# Rental Guide

The _ultimate_ guide to finding a place off-campus in San Luis Obispo. Read it online below or download the PDF!

[Download Now](/content/Polyrents_Rental_Guide_2018.pdf)

# PolyRents Rental Guide

Want to live off campus but don’t have any idea where to start?

We’ve got your back.

PolyRents has assembled the _ultimate_ guide to finding a place off campus. Whether you’re a first year or fifth year, this guide will walk you through the process and provide you with the tips you need to get through it.

## Welcome

- [**Introduction**](/content/guide/welcome/intro/index.html)  
  What is PolyRents and how can we help you?

- [**Parents**](/content/guide/welcome/parents/index.html)  
  You're going to be involved. Here's what you'll need to do.

## Getting Started

- [**Figure Out Your Roommate Group**](/content/guide/basics/roommates/index.html)  
  Before you do anything else, you really need to figure out who you’ll be living with.

- [**Set Your Housing Criteria**](/content/guide/basics/criteria/index.html)  
  What kind of place do you want to live in? What are the options? If you don't know, your housing search is going to be overwhelming.

- [**Know The Timeline**](/content/guide/basics/timeline/index.html)  
  The search really picks up in early February. Start early so you don’t get stressed.

- [**Find Available Properties**](/content/guide/basics/startlooking/index.html)  
  Our breakdown of where to look including: Craigslist, property management websites, and talking to upperclassmen.

- [**Avoid Scams & Fake Listings**](/content/guide/basics/scams/index.html)  
  Chances are you’ll run into quite a few fake listings during your housing search. Don’t ever send money via MoneyGram or Western Union, and if the landlord can’t meet you, pass.

- [**Contact Landlords**](/content/guide/basics/contactlandlord/index.html)  
  Treat your interactions with the landlords like a job interview.

## Applying to Places

- [**Fill Out Your Application**](/content/guide/applying/application/index.html)  
  Get the application from the landlord, fill it out quickly (and completely) and then turn it back in ASAP.

- [**Attend Showings**](/content/guide/applying/showings/index.html)  
  What are house showings?

- [**Ace the Showing**](/content/guide/applying/aceshowings/index.html)  
  How to compete & get the place.

- [**Submit Your Application & Wait**](/content/guide/applying/submitandwait/index.html)  
  It kinda sucks, but you wait. Keep applying to places.

## Final Steps

- [**How Landlords Decide**](/content/guide/final/howlandlordsdecide/index.html)  
  There's a lot of competition, so how do landlords pick?

- [**Why the Process Sucks**](/content/guide/final/whytheprocesssucks/index.html)  
  You didn't get the place... better luck on the next one.

- [**Signing the Lease**](/content/guide/final/signthelease/index.html)  
  You Are the Chosen One... Meet up and sign that lease!

## Resources

- [**Property Managers and Apartment Complexes**](/content/guide/resources/propertymanagers/index.html)  
  All the contact information you need.