Resource GuideDaily Living:
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| BEST WESTERN |
ECONO LODGE |
HOLIDAY INN |
MELVILLE MARRIOTT |
LONG TERM ON CAMPUS
For an application and more information contact the Office of Campus
Housing in Sinclair Hall, Farmingdale State University, Farmingdale,
N. Y. (631) 420-2010.
LONG TERM OFF CAMPUS
The Renting Option - Living off-campus is another housing
option. If you choose this option, you may want to consider sharing
a house with others (this is often called a "group house"),
sharing an apartment, renting a room, living with a family, or living
alone. There are many things to consider when you plan on renting.
Some important questions to ask yourself when you are preparing
to rent a place are:
- Do I want to live alone or share my living space?
- How much monthly rent can I reasonably afford?
- Is the unit in good condition?
- Is the location safe, and is it convenient?
- What are the rules or guidelines that I must follow? (Refer to the lease)
- What is included in the cost of the rental? (Is the unit furnished or unfurnished? Are cooking facilities available? Are there laundry facilities?)
- Are utilities (gas, water, and electricity) included or not?
Depending on the type of housing you choose, there are certain requirements of which you should be aware. You may be required to complete an application for housing, which is generally used for proof of financial reliability. If you are completing this type of application, it is a good idea to indicate that as an international student, you were required to prove financial support for tuition and living expenses before being issued a visa. For a reference, you may provide the name of your program administrator at the university or someone else who can vouch for your ability to be responsible.
In most cases, you will be required to pay a security deposit. The security deposit is used to reserve your housing, and to cover any damages or cleaning charges. The security deposit is usually paid at the same time that the first month's rent is due. If you leave the rental unit clean and undamaged, the entire security deposit should be returned to you. You will receive only a portion of your security deposit if you are responsible for any charges. When you pay your security deposit, it is a good idea to ask for a receipt, indicating the date and amount paid. Please note that a lease is a legal document signed by the landlord (owner or manager) of a unit, and the tenant(s) (person or persons renting the property). The lease describes the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant(s), and should include the following information:
- Amount of rent due each month
- Date the rent is due each month
- Any penalty due for late payment of rent
- Amount of security deposit required, and procedure for returning this to you when vacating the unit
- Repairs for which landlord is responsible
- Repairs for which you are responsible
- Terms for moving in, as well as terms for moving out
Since a lease is a legal document, it is important for you to read your lease carefully, and agree with all parts of it before signing it. If you have any questions about the lease, be sure to ask. When you sign a lease, you are legally bound to pay a stated amount of rent each month, for a specified length of time (usually one year). If you do not abide by the requirements of the lease, the landlord has the legal right to evict you from the rental unit. It is a good idea to keep a copy of the lease for your reference.
If the cost of utilities is not included, you should ask what the expected monthly costs are. Keep in mind that the climate you will be living in can affect these costs substantially, since you may have to use an air conditioner or heater over an extended period of time. You should also ask if you or your landlord will be responsible for the payment of major appliance repair or plumbing, if this type of situation should come up.
It is also advisable that you and the landlord walk through and examine the rental unit together, making a list of any repairs that need to be made or damages that exist before you sign the lease (i.e., broken windows, stains on the walls, floors, or carpeting). Although you are responsible for any damage caused during your stay in the rental unit, this list should protect you from being held responsible for damages caused by previous tenants. Both you and the landlord should sign and date this list.
Please note that the initial expense of renting is usually quite high, since you are responsible for the security deposit, the first month's rent, and household items that you will need to purchase.
You may want to consider purchasing second-hand furniture in order to keep your expenses as low as possible. If you are considering sharing a rental unit, you may want to have an arrangement where each member of the household is responsible for purchasing certain items, which would be shared by all. Each person would then have the option of keeping the item, or selling the item when he or she moves out.
Remember that as a tenant, you are responsible for keeping your living quarters reasonably clean. You can purchase most cleaning supplies at grocery stores or drug stores. Please remember to read the instructions for all cleaning solutions very carefully, since many of them are poisonous. Keeping your living quarters clean is important for the maintenance of your rental unit, as well as the prevention of insect infestation and health hazards.
Short-Term Furnished Apartments - If you will be here for one to three months, you may want to look for a furnished apartment. Unfortunately, these short-term rental apartments can be difficult to find and/or they may be very expensive. Short term furnished apartments are expensive, but may be less expensive than hotels/motels.
OTHER RESOURCES
The bulletin boards at the Office of International Education Services,
3rd Floor of the Mitchell Building (Phone: 301-314-7740);
local newspapers such as Newsday and The
Rambler (student newspaper), for possible roommate opportunities.
APARTMENT SEARCH AGENCIES
Online Search Agencies
- www.apartments.com – The website is easy to use and features virtual tours of some properties. Listings provided online
- www.AptRatings.com – This website offers ratings from actual tenants. A roommate finder service is also provided, as well as info on renter's insurance, moving, finances, and a lot more!
- www.apartmentguide.com – This website is the Apartment Shopper's Guide Online. It provides apartment search info by region for the entire country.
- www.gazette.net – Search by country and/or city. All types of housing. A roommate list is also maintained by the site.
- www.homestore.com – This online rental guide allows the user to specify search criteria (location, rental size, price range, a number of property and community features, etc.) Apartment listings provided online. Check out the Reader's Room and Student Section. There is useful information for first-time renters including legal information, roommate advice, a moving checklist, advice about moving with pets, and much, much more!
HOUSING/TOWNHOUSE SEARCH ENGINES
Free Online Roommate Services
Whether you already have a place and are looking for a roommate
to fill an empty room or are looking for someone with an extra room
yourself, these free services can put you in touch with potential
roommates.
