Living Off-Campus
Off-Campus Connections
Resources
Community
Safety and Security
Moving off campus is a big decision. However, your search can be made easier if you determine what you would like in a rental before you start looking. Below are a few questions to ask yourself before you start your housing search.
As an international student looking for off campus housing in the United States, it is important to establish credit prior to moving to the United States. Building credit will help you when it comes to apply and looking for off campus housing. Below are a few ways you can build credit prior to your move to the United States and your search for off-campus housing.
Use our housing search checklist during your search to help you compare several rentals at once.
Students can click here to view rental listings on a web browser.
If you'd like to view a complete list of properties for each of ASU's campuses, click here.
Do not sign a lease until you personally enter and view the exact unit you will be renting. A model unit may give you an idea of the available units, but ask to see the specific unit for rent, even if people are currently living there.
Once you have visited a unit multiple times and are seriously considering renting the place, you may need to provide the landlord with certain information:
Remember: when you sign a lease, you’re signing a binding contract. You are responsible for paying the rent until the end of the lease term, and no excuses (i.e., family emergencies, a roommate moving out, or changes in your study plans) release you from this responsibility.
Above all - know your rights and responsibilities, ONLY SIGN DOCUMENTS YOU UNDERSTAND, keep a copy of all documents, rent receipts, complaints and requests for service from management. Be cooperative with neighbors and police, seek out and use the resources available to you should problems arise.
Moving into an apartment/house can be a very exciting time, as you’ll have a new place to live and a new sense of freedom—as well as a new set of responsibilities. Off-Campus Housing is here to help prepare you for your off-campus move.
Generally, it is the tenant’s responsibility to make arrangements for utility connections (such as water, gas, electric, refuse, cable, and Internet). It is beneficial to contact utility companies at least two weeks in advance. Make sure you get on the schedule as quickly as possible.
In addition, it is advisable that individuals do not put all utility bills in one person’s name. If someone does not pay his/her share of the bills one month, you do not want the burden always to fall on the same person. In addition, setting up a utility bill in your name helps build credit, so take this opportunity to build your credit and learn how to pay bills—on time. Also note that many companies may require deposits for new accounts or those with short credit history. Remember to ask ahead about deposits, billing cycles and startup costs!
It is highly recommended that all tenants purchase renter’s insurance. Landlords typically have property insurance to cover the actual structure of the building, but this does not cover your personal property. Many apartment communities require renter's insurance. You need to make sure to have insurance to replace your belongings if they are damaged in a fire or flood, or are stolen. Check to make sure what it covers; you may want to look into additional coverage for your personal property. Most insurance companies will provide competitive rates if you bundle your insurance package (for example, if you have your automobile insurance and renter’s insurance through the same company). Renter’s insurance is very inexpensive; there is no excuse for not having it!
Update your new, local off-campus address on MY ASU each year. Keeping your local address up to date with the university makes sure that important communications reach you in a timely manner Also make sure you keep the post office up to date with your local address. Visit usps.gov.
Other important tips:
You decided to move out on your own. You and your roommate find a wonderful place to live, you could not be happier. To aid you in keeping your relationship with your roommate a happy one here is some information that you may find beneficial in defining your obligations to each other. Listed below are general thoughts and questions to consider when making a roommate choice. Your choice of roommates will affect you, agreeing to live with someone is a big commitment. Here are some questions that you should consider discussing openly and honestly to have a successful living experience.
A roommate contract is an agreement with specific conditions that each roommate agrees upon before making the decision to live together. This is an easy way to settle future disputes that may occur; this contract can be used to solve disputes.
Contracts between roommates often include the following:
Things to Consider When Selecting a Roommate
What to do when you have a rental problem?
What is my social responsibility?
Social Responsibility is a term describing a student’s obligation to be accountable to all of their stakeholders in all of their daily operations and activities. Stakeholders: The ASU community, Local Neighbors, Friends, Parents, the Environment, Athletic Coach Mentor …
I'm at the end of my lease - now what?
Off Campus Connections is a Marketing Package brought to you by ASU Student Media. The Marketing Package was created to meet the needs of students; while connecting them to resources such as local housing properties and businesses. Our goal is to help inform and support students in developing independent life skills and being responsible community members.
We know that the transition to living off-campus (alone or with roommate), commuting from home, working or managing a family can be complicated. We are here to help you with those challenges.
OFF-CAMPUS CONNECTION PARTNERS:
Inclusion in this website is not an endorsement from Arizona State University or ASU Off-Campus Housing or ASU Student Media/State Press. ASU has not checked or approved these properties for fire, heat, or safety conditions and makes no warranties or representations concerning these items. Individual property owners have the responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthy environment for renters.
We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations in the information posted on the linked site. Property information, including program requirements, availability, features, safety conditions and rent ranges should be verified independently with the property managers.
We do not work with individual students/tenants on a one-on-one basis to place them in housing. We do not guarantee that you will find the housing you are looking for, or will be placed in such housing. We encourage student/tenants to do their own thorough research into each property in order to find the best housing option for their particular needs. When signing a lease or any type of binding contract, it is very important to read all the information. If you do not understand something in the lease, be sure to get a full definition and understanding prior to signing. Generally, once a lease is signed, the student/tenant assumes full responsibility for location, condition, and contractual terms of the off-campus rental.
More information about the packages, contact DeDe@asu .edu
Back to Business
Fall Date: August 25, 2021 / Spring Date: January 26, 2022; 10am to 2pm
Matthew Center/Cady Mall, Tempe campus
Stop by and find out information about on and off campus resources. Enjoy freebies from some local businesses.
ASU Student Media Housing Fair
Spring Dates: March 16-17, 2022; 10am to 2pm
Outside the Memorial Union on Cady Mall
The Off-Campus Housing Fair is a one-stop shop for students, faculty, and staff to research their on or off-campus living options. If you are searching for on or off-campus housing, this is the event to attend! Helpful information with access to representatives from local business and communities are a major part of this event. Get information about on-campus living options from University Housing at the Tempe, Downtown, Polytechnic and West campuses. Learn about ASU services from a variety of on campus departments. Gain valuable information from city offices and local businesses. Fun, educational, and free giveaways!
Taste of ASU
Fall Dates: November 3-4, 2021 / Spring Dates: March 16-17, 2022; 10am to 2pm
Outside the Memorial Union on Cady Mall
Stop by for free samples of food and drinks from local eateries.
Any questions, please contact DeDe Grogan
Part of what it means to be a Sun Devil is to give back! Volunteering not only helps others, but it is a great way to meet like-minded Sun Devils and build your resume. Whether once a month or weekly, there is an opportunity out there for you! Through ASU and through local community organizations you can find many ways to connect right in your neighborhood.
http://www.handsonphoenix.org/
HandsOn Greater Phoenix is a nonprofit organization that empowers people to become engaged, take action and create positive change in their communities. HandsOn has a searchable database of opportunities and organizations for you to choose from.
https://www.volunteermatch.org/
Put in your zip code and find a cause that needs you nearby.
See many of the opportunities available through changemaker central @ASU
Students Providing Awareness Resources and Knowledge to Start college (SPARKS) is a community service organization at ASU. SPARKS members inspire underrepresented (first-generation, minority, and low-socioeconomic) K-12 students to prepare for enrollment and success at ASU.
http://community.asu.edu/index.php
ASU Community Connect serves as a liaison connecting you to resources, programs and events to support your work and improve our communities.
City Chamber Links
Trash and Recycling
Parks and Recreation
What is a “loud party”
What is a “large party” (5 or more)
What to do if you are planning a party
What neighbors can do if you have a party
The Tempe “Party Patrol” and Police Enforcement
What happens after the party…
Tempe is the first city in the East Valley to pass the Social Host Ordinance. The revised ordinance, Article 3 Nuisance Parties and Unlawful Gatherings, went into effect February 2012. The ordinance was championed by the Tempe Coalition, a partnership between the City of Tempe and Tempe Community Council, which helps youth reach their full potential by reducing underage drinking and drug use within our city.
Under the ordinance, anyone providing alcohol to a person younger than 21 can be held responsible. If the host providing the alcohol to underage youth is younger than 18, the responsible party also includes the juvenile’s parents or guardians.
Consequences for a Social Host violation include:
Information provided by the Arizona Youth Survey and data gathered from local youth focus groups indicates that most young Tempe teens obtain alcohol from their home or from the home of a friend. In order to address this, the Tempe Coalition determined that holding adults responsible will greatly reduce this dangerous trend.
Moving off-campus means being part of a community – whether it be Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale or any of the many great communities in the Valley, we hope you’ll get involved and be a part of the many opportunities around your new home. Here are some resources to help you start exploring.
Phoenix
www.downtownphoenix.com/living-here
www.downtownphoenix.com/business/neighborhoods-and-districts
Tempe
www.tempe.gov/residents/residents
Mesa
www.visitmesa.com/things-to-do/
Glendale
When looking for a new place to live, you consider many factors (i.e. price, proximity to campus, and laundry facilities). Safety should also be a major factor you think about before renting an apartment/house.
Ask yourself: Does this home and surrounding neighborhood feel safe? It is important to trust your instincts about the general safety of a property, but there are also specific things you can look for to determine how safe a place is from crime and fire. Click on a topic below to see more.
Is the property in a safe neighborhood?
To research crime rates of different neighborhoods, go to the local Police Department’s website to look up crime safety facts by zip code, or even apartment complex.
Are address numbers clearly visible?
This helps police, fire fighters, and EMS locate your residence in an emergency.
Are public areas well lit?
Whether you are standing in the parking lot or outside your front door, adequate lighting allows you to distinguish the facial expressions of someone standing 10 feet away at any time of day.
Are parking spaces marked with apartment numbers?
Unmarked parking spaces are best, because the presence/absence of a car is a clear indicator of whether someone is home… A vacant parking space labeled with its corresponding apartment number could lead to potential burglary of an empty home!
Are shrubs and trees around the property well maintained?
Overgrown plant life provides a hiding place for potential intruders, so be particularly wary of shaggy shrubs in neighborhoods with high crime rates!
What is the timeframe for completion of repair work?
Talk to current residents about their experiences requesting repairs… Remember: many repair issues involve your personal safety, so it is important to live in a residence where management responds to maintenance requests in a timely manner.
When was the last Fire Marshal Inspection?
Ask to see a copy of the last inspection, and check what things the property is and is not in compliance with. If the inspection is several years old, do a mini-fire inspection yourself. Hint: Look out for fire hazards, such as dumpsters within 10 feet of the residence, and barbeque grills stored on balconies. Also, check inspection tags on fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems — these tags should show proof of inspections within the last year.
Does the apartment/house have a working smoke detector?
For fire safety, your home must have at least one smoke detector and two emergency escape routes! (There should also be a fire extinguisher either inside the apartment/house, or outside within plain view of the front door.)
Do doors and windows have sturdy locks?
The front door should have a solid metal or wood core, and a deadbolt. (Good deadbolts have at least a 1" throw; this means, when you lock it the bolt should stick out at least 1" into its receptacle.) In addition, all windows and sliding doors should have secondary locks, such as Charlie Bars or Rail Locks, and there should be set screws installed in the rails of sliding glass doors to prevent removal of the door from its frame.
Does the front door have a secondary lock that is only accessible from inside the apartment/house?
This kind of lock helps prevent unauthorized entries by someone with a key while you are at home. If there are no secondary locks like this, ask the landlord whether you can have one installed.
Does the front door have a peephole/door viewer?
If yes, make sure that it is operational, and familiarize yourself with visibility and blind spots. If no, ask the landlord to install one, or find out whether you can install one yourself. At the very least, you should be able to view visitors through a window!
Are locks on the doors changed/re-keyed with each new resident?
Ask to see documentation of the last time the locks were changed. If they are not changed with each new resident, ask whether there will be a charge to re-key the doors in the future. Also, find out if you can have the locks changed by an independent locksmith.
Who has access to your apartment/house key other than you?
Landlords, apartment managers, and maintenance staff often have a spare key to your residence, but it is important that you make sure they securely store this key. In addition, find out the procedures these people follow when entering your home — are they required to give you 24 hours notice before entering, and leave a note once they have been inside? Are these procedures outlined in your lease?
Does the apartment complex have video surveillance cameras in common areas?
Are these cameras monitored by a security guard at all times, or is the footage simply recorded and viewed at a later date?
Does the apartment/house have its own security alarm system?
If the residence has an alarm system, find out whether the alarm reports to the main office, an alarm monitoring company, or the police department. If there is no alarm, ask whether your lease would allow you to have a security alarm system installed.
Be psychologically prepared to protect yourself:
Bike Security:
Public Transportation:
When in the Residence Hall:
In Elevators:
At Parties or Group Functions:
At Home:
Online Social Networking:
Read ASU’s suggestions on Online Social Networking Guidelines
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