What kind of lease to sign? Forum

[curiousnole]

I bet this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering whether I should sign a 9 month lease or a 12 month lease. I'm likely going to UF and I'm attending their asw friday, so I was going to look at places to live and I need to know. Here's the stupid part of the question; I know you are supposed to try and get summer work after 1L and most of it is unpaid etc. but is this work usually local? In my case in gainesville, or do you usually travel somewhere else (miami, tampa etc.?)

[Scotusnerd]

Without knowing too much about your specific situation or job prospects in your area, I'd say go with the 12-month. The last thing you want to do if you get no-offered is go look for a place to live. Plus, I don't think that summer jobs last for three months.

Also, the 12-month will lock you in at the same rate, whereas they can jack you up three months earlier with the 9-month, effectively raising your cost of living during law school. That and you'll probably get a better rate anyway. If you're going to do a summer job elsewhere, see if there are grants or if the group hiring you will help you with costs in some way.

[JollyGreenGiant]

The last thing you want to do if you get no-offered is go look for a place to live.

You know the market is rough when you get no-offered before you even work your 1L summer job.

OP, it depends on where you want to live for the summer. The odds are that you will be able to find an unpaid summer position in any city you want to work in. If you'll want to work near your school, go with the 12-month. Otherwise, the 9-month is probably better.

[curiousnole]

Hmm okay thanks very much guys, I think i'll go with the 9 because I'd like to get an unpaid in my hometown (which is not the town of the school).

[Gail]

I'm not sure what the risk is of getting jacked up for prices as far as renting goes. I'm hoping to get a 9 months lease and go month to month after that. If tehy go from 500 to 1200 in a month, I'll leave. But I'm ok with living in the ghetto, so whatever.