Off Campus Housing : Before you rent

THE CAVE HILL CAMPUS

BEFORE YOU RENT

Off-Campus Housing ADVICE FOR NEW RENTERS

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Who will your roommate/s be? Remember that you will be living with them for the academic year. Do they have the same commitment to academics? Can you agree on quiet times, chores, visitors? Have you considered grocery shopping and cooking/clean-up tasks? See our Room Mate Agreement at www.chillhousing.com

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What will you do if one of your roommates chooses to withdraw?

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What will you do with your room or apartment during the summer months?

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How far away from campus are you willing to go?

Don’t forget to check the campus shuttle route at www.chillhousing.com

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Living off campus means that you could be responsible for utilities such as electricity, telephone, cable and internet. Our best advice is to have any potential landlord specify—in writing—what will be included in your rent.

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Who will be responsible for the utilities? Your name on the bill means you will have to collect money from your roommate/s and pay the bills on time.

Before You Begin Your Search Before you begin, you should consider the following factors. They will help you make an informed decision and eliminate surprises later.

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Don’t be pressured into signing your lease too early. A lease is a binding legal agreement that cannot be broken.

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Most off-campus housing leases are for a 9-month period (a school year). You will be responsible for the entire lease period.

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Security deposits cannot be greater than 1.5 month’s rent.

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Before you sign the lease, do a complete review of the space, noting any damaged or missing items.

You’ll want to negotiate with the landlord to make these repairs/replacements a part of the lease agreement. It will also protect you from being charged for these damages when you move out. Use our handy Inventory Checklist at www.chillhousing.com

• that leases are typically September to May? • you could be responsible for utilities, electricity, telephone, cable and internet separately?

• that your security deposit cannot legally exceed the cost of 1 1/2 month’s rent?

The information and resources provided through the Off-Campus Housing Office are for students who choose to reside in rental properties that are not owned, operated, or maintained by the University.

P.O. BOX 64, BRIDGETOWN, BB11000, BARBADOS Telephone: (246) 417-4578/4057 Fax: (246) 424-6482 Email: accommodations@cavehill.uwi.edu regionaloffice@cavehill.uwi.edu www.facebook.com/UWICaveHill

www.chillhousing.com

August 2015 Marketingand andRegional RegionalStudent StudentDevelopment Development Office August 2013 Marketing Office

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