Living Off-Campus

What do I need to know about living off-campus?

Students at the University of Rhode Island decide to live off-campus for a number of reasons: more freedom, to gain a sense of responsibility, a desire to live off-campus, a lack of on-campus housing, the social aspects of sharing a house with others, or the peacefulness of living in a property alone. Before students decide to look for off-campus housing, they must be aware of the following information:

· Our service is open to all students, staff, and faculty at the university

· None of the properties listed with our office are owned by the university

· Many of the properties are available for only the academic year: September to May

· In most cases, utilities are not included in the monthly rent prices of the properties

· The majority of properties listed with our office are not within walking distance to the university and are about a 10 to 20 minute drive from the campus

· We work with over 130 landlords throughout the South County area including properties in South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Narragansett, East Greenwich, Exeter, and Wickford. Narragansett has the most properties

· Landlords use our office as an outlet to advertise their properties to students, prospective students, staff, and faculty at the university

· Students, prospective students, staff, and faculty do not have to fill out an application to use our off-campus housing service

· Our office is totally separate from the Office of Housing and Residential Life

· Our office serves as an intermediary resource for students and landlords by allowing both parties to post useful information

· We are no way involved in the process of students signing leases with landlords who post properties with our service. This process is arranged strictly between the students and the landlords.

How do I begin looking for off-campus housing?

Students are able to search for available properties and roommates online. Some individual students want to search for one-bedroom properties, some groups of students like to search for two-bedroom and up properties, other students want to search for roommates and look for properties together. Regardless of your specific needs or interests, the Commuter Housing Office has an option for you.

Option 1: Online Listings-Search for available housing online. Houses, apartments, condos, and board houses are all posted on our website. Simply click on the criteria you are interested in to get more information. Once you find properties you like, begin contacting the landlords directly by calling them at their listed home or work phone numbers. If possible, arrange a time to see the property or request a photo of the exterior and interior of the property.

Option 2: Roommate Services-Search for roommates online. We offer two separate roommate options: Seeking Housemates: This service posts the names and contact information of students who already have housing, and for whatever reason, need roommates to share properties with them.

Prospective Roommates: This service posts the names and contact information of students who do not have housing and need a place to stay. Students in this category are encouraged to contact students in the Seeking Housemates category, however, a new trend is being started in this option. Students who do not have housing are beginning to contact each other and are beginning to look for two-bedroom and up properties together. For example, a student in the Prospective Roommates category will contact another individual(s) in the same group, and then begin searching Online Listings. This new trend is becoming increasingly more attractive and convenient.

Option 3: Contact Realtors-Although students are strongly encouraged to use our services first, if you are unsuccessful in your efforts to find housing, we recommend you contact the following realtors who work with off-campus properties throughout the area:

Durkin Realty: 401-789-6659

Ann O’Brien Realty: 401-782-3900

Homestead Properties: 401-782-9800

Lila Delman: 401-789-0666

What do I do if I am a:

Transfer Student: Take an extensive look at the list of Prospective Roommates category since many students on the list are often transfer students who are in similar situations. Many transfer students are afraid of not “knowing anyone” at the university and want to meet people. Using this service is a great start for students to “meet each other” and pair up to look for housing.

International Student: Depending on your needs, take a look at all three of our off-campus housing options: Online Listings, Roommate Services, and Contacting Realtors. Many international students are concerned with finding transportation to the university. Students who do not have automobiles are encouraged to take the bus. Some of the properties listed with our office our on bus lines. For detailed bus information, go to www.ripta.com or go to www.uri.edu If you are looking to purchase a car when you relocate to the area, here are a few automobile dealerships you might consider:

Mike’s Auto: 294-4379

Hal’s garage and Autobody: 783-0818

Visiting Professor: Although our office does not offer a specific off-campus housing service for visiting professors or staff members at the university, some landlords prefer to rent their properties to faculty members or graduate students. Landlords are not allowed to indicate that they want to rent their properties strictly to this population due to housing discrimination laws, however, landlords may indicate on their listing that they prefer to rent to members from these groups. Keep checking the Online Listings or contact your department office to see if anything matches your needs.

Graduate Student: Many graduate students prefer to live in properties by themselves or live on campus in an apartment. Graduate students are encouraged to search Online Listings for available properties that match their specific needs. Graduate students who are interested in living on campus must call the Office of Housing and Residential Life at 401-874-2215 or go to www.uri.edu

Once I find housing, what are my next steps?

1) If you used our Roommate Services, contact the office at cho@etal.uri.edu and notify us that you have found housing

2) Make sure you and your roommates (if you have any) get copies of the official lease from the landlord and show it to a parent, friend, advisor, or lawyer before you sign the dotted line to make sure the lease is legal and fair

3) After you sign the lease, talk to your landlord about the exchange of names on the utility bills

How do I set up utilities?

In most cases, utilities are not included in the monthly rent prices. So, students usually must contact organizations from the following groups:

Gas: Providence Gas Company: 401-831-8800

Electric: Narragansett Electric: 401-457-9100

Heat: Erickson Oil Company: 401-884-1620

Phone: Bell Atlantic: 1-800-538-4747

Cable: Cox Communications: 401-728-7600

What do I do if I need:

Legal Information: Students who find themselves in legal disputes with landlords, realtors, and roommates are encouraged to use two options:

Option 1: Take a look at the Rhode Island Landlord Tenant Handbook

Option 2: Contact the university lawyer through the Student Senate Office at 401-874-2261

Option 3: Contact Vin McWilliams at the Providence Human Relations Office at 401-421-3708

Transportation Information: Students who need transportation to the university are encouraged to list their names on the Commuter Ride Share or search bus routes at www.ripta.com

How much will off-campus housing cost me?

Depending on the number of bedrooms of a property or whether you are sharing with other individuals cost may vary. An individual may pay as low as $300 for a one-bedroom apartment with utilities as a separate cost, or may pay as high as $750 for a one-bedroom apartment. Individuals who share properties together often split the cost of utilities: e.g. Four individuals living in a four bedroom house will split the costs of the electric, gas, phone, and grocery bills four ways.