Do you live in the residence halls? Are you tired of checking in your friends at the front desk, eating campus food three meals a day, and having limited privacy? Perhaps it is time to think about moving off campus. However, before making the big decision to move off-campus, you have many things to consider.

Are you financially ready to move off-campus? Knowing how much money you have to spend and how to budget that money are important aspects of living off-campus. In the residence halls, you pay a lump sum at the beginning of every quarter and you probably pay altogether for only nine month’s worth of housing and food costs. You also have fewer costs when you actually move in to the residence halls as compared to when you move off-campus. In comparison, living off-campus means twelve months of rent and utilities as most leases run for a twelve month period. You will pay a security deposit up front in addition to your first month’s rent. Also, in addition to rent and utilities (gas, water, electric, cable/Internet), you will pay for food, renter’s insurance, vehicle fuel, parking, and other personal expenses. You must know how much money you can spend and learn to budget your money effectively.

Are you ready for the responsibility of living off-campus? Will you be able to pay your rent on time and set up your utilities and pay them on time? Paying your rent on time is absolutely essential! If you fail to do so, the landlord can evict you and not only will you have no place to stay, but you may have to pay any unpaid rent and court costs. Further, you may need to set up your utilities and pay them yourself versus in the residence halls where all the utilities are set up for you and included in your quarterly fee. If you plan to live with roommates, how will you divide rent and utilities costs among you, and do you trust your new roommates to pay their bills on time?

Do you know how to find a place to live off-campus? When looking for an apartment, it is very important to do your research. To start your search, you can go to Off Campus Student Services’ website (http://www.offcampus.osu.edu) and use their online housing search, or check out the USG Renting Guide online (http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/shlc/renters_guide).

Do you know what to look for in your off-campus housing search? To ensure you know the unit’s condition, look at the actual unit for rent and not a model unit. Ask the current tenants why they are leaving, about the neighborhood, and about the property manager/landlord.

Check the area’s safety by obtaining records of the crime statistics from the Columbus Police Department or call Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) at (614) 292-0100. Drive by the apartment at different times of the day to observe the neighborhood environment. Consider the parking situation. Some off-campus housing will provide parking, but others may expect you to buy a city permit. Do your research, balance the costs and benefits, and make a rational decision based on your analysis before signing the lease.

Do you know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant? You will likely sign your first binding legal contract when you sign your off-campus housing lease. Under the lease and Ohio law, you have numerous rights and responsibilities. Get educated before you sign your lease by making an appointment online at www.moritzlaw.osu.edu/shlc for a free lease review from the Student Housing Legal Clinic (SHLC).

After moving into the apartment, you have even more responsibilities. Create a move-in checklist, even if the landlord does not provide one, so that you can document the condition of each room in the unit at move-in. Having a move-in checklist aids in getting your security deposit back because you have proof of the unit’s condition at move-in. Sample checklists are available on SHLC’s website in the Security Deposit packet at http://www.moritzlaw.osu.edu/shlc/forms and in OCCS’ Off-Campus Living Guide. Keep a copy of this checklist for your own records and give one to your landlord. You can also record the condition on a video camera that OCSS will rent to you for only $15; you can reserve it online at http://offcampus.osu.edu/video_service.asp. Lastly, when you need repairs, do you know what to do to protect your rights under the law? You must notify the landlord in writing as soon as possible (e-mail counts as writing) and keep a copy of this written notification for your own records.

So, are you ready to move-off campus? Living off-campus is a lot of responsibility, but it also has many benefits. Remember, the Student Housing Legal Clinic is here to help with your off-campus housing situation.

Make an appointment online at
http://www.moritzlaw.osu.edu/shlc for a free lease review before you sign and for any landlord issues you encounter when you live-off campus. Good luck!