Off Campus Housing 101

Tips and advice for living

off-campus!

Brought to you by

University Student Legal Services

and Student & Community Relations

USLSFree Services for Students

• Initial consultation at no charge

• Confidential, professional legal advice

• Most follow-appointments at no charge

• Modest Legal Fees• Accurate referrals for

cases not covered by USLS

Some students may not be eligible if not paying Student Service Fees

Can help with:

• Landlord-Tenant• Consumer• Collection• Wills and Trusts• Family Law• Immigration • Misdemeanor

Criminal• Miscellaneous

Student & Community Relations

Let us be your resource for:oThe neighborhoods around campusoIssues with landlords, neighbors, and partiesoRiot PreventionoThe Student Neighborhood Liaison Program!

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Where to search:• Housing and Residential

Life websitehttp://www.housing.umn.edu

• MN Daily classified ads

• Local Newspaper

• Craig’s List

• Padmapper.com

Picking a Neighborhood

How will you choose?• Based on housing type?• Based on closeness to campus?• Based on closeness to city centers?• Based on price?• Based on residents in neighborhood?

REMEMBER: These neighborhoods are not just students; there are seniors, families, and professors that live in these neighborhoods. However, the mix can change depending

on the neighborhood

East Bank:Marcy Holmes:- 1 block - 1 mile from

East Bank- Closest to

Dinkytown business area

- Mixed housing- Many large

houses, duplexes, triplexes, co-ops, large apartment complexes

SE Como- ½ - 1 mile from

East bank and 1-2 miles from St. Paul

- Joe’s Market, The Quarry

- Mixed housing- Smaller houses,

duplexes, smaller apartment complexes

Prospect Park:- ½ - 1 mile from

East Bank- Closest to Stadium

Village business area

- Midway Marketplace

- Mixed housing- Large apartment

complexes, smaller houses

East Bank

SE

West Bank:

Cedar-Riverside:- A few blocks to 1 mile

from West Bank and 1-2 miles from East Bank

- Closest to Downtown- Mixed housing:

- Small apartment complexes, co-ops, smaller houses

Seward:- 1-1 ½ miles from

West Bank and 1 ½ -2 miles from East Bank

- Seward Co-op- Mixed housing

- Small apartment complexes, smaller houses

West Bank

St. Paul:

Falcon Heights:- A few blocks to 1

mile from St. Paul Campus

- Close to HarMar Mall and Rosedale Shopping Ctr

- Mixed Housing- Co-ops, smaller

houses, small apartment complexes

St. Anthony Park:- 1 -2 miles from St.

Paul Campus- Closest to Midway

Marketplace- Mixed Housing

- Small apartment complexes, smaller houses

Como Park:- 1-2 miles from St.

Paul Campus- Closest to State

Fair Grounds- Mixed housing

- Small apartment complexes, smaller houses

St. Paul Campus

Apartment Rentals

Pros:- No yard care- Around campus, many units

are furnished- Can include study rooms,

gym, convenience stores, tanning

- Utilities usually included in rent

- Often student neighbors

Cons:- Auto theft is common- Smaller gatherings, no

ragers- Less parking for friends- Often restrictions on

decorating- Less storage space

There are a few options for apartments:

Co-ops, small complexes, large complexes

Each have their own advantages and disadvantages

Remember that apartments lease early so if that is what you are interested start searching now!

House Rentals

Pros:- Independent living- Can have larger gatherings- Option of garage or parking

space- Own yard for grilling, games- If allowed, easier to have

pets if wanting to adopt or foster

- Lots of storage space

Cons:- May need to do yard care- If no parking spaces allotted,

parking can be tight- Large gatherings draw police- More likely to have non-student

neighbors- House theft common- Usually have to pay utilities

There are many different housing types:

Duplexes, Triplexes, Rooming Houses

Each have disadvantages and advantages. To get the best

pricing advantage start searching early!

When you find a possible place, remember…

Look beneath the surface!

Look before you lease!• Look carefully at the

property.• Get name and address of

owner/manager.• Ask to review the lease

before paying a deposit• Get copies, don’t be rushed• Get promises in writing• Don’t sign anything until

you read it carefully.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/propertyinfo/

Occupancy

Find out what the zoning is!

R1, R2, R2b, R3 = < 3 unrelated tenants

R4, R5, R6 = < 5 unrelated tenants

Tip: beware fewer signature lines on lease than # of tenants!

http://www.stpaul.gov

$$$$$$$$$• Don’t pay a deposit unless you are

certain you want to rent.• Be sure to get a receipt for any cash

payments.

Important Questions To Ask AProspective Landlord

1. Have you been cited for any housing code violations at this property?

2. Who is in charge of maintenance and repairs?

3. Have you had bedbug issues in this property? How did you treat them?

Bedbugs!• Bedbugs reported at alarming rate• Most active at night – after waking up may notice small red bumps on body or red dots on sheets

Get rid of them:Truly effective way to eradicate bedbugs is through heat

method by professionals! (Also the most expensive)

Know if the responsibility resides with you or your landlord!

Be Cautious:• Never pick-up discarded furniture• If infestation occurs, discard furnishings• Critical to launder clothes/linens in hot water andstore

clothes in plastic bags between use• Report problems immediately!

SIX THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN ANY LEASE

1. Total rent due under the lease, not just the portion you expect to pay

MONTHLY RENT: $ ________________• Rent is due on or before the first day of

each month during the term of this lease or any extensions. All Tenants are jointly and individually responsible for payment of the full monthly rent.

2. Name and address of the property owner and/or manager

LANDLORD: James B. Property Owner, Inc.

AGENT authorized to accept notices, demands, legal papers:

Name: Robert L. Manager Address: 123 Street Name, SE

Our town, MN 55000

Phone: (612) 555-1255

3. Spaces for each tenant to signThe parties, by signing below, hereby acknowledge that they have fully read and understand this lease. A photocopy of the signed lease shall be provided to the Tenant within 5 days.

James B. Property Owner, Inc.

_________________________

by: ________________________

Robert L. Manager

(Resident)

_________________________(Resident)

Date: ________________________ __________________________(Resident)

Date: ________________________

4. Who pays for utilities

Utilities included in rent:

Heat Hot and Cold Water Other ________________________

Utilities paid by resident:

Electricity Telephone Other _________________________

The landlord must be the bill payer for single-metered multiple unit rental properties and agrees to provide copies of utility bills to tenants. If tenants agree to be responsible for utilities measured by a single meter, the tenants’ share of utility payments are fairly apportioned among all building tenants as follows:

(details of tenants’ responsibilities)

5. Notice periods and early termination penalties

TERMINATION/NOTICE - In order to

terminate a lease of a fixed duration, Tenant or Landlord must give the other party written notice at least ___?___months prior to the end date.

SUBLETTING - Tenant may not lease the property to other persons without prior written consent of Management. Tenant will be charged a $_______ fee for subleasing the property.

6. Parent/co-signer requirements

Your Security Deposit

• Is there an extra deposit for pets?

• Is it covered under a separate agreement?

• Is it refundable if you change your mind?

Avoid Losses from Fire and Theft!

• Computers, electronics, furniture, clothing, and more

• Low cost (less than $200 a year)*• Covers losses you landlord may not pay

Check first – your parents’ homeowner policy may provide coverage for you

Renter’s Insurance:

*Check with an insurance agent for current premiums and coverage details. Discounts for combined auto and apartment policies are also available.

Personal Safety• Urban setting of campus = students easy

prey• Walk in groups in well lit areas• If alone use campus resources!

– Gopher Chauffeur, Campus escorts– Don’t be preoccupied or distracted

Don’t forget… Sign up for neighborhood email list-serv Know your neighbors!

General Safety:• Lock doors and windows EVERYTIME!• Lock cars, don’t leave anything visible• Lock bikes properly• Make sure smoke detectors are working

– Know how you will get out in case of fire

• If window or door is broken, get it fixed immediately!

• Make sure doors have working locks

Your Safety Resources:

• 612-624-WALK: UMPD trained student security escorts. Anywhere on campus, up to a mile off campus

• Gopher Chauffeur: 612-388-6911. Student run driving service to pick up and drop off students around campus on Fridays and Saturdays, 10pm-2am

• Code Blue Phones: emergency phones throughout campus that connects user to 911 UMPD, police will arrive within 30 seconds– Locations: www.umn.edu/dcs/codebluephones.html

When you are ready to move in:

Use your inventory and inspection checklist! Don’t wait to turn it in!

Take pictures of the property including date and notes!

Have non-tenant helpers note condition of property

During your tenancy:

• Ask for repairs in writing

• Give specific deadlines

• Call the city inspector’s office if you need help

Having a Party?Consider:• Checking your lease!• Being a sober host• Having food• Offering non-alcoholic

beverages

Be Responsible!• Do NOT let people drive after

drinking!• Limit consumption• If police show, treat them with

respect!• Contact USLS if ticketed

Underage Consumption: …unlawful for a person under age of 21 to consume or possess alcoholic beverage

Social Host: … those hosting the party are criminally responsible when host has reason to know alcohol is possessed/consumed by persons under 21

VIOLATION IS A CRIME (MISDEMEANOR)!

Party Tips• No noise outside house or apartment after 10 pm

EVERY night• Have guests keep it down when outside• Don’t let uninvited people in• Only have as many guests as your bathroom can

accommodate…• Clean up right away!• Remember: the student conduct code applies ON

and OFF campus!

When you are ready to move out:Clean, clean, clean!! Start EARLY

Give your landlord a mailing address for your security deposit refund!

Take photographs of any problems

After you leave, keep records…

Deposit refund check

Postmarked envelope

Make copies…

Renter’s Forums!• Monday, January 23 9pm Bailey Hall – Upper lobby lounge• Tuesday, January 24 9pm Centennial – Library• Wednesday, January 25 9pm Middlebrook – Terrace room• Monday, January 30 9pm Sanford – Room 153• Tuesday, January 31 9pm Comstock – Ballroom• Wednesday, February 1 9pm Frontier – Main Lounge

• Wednesday, February 8 Noon Coffman – Room 303

• Thursday, March 29 6pm Van Cleve Park Community Ctr

• Off Campus Housing Fair 10am-2pm Great Hall, CMU

Tuesday, March 6th

Student Neighborhood Liaisons, a resource for You!

Civitas:- Make connections and donate your time, be a short term volunteer

helping out in nearby neighborhoods!- Sign up for our email list-serv! civitasinfo@umn.edu

Be a good neighbor!- Host or come to block parties!- Come or volunteer at our annual events like the Como Cookout and

Feast of Neighbors- Get to know your neighbors and landlord

- Get involved in your neighborhood and look out for you neighbors!

Contact the Liaisons!Visit our office or website:

209 Appleby Hall

www.scr.umn.edu

Email: neighbor@umn.edu

Phone: 612-625-8939

Visit our blog and keep up to date on the goings on of your neighborhood:

http://www.studentneighborhoodliaisons.blogspot.com

Become our friend on Facebook and stay in the loop!

http://www.facebook.com/studentneighborhoodliaisons

Contact USLS!Office visits at:

160 West Bank Skyway219 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55455 

Phone: (612) 624-1001Fax: (612) 624-7351Email: usls@umn.edu

For more information visit this website:

http://www1.umn.edu/usls/index.html

Other Contacts & Questions

• HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE

• 612/624-2994

• MINNESOTA STUDENT ASSOCIATION

• 612/625-9992