First Apartment

Do these actions in order

1. ACTION 1Write down money you expect to receive each month. Subtract food, transport, phone, existing bills, and a little room for unexpected costs. The amount left is a starting point for housing costs, including utilities. It is not automatically all available for rent.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   Write down money you expect to receive each month. Subtract food, transport, phone, existing bills, and a little room for unexpected costs. The amount left is a starting point for housing costs, including utilities. It is not automatically all available for rent.

   Get ready

   Start in Money & Budgeting here, then use a map of the area around school or work.

   • A rough monthly budget and the date you hope to move.
   • Your school or work address and a way to check the journey.
   • A note with three columns: property, total cost, questions.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have an area, a move-in date, and a total housing limit written down.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What is my total monthly housing limit, including services?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If the price is too high, return to your budget and compare a room, student housing, a different area, or a later date. If you cannot qualify, ask which requirement is unmet and whether an alternative is accepted. A school basic-needs office, tenant-support service, or HUD-approved housing counselor can help you identify local options; availability is not guaranteed.

   Check rental listings for scam warning signs (U.S. FTC) · Read this before sending a fee, deposit, or identity document.

   Find tenant help in your state (USAGov) · Use the state resources to ask about rental rules where the apartment is located.

   Find a housing counselor (U.S. CFPB) · Enter a ZIP code, then ask an agency whether it offers rental counseling and what it costs.

2. ACTION 2On the map, choose two or three areas with a journey you could manage. Check the trip at the time your classes or shift actually start. A cheap apartment can become expensive if transport costs much more.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   On the map, choose two or three areas with a journey you could manage. Check the trip at the time your classes or shift actually start. A cheap apartment can become expensive if transport costs much more.

   Get ready

   Start in Money & Budgeting here, then use a map of the area around school or work.

   • A rough monthly budget and the date you hope to move.
   • Your school or work address and a way to check the journey.
   • A note with three columns: property, total cost, questions.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have an area, a move-in date, and a total housing limit written down.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What is my total monthly housing limit, including services?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If the price is too high, return to your budget and compare a room, student housing, a different area, or a later date. If you cannot qualify, ask which requirement is unmet and whether an alternative is accepted. A school basic-needs office, tenant-support service, or HUD-approved housing counselor can help you identify local options; availability is not guaranteed.

   Check rental listings for scam warning signs (U.S. FTC) · Read this before sending a fee, deposit, or identity document.

   Find tenant help in your state (USAGov) · Use the state resources to ask about rental rules where the apartment is located.

   Find a housing counselor (U.S. CFPB) · Enter a ZIP code, then ask an agency whether it offers rental counseling and what it costs.

3. ACTION 3Decide whether you are looking for a whole apartment, a room in a shared home, or student housing. Write down must-haves, such as bus access or step-free entry, separately from nice-to-haves.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   Decide whether you are looking for a whole apartment, a room in a shared home, or student housing. Write down must-haves, such as bus access or step-free entry, separately from nice-to-haves.

   Get ready

   Start in Money & Budgeting here, then use a map of the area around school or work.

   • A rough monthly budget and the date you hope to move.
   • Your school or work address and a way to check the journey.
   • A note with three columns: property, total cost, questions.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have an area, a move-in date, and a total housing limit written down.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What is my total monthly housing limit, including services?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If the price is too high, return to your budget and compare a room, student housing, a different area, or a later date. If you cannot qualify, ask which requirement is unmet and whether an alternative is accepted. A school basic-needs office, tenant-support service, or HUD-approved housing counselor can help you identify local options; availability is not guaranteed.

   Check rental listings for scam warning signs (U.S. FTC) · Read this before sending a fee, deposit, or identity document.

   Find tenant help in your state (USAGov) · Use the state resources to ask about rental rules where the apartment is located.

   Find a housing counselor (U.S. CFPB) · Enter a ZIP code, then ask an agency whether it offers rental counseling and what it costs.

You are ready to move on whenYou have an area, a move-in date, and a total housing limit written down.