Former Student leasing agent here. Those WC apartments especially are lying to y’all about time running out. They are desperate to get you to sign because they are competing with all the other WC apartments. You can 100% negotiate the price point, just 1) Have your guarantor https://twitter.com/elliewithanie/status/1290422387306102785

With you and 2) get everything IN WRITING. Never take their word for anything. Leasing up periods/new apartments have better deals bc they need to prove people are wanting to sign there to their bosses. There’s always spots available bc the rent is so damn expensive—negotiate it

Also, read your lease—READ YOUR LEASE—READ YOUR LEASE. There are so many clauses in there that a meant to hold you accountable for damages when it really should fall on the management company/apartment. Don’t sign nothing you can’t get out of, especially if you are low income.

Also, think ahead as often as possible. Don’t make the mistake I made—if you know you’ll only be in Austin for a semester, negotiate to get a 6 month lease if they don’t offer short term lease. Doesn’t hurt to ask BECAUSE

Let’s be real, some apartments are poorly managed and they will adjust your lease especially when they a what? DESPERATE to keep those rooms leased out. I watched folks chop 12 months to 9 or 6.