2. Find Your Match! Fall 2011 Housing Sponsored by University Housing, the Student Legal Clinic, and the Office of Off Campus Relations

3. BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT OR LEASE: Stop Look And Listen (or Smell)

4. “STOP”: Don’t Rush Into a Decision “STOP”: Don’t Rush Into a Decision Take time to consider: ◦ Timeline for signing applications ◦ Rental costs ◦ Additional costs ◦ Zoning: Single Family Residences ◦ Location, parking and transportation ◦ Recycling site availability and pets

5. Timeline November: Explore Options December: Talk It Over January: Decide and Apply February: Confirm On-Campus OR Apply Off-Campus March: Apply Quickly!

6. Cost On-Campus Off-Campus Cost On-Campus Off-Campus $370 - $525/month per person Includes: ◦ electricity ◦ water ◦ trash ◦ basic cable tv ◦ phone & internet ◦ maintenance $350 - $700/month per person Some offer no utilities or extras, while others include utilities & extras Average monthly cost of utilities per person: $60 - $200 Living off-campus is often moreLiving off-campus is often more expensive than living on-campus.expensive than living on-campus.

7. Other Off-Campus Costs Per Residence/Month Electricity: $40-$200/month Fuel: $100-$300/month Water & Sewer $25-$75/month Cable/Phone/Internet: $70-$150/month Total: $235 - $710/month *Note: Costs provided above are approximate.

8. Zoning: Roommate Restrictions Single-family dwellings (R-1 Zones) - no more than 2 unrelated tenants permitted Ask landlords and/or the Town of Boone (some landlords are aware, others are not) Overnight guests can result in ordinance violations. Violations can result in eviction and/or fines Contact the Town of Boone Development Services Dept. to verify zoning: 828-268-6960

9. Location, Parking, and Transportation

10. Recycling and Pets

11. “STOP”: Consider the Future Think about: ◦ Contract length ◦ Security deposit timing (when lease is signed) ◦ First month’s rent (due on the lease start-date) ◦ Check your appalnet account to make sure that you have completed financial aid forms

12. “STOP”: Know Your Roommate(s) Discuss Compatibility ◦ Lifestyles (your own choices, not your parents’), Importance of Studying, Significant Others (and overnight guests), Paying the Bills, Food Sharing, Cleanliness, Pets Roommate Contracts Individual vs. Joint Leases