Off-Campus Life Guide
I. Beginning Your Housing Search
A. InspectingYour Apartment Before You Rent it
B. How to Find a Place to Live
There are several resources to assist you in finding a place to live. A
few places to contact include the following:
1. The Off Campus Students' Association- This is the best place to
begin your housing search. OCSA maintains the BOCSAR computer system and
other comprehensive rental listing service. The Apartment Complaint File
can be very helpful to your search.
2. The Chamber of Commerce- In the heart of Fayetteville, the Chamber
offers information about the community in which you are planning to live
and work.
3. Friends or other off-campus students- Ask your friends where they
lived and what things they liked or disliked about each place. Any apartment
which you may view as a possible home should be looked into very carefully.
Ask the tenants at the complex about the environment, management, and facilities
on the complex.
A. INSPECTING YOUR APARTMENT BEFORE
YOU RENT IT
Throughly inspect the places you are considering. Try
to view as many units and apartment complexes as possible so that you have
a knowledge base from which to make your decision. Consider the following:
1. Do not sign a lease on an apartment which is still under construction
unless you fully understand and accept the risks involved.
2. Try to see the actual apartment you are considering. Things such
as condition and carpet color may vary from apartment to apartment within
the same complex.
3. If you pre-lease several months in advance- the apartment manager
may not know exactly which apartment will be vacant. Therefore, it may be
necessary to sign a lease based on your inspection of the "model"
apartment. If this is the case, make a written notation on the lease which
states that the apartment provided must be comparible to the model you were
shown. The statement should read something to this effect: This lease does
not take effect until the property owner designates a unit which is equivalent
to the model apartment.
Be sure to keep a copy of this agreement. Another alternative is to make
a list of the furnishings in the model apartment and the type of appliances
provided and have the manger sign the checklist.
B.HOW TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE
FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
Fall
Many of the area apartment complexes begin pre-leasing for the Fall semester
in April or May. If you are interested in living in a particular complex,
this is a good time to sign a lease to reserve an apartment. The longer
you choose to wait the greater the possibility of your first choice apartment
being rented to someone else. Most houses and rooms in homes do not begin
listing vacancies until the Summer months.
Spring
If you are looking for Spring Semester housing, you will find the largest
number of listings during December and January. This may also be the easiest
time to find someone who is looking for a roommate to move in and share
the rent. The number of subleases that are available are also significantly
higher than any other time of the year. Call the OCSA office for more information
on subleases and finding roomates.
Summer
If you are living in the Fayetteville area during the Summer months, you
will have plenty of housing from which to choose from. Since many apartments
offer special Summer rates, it would be wise to compare prices.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR- Before you actually begin looking for your new
home, you should make a few decisions about the following concerns:
1. Type of housing- apartment, mobile home, house, duplex, etc.
2. Location- on bus route, within walking distance, etc.
3. Length of Lease- six month, school year, etc.
4. Pets- most apartment complexes do not accept pets
5. Furniture- you usually have a choice of furnished or unfurnished
6. Special Facilities- swimming pool, security, tennis court, etc.
INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TYPES OF HOUSING
Apartments- Since most complexes have a large student population,
you will have the opportunity to meet other university students. -
1. Leasing arrangements vary; some complexes rent by the month, some
by the semester, and others for nine or twelve months Apartments are available
in furnished or unfurnished units. Furniture may also be obtained from local
companies who rent furniture
2. Certain apartments include some or all of the utilities in the
price of the rent. These apartments refer to themselves as "all bills
paid"apartments, and althought they are very convenient, they may also
be very costly.
Houses, Condominiums, Duplexes and Fourplexes- These options may
offer more privacy and space than apartments but may also require more responsibility
from you and your roommate. Responsibilities may include mowing the grass
or making small repairs. If you rent this type of housing be sure the owner
or manager puts your responsibilities in writing. There are advantages to
having a home with a yard and privacy, however, don't ruin your reputation
by abandoning your responsibilities.
Rooms in Homes- If you decide to rent a room in someone's home you
should discuss the following questions with them:
1. Whether or not you will be allowed to use the kitchen, washer
and dryer, etc.
2. Whether you will be expected to baby-sit or something similar
3. The extent of your cleaning responsibilities
4. Although a lease may not be required, you should sign a written
agreement and have it notarized for you own protection.
University Owned Apartments-The University owns and operates apartments
that may be more economical than many privately owned apartments. There
are two apartment complexes that the university owns: Carlson Terrace and
Terrace Manor.
Carlson Terrace has two bedroom unfurnished apartments.
Terrace Manor apartments are one bedroom furnished apartments and
the resident pays all the utilities. Terrace Manor residents must be married
(undergraduate and graduate) or a single graduate student. The maximum capacity
for Terrace Manor apartments is (2). Due to the location, Terrace Manor
is not recommended for residents with children. The rent figures listed
above are subject to change.
Carlson Terrace has two bedroom unfurnished apartments. Carlson Terrace
apartments are open to students who are married, a single parent with dependent
children, full-time appointed staff members and single graduate students.
The maximum occupancy for Carlson Terrace apartment is (5), two adults and
three children.
For more information contact the Residence Life and Dining Services Department
at:
Residence Life and Dining Services
Hotz Hall
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Phone # (501) 575-3951
Since there is usually a waiting list, early application is advised. If
you are considering the rental of another apartment until you are admitted
into university owned housing. It is important to try to get the shortest
lease term possible. You may not be given the opportunity to wait until
your lease runs out or expires before you are asked to move into University
owned apartments.
North-West Arkansas Apartment Guide
***All information contained in this guide was supplied by the listed
apartment complexes. While all efforts have been made to provide accurate
and current information, no garentee is given with regard to the accuracy
of the material contained herein.***
Search by:
Last Updated August 23, 1996
Off-Campus Survival Manual
OCSA Homepage