Housing

Employer-Provided Housing

Some employers provide housing as part of the job offer. If you leave the job or are fired you will most likely also have to leave the housing provided by that employer. Depending on your lease agreement, you may still be responsible for paying the full amount of the rent. It is your responsibility to ask about these conditions before you sign a lease or accept employee housing.

Short Term Housing

For the first few nights at your U.S. arrival destination, you may need short-term accommodation. If you do not have permanent accommodation arranged, you must make a reservation before you arrive at your final destination to ensure a bed or room upon arrival. The ‘Let’s Go USA’ and ‘Lonely Planet’ are ideal travel guidebooks for locating accommodation during your travels around the USA.

• Hostels: Contact Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels Association (AYH), a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation online at www.iyhf.org for a worldwide hostel directory and membership information. There are about 300 youth hostels operated by the AYH that are scattered throughout the U.S.. Membership costs approximately $25 for one year and should be purchased in your home country, either online or at your local affiliate, prior to arriving in the U.S.. For non-members there is normally an extra charge of $3 to $5 a night and can be used towards a purchase of an emergency membership card.
• YMCA: Some YMCA’s and YWCAs also provide affordable temporary lodging. To find a YMCA in the U.S. call 1-888-333-YMCA or go to the website: www.ymca.net.
• Student Housing: Many universities and colleges offer budget accommodation in their student housing. If there is a college or university in the area you are visiting, contact the student housing office on campus. It is recommended that you call and make reservations in advance, if possible.
• Motels: There are many low-cost motel chains throughout the U.S.. Motels are good for small groups, as you will usually pay for the room, not per person. Most rooms contain two large beds.
• www.craigslist.org: Find your city to the right of the screen, then click on “Sublets & Temporary.”

Long-Term Housing

Ask your employer or co-workers for suggestions on where you can find local housing. Try to find living arrangements where you will be with Americans and not only people of your own nationality. Rent in resort areas and cities is often expensive, and it is important that you try to avoid paying too much for your apartment.

• www.craigslist.org Choose your city to the right of the screen, then click on “apts/housing,” “rooms/shared,” and “sublets/temporary.”
• Classified Advertisements Check out the classified advertisement section of your local newspaper. The Sunday editions are usually most helpful, as they have expanded classified sections. Check the website of the local newspaper for up-to-date classified ads.
• University Listings and Bulletin Boards Many campuses have bulletin boards where students post notices looking for roommates or for someone to sublet their apartments for the summer. Some universities also have an “Off-Campus Housing Office,” which keeps listings of available housing in the area.
• Boarding In smaller cities and towns, you may find a family willing to offer a room and even meals for you in their home at a reasonable price.
• Roommate Services Type “Roommates” into an internet search engine and you will come up with a long list of services that list apartments where people are looking for roommates. Roommate services often charge a fee. Remember that the term “roommate” usually does not mean sharing the same bedroom.

Questions to Ask in Choosing your Housing:

• Is it furnished?
• Is it within walking distance of my job?
• Is it near public transportation?
• How accessible are stores, banks and entertainment?
• What’s the average rent for this neighborhood?
• Are there specific rules and regulations?
• How soon can I move in?
• How much must I pay before I move?
• Is it safe? (Do not just accept the landlord’s opinion on this. Be sure you are satisfied with of the neighborhood and the apartment.)
• If sharing an apartment, will I like my roommate(s)?
• Does it have laundry facilities?

Choosing a Roommate

You may want a roommate to share the living expenses or you may just want companionship. When you are seeking roommates, think about their personality and attitude, their personal habits, how you get along with them, who their friends are, and whether their lifestyle and financial situation are stable and similar to yours. Ask sensible questions, and be guided by your common sense. Often, it is easier to seek out a roommate who already has an apartment and is looking for someone to share it. Meet your prospective roommate at their apartment and ask some of these questions:

• Why are you interested in having a roommate?
• What kind of hours do you keep?
• How do you feel about having guests in the apartment?
• How do you feel about drinking and smoking in the apartment?
• Are there any things or areas in the apartment that are off limits?
• Which expenses will we share?
• Are you messy or neat?
• What should we do about keeping the apartment clean?
• How long do you want a roommate?
• Do I need to sign the lease or an agreement?
• How much is the rent?
• How much are utilities (electricity, etc.)?
• Is there a deposit? How much and when do I get it back?

Your Rental Agreement

When you rent an apartment, there are documents designed to protect both you and the landlord. These agreements may be optional, but you should insist on signing a rental or sublet agreement, and keep a copy of each agreement in a safe place. Before you sign any agreement, be sure to read it carefully and make sure you understand. If you have problems with the rental, or with the return of your security deposit, you will need this paperwork in order to resolve these problems. A verbal (spoken) agreement will be useless in this case.

Sublet Agreement

Whn you sublet an apartment or room, your agreement isn’t with the landlord. (Landlords will usually require you to be there for 1 year minimum). Your agreement is with the person who has rented the apartment or house. This person may live with you, or they may not. If you sublet, make sure you sign an agreement

Rental Agreements

A rental agreement should define the terms and rules by which the apartment is rented, and protects the tenant and the landlord by stating the rental price and the time period that you will reside in the apartment and pay rent.

Security Deposit

You will probably be asked to pay one month’s rent as a “security deposit.” This will be returned to you when you leave if there has been no damage to the apartment during your occupancy. Therefore, it is essential to inspect an apartment with the landlord or real estate agent before signing the rental agreement, and get (written) acknowledgment of existing damages and listings of furnishings and their conditions. You could take some photos of the apartment’s condition when you first move in. We recommend using this document: Security Deposit Agreement

Problems

If you run into any severe problems trying to find accommodation, please contact ERDT. We will do our best to help.