It is extremely helpful to use a checklist or small notebook to keep track of your listings. Collecting information on scraps of paper makes it difficult to compare units you have visited. With that in mind, we have included a Housing Search Journal in the appendix. You may find it helpful to make several copies.

Make An Appointment. Landlords can get surly if you just pop in. If you will be late or have to cancel, be sure to call and let the landlord know ahead of time. Prepare Tenant's Resume. Many landlords are somewhat hesitant to rent to students. The lack of a steady income, frequent turnover, loud parties and music-these are some of the reasons why landlords hesitate to rent to students. Los Angeles does have a law forbidding discrimination on the basis of student status, but it is still your job to convince the landlord or manager that these stereotypes do not apply to you. The younger you are, the harder you will have to work at it. Having a Tenant's Resume is one method to both demonstrate your seriousness and also to provide information about your financial ability and personal background. A sample Tenant's Resume is provided in the appendix. Copy the form as needed. When filling it out, be sure to stress your employment record (if any) and any other aspect of your financial history which shows you can pay bills. Also be sure to explain how you will pay the rent. List local references. If you have no independent income, offer to have your parents or relatives cosign the rental contract as "guarantors." A guarantor becomes legally responsible for the unit, and this may persuade a hesitant landlord to accept you. Look Presentable. Be clean and neat in your appearance. Often the manager will judge the care you will take of the unit by your personal cleanliness. Thoroughly Inspect Each Unit. Allow ample time to really check out the unit. Carry a flashlight with you to check behind and under things. Check the water pressure in the shower, the closet space, all light fixtures, and cupboards. Be assertive and take good notes. Use the Inventory Checklist, found in the appendix, as a guide on points to consider. To avoid burnout, try to limit yourself to a maximum of five units in any one day. Walk Around The Neighborhood. Walk, rather than drive, to units in a particular area. Walking gives you a much better opportunity to explore the neighborhood. Before agreeing to a lease, return to the neighborhood in the evening or over the weekend for a better picture of the area. Consider your Transportation Options. Take into account the unit's proximity to campus. Also investigate the availability of parking and/or of bus lines. This is a very important factor. Automobile parking on the UCLA campus is limited and expensive. You must balance the greater expense of living close to campus against your personal access to transportation and parking facilities. Mopeds and scooters are very popular means of getting about the local neighborhoods around UCLA and Westwood. If you live near campus, you might consider this as an inexpensive alternative.