Off-Campus Housing

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING IN EIGHT EASY STEPS

Step One:

Begin with broad options and narrow down as you go.

Step Two:

Prioritize what type of housing you want to live in

• Apartment/Condo
• Duplex/Multiplex – two or multiple levels
• Townhouse/House
• Room & Board – live in a house for no or reduced rent in exchange for services such as childcare, home maintenance, or lawn care
• Room in Private Home – individual rooms available for rent in private or student homes
• Shared/Roommates – share room(s) with others in an apartment or house
• Short Term/Furnished – summer and winter sublets
• Suite/Apt in House – each room has its own entrance

Step Three:Develop a financial budget for rent, utilities, food, transportation, entertainment, and emergency costs. Generally, living in a house with roommates is usually cheaper than living in an apartment on your own.

Typical Area Rents:

• 1 Bedroom Apartment……………..$800-$1,700
• 2 Bedroom Apartment……………..$900-$1,800
• 3 Bedroom Apartment……………..$1,200-$2,000
• Efficiencies/Studio……………………$600-$900
• Apartment in a House……………….$500-$900
• Vacant House……………………………$1,200-$4,000
• Room in a House………………………$350-$700

Step Four:

Consider what types of transportation are available and convenient. Check to see if there is a Gallaudet Shuttle or DC Metro and Bus services close to your place of residence. Many local apartment communities are on DC Metro and Bus services.

Step Five:

Check for safety by:

• Making sure interior and exterior doors are able to shut… has a lock!
• Visiting the property at night to see about lighting, parking, and other security considerations.
• Looking up crime information in the neighborhood you are looking to move to, on the Metropolitan Police Department’s website at http://crimemap.dc.gov.

Step Six:

Signing a lease protects you as a renter.

• Contact this www.doccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/civil/landlord-tenants.jsp for assistance.

Step Seven:

• Dining options?
• Dining Dollars added to the Gallaudet card? (check at Post Office for information)

Step Eight:

Look into obtaining renters insurance:

• Renter’s Insurance is highly recommended to protect expensive property such as stereos, computers, TVs, video games, clothes, valuables. The cost is typically less than $20 per month, depending on the extent of the coverage. Check out the renters’ insurance handout at Commuter Lounge or look at www.deafquote.com for more