Are you confused about the different types of housing leases available to ASU students?
Wondering which option will best protect you financially while offering flexibility?
When looking for student housing near ASU, one important factor to consider is whether to sign an individual lease or a traditional lease. Many students aren’t aware of the significant differences between these two types of agreements and how they impact their responsibility for rent and damages.
In this article, we’ll break down the five key reasons why signing an individual lease might be the smarter choice for your off-campus living experience, giving you peace of mind and simplifying the rental process.
Read Next: 15 Questions You Should Ask When Touring a Student Apartment in Tempe
What does “Individual Lease” Mean?
Before diving into the benefits of signing an individual lease at ASU, it’s important to understand what an individual lease is and how it differs from a traditional one.
A lease is a legally binding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of a rental arrangement between a tenant and a landlord, specifying the responsibilities of both parties.
An individual lease goes a step further by being a personal contract between you and the landlord, separate from your roommates. This means your lease covers only your bedroom and rental rate, relieving you of any responsibility for your roommates’ payments or actions.
For example, in a 4×4 (four-bedroom, four-bathroom) apartment shared with three other roommates, each tenant has their own individual lease with the landlord. This results in four separate leases within the apartment.
With this division, each roommate is only responsible for paying their own rent to the landlord and for maintaining their personal bedroom and any shared spaces.
If one of your roommates in a 4×4 apartment damages their room, you’re not responsible for covering their repairs, unlike in a traditional lease where everyone shares the responsibility.
What is a Traditional Lease?
With a traditional lease, instead of signing separate contracts with the landlord, you and your roommates enter into a collective, joint agreement.
In a four-bedroom living arrangement, there is only one lease for the entire apartment. Under this traditional (or “joint”) lease, all roommates sign the same agreement and share equal responsibility for the total rent and any damages throughout the apartment, regardless of who lives in which room.
So, if one roommate causes damage to their bedroom or skips out on rent, everyone is financially responsible—even if you weren’t involved.
5 Benefits of Signing an Individual Lease as an ASU Student in Tempe, AZ
1. Only Responsible for Your Rent
In a traditional lease arrangement, if a roommate fails to pay rent or moves out, you and your other roommates (and guarantors) are responsible for covering the unpaid rent and finding a replacement tenant for the roommate who moved out.
With an individual lease, you won’t be held liable if a roommate misses a payment. Additionally, you’re not required to find a replacement for a roommate that moves out. Instead, the leasing office handles filling the vacancy.
2. No Negotiations
When choosing an individual lease, you sign for a specific room at a set rental rate determined by the amenities it offers.
In a traditional apartment, it’s up to you and your roommates to decide room assignments and how to divide the rent. This might involve negotiating extra payments for the person with the largest room or a walk-in closet.
With an individual lease, the room and rent are assigned to you, so no need to worry about any potential awkward conversations with your roommates.
3. Streamlined Payment Process
When you sign an individual lease at a student apartment near ASU, your monthly payment process will be simplified.
In a traditional lease, one rent payment covers the entire apartment. This typically leaves one roommate responsible for collecting rent from the others and paying the landlord and utility providers for the group.
With an individual lease, each roommate pays their own rent directly to the landlord. In most student apartments, tenants receive separate bills for rent and their share of utilities, eliminating the need for monthly payment coordination amongst you and your roommates.
4. Comprehensive Coverage in Your Rental Rate
Rambler Tempe offers ASU students stress-free living with Wi-Fi, cable, and utilities included, plus fully furnished units, roommate matching, and amenities like study lounges and fitness centers—all set up and ready to go, no coordination needed.
With a traditional lease, you’re generally responsible for setting up and managing utilities, handling trash and arranging services like WiFi.
Read Next: 10 Additional Living Costs for Students Renting Apartments Near ASU
5. No Responsibility for Damages to Other Bedrooms
Just as you’re not liable for your roommates’ rent under an individual lease, you’re also not responsible for any damages that occur in their bedrooms. For shared spaces, any damages are usually split equally among roommates unless one person accepts responsibility.
With a traditional lease, all roommates are equally accountable for any damage in the apartment, regardless of who caused it.
While traditional leases may come at a slightly lower cost, individual leases are designed to better meet your needs as a student to help simplify your off-campus living experience.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the benefits of signing an individual lease at ASU, feel free to reach out to the Rambler Tempe leasing team. We’re here to help with your housing search!
