Moving Off-Campus
Apartments for Rent
The University at Buffalo does not inspect or endorse any off campus rental property or any offers made by participants of the roommate discussion board or any other on-line resource for roommate matching. Be sure to thoroughly check out roommates and inspect any property you are considering. Off-Campus Housing, a unit of Sub-Board I, Inc. provides an on-line listing of local apartments at http://subboard.com/och/ 
. Other good resources for finding an apartment include The Buffalo News, http://www.buffalonews.com/classified/
and Craig’s List, http://buffalo.craigslist.org/apa/
.
SCAM WARNING! Affordable luxury furnished apartments have been advertised on public rental web sites. When you contact the person, they inform you that they have been transferred to another country unexpectedly and are unable to show you the apartment. They promise it appears exactly as the photos depict and request you wire or mail them two months’ rent after completing an application. They then will mail you the keys to the new apartment. Never be tempted to rent an apartment without first viewing it. This is a scam.
What should I look for when I shop for an apartment?
Call the landlord and set up a time to see the property. If a landlord is unwilling or unresponsive to your request to see the property, it is likely an unsuitable property. If you are renting from out of town, ask the landlord to send you photographs. View the apartment at different times of the day and evening to make sure it is well lit and safe.
Walk through the property with the landlord and visually inspect it carefully. You should document and/or videotape or photograph damage in the apartment. Make a "property/damage report checklist" outlining all repairs, no matter how small. Tenants and landlord should sign and date the property/damage report checklist and attach it to the lease. Download this great checklist and take it with you when you look at apartments. http://offcampusliving.buffalo.edu/forms/RentersChecklist.pdf
General
- Don’t use an attic for a sleeping space unless there are two clear exits, If the attic does not have two exits, ask the landlord to install a fire escape (not simply a rope or chain ladder. If the landlord refuses, please contact Off-Campus Student Services at 716-829-3541 so we can advocate on your behalf.
- Don’t use a basement as sleeping space unless there are two exits, and unless there is a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. If these do not exist, ask the landlord to install them. If the landlord refuses, please contact Off-Campus Student Services at 716-829-3541 so we can advocate on your behalf.
- Holes or damage to walls, windows, doors?
- Worn carpet?
- Signs of rodents or insects?
- Closet and storage space is sufficient?
- Lockable storage?
- Sturdy handrails on all stairs?
- Basement, attic, and hallways free of debris?
- Smoke detectors on every floor and in every bedroom?
- Carbon monoxide detector in a hallway or sleeping area?
Electrical
- Lights and outlets all work?
- Functioning exterior lights at doors and entrances?
Water/Bath/Kitchen
- Unusual leaking, water stains on ceilings/floors
- Bathroom tiles or walls or shower feel "spongy"?
- Adequate water pressure? Flush toilets and run hot water.
- Cabinets and drawers don’t open properly?
- Is there any black or white mold present?
Heating/Cooling
- Adequate insulation and a storm window for every window?
- Heat duct, vent or radiator in every room?
Exterior
- Sidewalks, driveway, front/back yards in good condition and free of debris?
- Sturdy handrails on all stairs?
- Secure railing on any porch or balcony?
Doors/Windows
- Exterior doors have sturdy deadbolt locks and a peephole or window?
- Locks will be changed before you move in?
- Windows in good condition with working locks?
- All windows have storm windows, screens, and blinds, shades or drapes?
Basement
- Is there black or white mold?
What should I ask the Landlord?
Ask as many questions as necessary. If a landlord refuses to answer or is evasive, seek another property. If a landlord agrees to make improvements to any apartment/property, get this in writing with a timeline for completion. Be specific.
Quick Landlord Questions
- Are appliances included and in good repair (stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher)?
- Is the unit furnished?
- Is there laundry on-site? Is it coin-operated?
- Are utilities covered in rent? Which utility companies do you use?
- Where are the circuit breakers or fuse box?
- What are average monthly costs for utilities? Ask for copies of the bills from the previous tenants or contact the utility companies yourself.
- Are heating and cooling systems and hot water heater in good condition?
- If there is off-street parking, does it alternate?
- Is there a street parking ban during winter months?
- Will you supply garbage containers and recycling bins? Where are they stored?
- When is garbage collected?
- Are pets allowed? Is there an additional security deposit required?
- Do you live nearby? Can you quickly respond to emergencies?
Roommate Search
The University at Buffalo has a discussion board to assist students who are looking for roommates. We recommend choosing a public place, like the Student Union or a coffee shop when meeting someone you don’t know for the first time.
(http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/offcampus/ocboard/YaBB.cgi
)
Location Matters
Depending on your circumstances, the location of your off-campus housing may be an important consideration for you. This is particularly so if you do not have a car. Many students choose to live in the University Heights, the neighborhood surrounding the south campus. This is convenient because it is walking distance to the south campus, from which you can catch the UB Stampede bus service to the north campus or the Metro bus or the Subway without walking very far. Most on-line map search engines will give you the distance to campus. Start with zip code 14214 for the closest apartments to the south campus. The following link will provide you with maps of neighborhoods within the city of Buffalo (Buffalo Neighborhoods). If you would rather live closer to the north campus, start your map search with the Town of Amherst, NY, in the 14228 zip code. For information on public transportation to and from any western New York location go to http://www.nfta.com/metro/routes/
for the current listing.
Rent is just one cost
The cost of utilities is often overlooked by students who are apartment searching. Before you sign a lease, contact utility companies for past utility costs and setup fees and deposits. If utilities are included in your rent, find out how much control you'll have over their use. You will want to know which appliances come with the apartment, such as refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and air conditioner.
The most expensive utility cost will be to heat your apartment. Ask the landlord if the house is heated by natural gas, electricity, or home oil, and what company delivers the service. In Buffalo and Amherst, National Fuel (http://www.nationalfuelgas.com/
) is the gas company, and National Grid (https://www.nationalgridus.com/
) delivers electricity. You will also need to find out if you, or your landlord, will pay the bills for water and sewer service and garbage pick-up. In addition to these, you might want a landline telephone, cable or satellite television, and internet service. All of these should be factored into the cost of your off-campus apartment before you add furniture, cleaning supplies, small appliances, pots and pans, light bulbs, shower curtains, plunger, etc. Resist the urge to pick up couches, sofas, and mattresses that other students have put out for the trash, as these can be bug infested.
My Rights as a Tenant
http://subboard.com/legal/information_packets/landlord-tenant_rights.asp
Legal Assistance - http://subboard.com/legal/
Before signing a lease, get advice. Student Legal Services, located in room 377 of the Student Union will provide students with free advice about leases and renting property.
Sample Lease - A lease is a binding legal document, and they are NOT all the same. Get good answers to any questions you have about the lease. If repairs are needed, have them written into the contract, with a timeline for completion. Never let anyone pressure you into signing with just a once-over. The following is an example of a standard lease: http://www.ilrg.com/forms/lease-res/us/ny
Money and Budget - Are you wondering, “What money do I need in order to move in?” Often landlords require the first month’s rent, a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, and the last month’s rent. Plus, there can be installation fees for, cable/satellite service, telephone service, internet, heat and electricity. The spreadsheet linked here will help you with planning a budget you can manage.
View the Budget Spreadsheet: Excel (33KB)
Roommate Contract
Tips for Choosing a Roommate
Your happiness in your living environment is directly related to your relationship with your roommate. Personal problems with roommates can cause unneeded distress in your life. Remember that friends are not always the best roommates. Friends may take advantage of the situation by borrowing your CD's or clothes without asking, or they may not clean up their mess if they think you will clean it for them. If the roommate relationship becomes strained, you may lose a friend as well as a roommate.
Here are some tips for ensuring that you and your roommate(s) have a quality living experience together:
- Discuss study habits and the expected study environment. Will you have some sort of "quiet hours"?
- Discuss utilities. What type of phone plan do you want, or will you all have separate cell phones? Will you have cable and if so, what cable package?
- Discuss visiting hours/procedures, if there will be any. Discuss party procedures, if there will be any.
- Discuss the lease term. Most leases are 12-month contracts, but many students tend to leave for the summer. Make sure all roommates are clear on expectations. Will the roommate leaving be responsible for paying the rent? Will they try to find a replacement roommate (and if so, is this acceptable to the roommates remaining)?
- Make a cleaning agreement or contract, including sweeping, dusting, cleaning up messes, doing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, etc.
- Agree on a food policy. Do you share the cost of food, or do you shop individually and have a "hands off" policy?
- Establish drinking and smoking rules.
- Be careful that you and your roommates have the same idea of your relationship – are you looking for a best friend, someone to do things with on weekends, or just a roommate?
- Always communicate concerns as soon as they happen.
- If you are concerned about your roommate's ability to pay rent regularly, ask to see a credit report. Offer a copy of your own in return. A free copy of your credit report can be obtained at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.
- We strongly suggest that you do not pay your rent in cash. We suggest the same when it comes to paying for your share of the utilities: do not pay in cash. Even if your roommates are close friends of yours, we highly suggest that you pay your rent with a check or money order. Think twice before handing over cash to your roommate(s). If there is a question or dispute later, it is much more difficult to prove that you gave your roommate cash versus a check/money order.
Off-Campus Student Services strongly urges students to sign a roommate contract with all roommates, even if you are friends prior to living together. A Roommate Contract allows one to be clear on expectations from the very beginning in order to avoid conflicts later on.
View the Roommate Contract: Word (25KB)
Information about staying safe off campus can be found on the safety page.
Disclaimer
The Off-Campus Student Services provides assistance to UB students with landlord/tenant problems. While all forms and information packets are reviewed to be reasonably accurate, there is a chance that the governing law has changed since the information's publishing. If you plan to take any action based on information you found at this web site, you should first consult an attorney. Your questions and facts are specific to your case. The information, forms, and all other parts of this web site were not prepared in anticipation of any questions you might have. Therefore, they cannot substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Again, you must consult an attorney before taking any action based on information found here.