Room Size

Is this the closet or is this actually my bedroom? Although room size may not be a concern for some of you, always look into the dimensions of the room you’re looking to rent. Most rooms are fairly standard but make sure that you will have sufficient space for any personal belongings and furniture you may bring. 

Single, Double, or More

Summer internship housing can be similar to the college dorm experience, especially since many local schools rent dorm space for the summer. If you are renting a room, find out if you will have single or sharing. Double, triples, and more, are usually cheaper than singles and can be a more social and entertaining than living alone. 

Roommates?

Depending on the situation, who do you want to be your roommates? Consider the options of being randomly paired up, someone within the company you’re interning for, or even a school friend interning too. Ask around, you’ll be surprised how many people know someone interning this summer in New York City.

Building Policy

Depending on where you decide to live, you’ll have to live by the local set of rules. Some buildings are gender specific, others have limits on overnight visitors. Do you have a pet, do you like to stay out late? With policies ranging form curfew to age restrictions, find out the ‘local’ rules before so you don’t get locked out one night or worse, getting evicted!

Company Perks

Although not common, it is always wise to ask your summer employer if they provide housing, an independent housing stipend, or have special connections to find you a room. Depending on their response, this may suddenly change your housing search strategy. You never want to lock yourself into a lease if you can find housing closer to your office or better yet, paid for as a benefit of your internship!

Still think you’ve found the perfect place? It is important to consider all of these elements since they are all relevant to the housing search process. Do a little research in the beginning of your search – it will all pay off when you’re relaxing in your new place.