Off-Campus Manual

A GUIDE FOR LIVING OFF-CAMPUS

Acknowledgements

The following has been provided by the Selinsgrove Borough Council and Susquehanna University’s Department of Residence Life & Civic Engagement. Written especially for Susquehanna University students who are considering the option of applying to live off campus and for those who have already been granted permission, we hope you will find it helpful and informative.

Recognizing the partnership between the Borough and the University, it is important for you to understand the rights and responsibilities that fall under being a constituent of both. We hope you will take the opportunity to use the information provided to ensure that your rights as a tenant are being honored and the rights of yourself and others as citizens are being upheld.

Originally published in July 1988, the following publications were used as a model for this information: Bucknell University’s booklet “So You Wanna Live Off Campus” and the pamphlet “Everything I should Have Known About Renting But Was Afraid to Ask” from Penn State University and the Centre Region Council of Governments, State College, PA. Some of the updated information provided has been taken directly from the Borough of Selinsgrove’s Property Maintenance Code and Rental Unit Occupancy Regulations.

Special thanks to John Bickhart, Selinsgrove Borough Manager.

As we continue our relationship, we hope you will join in our commitment to providing a safe community for the benefit of  Selinsgrove Borough and Susquehanna University.

Philip E. Winger
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

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Dear S.U. Student,

On behalf of the Selinsgrove Borough Council, I would like to welcome you to our community.  We are excited that you have selected Susquehanna University and look forward to having you as a resident of our borough for the duration of your time as a student.

As a resident, there are many ways to be come involved in your community.  You may choose to attend one of our many churches; shop and eat in our unique businesses and restaurants; be a volunteer with the library, fire department, ambulance league or with a youth or service organization of your choice.  The opportunities are endless and we hope you will take advantage of them.

We are sure that you will find Selinsgrove to be a cooperative, friendly, helpful and enjoyable community.  We trust that your time spent here will be a pleasant experience to remember.

Please feel free to call or visit our Borough Office with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have.  Our offices are located at the corner of North High and West Pine Streets and our telephone number is 570-374-2311. We also invite you to visit the Borough’s web site at http://www.selinsgrove.org/ where you will find a wealth of information.

Again, welcome to our borough.  We wish you much success in pursuit of your education!

Best regards,

Carol L. Handlan, President
Selinsgrove Borough Council

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Who Can Live Off Campus?

Susquehanna University is a residential campus. All full-time undergraduate students are required to live in University housing for the duration of their time as students. The exceptions are those who are commuting from homes of their parents or guardians, are married and residing with a spouse and/or children, or are 23 years of age or older.

At the beginning of the housing lottery process each academic year, Susquehanna students may submit an online application to be released off campus. Those who apply by the deadline are released according to the student’s housing lottery number. Only those students notified by the Department of Residence Life & Civic Engagement may be released from University housing. Once such permission has been granted, it is in effect for the remainder of a student’s years as a student at the University. If a student wishes to return to University housing, s/he must seek permission from the Department of Residence Life & Civic Engagement.

The number of students who are released each year is determined from the Office of Admission’s projections for the following academic year’s incoming class, the number of students who are already living off-campus, and the number of beds available on campus.

If a student is not granted permission to live off campus, s/he will be placed on a waiting list and notified of his/her permission to be released if applicable.

Note: Many landlords understand a student’s need to gain permission to be released from University housing before signing a lease. DO NOT sign a lease for an off-campus apartment until you have been officially released from University housing. Susquehanna University cannot be held responsible if a lease is signed and you are still responsible for paying room and board.

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How Do I Find An Apartment?

Most students locate a place they wish to live by talking with current off-campus students, contacting a local realtor, contacting the Selinsgrove Borough Office, or checking the advertisements often found in the posting areas of the Degenstein Campus Center.

In your planning, keep in mind that under Borough regulations, no more than three unrelated persons can live in the same rented apartment.

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Lease

Rent

• How much is the monthly rent?
• Where and when must rent be paid?
• If the rent is not paid on time, is there a late fee?
• If my roommate(s) leaves during the lease, who’s responsible for paying his/her share of the rent?
• Must I sign a 12-month lease or may I rent for a 9-month period?
• Are any utilities included in the rent? If not, do I pay for:
  • Heat
  • Hot water
  • Electricity
  • Water / Sewer
  • Trash
  • Television cable
  • Repairs of any kind (if so, why?)
  • Pets (are pets permitted?)
  • Other

Security Deposit

• How much is a security deposit?
• When must it be paid?
• Do I receive interest on the deposit?
• When is it returned? May it be used as my last month’s rent?
• What must I do to have the deposit returned in full?

Lease Guarantee

• Will my rent payments have to be guaranteed? If so, by whom and why?
• Is it guaranteed that my monthly rent will remain the same for the entire lease period?

Subletting

• May I sublet or assign my lease?
• May I find someone who is willing to make a new lease and end my responsibility? . . . if yes, what is the process for notifying you of this?
• Do you assist me in finding a sublessee or someone willing to assume the lease?
• Are fees charged for these options?

Facilities / Services

• Is a laundry facility available on the premises?
• Is a storage area outside of the apartment provided? If so, how do I obtain access?
• Is inside or outside bicycle storage provided?
• Where do I dispose of my trash?
• Must I make my own arrangements with a disposal service? If so, how?

Parking

• Do I get an assigned parking space?
• Where may I park?
• Can guests park in the lot?
• If there is no off-street parking, where are the regulations on the street? When are the streets cleaned?
• Must I pay for an assigned parking spot?

Neighbors

• Who are my neighbors?
• Will we be compatible? (Have they had particular concerns in the past?)
• Have there bee any problems with other student tenants I should be aware of?

Repairs

• How do I notify you of emergency repairs during the workday, on weekends, and after office hours?
• Should normal / routine repair requests be made in writing or is a telephone call sufficient?
• How soon after requests will repairs be made?
• If I want something special done, may I request that you do it if I am willing to pay for it? (i.e. painting, bookshelves, etc.)?

Right of Entry

• Do you change the locks between tenants? Is there a charge for keys?
• Do you have a deadbolt lock, a chain, or other security device that operates only from the inside of the apartment?
• If I wish to have a deadbolt lock installed, may I do so? Is there a charge?
• If I lose my key, what is the charge for replacing the key or changing the lock?

Fire Safety

• What are the emergency exit procedures in the event of a fire?
• Where are the smoke detectors placed? Are they checked regularly?
• Is there a fire extinguisher provided in the apartment?
• If a fire occurs, will my lease be terminated and the obligation to pay rent cease?

Lease Obligation

• What rules and regulations must I follow upon signing the lease?
• If the lease terminates automatically, do I have the right of renewal?
• How much notice is needed to either terminate or renew my lease?
• If building ownership changes, must I renegotiate my lease or will it remain the same?
• Is renter’s insurance covered in the lease or should I obtain my own policy?
• Under what circumstances will my lease be automatically terminated?

Inspections/Damage Report

• Was the property inspected under the Borough’s Property Maintenance Code? If so, when and can I see a copy of the inspection report?
• Will we be completing the Borough’s Property Maintenance Code Checklist together or am I expected to complete the Checklist on my own?
• Will someone help me complete the damage report when I move in and when I move out?
• How thorough should the report be?
• How much time do I have to report damage that wasn’t initially apparent?
• What do you define as “normal wear and tear” ?

Moving In

• What is the earliest date I may move in?
• May I move in earlier if the current tenants leave early?
• Who do I pay if I arrange to move in early? (You or the former tenant?)
• If my apartment isn’t ready, clean, or in good repair, who’s responsible?
• When will the repairs or cleaning be done?

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Signing a Lease

Because students are unlikely to have a regular income, your parents or legal guardian should be prepared to co-sign a lease and utility contracts.

Note: Under the Borough’s Rental Unit Occupancy Regulations (Ordinance #731), all landlords are expected to review the requirements of ‘Appendix A – Addendum to Residential Rental Agreement’ with each new tenant. This is a required addendum to the residential rental agreement.

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Picking Apartment-Mates

The reasons most frequently given for wishing to live off campus include a desire for greater privacy, independence, quiet study space, and an opportunity to enjoy a bit more freedom away from University housing. Because each of these motivations mean different things to different people, it is wise to have discussed the reason for moving off campus with your prospective roommate(s) before you sign a lease. Just as it was important to discuss expectations with your on-campus roommate(s), it will be just as important to do so with your off-campus apartment-mate(s)!

It is also smart to determine any potential areas of conflict in the roommate relationship. How will you share your costs? Who will do the cooking, the cleaning, pay the bills . . . .? Do you have similar life habits? Where do you fit on the “neatness” to “call the Board of Health” scale? If there is only one bathroom in the dwelling, how long does it take you to shower and dress?

Try to keep in mind the business relationship you and your roommate(s) will have to share between one another, your landlord, and utility companies. Because of the relationship involves legal contacts and responsibilities, you should know your roommate(s) well before signing a lease!

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Hosting A Party at Your Off-Campus Residence

If you and your roommate(s) decide to have a party, especially one that involves furnishing alcohol, you are urged to party “smart.”

• Invite a specified number of people –only as many as can fit comfortably in your apartment or house.  Within the Borough of Selinsgrove, the lease you signed with your landlord is required to establish  the maximum number of guests that you may have within the rental unit and the maximum number of guests that you may have within the common areas .  Violating these limitations could result in the termination of your lease.  If you anticipate a situation in which more than the maximum number of guests are expected, obtain permission from the landlord in advance.
• Provide non-alcoholic beverages and food for your guests.Tell your neighbors about the party and ask them to call if the party becomes too loud or bothers them. Set agreed-upon ground rules and compromises ahead of time!
• Be fully aware of the  local ordinances and state laws that relate to furnishing and serving alcohol. (The Alcohol Policy printed in the Student Handbook contains a summary of the laws)
• Set a specific time for the party to end when you issue the invitation. This will help you control the event.
• Remember that you are the person responsible for the event; you will be accountable for any problems that occur.
• If given a citation by the Borough or State police, you may also be held responsible in Susquehanna’s Student Conduct System
• If only street parking is available, it is wise to tell your guests where they can park to avoid problems
• Be sure that your guests are people you know. Strangers have no reason to care how they treat your property or your neighbor’s property.
• Survey the outside of your property after the party and pick up any trash.
• The day after your party, talk to your neighbors to be sure they have no complaints. If there have been problems, discuss them, and deal with them in a responsible fashion.

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Landlord Expectations

The lease that you sign should clearly establish your landlord’s expectations of you as the tenant.  Generally speaking, the landlord expects that you will continuously comply with all of the terms and conditions of the lease.

Within the Borough of Selinsgrove, specific expectations are required to be included in the lease.  These are listed in Appendix A to the Borough’s Rental Unit Occupancy Regulations, Ordinance No. 731, and include the following:

• compliance with all applicable local Codes and Ordinances and State laws,
• limitation on the number of tenants and of the number of guests within the rental unit and within the common areas of the property,
• proper storage and disposal of rubbish, garbage and other wastes and recycling of materials required to be recycled,
• proper conduct of tenants and guests,
• use and occupancy of the property to not disturb neighbors,
• protection of the leased premises against damage by tenants or guests,
• prohibition of disruptive conduct, as defined, by tenants and guests,agreement to the limited release of information pertaining to incidents,

Violations of any lease provision could result in the termination of the lease and eviction from the premises and recurrent violations could result in the landlord being prohibited from leasing the premises.

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Community Expectations

Your neighbors are most likely to be permanent residents who own their own home. (Only one-fourth of the apartments in the Borough of Selinsgrove are occupied by Susquehanna University students!) Your neighbors have jobs and families or are retired. The lifestyle of students who are temporary residents  can be quite different from the lifestyles of permanent residents. This can cause conflict and tension, especially in neighborhoods with a high concentration of student tenants. The reminders presented below are intended to alleviate potential problems.

• Because permanent residents have jobs, and many have children, loud noise at night can have a disruptive effect on their lives.
• Elderly people can be quite disturbed and frightened by noise and unruly behavior.
• Any parties you host should be self-regulated and held only on weekends.
• Loud music can bother people as much at 3:00 p.m. as at 3:00 a.m.
• Yelling / shouting profanities is likely to disturb and offend your neighbors.
• Homeowners usually take pride in keeping up the appearance of their property. If your house gets shabby (i.e upholstered furniture on the porch, trash on the lawn, etc.) it affects the appearance of the entire neighborhood.
• When walking around town, please remain on the sidewalks instead of walking across the lawns of private property.
• Avoid littering! Remember to scan your property for litter the morning after a party.
• Neighborhood problems are not all one-sided; many student neighbors are excellent community citizens. The list provided above applies to both you and permanent residents. If you reside within the Borough of Selinsgrove, you should feel free to file a complaint with the Borough Police Department and/or the Borough Office if  you have a problem with a neighbor.   If you live in another municipality, the Pennsylvania State Police and/or the municipal government’s office should be contacted.

Remember, your neighbors have the right to be treated with the same courtesy and respect as you would wish to be treated!

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University Expectations

As representatives of the University, your citizenship and behavior  off-campus reflect on the institution. The Borough, as the host municipality, and University are committed to maintaining and constantly improving upon  this special relationship. The University expects its off-campus students to demonstrate their recognition of this positive relationship by being good neighbors and good citizens of the community in which they live. While we know that the vast majority of the students who reside off campus meet their obligations and responsibilities, there are some who do not. The few who do not are held accountable for their actions by the same process and systems that apply to permanent residents of the community.

As stated in the Student Handbook, 

             "The university reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety, educational objectives and well-being of the campus community and its individual community members. Such action may include pursuing disciplinary action through the Student Conduct System for any student or group of students’ violation of local, state or federal law—on or off-campus—that affects the university’s educational interests. These include upholding the university’s initiatives to maintain positive town/gown relations and educate students on the importance of assuming the consequences of one’s own actions."

If you are found guilty for committing a crime  (violence, burglary, etc.), you may face permanent separation from the University.

At the age of 18, you assume the rights and responsibilities of adulthood with the single exception of the right to consume alcohol. This means that you need to be prepared to deal with civil authorities if you violate the law.

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Borough/Township Ordinances, Rules and Regulations

In order to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community and to set  common standards, boroughs and townships adopt ordinances that describe prohibited activities, establish rules and regulations and provide enforcement.  Similar, but not necessarily identical Ordinances may exist in other boroughs and townships.  Many of these ordinances outline and protect your rights as a resident. For your own safety, be sure to ask your landlord about  any applicable Ordinances and Property Maintenance Code provisions.    You should have reviewed all applicable  ordinances and property maintenance codes before  you sign a lease.

What follows is a brief summary of the provisions of several Selinsgrove Borough Ordinances that will affect you as a Borough resident.  Within the Borough of Selinsgrove, all new tenants are required to complete a checklist of an abbreviated list of requirements from the Borough’s Property Maintenance Code with the Landlord, prior to signing the lease. http://www.selinsgrove.org/sny-selinsgrove/site/default.asp. See this website for a complete list of the Borough Ordinances and Maintenance Codes.

Trash and Waste Disposal

• The operator of every establishment producing garbage shall provide, and at all times cause to be utilized, approved leak proof containers provided with close-fitting covers for the storage of such materials until removed from the premises for disposal.
• All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage
• Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of all rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such rubbish in approved containers.
  • Hint: In Selinsgrove, trash and waste disposal is arranged between the individual and a private collector. The collector must pick it up once a week. Be sure to ask your landlord about trash removal, if it has already been arranged to be picked up, where approved containers are kept on the property, how often it is picked up, etc.

Recycling

• A recycling fee is included with your quarterly water/sewer bill to financially support the Borough’s Recycling Program and the annual Spring Cleanup Program.
  • Hint: When discussing utilities with your landlord, ask about his/her experiences with curbside recycling
• Curbside Recycling is the last Wednesday of each month. Items must be placed at curbside prior to 8:00 a.m.
• All items must be rinsed out and caps removed: aluminum beverage cans, clear glass, blue/green glass, brown glass.
• Glass must be separated by color or the recycler will not pick them up. Place items in any solid, open-top container. Do not use plastic or paper bags.
• Recycling Drop-Off Center is available on West Sassafras Street. Drop off recyclables every Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or the First and Third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. – noon. (Closed on Holidays – No Make Up Day)

Parking / Street Cleaning

• From the second Monday of April to the third Friday in October, parking on the street is prohibited between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on certain days of the week to facilitate street sweeping.
  • Hint: Call the Borough office or ask your landlord for the day of the week your street is cleaned,or click here.
• You may have to move your car in the event of heavy snowfall or a declared snow emergency.

Snow and Ice Removal from Sidewalks

• Property owners are required to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalks. Failure to do so subjects the violator to a fine. You should ask your landlord if your lease makes you responsible for snow/ice removal. If you are responsible for this, be sure to make arrangements for snow/ice removal during times when you are out of town (semester break).
• As a courtesy, do not park in spots on the street that have been cleared by others. If you wish to park your car on the street,  clear the  snow/ice from your own parking spot.

Weeds

• All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches in height. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flower and gardens.
  • Hint: Be sure to ask your landlord who is responsible for complying with this ordinance.

Guests

Unless otherwise specified or approved by the landlord, the maximum number of persons permitted in any regulated rental unit at any time shall not exceed one person for each 40 square feet of habitable floor space in said regulated rental unit and the maximum number of persons permitted in the common areas of any multiple-unit dwelling at any time shall not exceed one person for each 15 square feet of common area on the premises.

Peace and Good Order

The occupant shall conduct himself or herself and require other persons including, but not limited to, guests on the premises and within his or her regulated rental unit with his or her consent, to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by others, and that will not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of adjacent or nearby dwellings by the persons occupying same.