Off-Campus Living Guide - Hofstra University

Off-Campus Living Guide

Hofstra University Off-Campus Living Guide

Off-Campus Living Guide

Hofstra’s Office of Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services assists students living off-campus to become fully integrated in both their local and Hofstra communities in positive ways.

As a local resident, you have the unique role of being a member of two communities – Hofstra University and The Town or Village of Hempstead. You have rights and responsibilities as a member of both these communities. As a Hofstra student, you represent the University and your fellow students wherever you go.

As such, it is important for you to demonstrate mutual respect and concern for your neighbors and the community in which you reside. As a Hofstra student, we ask that you integrate our core values, the PRIDE Principles, into your daily life. They are as follows: Personal and Social Responsibility Respect for Self and Others Integrity, Ethics and Leadership Diversity and Community Expression and Free Exchange The Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services Office is here for you. Please stop by; we are located in Room 221 of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus. You may also visit us on the Web at hofstra.edu/commuting or call 516-463-3469. Thank you for your support and for the contributions you make to the Hofstra community and local communities.

Office of Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services 221 Mack Student Center 200 Hofstra University Hempstead, New York 11549-2000 Phone: 516-463-3469 Website: hofstra.edu/commuting E-mail: commuters@hofstra.edu

Table of Contents Moving Off-Campus 

Responsible Living   

7

Emergency information and safety tips

Resources   

5

Neighborly etiquette Being a responsible host Social Host Law

In Case of an Emergency 

3

Finding a place to live Roommates, landlords and leases Renters insurance

8

Recycling Sustainability Local resources and transportation

Rental Inspection Checklist

11

Our Office, Our Services

13

Contact Information Page

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Off-Campus Living Guide

 

Moving Off-Campus FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

Off-Campus Living Guide

Thinking about moving off-campus? The best place to start your search is at hofstra.edu/offcampushousing.

There, you will find updated listings, local resources, message boards, and more.

When considering moving, ask yourself these important questions:  How much can I afford per month for rent?  Do I want a roommate or housemate(s)?  How important is having my own space?  Where am I willing to live?  How long will my commute be? How will I get to class, work, etc.?  What will I be most comfortable in: a house or apartment?  What will my out-of-pocket costs be (security deposit, furniture, housewares, etc.)?  What will my other monthly expenses be (utilities, food, maintenance, gas, cable, Internet, etc.)?

ROOMMATES When deciding whether or not you want or need a roommate, consider the following:  Are my values aligned with my roommate(s)? What are my study and social habits?  How will the rent be divided? How will chores, food and utility costs be divided?  Who will supply household necessities, such as kitchen items and furniture?  How will personal property be respected?

LANDLORDS Open and honest communication with your landlord is critical. Your landlord must provide a livable, safe and sanitary environment. Consider the following:  Ask to see the rental permit or other necessary papers as required by the town or village.  Define the best way to communicate on a regular basis with your landlord and also how to reach him/her in an emergency.  What day will rent be due and will the landlord pick it up at the house or apartment or should it be mailed?  What are the terms of the lease? Is it month-to-month or annual? Are there any penalties associated with breaking a lease early?  What is the policy on pets? On guests? On painting?  Who will be responsible for damages? Repairs? Landscaping?

TIP: Keep a written record of your lease and put everything in writing, including requests for repairs.

If you pay your rent in cash you must get a receipt. Keep all records!

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Before you move in: Before you sign a lease or move in to your house or apartment, conduct a “walk-through” with your landlord and a witness. This will give you a much better, detailed look at the property. Bring along an inspection checklist (see pages 11 and 12) and record all you observe. You should conduct this inspection during daylight hours to ensure you have seen the property in optimal lighting conditions.

Please note: Attics and basements are NOT permittable living spaces, and it is illegal for a house to have two full kitchens.

LEASES A lease is a contract between a landlord and tenant that contains the terms and conditions of the rental. It cannot be changed while it is in effect unless both parties agree. At a minimum, a lease should specify the names and addresses of all parties, the amount and due date of the rent, the duration and conditions of the rental, and the rights and obligations of all parties.  Before you sign your lease, recruit help from a family member to review it with you.  Make sure all items of discussion are clearly defined in the lease. Remember, once you sign a lease, you are legally bound!

RENTERS INSURANCE Most renters insurance covers your possessions against losses from fire or smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, and water damage from plumbing.

Renters insurance may also pay for:  The reasonable additional costs of temporarily living away from your home due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster; reasonable costs can include hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt.  People injured in your home.

How to Purchase Renters Insurance Renters insurance is a form of homeowners insurance and the same rules apply when you shop for it. Ask your family or friends or call the New York State Insurance Department. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (naic.org) has information to help you choose an insurer. Talk to a number of insurers to get a feel for the type of services they provide and to compare prices.

Off-Campus Living Guide

Remember to look for smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and working locks on all entry doors and windows. Demand your landlord remedy any inconsistencies before taking occupancy of the property.

TIP: Before signing a lease, drive by the property during the evening to check on the lighting in

the neighborhood. If the property is not well-lit, ask your landlord to install security lighting.

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Responsible Living

Off-Campus Living Guide

NEIGHBORLY ETIQUETTE

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Meet your neighbor ­­­— do a favor!

One of the best things you can do when you move into a house or apartment is get to know your neighbors.

Remember that your lifestyle and perspectives may differ from those around you. When you build positive relationships with your neighbors, everybody wins!

How Do You Start?  Introduce yourself. Even if you have lived there for a while, it’s better late than never!  Exchange contact information.  Always share with your neighbor when you will be having people over and ask that they contact you if there are any concerns.  Some neighbors are long-term residents. Ask if they have any tips or information about the area.  Bring over cookies as a welcome gift and/or have your neighbors over for dinner.  Offer to do a favor for your neighbors.

Keep It Clean!

Remember to keep your property (inside and out) free of litter, debris and trash of any kind! Check your local village and town ordinances for specific maintenance codes.

TIP: Remember to keep your cars in your driveway

or in the street (NEVER on the lawn)!

BEING A RESPONSIBLE HOST

Be responsible ­­­— party with pride!

When you have guests over, remember to be responsible hosts and role models. You are in charge and your guests will follow by example. Make sure your roommates and housemates agree on all aspects of the gathering (size, guest list, layout, activities, responsibilities, etc.).

SOCIAL HOST LAW When alcohol is served, you have a greater right and responsibility as a host. On July 17, 2007, the Nassau County’s Social Host Law (Local Law 13) was signed and made part of the Nassau County’s Miscellaneous Laws by the county executive. The law includes the following: It shall be unlawful for any person over the age of eighteen who owns, rents, or otherwise controls a private residence, to knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor or to fail to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor.

A violation of this local law shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor.

First offense: $250 fine Second offense: $500 fine Subsequent offenses: $1000 fine, a term of imprisonment, or both.

When you have guests over, encourage them to designate a sober representative and designated sober driver. Always provide guests with these taxi cab numbers:

Off-Campus Living Guide

Consider the following:  Talk to your neighbors before the event and share how to contact you if they have concerns.  Encourage carpooling and provide taxi numbers to all guests.  If you are serving alcohol, know the law and only serve to those who are at least 21 years old.  Provide food and nonalcoholic options for your guests.  Do not allow people you do not know into your house or apartment.  Keep your party, your guests, and your trash inside your home.  Keep the music volume down.  Designate a sober representative.  Remind your guests to be considerate of your neighbors at all times.  Cooperate with your neighbors.  Clean up everything!

All Island Taxi 516-481-1111 Ace Taxi 516-483-4433 Pub Taxi 516-481-0675 New York Taxi 516-486-4444

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In Case of an Emergency EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND SAFETY TIPS

Off-Campus Living Guide

Knowing your surroundings and taking every precaution to remain safe is vital when living on your own.

The following are helpful tips to ensure your safety.  

 

 

    

Call 911 for ANY emergency.

Always call the Hofstra Department of Public Safety regarding any incident at 516-463-6606; in an emergency, call 516-463-6789 after calling 911.

Lock your car doors and take your valuables with you.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times and use the “buddy system.”

Don’t walk alone – especially at night.

Travel on streets where there is pedestrian traffic.

Living near campus? Report any unusual behavior to:  Nassau 1st Precinct: 516-573-6100 (east of California Avenue)  Nassau 3rd Precinct: 516-573-6300 (north of Hempstead Turnpike, west of California Avenue)  Hempstead Police: 516-483-6200 (south of Hempstead Turnpike, west of California Avenue) Remember to always close and lock your house doors and windows.

Always identify visitors through the use of a peephole.

Insist on ample lighting surrounding your home, and always park in well-lit areas.

Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and purchase fire extinguishers.

Consider installing keyless padlocks and/or dead bolts.

Tips for When You Travel When you leave your home for any period of time, be sure to:  Lock all windows and doors and remove any valuable items that may be visible from the outside.  Remove all extra hidden keys you may have outside, and use dead bolt locks to avoid doors from

_ being forced open.  DO NOT announce your travel plans in public or to anyone you cannot trust (including on Facebook

_ or other social networks).  Make your house appear as though someone is living there:  Ask a neighbor to take in your mail and newspapers, park their car in your driveway, and put out

_ your trash.  To avoid fires and floods be sure to:  Turn off and unplug any electric appliances, including, but not limited to, toasters, hair

_ dryers, curling irons, portable heaters, etc.  Lower heat to 60 degrees to ensure pipes won’t freeze, but that the boiler won’t be working in

_ excess to provide heat. 

TIP: Amanda’s Law requires property owners with homes built before 2008 to have at least

one functioning carbon monoxide detector on the lowest level with a bedroom.

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Resources RECYCLING

Metal Acceptable: all food and beverage cans, aluminum foil and baking tins, and license plates. Please rinse all residue from the item being discarded and place it in your recycling bin. Place one license plate in recycling bin per week.

Unacceptable: cans used for chemicals or paint, aerosol spray, appliances, tools or batteries, etc.

Plastics Acceptable: all plastic items with a recycling logo of “1” or “2” located on the bottom of the item (for example: soda bottles, milk containers, laundry products, water/juice bottles, liquor bottles and personal care items). Please rinse all residue from and flatten the item being discarded.

Unacceptable: all plastics without “1” or “2” recycling logo, plastic grocery bags, frozen food or meat trays, motor oil containers, Styrofoam, plastic flower pots, six-pack holders and rings, containers used for paint and solvents, lawn care products, and chemicals.

Paper Acceptable: newspapers and inserts, magazines and catalogs, office and school paper, computer paper, discarded mail, paper grocery and lunch bags, and corrugated cardboard. (Corrugated cardboard must be flattened and tied in bundles of approximately 2 ft. x 2 ft. x 6 in. Place next to recycling bin.)

Newspapers must be tied or placed in a paper bag.

Unacceptable: box board (cereal, pasta and other food boxes), index cards, telephone books, metallic paper, hardcover and paperback books, paper plates and cups, paper towels, egg cartons, non-paper envelopes, cardboard with wax or Styrofoam, and pizza boxes.

Off-Campus Living Guide

Glass Acceptable: all juice, pop and soda bottles, water bottles, beer and wine bottles, and food jars. Please rinse all residue from the item being discarded and place it in your recycling bin. Remove all caps or lids and discard them in your regular garbage bin. Labels need not be removed.

Unacceptable: light bulbs, window and auto glass, mirrors, dishes and drinking glasses, broken glass, pottery and clay pots.

TIP: Check with your local sanitation company to determine recycling pick-up days

and the proper receptacles to use.

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SUSTAINABILITY “Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

– World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our Common Future. England: Oxford University Press.

Off-Campus Living Guide

Sustainability is usually characterized by the “triple bottom line” of promoting:

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1. Healthy environments.

2. Social justice.

3. Economic growth.

In other words, we need to respect both current and future generations by striving for not only environmental sustainability, but also social and economic sustainability.

Educate Yourselves  Take opportunities to learn about sustainability.  Be informed, vote, and get involved in the political process.

Adapt Your Transportation Routine  Reduce pollution and save fuel by carpooling and using public transportation.  Do not idle your car.  Walk or bike to campus and around your neighborhood.  Purchase a hybrid or fuel-efficient car.  Use public transportation, and when needed, use one of the Zipcars on Hofstra’s campus!

Tips at Home  Save energy by turning off lights and computers, and setting heating and cooling temperatures correctly.  Consume less by using durable goods, such as coffee mugs or water bottles instead of disposables or throwaways.  Change to energy-efficient lightbulbs.  Use energy conservation and renewable energies instead of fossil fuels whenever possible.  Use silverware rather than disposable utensils.  Use the stairs (not the elevator) when going up less than three flights or down less than five flights.  When you shop for a new appliance, look for the “Energy Star” label; this is your guarantee that the product saves energy.

LOCAL RESOURCES AND TRANSPORTATION Local Hospitals  North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System

Long Island Jewish Medical Center 270-05 76th Avenue New Hyde Park, NY 11040 northshorelij.com 516-470-7000 • 516-470-7500 (Emergency)

Local Transportation

 Nassau

County 516-822-5477  Suffolk

 Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC)

2201 Hempstead Turnpike East Meadow, NY 11554 516-572-0123 • numc.edu

County 631-231-5477  New

York City 718-217-5477

 NUMC Emergency Center

 MTA

516-572-6171

Bus 718-445-3100

 Mercy Medical Center

 Long

Island Bus 516-228-4000

1000 North Village Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-594-6470

 Metro

North Railroad 800-638-7646

 Winthrop University Hospital

259 First Street Mineola, New York 11501 516-663-0333

 New

 North Shore University Hospital

 AirTrain/JFK

York Airport Services (JFK, LGA) 800-234-7284

877-535-2478

300 Community Drive Manhasset, NY 11030 516-562-0100 • 516-562-4125 (Emergency)

Sanitation and Water  Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation • 516-378-4210  Village of Uniondale Department of Sanitation • 516-378-8484  Village of Hempstead Department of Sanitation • 516-478-6268  Village of Garden City Department of Sanitation • 516-742-5800  Town of Hempstead Water Department • 516-794-8300  Village of Hempstead Tax and Water • 516-478-6210

Cable/Phone/Internet  Verizon

 Cablevision

800-837-4966 verizon.com

 LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) 800-490-0075 (for electric service issues) lipower.org/residential

338 Ocean Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563 866-218-3095 cablevision.com or optimum.com/

Heat Concerns If heating problems arise, contact your landlord, the Nassau County Health Department at 516-571-3410, or your local police department.

TIP: Landlords must provide

heat to all tenants

October 1 through May 31.

Off-Campus Living Guide

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Off-Campus Living Guide

RENTAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST

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ITEM

ENTRANCE Ceilings/Walls

ENTRANCE Windows/Doors (including locks) ENTRANCE Floors/Tiles KITCHEN Ceilings/Walls KITCHEN Windows/Doors KITCHEN Floors/Tiles KITCHEN Appliances HALLWAYS Ceilings/Walls HALLWAYS Windows/Doors HALLWAYS Floors/Tiles

BEDROOM (1)

Ceilings/Walls

BEDROOM (1)

Windows/Doors/

Closets

BEDROOM (1)

Floors/Tiles

BATHROOM Ceilings/Walls

MOVE-IN CONDITION

MOVE-OUT CONDITION

BATHROOM Windows/Door

OTHER _____________________

OTHER _____________________

OTHER _____________________

OTHER _____________________

TO BE COMPLETED AT MOVE-IN ONLY TO BE COMPLETED AT MOVE-OUT ONLY Tenant(s): Tenant(s): ________________ Date: _________________

__________________ Date: _________________

________________ Date: _________________

__________________ Date: _________________

Witness: Witness: ________________ Date: _________________

__________________ Date: _________________

Off-Campus Living Guide

BATHROOM

Floors/Tiles

BATHROOM

Toilet/Shower/Sink

Water Pressure

Hot Water

Leaks/Drains

Electrical Outlets

Fire Extinguisher(s)

Pests

Heat and Air-Conditioning

Landlord: Landlord: ________________ Date: _________________

__________________ Date: _________________

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OUR OFFICE

Off-Campus Living Guide

Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services complements the University’s quality education by enhancing the cocurricular life of commuting students. We do so by connecting them to the larger campus community, through programming and outreach, and by helping them develop off-campus citizenship and advocating for their equal access to all University services.

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OUR SERVICES Our office works to assess the needs of the commuting student population and coordinates dynamic programming, activities and events. 

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We advertise and communicate in a way that is convenient for commuting students.

We encourage commuting students to get involved on campus, either in a club or organization, sports team, intramural sports, or job. 

Our office works to make sure commuting students know they have equal access to all that Hofstra University has to offer. In addition, we work to make sure the commuting student voice is heard and recognized across the University. 

We provide off-campus housing information and area resources (such as transportation schedules) as well as guides for commuting students in our office located at 221 Mack Student Center, North Campus. 

CONTACT INFORMATION Visit the Town of Hempstead’s sanitation page at toh.li/content/cs/sanidistricts.html for a complete list of contact information for all local areas, as well as scheduling special pickups.

Village of Hempstead villageofhempstead.org/ (contains local code information) Uniondale 11553.com/ (Refer to the Town of Hempstead Web site for local codes.)

Garden City www.gardencityny.net

Visit the Office of Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services at 221 Mack Student Center, North Campus, or call 516-463-6912.

Off-Campus Living Guide

Municipal Information and Ordinances, Town of Hempstead 516-489-5000 toh.li/index.html (contains local code information)

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