A monthly email message from Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service. To sign up for the email list, email us.

2008 Tips:

March -- Leaving for Spring Break? Whether you are returning to your hometown, or taking a trip down south, put your mind at ease and be sure to secure your home with the Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Leaving for Break Checklist on our Web site! Landlords, you can also use this to advise your tenants as to how you would best like them to secure the residence during an extended absence. Visit this link to view and print out the checklist. Also be sure to remove any perishable items from your refrigerator, take out your trash and make sure any pets are in good hands while you are away.

* To be on the SAFE side, when returning after your break, if there are any signs of a break-in, such as an open door or window, call the police immediately. DO NOT enter your home but instead, wait until the police arrive and have them enter before you! More information on security, as well as contact information for local law enforcement can be found here.

February -- Springtime is approaching, which means that now is the best time to start finding is housing for next year. Did you know that Rutgers has different forms and checklists to use while looking for a new apartment or house?

The Lease Information Checklist can help you know what to look for while making the final decision on your rental, and if you're renting as a group, a Cotenant Agreement can help provide additional security and rights for all tenants under the new lease. A lease should explicitly state such policies as amount of rent, length of lease, and how much security deposit is required. It may also list other conditions such as policies on subletting and pets. Be sure to read your potential new lease thoroughly and feel free to ask questions before signing.

Landlords, you can also use these forms to help prepare the lease and to be sure that your policies on your rental are clear. If possible, return a copy of the signed lease to the new tenants so they can maintain a better understanding of their individual responsibilities. You can also check out our Lease Information Page to keep up to date on how to renew or terminate leases with current tenants.

January -- With winter underway, you may be experiencing cold temperatures in your house. If you have no heat, call the landlord immediately. In buildings with three or more units, landlords have to maintain a temperature of at least 68 degrees from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. from October 1 to May 1, and 65 degrees at other hours. They must also supply the required fuel or energy, and maintain the heating system in good condition so that it can provide the required minimum temperatures.

For buildings with fewer units, contact the local inspection office or board of health to find out about local ordinances about heating. It is likely they will be close to the requirements for buildings with three or more units.

Municipal resources can be found here.

Landlords and tenants can review the New Brunswick Property Maintenance Code here.

December -- With final exams coming up, students may be studying late night at various locations around campus. Campus buses run until 2:00-3:00 a.m. depending on the day and route; library and New BrunsQuik shuttles are also available. The Knight Mover is accessible after these hours for individualized service. The Rutgers University Police Department also offers escorts (public safety representatives) to students, faculty, and staff for service to their vehicles, residence, or the university's mass transit system. They can be requested by calling 732-932-7211 or using a campus emergency phone. After finals, many students go home for winter break. It is important to remember matters such as electricity, bills, mail, trash, and safety before leaving. Check the Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service "Leaving for Break" checklist to make sure you take the necessary precautions for a safe holiday season.

November -- Staying connected to the Rutgers community is easy even when living off-campus. Students can watch RU-tv programming online or find out what's going on by checking out the Rutgers Calendar of Events. The New Brunswick Official Student Listserv is a weekly message containing official university announcements and the Office of Student Involvement produces a weekly email to keep students informed about events around campus. Both students and landlords can ask any questions they have about Rutgers (from dining hall menus to directions around New Brunswick) by calling the RU-info Call Center at 732-932-4636 (open seven days a week during fall and spring semesters) or by visiting the "Ask Colonel Henry" online Q&A web page.

October -- Living off-campus means you are part of both the Rutgers community and the town you live in. It is important to respect your neighbors and observe municipal ordinances such as noise restrictions, party permits, and property maintenance. Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service has various local municipal resources and contacts, including the New Brunswick Department of Public Works, Public Information, and Building/Housing Inspection.
Landlords, make sure your rentals meet city, state, and federal housing and health codes, including occupancy and safety laws.
More information about municipal resources can be found here.

September -- When you move into a new place, you shouldn't be moving into a new set of problems. Before moving into a new apartment, you should inspect it for your own protection. Landlords and tenants should inspect the residence together and take photographs of any existing damage. This will ensure that tenants are not held responsible for damages done by previous residents. Tenants: if the landlord is unavailable for a walk-through, you should complete this procedure on your own. Both parties should retain a copy of the dated photographs in their records for reference upon move-out.

Our Office provides a Rental Inspection Checklist, to assist in the inspection.

August -- As a responsible member of the Rutgers community, it is your duty to observe the proper regulations for garbage removal and recycling. Landlords should provide a space for the storing of garbage receptacles to keep them out of the public eye and to help residents maintain the property. Residents must see that sidewalks and gutter areas extending 24 inches into the street from curbside in front of properties are kept free of debris including litter. Many local municipalities' garbage and recycling pick-up days can be found by visiting the Off-Campus Housing Service website. Using these helpful hints will enhance your off-campus experience and will keep you from receiving nasty garbage fines.


More information on garbage and recycling can be found on our website here.

July -- Safety is a top priority that tenants and landlords need to consider. Changing locks is a good way to keep property safe from invasion. Perhaps even more important is the use of locks, including the deadbolt. Keeping doors and windows closed and locked will help prevent unwanted visitors from coming into your home. Also, the maintenance of window screens and the proper installation of air conditioners can keep your summer months safe and sunny. More safety information can be found here.

June -- Summer sublets are a common occurrence at Rutgers. Sublets can be a great way for students who don't stay at school in the summer months to save a little money. Landlords, tenants, and subletting tenants need to work together to make sure they account for all legal responsibilities. Be sure you "get it in writing" -- a subletting agreement signed by all parties should safeguard the concerns of those involved. Usually the subletting tenant is responsible for the payment of the main tenant's rent and other utilities. As long as landlords, tenants, and subletting tenants have a firm understanding of what is required of them, summer subletting should be smooth sailing.

More information on subletting is available at the Off-Campus Housing Service website, here.

May -- Landlords, the end of the semester is here and this is the time when many tenants may be moving out or moving in. It's a good idea for you to change the locks on your rental property each time new tenants take residence. There have been many cases in which the landlords were found liable for criminal acts that have occurred in their residences due to unchanged locks. Many states have legislation in which landlords are required to change locks as soon new tenants arrive.

Tenants, request that your landlords change the locks. If he or she refuses, ask if the locks can be changed at your own expense. Get the approval in writing and be sure you provide new keys to your landlord. Your safety is worth the investment!

April -- So you finally found an off-campus residence and you have roommates to live with; you want to sign the lease and move right in! However, before signing anything you should inspect your residence.

The lease details the rules by which landlords and tenants agree to live. Once signed, a lease governs what landlords and tenants can and cannot do. Therefore, inspecting the residence may prevent future disputes regarding housing conditions.

If the landlord cannot inspect the rental unit with you, ask a friend to be a witness and make sure to have written documentation and photographic evidence of the inspection.

Security is an important factor to consider; checking security measures (deadbolts, keyed window locks, outside lights) and fire safety precautions (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems) is a must. That is why the Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service provides a checklist for home security and fire safety, along with rental inspection and lease contents checklists on its website at http://och.rutgers.edu/info/forms/forms.php.

March -- Whether you're going to Miami, Maui, or Mt. Holly for spring break, the Rutgers Off-Campus website has a "Leaving for Break" checklist to help you safeguard your home while you’re enjoying your week off. Visit this link to view and print out the checklist.

SAFETY TIP: Anytime you return to your home, if you find any signs of a break-in such as a door or window open, do not enter the house. Call the police and have them enter the house before you do.

February -- Spring is coming and it's time to plan for next year! Looking for a new place to live or a new roommate? Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service's website offers an extensive listing of housing options in New Brunswick and surrounding areas, which enables students and residents to find affordable places to live quickly. In addition, there are also roommate listings, in which the Rutgers Community can post or search for roommates. Visit our website och.rutgers.edu for more details.

Landlords, beware! This is the time of year when a number of scams are perpetrated targeting landlords via email requests to lease property. Please be wary of renters who contact you via email, expressing an interest to lease vacant space sight-unseen, and always ensure that checks clear before issuing refunds. For more information about Internet fraud or to report suspicious activity, please visit http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet_Fraud.shtml.

For more information regarding off-campus living:
Rutgers University Off-Campus Housing Service
732/932-7766
http://och.rutgers.edu

January -- Don't freeze!! To get gas and electric service in most areas surrounding campus, call Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) at (800) 436-PSEG. This number can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A minimum of one 24-hour working day's notice is all that is required to set up service. Remember to ask for identification when a person claiming to be from the utility company comes to the door -- ALL utility workers carry photo ID. Also, do not give money to a person who comes to the door asking for payment of your utility bill. PSE&G employees never come to the door to collect money.

December -- It's getting cold and utility bills are a problem for many tenants. Your utility bill may puzzle you because there may not be separate meters for your apartment and the other apartments in your building. The landlord should have set up a method in your lease for dividing utility payments in this case. If you discover that you have been paying for bills for others after you've already moved into the building and signed a lease, ask for an immediate meeting with the landlord. When you speak with the landlord, discuss reimbursement for past over-payments you have already made and how utility bills will be handled in the future.

If you're going home for the holidays, the Rutgers Off-Campus website has a "Leaving for Break" checklist to help you take the necessary precautions for a safe holiday season. Visit this link to view and print out the checklist.

November -- Winter is coming and repairs may be in order. If you're a tenant, getting your landlord to fix a problem is simple --- put it in writing and send the letter to your landlord. Include in the letter your name and address, what the problem is, when the problem was discovered, and the date when you want it fixed. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter for your records. If you're a landlord, contact us or check out our website for helpful solutions to your winter problems.