Moving into an apartment or a dorm can be scary, but landlords can be more lenient than people might think.

With the university population reaching record numbers, it is becoming more and more difficult for some students to find housing each year. Dorms and apartments are options to consider.

Dorms provide a great community to live in because they give students a chance to meet new people and step out of their comfort zone.

“There was never a boring moment, there was always something going on,” said Dylan Cortez, junior in aerospace engineering.

Cortez enjoyed the dorms his freshman year because of the social aspect. He said there were always students running around, and if he was bored he was able to go to his neighbor’s room to see what they were up to.

Cortez decided to get an apartment after his freshman year with two people he met in a lab for class. They lived in an apartment instead of living in the dorms because, for them, it was a smarter financial move.

Even though he decided to live off campus, he still uses meal blocks so he can get a meal on campus when he doesn’t have time to go home and cook.

Some students get an apartment off campus because of cost, but many do it so they can have their own space.

“I love having my own room- that is absolutely great,” said Nick Osmonson, junior in environmental science. “I don’t have to deal with anyone else. I can shut the door when I want to.”

Osmonson has lived in the dorms, in a fraternity house and currently has an apartment. He loved living in all three residences, but overall says he likes having his apartment the best.

“Having a kitchen is really nice, I can make all my own food and I don’t have to live on the dining halls’ food,” said Osmonson.

When renting an apartment, landlords usually have certain expectations on how they want the apartment to be kept.

“The big thing is pleasing the people who live around you because your landlord isn’t usually there all the time,” said Osmonson. “As long as you aren’t causing trouble with your neighbors you will be fine.”

At Hunziker, where Osmonson lives, he says he is expected to keep his apartment clean, keep good hygiene, along with pleasing his neighbors.

“You put down your security deposit at the beginning of the year, and as long as you don’t break anything you get that back after your lease is up,” said Osmonson. “Whereas if you did break something, like a wall, they would take that security deposit to pay for the damages and you just wouldn’t get it back.”

Cortez, who is living in University West, has some of the same expectations. He says sometimes maintenance crew or landlords do inspections to see how well renters are up keeping the apartment, and they are expected to meet their payments on time.

From having your own space to cooking your own meals, apartments provide students the opportunity to feel more independent.