Looking at student housing apartments in West Campus, but feel like there are just too many options?
As a student myself, I know that finding a student apartment in West Campus can feel overwhelming. There are many variables, and student apartment complexes all seem to have different offerings.
@rambleratx What’s included in my #wampus apartment’s rental rate? #ut #utexas #austin #texas #atx #westcampus #college #collegeliving ♬ Selfcare-demo – Bella Moulden
Read Next: How Much Does it Cost to Live in West Campus near UT?
At Rambler, our leasing team has helped hundreds of students sign leases, and understand that building out your budget is an important part of the process.
To help you understand what’s covered by your rental rate at most student apartments, we have put together a list of what most apartments in West Campus include in their monthly rental rate.
5 Things Typically Included in Your Rent in West Campus Student Apartments
1. Furniture
Representative unit interior featuring Rambler’s standard furniture and finishes.
Most student housing apartments in West Campus are well-known for being fully furnished. This way, students don’t have to worry about purchasing large furniture pieces such as a bed, dresser, or desk. They will already be there upon arrival.
Almost all of the new purpose-built student housing apartments in the West Campus neighborhood offer fully furnished units, an important factor to consider when calculating the total cost of living at a student apartment versus a traditional apartment.
Fully furnished apartments not only help cut furniture costs but also allow you to avoid the process of purchasing and moving in furniture. So, if you are planning to study abroad or do an internship out of town, you probably won’t need a storage unit to store your furniture.
Typically, a fully furnished apartment will include your bedroom and common area basics, including:
- Bed
- Dresser or Shelves
- Desk
- Couch
- TV
- Chairs and/or Bar Stools
- Washer and Dryer
You’ll likely want to personalize your bedroom and common area to your liking, but the staple items are already covered.
2. Basic Utilities
Basic utilities at an apartment include electricity, high-speed internet, cable, washer/dryer, water, gas, sewage and garbage.
Almost all student housing apartment complexes in West Campus offer high-speed internet, cable, a washer/dryer unit, gas and sewage as a part of your monthly rental rate.
Some apartments include garbage, but it varies, and many apartments will add on a small monthly fee for garbage services. The fee usually runs between $5 and $25 per month. Finally, almost all apartments will charge you an additional monthly fee for water and electricity.
Average utility prices vary greatly, so it is best to ask what utility rates typically cost each month before signing a lease. Since there is variance in what utilities are included at each apartment, you will want to ask about which are included in your monthly rent.
3. Access to Community Amenities
The record room, located just off the lobby, provides a chill, relaxed space to gather or study.
To keep up with the market, most student housing apartments in West Campus offer a full suite of amenities.
At a minimum, these typically include a pool, gym, and study spaces. However, some new developments offer students luxury amenities – think Jumbotrons, grilling areas, spas, saunas, golf simulators, and more.
Amenities are one of the best ways for new student housing developments to differentiate themselves from their competition, so be sure to check out your options. Access to these amenities is typically complimentary for residents.*
4. Year-Round Housing
Waterloo is another student housing apartment complex that offers year-long leases.
While on-campus housing at the University of Texas at Austin is leased for 9-months, this is not typically the case with off-campus student housing.
If you choose to live in a West Campus student housing apartment, you will likely sign a 12-month lease. Leases at these student housing apartments typically begin in early August and terminate at the end of July. The exact dates vary by apartment complex, so be sure to inquire before signing your lease.
With a year-long lease, you have a place to stay if you’re looking to live in Austin over the summer. No need to worry about subleasing or finding a short-term place.
5. Security
Security is a critical factor when living anywhere – especially for students looking to live in West Campus.
While it differs by the apartment complex, most student housing apartments in West Campus offer controlled access with secure parking.*
A common way to control access is to have a fob system with electronic key locks to individual units and amenities throughout the complex. Other security measures may include complex-wide video monitoring, onsite security or patrol officers.
Read Next: 15 Questions You Should Ask When Touring a Student Housing Property
We hope this article helped you better understand what is typically included in your monthly rent at student housing apartments in West Campus near UT Austin.
If you have any questions about West Campus living or want to learn more about Rambler, contact our leasing staff, who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have during your student housing search.
*Please note that access to amenities and security are subject to change and typically never guaranteed in your lease agreement, so keep this in mind when signing.
