The document provides information for students about off-campus housing at George Mason University. It discusses starting a housing search, considering budget and priorities, finding roommates, questions to ask landlords before signing a lease, reading the lease carefully, security deposits and inspections, safety, and common rental costs in the area. The agenda covers the entire rental process from initial search to move-in and responsibilities as a tenant.

1. GEORGE MASON HOUSING
INFORMATION SESSION

2. AGENDA
Start your off-campus housing search
BEFORE you sign a lease
AFTER you sign a lease
Common questions about renting

3. START YOUR SEARCH

4. CHECK OUT THE
GEORGE MASON OFF-CAMPUS WEBSITE
http://och.gmu.edu
 Find Rentals &
Roommates
 Compare Favorite
Properties
 Post Sublets

5. CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET & PRIORITIES
 What is my monthly budget?
 Rent + Utilities
 Transportation/Parking
 Food
 Rank your housing priorities
 Cost
 Location
 Length of lease available (academic year vs. 12 month)
 Quality of the house/apartment
 Having my own bedroom
 Having my own bathroom
 How many roommates?
 Amenities—washer/dryer, kitchen, dishwasher, furnished, pool,
fitness center, business center, etc.

6. FIND THE RIGHT ROOMMATES
 Ask questions about lifestyle/habits before you decide to live
with someone!
 Sleeping - Early bird vs. night owl
 Studying – At home vs. library
 Social Habits
 Music/noise level preferences
 Guest policy
 Cleaning expectations
 Avoid groups of three – even numbers tend to work better
 Check out the Roommate Finder on och.gmu.edu!

7. BEFORE YOU SIGN A
LEASE

8. QUESTIONS FOR LANDLORDS
 A r e u t ilities / WiFi / Ca ble i n c luded i n r e n t ?
 If not, what is the estimated monthly cost?
 H o w m a ny p a rk ing s p a c es a re ava ila ble? Is t h e re a n ex t ra fe e fo r pa rk i n g? Wi l l
I h ave to s i gn a pa rk i n g c o n t ra c t fo r 1 2 m o n t h s?
 D o yo u t a ke c h e c ks fro m a l l te n a n t s i n t h e a pa r t m e n t /house o r j us t o n e c h e c k
fro m t h e g ro up?
 I s t h e re a m a inten ance p e r so n o n c a ll 24 / 7 ?
 Wh o i s re s po n sible fo r o ut do o r m a i ntena nc e? ( fo r h o us es )
 Any t h in g n ot a l l owed? — fish t a n k s, pet s , wa te r be ds ?
 H o w m uc h i s t h e s e c urit y d e po s it ?
 I s t h e re a w a s her/ dr ye r i n t h e u n it o r i n t h e b u i lding? If t h e re i s a l a un dr y
ro o m , i s i t c o i n -op o r i s t h e re a n e l e c t ro nic pay m e nt s y s te m? H ow m a ny
wa s h er s/dr ye r s i n t h e l a un dr y ro o m ?
 I s t h e re s e c urit y i n t h e bui l di ng/are a? H ow do e s s e c uri t y di f fe r o n we e k day s,
we e ke nds, h o lidays/bre aks?
 Are t h e re ex te ri o r l i ght s a n d a re t h ey wo rk i n g?
 D o a l l be dro o m s h ave s m o ke dete c to r s? Are t h ey h a rd w i re d o r ba t te r y
o pe ra te d?
 D o e s t h e h o us e/c omplex h ave a s pri n kler s y s te m? Wh o pay s fo r i t ?
 H o w m uc h i s t h e s u b let fe e ? Wh a t i s t h e s ubl et pro c e s s ?
 Wh e n w i l l I be ex pe c te d to re n ew t h e l e a se/not ic e o f c a n c e llat ion ?
 W h e re i s t h e n e are st b u s s to p ?

9. READ AND UNDERSTAND YOUR LEASE
 Before you sign, read through the jargon and find out what it really
means
 Look up uncommon terms online
 Check out VA Legal Aid:
 http://www.valegalaid.org/issues/housing/landlord-and-tenant-
issueshttp://www.valegalaid.org/issues/housing/landlord-and-tenant-issues
 Pay attention to:
 Lease Length
 Rent and charges—amount and where to pay it
 Release of resident—what are the terms of release?
 Policy on repairs and malfunctions—who is responsible?
 Resident replacement and subletting
 Multiple residents or occupants—who is responsible for lease obligations
(all residents)
 “Joint and equally liable” –all tenants equally responsible for making
rent payments
 Move-out inspection
 Security deposit deductions

10. BE ALERT
 Visit the property at night to see how safe you feel walking
around
 Is the area well lit?
 How far is the parking area or bus stop from the property?
 Warning Signs for Rental & Roommate Scams:
 Someone wants to exchange money with you sight unseen
 Unwilling to answer questions
 You receive a check for an amount significantly greater than the
monthly rent or security deposit
 Your gut tells you it’s “too good to be true”!

11. AFTER YOU SIGN A
LEASE

12. SECURIT Y DEPOSITS AND INSPECTIONS
 Schedule a walkthrough with your landlord within 5 days after
move-in
 MAKE NOTES & TAKE PICTURES!
 Ask: “What does it take to get my security deposit back?”
 Schedule a walkthrough within 3 days of move out

13. SAFET Y
 Stay in a group when going to/from property at night
 Don’t leave valuables in your car
 Secure windows
 Agree on a locked door policy with roommates
 Deadbolt locks on your doors
 Entrances well lit
 Working smoke detectors
 Know fire escape routes

14. COMMON QUESTIONS
ABOUT RENTING

15. AVERAGE AREA COSTS
RENT
 Ef ficiency --$1080 (ranges $825-$2500)
 1Br--$955 (ranges $700-$4000)
 2Br--$1 ,510 (ranges $1100-$4700)
 3Br--$2014 (ranges $1350-$3700)
 4+Br--$2640 (ranges $1400-$4600)

16. AVERAGE AREA COSTS
Utilities
 Water/Sewer/Trash
 Often included in apts., not houses
 Electric/Gas
 Apt: $75-120, House $100-200
 Cable
 $65 & up *watch for start rates
 Internet
 $43 & up *watch for start rates

17. IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING A HOUSE
 Ask your landlord which maintenance needs are your
responsibility (snow removal, lawn care, etc.)
 Ask your landlord if he/she accepts multiple checks or only
one check from all tenants
 If one check required, decide amongst roommates what day of the
month money is due to the renter payer and how you will hold each
other accountable if rent is not turned in on time
 Utilities cost more than apartments because you’re
heating/cooling a larger space with more hallways and
auxiliary rooms