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Guide to Off-Campus Living

University of South Carolina

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studentsection.tiff

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Off-Campus Student Services

West Wing, Lower Level1400 Greene Street

University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC 29208

Connect with usContact us

@UofSCOffCampus

USC Off-Campus Student Services

Russell House University Union

www.sa.sc.edu/ocsssaocss@mailbox.sc.eduPhone: 803-777-3366

Fax: 803-777-4874

The Off-Campus Housing Locator offers a free online search engine and message boards to help you find rental housing, roommates, and subleasing information at offcampushousing.sc.edu.

The Off-Campus Student Lounge is a home away from home for off-campus students. You can hang out, study, watch television, or use one of our computers between classes. The lounge is located in the West Wing lower level of the Russell House University Union.

The office hosts Off-Campus Housing Fairs each semester to provide students with the opportunity to speak with property management companies, apartment complex representatives, and businesses.

The Off-Campus Student Services Webinar Series is an interactive option provided to parents and students on various topics regarding living off campus. Check our website for more information on upcoming webinars and how to register, as well as how to view recordings of presentations already given.

Our Community Ambassador Program is a group of current off-campus students who assist with daily duties; communication, and special events hosted by our office. This peer-leadership program furthers the goal of Off-Campus Student Services of providing support services and education to off-campus students to help improve their on-and off-campus experiences.

“Commuter Connect,” Off-Campus Student Services’s bimonthly newsletter is printed and distributed, as well as posted online. It is filled with helpful tips and campus information and events for the off-campus students.

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Hello off-campus students & family members,

Welcome to the University of South Carolina, City of Columbia and surrounding community! Living off campus is an exciting opportunity, and you will get to have an experience different than students living on campus. Please browse this guide so you can better understand what life will be like living off campus.

The greater Columbia area is a great place to live. We encourage you to get to know your neighbors who might be USC students, faculty, or staff. You also might be living among families with children, alumni, and community leaders. Please understand that your neighbors might not appreciate loud noise and disruptions. Get to know them and find out what is acceptable and unacceptable. Understand that as a resident of a community, you are expected to hold yourself to standards that align with the University of South Carolina and the Carolinian Creed. You are also expected to represent the university in your place of residence, in your neighborhood, the City of Columbia, and surrounding areas.

This guide was created to help with the transition to living off campus as a student at the University of South Carolina and to help you better understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and member of the greater Columbia community. Do research on local ordinances that pertain to where you live. University students may live within the city limits, in Richland County, Cayce, West Columbia, Lexington, or other areas. These jurisdictions have different ordinances pertaining to occupancy, trash pick-up, pets, and more. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these and abide by them.

The University of South Carolina’s Office of Off-Campus Student Services is here to help you have the best college experience possible. Please take advantage of all we have to offer. Stay connected to campus by getting involved. This connection to USC will help you feel more engaged with the campus community and help you to be successful both in and out of the classroom.

Welcome to Columbia and Go Gamecocks!

Sincerely,

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apartment complex single unit rental independently owned

single unit rental property management company

A community of apartment units or townhomes that is

typically owned and managed by a private company.

A property that is independently owned but

managed by a company. All transactions are done with the property management company rather than the

individual owner.

A property that is owned by an individual and is rented by

that individual, also known as a landlord. Landlords in

Columbia are not required to have a permit or register in

order to rent property.

Legally BindingA lease is a contract and legally binding document. Once you sign a lease, you are committed to all the terms of that lease, including being responsible for all finances and money owed for the entire term of the lease, even if there are extenuating circumstances beyond your control. Be sure you understand what you sign. Even if the apartment complex requires a cosigner, the lease is binding with only the student’s signature.

TermsLease terms vary, but most leases will come with a full-year (12 months) term. It is very rare to find a lease in Columbia for the academic year only. If you are considering studying abroad or living elsewhere for the summer

months, you will need a living arrangement that allows subleasing. In a sublease, you’ll find another tenant to rent your room or apartment for the period of time you’ll be absent.

TypesAn individual lease is a lease signed by only one person. The tenant is responsible for his or her portion of the rent and only that portion, whether or not his or her roommate can pay the rent. Each tenant will have his or her own lease. A group or joint lease is one lease that is signed by all parties living in the property. Typically, a landlord will only accept one rent payment for the month. Tenants are responsible for paying the entire rent amount no matter what.

Leases

Types of Housing

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Off-Campus Student Services can help you start your search. One great resource to utilize is our Off-Campus Housing Locator which is available at http://offcampushousing.sc.edu.

In addition, our office also employs community ambassadors who are current off-campus students and can assist in the search process and answer questions. Community ambassadors work in the Off-Campus Student Lounge, located in the Russell House West Wing, and also help with events sponsored by Off-Campus Student Services. These students have a variety of off-campus living experiences and are a great resources to students.

Other places to look for housing: • Craigslist • Apartment Guide/Apartment Finder • The Daily Gamecock classifieds • Rental signs posted in neighborhoods

What to Consider

Starting Your Search

Budget: How much can you afford to pay each month? Are there hidden costs associated with the apartment/house? How much is the deposit?

Type of housing: Do you want an apartment? Do you want to live in a house with a yard? Do you want to rent from an independent landlord or an apartment community?

Roommates: Do you want to live alone or with roommates? How many roommates do you want? Do you want to be paired with random roommates or with people you already know?

Leases: Do you want an individual or group lease?

Furnishings: Do you want an apartment that comes furnished? If furnished, what is included? If unfurnished, are you buying new furniture or transporting furniture from a family home?

Atmosphere: Do you want to live in a place surrounded by students? Do you want to live in a neighborhood with families?

Transportation: Do you have a vehicle to get you to and from campus each day? If an apartment community offers a shuttle, what is the schedule? What happens if the shuttle does not run when you need it to?

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Living in Columbia

Tips for being a good neighbor:

• Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself when you move in.

• Do not leave trash on the front porch or patio.

• Become familiar with codes and ordinances about parking and noise, and abide by them.

• Bring in your trash carts in accordance with city ordinances.

• Encourage neighbors to call you first with problems (noise, litter, parking).

• Exercise responsible decision making when hosting a party. For information on social host liability, visit www.sa.sc.edu/coalition.

• Attend community gatherings and/or neighborhood association meetings.

Please keep in mind that as a student of the University of South Carolina, our Code of Conduct always applies, and incidents that occur off campus may be reported to the university by the police, your landlord/apartment community, business owners, and/or your neighbors. You can be held accountable by one or all of these entities.

Pets:

• By law, all dogs and cats in Richland County must be licensed annually, or you may be fined or face jail time. For more information, visit www.richlandonline.com

• All dogs must be confined or leashed at all times, or you may be fined a penalty of $200.

• Clean up after your pet whether you live in an apartment community or a neighborhood.

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Off-campus rental amounts will vary greatly and will depend on the number of roommates and amenities provided. Living off campus is very affordable especially if you share costs with roommates. Many University of South Carolina students find that living off campus is cheaper than living on campus. It is up to you to contact properties and landlords to get the costs. Off-Campus Student Services does not provide information on rental amounts for specific properties.

Living off campus may or may not be cheaper than living on campus. When making a comparison you need to consider not only the rent amount but what is included and what is not. Keep in mind that rent might not be the only thing you have to pay each month. You may have to make separate payments for utilities (electricity, water, cable, and internet).

Cost of Living Off-Campus

Comparing On-Campus and Off-Campus Living

3BR/3BA apartment*• $559/month• Includes utilities w/elec cap• Furnished• W/D in unit• 12 month lease• $125 admin fee• Annual Total: $6,593 + gas + parking + groceries

*For comparison purposes only. Rent prices may not reflect all 3 bedrooms.

East Quad – 4BR/2BA• $3,500 per semester• Includes all utilities• Furnished• 9 month lease• Community laundry• $150 fee• Annual Total: $7,000 + parking + groceries/meal plan + laundry

On-CampusOff-Campus

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Students are allowed to use some financial aid to pay rent, bills, and other expenses associated with living off campus. After students pay tuition, if there is a remaining amount of financial aid, the university will mail an overage check to you. Keep in mind, some scholarships may only allow you to use them towards tuition. But student loans can be used to pay rent, as well. For more information, call the office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 803-777-8134 or visit www.sc.edu/financialaid.

Security deposit amounts may vary. Usually a portion, if not all, of the deposit is refundable after you fulfill the terms of your lease. At the end of your lease, the landlord cannot withhold your security deposit for normal wear and tear. This typically includes minor painting and carpet cleaning. If the landlord does withhold any or all of your security deposit, he or she is required to provide you with an itemized list of charges.

Finances

Security deposits

Method of Payment

Student loans and financial aid

Check your lease to see what methods of payment are acceptable for paying rent. Cash is typically not an accepted form of payment. Many landlords will require a check or money order. Check with your bank about ordering checks if you do not have them. If you want to pay by money order, take into account any fees. Many companies will have an online payment system. Ask about fees associated with this. Typically a small convenience fee will be charged.

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Before signing a lease, make sure you read over it thoroughly and understand all of the parameters. Leases can be multiple pages and filled with legal jargon. Be sure all points are clear and that you negotiate any changes to the lease BEFORE you sign it.

Off-Campus Student Services is not able to offer legal advice regarding your lease, but it may be helpful to use the following list when reviewing.

Cost• Method of Payment (check, money order, online)• Due date (check for due date and when late fees occur)

Term• Move in and move out dates (check for specific times of move in and out)

Utilities• What utilities are included in the rent?• Is there a cap on your electricity? If so, how is the overage calculated?• Are you required to use a specific company for television (cable vs. satellite)?• Water - verify if you are in city limits or county• Trash pickup - if in a neighborhood, ask about pick up day• Recycling - is this an option where you live?

Pets• If you have a pet or plan on getting one, include this in your lease• Verify additional deposits or rent payments• Ask about breed restrictions on dogs

Maintenance• Confirm how to make maintenance requests (online, telephone)• Verify who is responsible for what (appliances, changing air filters, lawn care)

Subleasing/Breaking Lease• Verify if subleasing is an option. What are the steps to take if you want to sublease?• Verify if breaking a lease is an option. What are the steps to take? Is it even possible?

This does not cover everything that should be outlined in a lease. Make sure you understand what you sign and ask for an explanation of anything that is not clear.

Lease Checklist

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Student safety is a concern no matter where you live. We encourage students to be proactive and take precautions when necessary. You are encouraged to seek safety information from your property management representatives regarding your complex. In addition, here are a few reminders and suggestions for practicing good safety procedures.

• Keep windows and doors locked at all times. • Make sure smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and alarm systems are in good working order. • Ensure that you have and use a peephole in your front door to identify visitors. • Only let maintenance workers in when your landlord or property manager has notified you that they will be coming. Typically, they must give 24 hours notice unless it’s an emergency. • Don’t keep valuables in your vehicle, and keep your car doors locked at all times. In addition, attempt to park in well-lit areas. • Have your personal items and possessions registered with USC Police Department. If they are stolen, it will make them easier to identify. • Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood and/or apartment complex. Make note of entrances and exits. • Don’t walk alone after dark. • If attacked or approached by someone suspicious, contact the police immediately by calling 911.

Law Enforcement Agencies:

City of Columbia 803-545-3500 (general); 803-252-2911 (dispatch)Richland County 803-576-3000Lexington County 803-785-8320West Columbia 803-794-0721Cayce Public Safety 803-794-0456USC Police 803-777-8400 (general); 803-777-4215 (dispatch)

Stay Safe

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Apartments

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When picking a roommate, it is important to find someone you can see yourself getting along with and someone you feel comfortable sharing an apartment or house with. It is a good idea to ask your prospective roommates questions about their cleanliness, apartment and house preferences, price range, and personal habits prior to agreeing to live together. Ideally, your future roommate will be someone who has similar preferences and interests as you.

If you are living off-campus and need help finding a roommate, consider:

Off-Campus Student Services has message boards at, http://offcampushousing.sc.edu where students post information about roommate searches. You may post if you have housing and need a roommate or if you need housing and a roommate. Some apartment complexes will assist in the roommate matching process, so please contact individual complexes to find out about their services. Most of the complexes that offer individual leases will provide roommate matching. Prior to moving in with each other:

• Have a discussion about your ideal location and type of property you would like to rent. It is important to discuss price range and factor in travel time to campus. • Similarly, prior to signing a lease, it is a good idea to talk about apartment/house expectations. Using a roommate contract template can be beneficial when creating a cleaning schedule or for setting ground rules for sharing personal and communal property. • Complete your house/apartment search and find out the requirements necessary to rent a living space. Follow the steps landlords provide to work through the renting process and paperwork. • Sign the lease from your landlord. If you are unsure about your lease, bring it to the office of Off-Campus Student Services for the staff to review. Ask questions, if needed. • If you are moving into an unfurnished apartment, consider who will be responsible for bringing furniture and appliances that are not provided in the property.

How to address differences and/or conflicts:

When living with roommates, differences in preference can arise and may cause conflict. Disagreements are not uncommon. If these situations do occur with you and your roommate(s), remember that compromise is key. It is important to be conscious of differences and work together to reach a happy medium. Revisit your roommate contract document and look to what standards were agreed upon when you moved in. If necessary, discuss any issues that may not have been addressed.

How to Pick a Roommate

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Sample Roommate Contract

Roommate Contract

Rent will be paid before (date) by

Utilities, Cable, and Internet will be paid before (date) by

Apartment Cleaning Standards (Who will clean what in the apartment; set up a cleaning schedule—if necessary)

Kitchen Cleanliness (Grocery shopping, cooking)

Guest Visitation Expectations (List specific hours and days for guests of both sexes)

Behavior (List specific behaviors which are desired/not desired)

Personal Property Boundaries (List specific guidelines regarding the use of personal property, such as TV, laptops, electronics, cell phones, food, clothing, and additionally the use of individual bedrooms)

Bathroom Use (For bathrooms shared by roommates or suitemates; list standards of cleanliness; set up a schedule if necessary)

Trash Removal and Lawn Care (Roommate responsibilities, if applicable)

Miscellaneous (List specific needs not covered)

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To Prevent Fires

If There’s a Fire

Tips on what to do in case of fire:

• If you discover or suspect a fire, sound the building fire alarm. If there is no alarm in the building, warn the other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting as you leave.

• Crawl if there’s smoke. If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor.

• Before opening any doors, feel the metal knob. If it is hot, don’t open the door.

• Go to the nearest exit or stairway.

• Close as many doors as possible as you leave. This helps to contain the fire.

• Call 911. Give as much information as possible to emergency dispatcher.

For more information, visit www.sc.edu/ehs/firesafety.htm

Information retrieved from USC Fire Safety

Safety tips for preventing fires in apartments or homes:

• Empty the lint filter in the dryer before each use.

• Stay nearby while appliances are on. Clean up grease and appliances as soon as possible.

• Don’t overload outlets. Match your appliance power requirements to the circuit power. Replace damaged wires.

• Smoke carefully. If you smoke, don’t smoke in bed or near flammable materials.

• Use large ashtrays and be sure ashes, matches, and cigarette ends are cold before you throw them away.

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Many students prefer to bring their personal vehicle to campus each day. While there are many parking options for off-campus students, free parking is not available on campus.

When driving to campus, try to carpool with others if you can. This could save on gas and parking costs. If you’re not paying for a parking permit, keep quarters and dollar bills in your car to pay for meters and hourly parking in the garages.

If you live in an apartment complex, check to see if a shuttle is a provided amenity. Keep in mind, shuttles are not guaranteed and could have maintenance issues that put them out of commission.

USC student permits may be purchased from the Parking Services Office in the Pendleton Street Garage. Visit www.sc.edu/vmps or call 803-777-5160 for pricing information and parking zone locations.

Don’t have a car? Try Hertz on Demand, a short-term rental car program available to students. Hertz on Demand allows students to rent vehicles on an hourly basis. This is a convenient option for students who need to go grocery shopping or have a doctor’s appointment off campus. For more information, visit www.hertzondemand.com.

Transportation& Parking

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• Thoroughly check the apartment for damages. • Take date stamped photos or video to document damages.• Go on a walk through with your landlord or property representative in order to point out

preexisting damages.• Make sure these damages are included on the lease or lease addendum.• Submit work repair requests, if needed.• Register property and belongings with USCPD.• Purchase renter’s insurance. Many landlords or properties require you to have it.• Set up cable, Internet, and utilities, if necessary.

• Look over your lease to see the terms and timeline listed for notifying landlord/property manager of when you are moving out.

• Clean apartment thoroughly. This includes all floors, walls, fixtures, and appliances.• Take photos and videos of residence as proof of damages or lack thereof.• Walk through with landlord/property manager, if available.• Leave a forwarding address. This is required by SC Landlord/Tenant Law.• End payments of cable, Internet, utilities, etc., if necessary.

Before Moving In

Before Moving Out

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On-Campus Resources

Off-Campus Student Services803-777-3366www.sa.sc.edu/ocss

Department of Student Life803-777-5782www.sa.sc.edu/stlife

University Police803-777-4215www.les.sc.edu

Parking Services803-777-5160www.sc.edu/vmps

Student Success Center803-777-1000www.sa.sc.edu/ssc

Transfer/Veteran Services803-777-1000www.sa.sc.edu/ssc/tsspsupport

Student Health Services803-777-3175www.sa.sc.edu/shs

Counseling Center803-777-5223www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc

Student Conduct803-777-4333www.housing.sc.edu/osc

Financial Aid and Scholarships803-777-8134www.sc.edu/financialaid

International Student Services803-777-7461www.ip.sc.edu

Student Athletic Tickets803-777-6102www.sa.sc.edu/stlife/studenttickets

Off-Campus Resources

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)803-255-7100

Columbia Visitors Bureau800-545-0000

Columbia DMV803-896-5000

Utilities

South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G)800-251-7234

Richland County (water and sewer)803-401-0050

City of Columbia (water)803-545-3300

City of Columbia

Police Department803-545-3500

Fire Department803-545-3700

Parking Operations803-545-4015

Animal Control803-776-PETS

Richland County

Sheriff’s Department803-576-3000

Animal Care803-576-2461

Residential Inspections803-576-2189

Solid Waste and Recycling803-929-6000

Helpful Resources

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Connect with us

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Russell House, West Wing Suite 034www.sa.sc.edu/ocsssaocss@mailbox.sc.eduPhone: 803-777-3366Fax: 803-777-4874

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

1400 Greene StreetRussell House, West Wing Suite 034Columbia, SC 29208

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Columbia, SCPermit #766