Housing Resources for Students

How to Find Housing

Below represent the best strategies for finding housing off-campus:

• Regularly check websites like Craigslist, Apartments.com, Zillow and others for Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, and Medford listings.
• Use word of mouth. Talk to your friends, coworkers, teammates, and other people you know in the area/community to see if they are aware of anyone who is moving soon or needs a roommate.
• Use social media to make posts on SOU forums or pages to ask about anyone who needs a roommate or anyone aware of any housing opportunities.
• Research and contact property management companies individually. Some of them post on websites like Craigslist, while others do not. Look up all the companies in the area and visit each website to view available rentals. Contact them to ask if they have a list of people who have an apartment or house through them but need a roommate.

Requirements for a Housing Application

Most frequently, a property management company will need your income information, permission to check your credit score, your rental history (if any), and employment information. If possible, getting this information together prior to your application can help move things along quickly.

If you do not have a credit score or a high-enough income, they may ask for a co-signer (a person that vouches for you and agrees to take responsibility for payments should you be unable to). They will request the same information from your cosigner to determine their eligibility to rent. Companies want a reasonable assurance that you will be able to afford to pay rent regularly and use the requested information to determine your “financial trustworthiness.”

Understanding Leases

A lease is an agreement between you and whomever you are renting from that outlines the amount of time you will live there, the amount of rent, expectations, and other details. The most important part of getting housing off campus is to READ EVERY WORD OF THE AGREEMENT. Make sure that you are not agreeing to anything unreasonable or illegal that someone slipped into the document. If you notice something concerning, do not sign it. Ask questions and be prepared to negotiate. You have rights and they should be protected!

All leases require a 30 days written notice that you intend to vacate the rental. If you are looking into a place that does not want you to sign some form of lease or contract, please use caution. Without written agreement, you can leave anytime without notice, but your landlord could also kick you out without notice.

• Length of time: Some leases are for a period of time that you agree to stay at the property for, typically the period of time is 6 or 12 months. You will have to live there for the agreed upon amount of time should you sign a lease. If you need to move sooner, there is often a fee for breaking the contract. At the end of the agreed upon time frame, you will either renew your lease for another period of time, or provide your notice 30 days prior to the end of the lease and move out on or before the end date.

A month to month agreement means that there is no required amount of time you have to live there and you can move out at any time. You are still required to provide 30 days notice.

Rent

Most landlords will have you pay by check or electronically. If they request check or cash, make sure to get a receipt from them each month confirming that you paid your rent. You want to make sure you have proof of payment should they claim you never paid. This is very rare but protect yourself!

Eviction Diversion Program

The Oregon Eviction Diversion and Prevention Program helps eligible low-income households with their past due rent and utilities.

Moving In

Deposit and Money:

Typically to move in, you will need to pay first month’s rent and a deposit. The deposit is basically insurance for the landlord that they might use after you leave to repair any damages that may happen while you live there. Once you move out, if there are no damages, you should receive your deposit back. Some companies will require first and last month’s rent. If you are looking into housing options, make sure you are prepared to pay a large sum up front when you move in.

Setting up utilities:

(water, gas, sewage, trash, power, wifi*): Each utility is offered through a different local company. If there are utilities that are not included in your rent/provided by your landlord you will need to set them up yourself. To do this, look up “power in Ashland” or another utility online and there will typically be only one option (except wifi*). Go to the website and there should be an option to “set up” or “start” services. If you can’t find information about which company to use, contact your landlord or property management company and ask which company provides which utility in your area. They will be able to tell you and you can contact the company to start services.

Utility Assistance:

• Local utility assistance is available for students in need! For students with City of Ashland Electric Accounts, there is an Ashland Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (ALEAP), for more information and to submit an application visit here.
• Oregon Housing and Community Services provides funding for local nonprofit ACCESS to distribute in their Energy Assistance Program, to book an appointment visit their website here.
• Pacific Power also offers some resources for payment plans and assistance, visit their website here.

*For potential discounts on phones or broadband services, explore the Oregon Telephone Assistance Programs (Lifeline). This is a federal and state government program that reduces the monthly cost of phone or broadband service for qualifying low-income Oregon households. If you qualify you could be eligible to receive discounts on your phone and broadband bills or free cell phone and data service.

Getting furniture:

If you’ve got a space but need to fill it with furniture, there are a few local places that have cheaper furniture options or donation programs. Search for furniture resources online. Some places that have cheap or free furniture include: Goodwill, St. Vincent De Paul, and Restore from Habitat for Humanity. You can also join the local area “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook which are groups that only offer things for free or to borrow. You can post about a need and people will respond with available stuff or give things away that you have as extra.

Renter’s Insurance:

It is strongly recommended that you get renter’s insurance for your rental. Similar to other types of insurance, it protects you and your belongings and will financially compensate you should there be damage to the property that results in your things being damaged or if you get robbed. Your landlord will have insurance to protect the house or apartment itself but they will not have insurance for your things. It’s best to have your own!
Most insurance companies have a renters option and it is usually very cheap (think $150 per year or so). It is helpful to know that if someone stole from you, or if there was a flood that damaged your things, you won’t be fully responsible for replacing everything on your own dime.

Tenant Rights:

As a tenant/renter you have rights! Landlords are not allowed to just do whatever they want. It is strongly recommended that you review and are aware of your rights. Being aware of what your rights are as a renter is extremely important so that if your landlord does something that infringes on your rights, you will know and can report it to the appropriate authority. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of because you don’t know.

Shelters

If you find yourself unexpectedly homeless and do not know what to do, contact University Housing (541.552.6371 or housing@sou.edu ) to see if an emergency shelter is available. Here are a list of shelters in the area:

• Ashland Emergency Winter Shelter: https://helpingashland.org/
• List of Local Shelters: https://peacehouse.net/shelters/