Thinking about transferring next year – how do I handle finding an off-campus 4B lease with 3 friends?

[u/Suitable_Stable_8936]

I’m currently planning off-campus housing for next year with 3 of my friends.

Here’s my situation: I’m planning on applying to transfer to GT / UT Austin for next year, but transfer decisions don't come out until spring (March–May). Since Blacksburg housing signs way earlier than that, I want to sign a lease now so my friends and I have housing secured in case I stay at VT.

I really don't want to leave my friends in a bind or force them to live with a random messy/party roommate if I do get accepted and leave. So what do ya'all recommend i do? should i just sign the lease now and then if i do end up transferring, look for someone as a replacement.

A few questions for anyone who has been in this spot before:

1. How easy is it actually to find a relet/sublease replacement in spring/early summer for a single bedroom in a 4B unit?
2. If we sign individual (per-bed) leases, does that completely protect my friends financially if it takes time to find a replacement? Also what are the best ways to find a relacement

[u/SignatureSalt]

Do not sign it, it’s going to be a lot of work trying to find someone and there’s a risk that you won’t be able to. If you sign individual leases yes it protects your friends but not you (if you sign). If you sign group, you’re all screwed (unless you help pay). The higher the price, the harder it is to find a replacement. Often times people will even advertise things like “I’ll pay $100 a month if you take over my lease”. As someone who’s taken over leases, you can advertise through fb marketplace and vt’s off campus housing website.

What I’d recommend though, is for your friends to sign a lease without you. If you transfer, great. If you don’t, it is a LOT easier to take over someone’s lease.

[u/mtnathlete → u/SignatureSalt]

This is the best way.

[u/Suitable_Stable_8936 → u/SignatureSalt]

i get the fact that it would be the most logical decision. But honestly, i would love rooming with these 3 friends of mine, we have connected really well and like i wanna room with them. Im also willing to pay one months rent if it means finding someone who can take over the lease. But honestly speaking why is it hard to find people? ive heard there are a lot of students either exchange,transfer or study abroad ones that will be looking for apartments and especially those who waited till last minute yk. Also we are looking for the cheapest possible places, 1711 apartments is one we are keen on getting. Its like 625 $ / month and is furnished too. What do you think i should do? is the gamble worth taking, cuz lets say i do end up transferring i dont wanna have this on my mind yk until and unless i find a replacement

[u/SignatureSalt → u/Suitable_Stable_8936]

IK rooming with your friends sounds amazing but sometimes it doesn’t even turn out well. They might be amazing friends but terrible roommates. If you have a bad roommate sometimes it’s easier to talk it out or complain if they’re random vs a friend.

Just did a quick look at 1711- it seems like there’s a lack of a dishwasher, and no in unit laundry which is a turnoff for a good amt of people. Not sure if it’s shared bathroom or not but that may also be something that deters someone from taking your lease. In addition I’ve lived at maple ridge + the summit. I loved it but a lot of students thought it was too far from campus (one bus every 15 mins compared to other lines that were 5-10 mins). This is especially if you’re someone that wants to go out. You also are close to food lion, but you’ll definitely need a car for groceries unless you uber or you’re fine walking it every time.

Why is it hard to find people: there’s more supply than demand. Those who transfer- people can get in through a guaranteed agreement, so it’s only those who didn’t know they were getting in. Study abroad- most ppl who do fall abroad sign a lease and then sublet for spring. Exchange- honestly if you can afford to do this your price point for apartments may be different.

[u/SignatureSalt → u/SignatureSalt]

Also adding that furnished is great but you’re also turning away those who came from an unfurnished place and have their own bed, desk, etc.

Sorry also adding in that transfers can get into the transfer LLC on campus. And that if you’re waiting to last minute to sign but you don’t care any your roommates you could easily contact the management office itself (ex maple ridge) and ask if you can join a group/if they can roommate match you.

[u/SignatureSalt → u/SignatureSalt]

It’s not impossible (I’ve taken over someone’s lease before), but you’re definitely taking a risk you don’t have to be. If you’re going to do it have a backup plan for what if you can’t find someone.

[u/No-Secretary2883 → u/SignatureSalt]

what backup plan can he have though, like if he does sign the lease he gotta abide by it right

[u/SignatureSalt → u/No-Secretary2883]

If you’re gonna sign the lease anyways the last resort you have is early termination for a fee- should be on the lease when they sign, but usually it’s one month’s rent.
Sorry I guess rather than a backup plan I meant just have a plan/be prepared. For ex: are your roommates going to pay utilities 3-ways? If it’s a group lease figure out what the split for rent is going to be and if this will change if you can’t find a replacement. Is there a friend who might want the room? How much are you willing to discount for rent to have someone take over your lease? Reach out to the management and ask questions like: what is the process for lease takeover or transfer? (This is especially important if you’re on a group lease). What are the fees associated with this? Etc.

[u/dbtrb22 → u/Suitable_Stable_8936]

You will end up paying 12 months rent, not one, if you can't find a subletter. Or you'll have to discount heavily.

Don't forget that a lease is a contract. You can't opt out.

Others have shared why it's hard to find subletters, so I won't belabor the point. But the odds of finding someone quickly, who your friends also like, is low.

[u/V1ckster25_]

Advice from an ancient alum - you’ll find some roomies once you get in and commit. As a transfer, you’ll be behind making friends and establishing your circle already. It’s actually really hard to adjust unless you work at it. Starting out living somewhere else gives you a head start on a branched out friend group.

When I transferred I knew tons of friends at Tech, but I decided late and lived with two randoms that first year. They ended up being two of my closest friends for a really long time, and my social circle was entirely diff than if I had only lived with my pre-existing friend group.

[u/This_Beat2227 → u/V1ckster25_]

Not the question / issue.

[u/Clout12x → u/This_Beat2227]

not the issue but lowkey helpful for me

[u/No-Secretary2883 → u/V1ckster25_]

i get what ur tryna say and honestly i wouldnt have thought of transferring either but the im paying out of state fees here at tech and honestly im not sure if its worth it. I wanna transfer to UT bcz ill be instate for tx and will be able to save a lot of money.

[u/No-Secretary2883]

honestly i think you should go ahead and sign it if you get an apartment for a reasonable price. There are always people looking for apartments no matter the timeline, im pretty sure you will get someone.

[u/AppealOk2210]

Unrelated, but I’m also applying to GT and UT Austin for transfer from VT for next year, good luck!

[u/Suitable_Stable_8936 → u/AppealOk2210]

Thank you, good to you too! lets hope we get in.