Leaving home can be intimidating for both your now grown-up child and for you. It’s a new process and it’s a scary world that they have never had to explore before. As a parent, you want your child to succeed, and helping them find a good first apartment is an important first step in adulthood.
Find an Affordable Place
One of the most important things to do is help your child find a place that they can afford. Help them know what their monthly budget is and help them find an apartment that’s within that budget. While you as a parent want to give your child everything, let them know that they as an adult will be responsible for paying their rent, and should find a place that’s within their budget. That being said, do some research on the properties that are within their budget and look for apartments that are within safer neighborhoods. Affordable does not mean dangerous.
Avoid Scams
Rental scammers like to particularly target first-time renters. Deals that are too good to be true usually are and deals for rental places that come from third party sources are not always trustworthy. One way to avoid a scam is to go through a reputable home rental company. Another way to avoid scams is to look for red flags. For example, some red flags are information that is misspelled or seems fake on the listing, landlords asking for money before you can see the property, and landlords that only deal with cash. To keep your child safe, be aware of red flags as you look together to find an apartment.
Consider Roommates
If your child is going off to college, they are bound to have roommates that they will be living with. If not, consider encouraging them to room together with another friend who is leaving home. Rent will be cheaper with multiple people living in the apartment. In addition, responsibilities for keeping the apartment clean can be shared among roommates and make the transition to living on your own easier. Not every young adult will want to have roommates, but if they are amiable, encourage them to live with roommates.
As your child leaves home, it is reassuring to know that you are sending them to a safe place. Consider the price, avoid scams, and think about roommate possibilities as you look for an apartment and exercise caution to stay safe.
Here’s another article you might like: Empty Nest Syndrome? Why You Should Consider Fostering a Child