Off-Campus Housing Guide

In Your Apartment

• Always keep exterior and interior doors locked.
• Never leave your rental unit door propped open for friends.
• Always keep rental unit/basement doors and windows locked, even when taking a short nap or if alone.
• Never leave keys for roommates or housemates outside of your rental unit.
• Leave a light on when you go out to give the appearance that someone is present in the unit.
• During vacations, remove valuables (such as TVs, stereos, computers, etc.) from the rental unit.
• Use an electrical timer for a lamp to be lit when the rental unit is vacant.
• Never let anyone into the rental unit before finding out who it is.
• Use Campus Safety Shuttle System when leaving campus at night.
• At night, have your keys ready before you get to your door.
• Get to know the students and neighbors in your building and become acquainted with their schedule of being home.
• Encourage your landlord to provide lighting in the entrance to your rental unit/stairway/driveway.
• If you receive obscene phone calls, hang up and call the police.
• Notify the police if any unfamiliar person is loitering near your rental unit.
• Pull down window shades or blinds at night.

On the Street

• Do not go out walking or jogging alone after dark. Ask a friend or a group of friends to accompany you.
• Arrange to get a ride from a friend, take the Shuttle Service, or use public transportation. Wait for a ride with a friend.
• Take main streets. Avoid shortcuts and dark or isolated spots.
• Walk in the middle of the sidewalk to avoid accessibility of cars pulling up or people hiding in parked cars, doorways, or bushes.
• Ignore strangers who may call out to you, whether they are on foot or in a car.
• Look alert while walking – ready to exit if trouble develops. Be aware of your body language. Look strong and aggressive. Walk confidently and briskly.
• Do not ever hitchhike – no matter what the time of day.
• If you must walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood, try to plan your route in advance.
• If you feel as though you’re in danger or being followed by someone on foot, cross the street, change direction, vary your pace. Do not be afraid to enter a lighted store or campus building and call police.
• If someone in a car follows you, turn around and walk the other way. If the car persists, record the license number and call police.
• If you are held up, do not panic. Hand over valuables quickly and quietly. Get as good a description of your assailant as possible.
• If you are attacked: If possible, flee immediately. Be realistic about your ability to protect yourself. An immediate reaction of yelling, biting, kicking, may give you a chance to escape, but be aware that these actions could expose you to further harm. Remember: Every emergency is different. Only you can decide which course of action is appropriate. If you are able to break away, run toward lights and or people. Continue to scream and attract attention.
• Report to police immediately if you are a victim of a crime. Always press charges.

Find general information about the city of Oberlin  by contacting City Information at 440-775-1531 or by visiting the City of Oberlin website.

To view information specifically pertaining to residents living in the city of Oberlin, refer to: Information For Residents

Important phone numbers to have on hand:

• Oberlin Police Department: 440-774-1061
• Oberlin Fire Department: 440-774-3211
• Oberlin Utilities Department: 440-774-7211

Cost

Make a realistic budget and stay within it as you search. Rent tends to depend on:

• size of the rental unit
• condition of the rental unit
• location relative to campus
• utilities that are included

Remember to include all utilities in your budget if they are not included in the rent.

Parking Availability

The city of Oberlin prohibits parking on residential streets from November 1 to April 1 during the hours of 2 a.m. to  6 a.m.

From April 1 to November 1, vehicles may not be parked in residential streets for more than 48 hours. The city also enforces a prohibition on parking on lawns rather than approved driveways.

Violations of all of the above city parking restrictions may incur fines of up to $200 and the vehicle may be towed. If parking is available from the landlord, it must be written into the lease.

If you bring your car to any campus lot, you must register for and display a student permit ($150 during the first two weeks of September, $200 for the rest of the year). You may only park in student allocated parking spaces (not visitor or other restricted spaces or lots).

Contact the Office of Campus Safety for more information.

Choosing Roommates/Housemates

Your choice of roommates/housemates is very important in determining whether or not your living situation will be a comfortable and relaxing one. Discuss lifestyles, habits, and expectations thoroughly before deciding to form a household. Clearly define how responsibilities will be distributed or assigned if one party decides to move out before the term of the lease is up.

Most important, be honest about what you can and cannot live with in terms of cleaning, cooking, noise, guests, etc.

Before Signing a Lease

A rental unit should meet the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the City of Oberlin or the Rooming House Regulations - State Building Code in order to be rented.

If a permit is not displayed, call 440-774-3428 to request more information on the property.

You should always conduct a formal walk through with your landlord or property manager before signing a lease.

• Room Inventory Checklist
• Ohio Revised Code for Landlords and Tenants