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Frequently
asked questions about off-campus housing
From the Winter 2004 Parent Newsletter
When should students begin looking for an off-campus apartment
for next year?
Some of the large student apartment complexes near the University offer leases
in the spring for September 1 openings. In many cases, however, current renters
are not obligated to give notice until 60 days before they will vacate the apartment.
That means that many vacancies will come up during the summer. Students can begin
looking at apartments in March or April, but they shouldn’t be concerned
if they’re not finding what they want. June and July are prime times for
serious apartment hunting. Those who wait until August are still able to find
apartments, but the selection is much more limited. They may feel pressured to
accept substandard housing. In most cases, even in August, if they spend two
or three days seriously looking, they will find what they need.
I’m not convinced my student will eat well if he
lives in an apartment. Are there dining options for commuting students?
University Dining Services offers meal plans for commuters, allowing them access
to the all-you-can-eat plans in the six residence hall dining centers. Meal plans
for off-campus students include options such as 25 meals per semester, five meals
per week, 150 meals per semester, or 14 meals per week. These and other meal
plans are listed on the University Dining Services Web site, umn.mealplansonline.com.
Students also can sign up for FlexDine dollars, money loaded on the U Card, so
they can purchase food at all campus restaurants or dining facilities. For more
information on meal plans or FlexDine dollars, call 612-624-0558 or visit the
UDS Commuter Web page at www1.umn.edu/dining/flexdine.html.
My student wants to live in Uptown, which is several miles
from the University. She says it’s not a problem to get to
campus—there are plenty of buses, or she can drive. Does
that make sense?
A number of U of M students live in Uptown and in other neighborhoods throughout
the Twin Cities. Buses are a good option, and the U-Pass—the ride-anywhere-anytime
bus pass for University students—makes busing easy and affordable. Students
should be sure that they’re selecting an apartment with a bus stop nearby
and check with Metro Transit (www.metrotransit.org)
to find out if there is a frequent bus route to and from campus. Parking on or
near campus can be expensive, especially when compared with busing.
What if my student signs a lease for an apartment that turns
out to be awful? Can he get out of it?
Students with concerns about the safety or legality of their house or apartment
can contact University Student Legal Service (USLS) to determine if the landlord
is in compliance with the law. USLS advises students on their rights and responsibilities
relating to repairs, security deposits, evictions (unlawful detainer), and lease
interpretation. |
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