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off-campus housing services
FAQs
Below is a selection of Questions we are constantly asked in the Off-Campus Housing office. For the full set, download the Housing Guide.
Q: How do I begin my search for a place to live?
A: The first thing to do is come by the Off-Campus Housing Office (OCH) and speak to any of the knowledgeable OCH employees. The second option is read the Housing Guide cover to cover. The third resource is our website, Off-Campus Online, with listings of available housing.
Q: How do I find a roommate?
A: First answer is always Off-Campus Online. The site lists people seeking roommates, and anyone associated with the UA can list property free of charge. This site is secure, so you will need your UA NetID and password.
Q: How do I sublease my housing?
A: Ahem. Start with Off-Campus Online. If you are a UA student or employee, the process for listing a sublease is identical to that listing for a roommate. On the listing be sure to include that those interested have to assume your lease. If you are not a UA affiliate, you may still advertise on the website for a fee. The fees are listed on the site and such ads are found in the “Find a Place to Live” section.
Q: Where can I find short-term housing?
A: Several housing providers do provide temporary housing arrangements. In many senses these providers operate like hotels, although some offer short term leases. Look in the Yellow Pages in the back of the Housing Guide. On the Housing Matrix, properties’ lease lengths are listed. And check Off-Campus Online of course.
Q: Does your office carry the U-Pass
A: You bet – IF you carry a valid CatCard or other form of UA identification. You can also buy it online at www.suntran.com
Q: How can I pay for the U-Pass?
A: We accept credit/debit cards, checks, and money orders only. Cash and bursar charges are not accepted.
Q: What does Off-Campus Housing do?
A: OCH is a resource for students and housing providers. We also do everything we can to give commuter students all the resources you need. We at the OCH office can help you find housing, or help you list your property if you have something to rent. We also have bus passes, access to maps and all sorts of info for commuters.
Q: How many rooms does Off-Campus Housing have available?
A: You can always sleep under Mikel’s desk. JK. Unlike Residence Life, OCH does not provide housing directly. Instead we help connect people looking for housing with those that provide it.
Q: How do I advertise my housing?
A: To advertise your housing, go to Off-Campus Online and create an advertiser login. Then you can list your properties. Advertising charges are outlined on the site. If you do not have access to the Internet, you might consider moving into this millennium, but you can still list online by calling or going to the OCH office to get your ad posted. The OCH office number is 520.621.5859.
Q: Does my financial aid cover my rent?
A: Certain forms of financial aid do cover the expenses of living, however others do not. To find out if your financial aid may be applied to housing, call the UA Financial Aid Officer at 621.1858.
Q: How do I know if an area is a safe place to live?
A: Safety is very important to OCH but we know when to hand things over to the experts, in this case, the Tucson Police Department (TPD). Their website, tpdinternet.tucsonaz.gov, has current crime statistics, and we strongly recommend that you study these before you sign any lease. Also check out their “Services” tab for information on crime prevention and living safely. Read up on living safely.
Q: How do I properly break my lease?
A: If you want to get out of your lease we offer two tidbits of advice. First, do nothing that would allow your landlord to break your lease (as this usually costs you money). Second, talk to a lawyer. ASUA has a lawyer on staff just for UA students. This ASUA service is FREE (the only time we’ve ever heard of such a thing). Call for an appointment. ASUA Legal Services, 520.621.2782. Read up on leases.
Q: Why do so many student apartments only offer 12-month leases?
A: It’s called capitalism. More tenants for more time and less advertising equals more money — this is why we do not sleep through ECON200. Many places offer 9-month or semester leases, and even month-to-month tenancy, but you can expect to pay a lot more. The shorter the lease, the more you’ll pay per month for rent. If you won’t be here for the summer, or want to move out, you can always try to find someone to take over your lease.
Q: Can you recommend the best apartment for me to live in?
A: We would, but then we’d have to kill you. The Off-Campus Housing Service is funded and regulated by Arizona State Law. That means that we cannot recommend any one business over another. We are here to give the UA community accurate information to the best of our knowledge. It’s up to you to decide what is best for you. So contact and visit as many places as you can to discover what’s important to you!
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