Off-Campus Housing Resources
Moving into an off-campus apartment or house can be an exciting opportunity to gain greater independence, develop valuable life skills, and become an active member of the surrounding community.
As you prepare for this transition, it is important to understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with living off campus. Before securing off-campus housing, students must complete the University's housing exemption (opt-out) process and receive approval from Residential Life. This website provides detailed information about eligibility requirements, deadlines, required documentation, and the steps involved in making a successful transition to off-campus living.
Within this website, you will find information on:
- How to Find an Off-Campus Apartment or House–Resources and tips to help you search for housing that meets your needs, budget, and lifestyle
- Know Your Rights–Important information about leases, tenant protections, landlord responsibilities, and understanding your obligations as a renter
- Off-Campus Living Tips–Practical advice on budgeting, safety, utilities, transportation, roommate relationships, and maintaining your residence
- How to Be a Good Neighbor–Guidance on respecting your community, managing noise, parking responsibly, maintaining your property, and building positive relationships with residents and local businesses
As representatives of Sacred Heart University, your actions both on and off campus should reflect our shared values of respect, integrity, and community. We encourage you to be a good neighbor by fostering positive relationships with those around you, respecting local ordinances, and contributing to a safe and welcoming environment. By doing so, you can take full advantage of the many opportunities that come with independent living while positively representing the University.
Student Affairs is committed to supporting your success throughout your off-campus experience. We encourage you to utilize the resources provided in this website and to reach out to University staff whenever you have questions, concerns, or need assistance. Our goal is to help you navigate this transition successfully and make the most of your off-campus living experience.
Key Terminology
A lease is a legally binding agreement or contract between a property owner/landlord and a tenant. Written leases are binding for the whole duration specified in the contract. Remember that a lease is a document originating with the landlord/management company and tends to represent the landlord/property owner’s interests.
A security deposit is an amount of money retained by the landlord and held in escrow for the duration of the lease term. It is used to cover any damage done to the property during the tenant’s occupancy. A tenant cannot use the security deposit as rent payment. A landlord can charge an amount up to or equal to two months’ rent as security deposit in the first year of a lease.
Subletting is a way of getting out of a lease or recovering some of the rental money when you get into a one-year lease but need to leave for a time. When things go well, subletting is an effective way of temporarily transferring the obligations of a lease. However, if not done properly, subletting can become a problem for the original tenant.
Common utilities include water, gas, sewer, electric, trash, and recycling. Make sure the responsibilities regarding payment of utilities are clearly outlined in the lease. If the landlord is responsible for payment of utilities, tenants are protected from utility shut off, if the landlord fails to pay for the utility bills. The tenant must pay the monthly bill to the utility company and can deduct that amount from the rent.
A guarantor is another word for cosigner and is someone who guarantees to be legally responsible for paying the rent as stipulated by the lease, but only if the tenant cannot pay for one reason or another. The guarantor signs the lease with the tenant and stands as reassurance to the property manager or landlord that rent will be paid if you (the tenant) default on payment. A guarantor is not always necessary, but there are circumstances when renters rely on them to be approved for an apartment.
This information is intended to be educational. This is not meant to be legal advice. If you feel like you need to seek legal advice, contact an attorney.