Residents at The Nest at University Center were required to pay the full month’s rent for August.
As of Aug. 27, The Nest’s website lists the four–bedroom apartments at $689 per month. Each apartment comes with a full kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, fully furnished living room and bedrooms, along with one flat screen–television and a bathroom in each bedroom.
Senior computer science major Malik Smith moved in on Aug. 21 and was made aware that he would have to pay the full rent for the month of August.
“The move-in process was as expected because there’s so many people here. So, like, the line was super duper long just to get your key and just to find the place. … But other than that, The Nest is as expected. I just wish the rent was prorated just because we’ve only lived here 10 days before September comes,” Smith said.
“So move-in actually worked out really well for me, I was told that I was going to move in on Aug. 21, and that was able to happen as planned,” said Haley Beu, sophomore English major. “I was, annoyingly, required to pay the full amount for the month of August.”
Paying the full deposit affected Beu as it made money “kind of tight” for her. Beu works at McDonald’s and pays her rent without help from family or parents while also paying for school.
“It was really frustrating for me that I had to spend that much money on the first month’s rent when I’m only spending a week and a half of August actually in the apartment,” Beu said. “I think that The Nest can be more mindful of its residents’ needs by listening to us and our complaints and really just trying to understand our situation.
“From what I understand, the vast majority of us residents are college students. I understand that, yes, we chose to live here and, for the most part, the pros outweigh the cons, but it’s hard to justify overpaying at the moment.”
Director of New Student & Family Programs Callie Lane Boyer Smith offered advice to students who are signing leases and contracts to live in off–campus housing.
“I encourage all students — on or off campus — to read their lease fully to understand what’s expected of them and what they’re agreeing to,” Smith said. “They should ask questions for clarity. Students living off–campus will need to coordinate and confirm other things, too, like when utilities will be set up and how to pay them.
“All students should purchase renters insurance, as you never know what could happen, and you want to protect your property in the event of an emergency. All students should also have clear and honest conversations with any roommates so that they start the roommate relationship on the same page, including agreeing to continue to communicate in a constructive way.”
