Accompany your college student to all apartment showings and screenings. Let the leasor know you will be co-signing the lease, so that a credit check can be done on you, not the student.
Inquire about the length of the apartment lease. You may not want to sign a lease for more than one semester, so make sure the option is available.
Beware of hidden fees associated with furnished apartments. Some apartment complexes near universities offer furnished apartments to students; be sure you're not paying more each month than the furniture is worth.
Make copies of all contracts and papers. Keep them in a safe place in case there's a problem.
Inquire about the consequences of breaking a lease. If your college student drops out or changes schools, you need to know what steps to take to get out of the lease.