23 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease Near U of U (Avoid Costly Surprises)

Most lease problems near the University of Utah do not happen because students are careless. They happen because students are rushed, inexperienced, or assume important details are “standard.”

They are not.

At Find My Place, we see the same regrets every year. Surprise fees. Parking issues. Bad roommates. Nonrefundable charges students never knew existed. Almost all of these problems could have been avoided by asking better questions before signing.

Use the 23 questions below as a pre-signing checklist. If a landlord or property manager cannot answer these clearly, that is your answer.

Rent and Total Cost Questions

1. What is the total monthly cost, not just base rent?

Ask for the full number, including:

Utilities
Internet or technology fees
Parking
Amenity fees
Required insurance

If they hesitate, the cost is higher than advertised.

2. Which utilities are included and are there caps?

Utilities included often means utilities capped.
Ask:

Which utilities are included
The dollar cap for each
Average monthly overages

Caps matter more than marketing language.

3. How much do utilities average in winter and summer?

Salt Lake City weather affects costs.
Winter heating and summer cooling can change bills dramatically. Ask for seasonal averages, not guesses.

4. Are there any mandatory fees not listed in the ad?

Common hidden fees include:

Administrative fees
Package handling fees
Technology fees
Valet trash

If it is mandatory, it is part of your rent in reality.

Lease Structure and Flexibility

5. Is this an individual lease or a joint lease?

This affects your financial risk.

Individual lease:

You are responsible only for your portion

Joint lease:

You are responsible if roommates do not pay

Never assume. Always confirm.

6. What happens if a roommate moves out or stops paying?

This question reveals risk fast.
Ask how unpaid rent is handled and who becomes responsible.

7. What are my options if I need to leave early?

Life changes. Ask about:

Early termination fees
Lease buyout options
Contract transfer or reletting

If the answer is “you’re stuck,” decide if you are okay with that.

8. Is subleasing or lease takeover allowed?

If allowed, ask:

Approval requirements
Transfer fees
How long the process takes

Flexibility protects you financially.

Deposits, Fees, and Move-In Costs

9. How much is due before move-in?

Clarify:

Security deposit
First month’s rent
Any additional upfront fees

Many students underestimate move-in costs.

10. Is the security deposit refundable?

Ask:

Under what conditions it is refunded
Common reasons deposits are withheld
Timeline for return after move-out

Deposits are not guaranteed refunds.

11. Are there nonrefundable fees?

Application and administrative fees are usually nonrefundable.
Know what you will never get back before paying it.

Parking and Transportation

12. Is parking guaranteed and what does it cost?

Parking near U of U is limited.

Ask:

Is parking included or extra?
Is it assigned or first-come?
Are there guest parking options?

Parking surprises are common and expensive.

13. How far is the real commute to campus?

Do not accept “near campus.”
Ask:

Walking time
Transit access
Winter commute considerations

Maps do not reflect real-life conditions.

Unit Condition and Maintenance

14. Is the unit furnished and what is included?

Furnished does not mean fully equipped.
Ask exactly what comes with the unit and what does not.

15. How are maintenance requests handled?

Ask:

Average response time
Emergency maintenance procedures
How requests are submitted

Slow maintenance affects daily life more than most students expect.

16. Can I see the actual unit or floor plan?

Model units hide problems.
Seeing the real unit helps set expectations.

Noise, Safety, and Daily Living

17. How soundproof are the walls and floors?

Noise complaints are one of the top student regrets.
Ask about building construction and quiet hours.

18. What security measures are in place?

Ask about:

Controlled access
Lighting
Cameras
On-site staff

Safety perception matters, especially at night.

19. Are there quiet hours or guest policies?

These rules affect sleep, study time, and comfort.
Ask how strictly they are enforced.

Internet, Technology, and Utilities

20. Who provides the internet and what speeds are typical?

“Internet included” does not guarantee quality.
Ask about:

Provider
Speed limits
Upgrade costs

Reliable internet is essential for students.

Renewal, Move-Out, and Long-Term Costs

21. When are renewal offers sent and how much does rent increase?

If you plan to stay longer than one year, this matters.
Ask about:

Renewal timeline
Typical rent increases
Penalties for late decisions

Surprise renewals hurt budgets.

22. What move-out charges are common?

Ask what counts as:

Normal wear and tear
Damage
Cleaning charges

Many students lose deposits at move-out due to unclear expectations.

23. What should I document on move-in day?

This question protects your deposit.

Ask how to:

Report existing damage
Submit move-in photos
Confirm documentation was received

If documentation is not encouraged, be cautious.

Why these questions matter near U of U

Student housing near the University of Utah moves fast. Properties rely on urgency and assumptions. Asking these questions slows the process down just enough to protect you from mistakes that last all year.

You are not being difficult by asking. You are being smart.

How Find My Place helps students avoid lease regret

Find My Place focuses on clarity before commitment.

Transparent housing comparisons
Student-focused lease education
Tools to evaluate real costs and risks

We help students understand what they are signing before it becomes a problem.

Final takeaway

Signing a lease near the University of Utah should feel informed, not rushed. If you ask these 23 questions and get clear answers, you are already ahead of most students.

If answers are vague, defensive, or inconsistent, that is the biggest red flag of all.

The best lease decisions are not made by excitement. They are made by asking the right questions at the right time.