Tips for Off-Campus Renters
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Finding off-campus housing can be an overwhelming task. The Community Housing Office (CHO) is the campus center for advice and information on all housing in the Isla Vista, Goleta and Santa Barbara areas. The office maintains an up-to-date rental database, listing vacant and shared housing throughout the community. Students can list themselves as a potential roommate and search for housing that is currently available, on-line at www.housing.ucsb.edu. Here is a list of a few things to keep in mind when searching for housing.
1. Never rent a place before seeing it.
CHO encourages you to come into town a few days early in order to find a suitable place. It is never a good idea to rent a place over the phone. In fact, we recommend that you visit the place on the weekend and evening in order to get a taste for the environment.
2. Select your roommates with care.
Talk with prospective roommates before you sign a lease/contract. Talk about sleep and study habits, musical tastes, overnight guests, cleaning habits, etc. If you need co-signers on your lease agreement be sure to exchange permanent addresses and information for your co-signers records.
3. Read and understand your lease/contract before signing.
If you have questions about a lease/contract, ask your property provider. For example, do you know what a "joint and several clause" is? If you are still confused, stop by CHO.
4. Put all agreements in writing.
To avoid disputes over who said what, we encourage you to put all agreements in writing. We recommend that you sign a formal "roommate agreement" to provide clarity for all parties (forms are available on-line and at CHO).
5. Record the condition of your rental when you move in.
Videos and Inventory and Condition Reports are the best forms of documentation for avoiding disputes over your security deposit. CHO provides move-in/move-out videotaping services. For a small fee an experienced staff person will come out to your unit and record the condition of it. An Inventory and Condition Report is used to document, in writing anything that may appear to be wrong such as stains, holes in the walls, broken cupboards, etc. (forms are available on-line and at CHO).
6. Keep a Rental File.
Inside will be a copy of your lease agreement, Inventory and Condition report, and any other agreements and/or correspondence with your Property Provider or roommates.
7. Communicate with your property provider and roommates.
Disputes often arise and can be compounded by poor or infrequent communication. If you reach an impasse on an issue with your roommates, property provider, or neighbor, CHO can help. Mediation services are available to help you resolve your dispute. It is a voluntary process where everyone will have an opportunity to voice their grievances, share their frustrations and work to build solutions. Mediation is free and confidential.
8. Read the CHO Rental Housing Survival Guide.
The Survival Guide explores rental issues in-depth and is designed to assist you with related issues. The guide is also available on-line at www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-survival-guide.htm.
9. Lastly, visit CHO.
In addition to rental listings in the community, CHO is a one-stop resource center where experienced staff will assist students by providing advice on renter's rights and responsibilities, security deposits, leases, subleasing, and more. Forms for renting are also available. For in depth assistance with rental problems visit our Off-Campus Resource Center at www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/ocrc.htm
CHO is located in the University Center, on the 3rd floor, Room 3151. We're open from 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday. 805-893-4371. Questions about community living can also be answered at ucsbcho@housing.ucsb.edu.
- Staff of Community Housing Office (CHO)
CHO Home Page:
www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-general-info.htm
CHO Rental Listings:
http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-rental-home.htm
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