SURVIVAL MANUAL Off-Campus Student Services S STUET AARS OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT SERVICES @ WHITE CREEK (sswc.tamu.edu) STUDENT SERVICES Student Services @ White Creek, Student Life 1 Building 0070 West Campus Blvd. 1257 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-1257 Phone: 979.845.1741 Fax: 979.845.6138 Email: [email protected] Website: ocss.tamu.edu TAMU Off-Campus Student Services @TAMU_OCSS There are over 60,000 Texas A&M students who live off campus. There are many resources available to assist the off-campus student, including: THE AGGIE UP CAMPAIGN is a cooperative campaign between Texas A&M University and the Cities of Bryan and College Station. This campaign aims to provide students with positive transitions to community and neighborhood living so their Aggie experience will be positive both on and off campus. Texas A&M Offices of the Dean of Student Life, College Station Police, University Police Department, College Station Fire Department, College Station Code Enforcement, Neighborhood Services and Community Relations Office, and the Bryan Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team collaborate on various community outreach projects. To learn more, visit aggieup.tamu.edu. THE MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT is in charge of the Texas A&M student body’s relationship with the City of College Station, City of Bryan, and Brazos County. The Municipal Affairs VP will attend city council meetings, meet with city staff, and communicate with resident stakeholder groups in order to advocate on behalf of the student body. To learn more, visit sga.tamu.edu. The 2018-2019 Off-Campus Survival Manual was edited by Ruoran Shi & Jess Yanker in Off Campus Student Services. This manual is provided as a student service by the Offices of the Dean of Student Life. This material has been verified to be correct at the time of publication. However, be aware that some information is subject to changes not necessarily reflected herein. 2018 - 2019 OCSM TABLE OF CONTENTS 05 MOVING OUT FINDING 43 Moving Out 44 Security Deposit 45 Ending Your Lease Early FINDING OFF-CAMPUS 19 Roommate 101 46 Vacate Notice Form 01 HOUSING 21 Roommate Issues 47 Aggie Search OFF-CAMPUS 1 Deciding On Housing 21 Roommate Contract BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR 2 Where To Live? 06 3 Search Resources 49 Aggie Up 4 Locator Services 50 Party Smart 5 Types Of Housing 51 City Ordinances HOUSING 6 Specific Populations 52 Transportation & Parking 7 Amenities Listing 55 Community Safety MOVING OFF CAMPUS 11 Viewing A Property Checklist 03 56 Health Promotion Programs 12 Smart Resident Checklist 25 Move Prep 13 Housing Checklist 1 Deciding On Housing 26 Utilities 2 Where To Live? 27 Move In 3 Search Resources 30 Move-In Condition Inventory 4 Locator Services SETTLING IN EXTRAS 04 07 5 Types Of Housing LIFE OFF CAMPUS 02 33 Making Your Place A Home 58 Student Resources 6 Specific Populations 15 Tenant Terms 35 Pets 59 Save Money 7 Amenities Listing 16 Tenant Responsibilities 37 Safety: Personal, Vehicle & Bike 60 Create A Spending Plan 11 Viewing A Property Checklist 17 Tenant Rights 39 Home Safety 62 Community Resources 12 Smart Resident Checklist 18 Tenant Tips 41 Walking Alone 63 TAMU Resources 01 13 Housing Checklist UTILITIES You will need to pay for utility deposits and other items not included in your rent such as DECIDING ON HOUSING moving expenses and apartment furnishing costs. The Bryan/College Station area offers many housing options. Each type of housing has benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to gain as much knowledge as possible to best fit your needs. Whichever SECURE A GUARANTOR If you are under 18, a student, or you do not have enough income to qualify to housing option you choose, you should always feel as though you are in a safe and comfortable living pay the rent, you may be asked to secure a person who will assume responsibility for your debt. environment. The information below provides a good start to gather basic facts about your living possibilities. INSPECT AND COMPARE Visit units as your time will allow, and have someone who has renter’s experience accompany you. Apartment hunting can be tiresome, so take notes/pictures and consider CHOOSING TO LIVE • Traveling to campus can be more difficult the following when making a decision: • Some apartments are unfurnished or • Do not sign a lease on an apartment that is still under construction, unless you understand and semi-unfurnished accept the risks involved. OFF CAMPUS • Ask to see the actual apartment you are considering. Model apartments can look much different than • There may be less peace and quiet to work the unit you will be renting. • You are responsible for paying your • Do not move into your residence if it is not in an acceptable condition. bills on time, cleaning, and maintaining PRO appropriate noise levels • Connecting to campus activities can be more challenging • Meal plan not included; have to add • Apartment rent and utilities can be groceries to monthly budget Are repairs Would you cheaper off campus • 12 month lease made in a timely renew • Rent may be bundled, including: gas, fashion? your lease water, cable, internet again with • Off-campus housing can provide more this landlord/ What were the personal space such as bathrooms, full- property? size closets, and kitchens move-in conditions CON when you arrived? • Off-campus housing provides you with renter’s experience LANDLORD REPUTATION • More control when selecting roommates WHEN and spaces. Another piece of the search process to consider is the • Some housing may offer a washer and landlord’s reputation. It is dryer in unit WOULD YOU beneficial to hear about experiences from students LIKE TO MOVE IN ? BUDGET who currently reside at Is the landlord the property you are easy to SUMMER SPRING FALL considering. work with? If you are living in the If you are looking for spring Many local apartment TRAVEL TO Ask questions such as: Bryan/College Station semester housing, you will communities begin pre-leasing for LOCATION CAMPUS area during the summer find the largest number of the next fall semester as early as months, you will have listings during November. November to January. During the Does the landlord ample housing options. If This is also a great time to summer months, the availability provide a 24-hour you just need a place to find someone who is looking of apartments will rapidly decline; stay during summer school, for a roommate to move therefore, the longer you wait, notice prior to subleasing may benefit both in and share rent. Many the greater the likelihood that AMENITIES entering your parties. Consider asking students study abroad or your first choice apartment will apartment? your friends if they need to leave for internships during no longer be available. However, sublease their apartment the spring semester. The most houses, duplexes, rooms in for the summer. Visit likelihood of finding a short homes, and mobile homes do not aggiesearch.tamu.edu for term/semester sublease is begin advertising fall vacancies FOUR MAJOR INFLUENCERS subleasing. higher during the spring. until the summer months. 1 FINDING OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING OCSM 2018-2019 2 SEARCH RESOURCES MANAGER AND LOCATOR SERVICES AMENITY LIST AGGIELAND APARTMENT FINDERS LUXOR MANAGEMENT GROUP HOUSING FAIR Use the amenities listings on pages LOCATOR SERVICES 123 Walton Drive 2112 Walnut Grove Court 12-15 as a guide to which complexes College Station, Texas 77840 College Station, Texas 77845 Off-Campus Student offer what amenities (i.e. water, cable, Take time to discuss the 979.693.4900 979.694.0320 Services hosts the annual internet, pets, etc.). specifics of their services aggielandapartmentfinders.com luxormanagement.com Off-Campus Housing as well as the specifics Fair. This is an exciting of what you are searching opportunity for students to for in terms of housing. This gather information from many is typically a free service with UNITED REALTY ON-LINE REAL ESTATE SERVICES apartment complexes in the Bryan/ no obligation of renting. Do 727 Graham Road 3706 East 29th College Station area. It is a fun- not settle if they do not meet College Station, Texas 77845 Bryan, Texas 77802 filled day with prizes, giveaways, your requirements. Locator 979.260.1200 979.268.5620 and themed décor. Visit Services can be found united-rico.com bcsonlinerealestate.com studentlife.tamu.edu/ through agoss.housingfair for more aggiesearch.tamu.edu. information. AGGIESEARCH NOTICE BOARDS AggieSearch is an online You may find database provided by Off- property listings Campus Student Services. advertised on AggieSearch allows students notice boards on to: and off campus. These • Easily browse for housing may be from landlords availability or students looking for • Search for roommates roommates or sublets. • Post available spaces for rent PERSONAL CONTACTS aggiesearch.tamu. Accommodations may be edu found by word of mouth, information from friends, and so on. Be sure to get all the information on the landlord and complex before signing a lease. If subleasing or replacing a tenant, be sure to follow proper protocol as detailed in the lease. 3 FINDING OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING OCSM 2018-2019 4 TYPES OF HOUSING SPECIFIC POPULATIONS GRADUATE, PROFESSIONAL, AND NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS Many graduate students prefer to live in condos, townhomes, or houses so they have a little more privacy and can avoid the level of activity that can sometimes be associated with apartment complexes that house predominately undergraduate students. To help minimize undergraduate activity, check out places that are further away from campus. VETERAN However, keep in mind that some residences may not be on the bus routes to and from campus. RESOURCE AND SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL The most popular choice for off-campus living CENTER STUDENTS in Bryan/College Station is privately-owned If you are a current or apartments.