The Housing Search
Determining Needs
Selecting a place to live is new, and sometimes, a difficult and overwhelming experience for first time renters. Decisions will have to be made, so it is very important to ask the proper questions and seek advice from those who have experienced some of the same problems before you. Here are some questions that can be helpful in determining your needs: How much can I afford for rent and utilities each month? Do I want to live alone or with roommates? Do I want to live in a single room, apartment of house? Do I need to live within walking distance or do I have reliable transportation to the university? Do I need furnished or unfurnished housing? There are some basic choices that will help you in making your decisions. Many people who are renting for the first time hope to find a place that doesn’t take a lot of their time. If money is not a big concern, the larger apartment complexes keep you from having to worry about heat, light, parking, upkeep and general maintenance. While no one can guarantee how efficient the management will be in making the necessary repairs when something breaks down you will still have built-in advantages. A large group of students in the area provides opportunities for socializing, rides, etc. These units are sometimes furnished, air-conditioned and many even have dishwashers. For the person seeking a more private setting, apartments are available throughout the borough and the surrounding area. The types of units available are varied but in most instances living in one of these apartments entails some additional responsibility. Shoveling walks, mowing the lawn, making minor repairs, etc. Such a setting provides the opportunity to live like any other citizen. In addition to the other choices mentioned, sometimes a group of students will get together and rent a house. Such a choice gives you a great deal of responsibility and can often provide some big hassles. There are good and bad points about all the above situations. Its up to you to determine your own thing!
Where and When to Look
Once you’ve decided what your needs are, it’s time to begin your search. START EARLY, the sooner you start, the more likely you’ll find what you need and want. The students already living off-campus can often be your best resource when searching for housing. Usually through word of mouth, you can find out what the landlords and housing are really like. Ask all kinds of questions about costs, noise, living conditions, etc. Listings of off-campus housing are found in: Newspapers- The Kutztown Patriot Reading Times/Eagle Allentown Morning Call The East Penn Valley Merchandiser Off-Campus Student Life- Room 262 Student Union Building The university, through the office of the dean for Student Services and Campus Life  maintains a website of housing vacancies submitted on a voluntary basis by landlords at och.kutztown.edu and includes information on how many students can live at a property, the cost of rent, the number of rooms, what utilities are provided and lease specifics, available for the perusal of interested students. The university does not approve, recommend or regulate off campus housing. It does require that landlords sign a Fair Housing statement guaranteeing that they do not discriminate in renting to any individual. However, if you have a hard time with a landlord, and if his refusal to rent to you appears to be because of your gender, race or religion, he is breaking the law. If this is the case contact the office of Consumer Protection at 610-821-6690 and the office of the dean for Student Services and Campus Life at 610-683-1581 (room 262 Student Union Building) and report it to them. Bulletin Boards – on and off-campus Organizations/Newsletters/Help Off Campus Advisory Council (OCAC) is comprised of student leaders and town leaders. This group discusses concerns and issues about the relations between the University and the town. The members meet once a month with the Mayor at Borough Hall and once a month at the university. The group has provided programming for the University community and the local community and is a referral network for town and University needs. Briar Cliff has had a Tenant Consultant program since 1990. The TC’s (Tenant Consultants) are students interested in promoting a better living environment and promoting community awareness. They provide the Cliff Notes, a newsletter for Briar Cliff students, a communication link between the University and the students and Tent Meetings. Tent Meetings are town hall styled meetings that enable the students to discuss concerns, listen to local and University officials and have a meal together. The students have worked to improve their relations with Saucony Cross, a retirement complex next to Briar Cliff.