Picky students who need housing for the upcoming summer or fall semesters better start looking now.

Those looking for nice, clean apartments close to campus may find they are all filled by Feb. 15, said Jim Mason, landlord at James Court Apartments 2510 N. First St.

“That’s what the market dictates,” Mason said. “The early bird gets the worm,” he said.

Mason said students often seem willing to sign leases long before they move in because “they want to get it over with.”

Everyone who needs housing should keep in mind that the availability of housing will depend on the type needed. Single family houses fill up first, apartments second and student rooms last, said Robert Simek, a DeKalb manager who rents all three.

Eighty percent of the “desirable” housing could be rented by Valentine’s Day, said one DeKalb landlord.

While students who start early get their choice of location, facilities and quality, landlords also benefit from leasing their places early.

“We get a better quality of student at this time,” said Gary Tadd, owner of Pine View Apartments, 432 Russell Rd. Tadd said he finds that students who get started early with their apartment search are those who don’t have problems with grades or funding. He said they are also looking to their future and understand that apartments near campus rent faster.

While most landlords have the tenants sign a lease right away, it is possible to get out of the lease if it is necessary to do so.

One DeKalb landlord said although students are responsible for their apartment for 12 months, most tenants find it easy to sublet those places that are close to campus.

Tadd said he helps students find new tenants to sublet their places if they find it necessary to get out of their leases. Other landlords said that in apartments shared by two or more people, the other tenants are responsible for filling the vacancy.