If you cannot find any accommodation in uni or college's dormitories then you may have to look for housing out of the campus. Normally students with families may need to look for housing off campus. While university-subsidized housing is often less expensive than housing off-campus in large U.S. cities, that is not always the case in smaller cities and towns. Types of accommodation include furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses, privately operated dormitories, cooperative residence halls, and rented rooms in private homes.
You need to ask the university's housing office or consult the advertising section of the local paper. Many local newspapers are now have websites so just be online and click their website and see whats available for you. To find these website just use Google. Check campus bulletin boards for notices of students who are looking for roommates to share an apartment. Seek the help of someone who knows the community or ask the international student adviser for suggestions.
Normally you should spend 1/3 or 1/4 of your budget for housing. If you are spending 2/4 then you may be spending too much. If the costs are unusually inexpensive, it is possible that your living quarters are substandard. U.S. Cities have local housing rules, called "ordinances" or "housing codes," that specify certain standards that must be met to ensure that houses and buildings are safe and sanitary.
If you don't have a car then you should be looking for houses close to the campus. If the house or apartment farther than walking distance, it may prove to be inconvenient unless it is close to public transportation. Gas, electricity and telephone services, known as utilities and usually are not included in the rent and must be paid by you. Heating can be expensive in colder parts of the country, and gas and electric bills should be taken into account in determining monthly costs. Heating, electricity, and telephone can add from $75 to $200 or more (much more if you make long-distance or international telephone calls) to the rent each month. Water and garbage collection costs are usually included in the rent.
Sharing your house or apartment can cut the cost down. If you don't have anyone room with it is appropriate to ask another student who is also looking for a roommate to consider sharing an apartment with you. Often as you will see that students advertise for roommates. If you respond to one of these ads, you will probably be asked to a personal interview. Never room with someone until you have discussed issues such as smoking, study habits, cleaning arrangements, parties, overnight guests, food, cost sharing, and so on.
If you decide that you want to live alone or if you have a family, bring someone who is familiar with the local community and with rental procedures with you when you go apartment hunting.
When you find an apartment you want to rent, you must enter into an agreement with the landlord. This is called a "rental agreement" or a "lease." A lease is a contract that legally commits the renter (the lessee) to rent a specific apartment or house for a specified length of time. It also commits the landlord (the lessor) to rent that house or apartment to the lessee for that specified period of time. Do not rent an apartment with a lease unless you plan to stay the entire time period stated on the lease.
Many landlords require payment of the first and last months' rent before the tenants move in. This is known as "advance rent." It ensures that the tenant notifies the landlord at least 30 days before moving out. Many landlords also require a security deposit (also called a "cleaning deposit"), which usually equals one month's rent. This is the landlord's assurance that the renter will do no damage and that the apartment will be in good condition when the tenant leaves. If the tenant leaves the apartment in good condition, the landlord returns the security deposit. You should obtain a receipt for the security deposit as proof of payment.
Before you sign the lease agreement, go through the apartment with the landlord or manager and make a list of imperfections that you should not be held responsible for when you move out. Examples include nail holes where pictures were hung by a previous tenant, chipped tiles, damaged woodwork, or soiled spots on the carpet.
It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and your landlord's obligations. Before you sign the rental agreement, ask about rules and restrictions. Your responsibilities include paying your rent on time, keeping the apartment clean, repairing damage you cause, and telling the landlord if something does not work. You must not disturb the peace, that is, you must not be excessively noisy, and you must comply with the terms of your rental agreement. The landlord's obligations include repair and maintenance of the apartment. The landlord must not interfere with your use of the apartment, nor enter the apartment without your permission, nor remove any of your property. The landlord must notify you if the building where your apartment is located has been sold.
Only accept rental agreements in writing, with all the terms and conditions set forth in detail. Before signing any kind of rental agreement, be sure that you understand it clearly and completely. It is quite acceptable to ask the landlord if you can take it away for a few minutes to examine it carefully. You do not have to sign it immediately. If you have any doubts, consult with the appropriate office at your college or university. Many schools offer advice to students planning to live off-campus. As a tenant (renter), you should be given a copy of the rental agreement.
You may be also considering:
Off-Campus Dormitories
Cooperative Residence Halls ("Co-Ops")
Rooming Houses
Living With a U.S. Family
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