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Off-Campus Housing

1Off-Campus HousingCalifornia State University San MarcosStudent Life & Leadershipwww.csusm.edu/sll(760) 750 - 4970Table of ContentsIntroduction to Off-Campus Housing 1Looking for an Apartment 2Looking for a Roommate 3Rental Tips 4Tenant’s Rights 5Preparing for Your Move 7Tips for Furnishing Your Apartment 9Budgeting 9Safety Tips 10EmergencyPreparedness13Tips for Moving Out 14Hotel and Motel Directory 16Helpful Forms and Sample DocumentsBudget Worksheet 18Housing Search Journal 19Tenant’s Resume 20Inventory Checklist 21Roommate Contract 24Roommate Compatibility Form 26Rental Agreement 28Tenant’s Termination Notice 302•Do you want to live on your own or do youwant to live with roommates?Introduction to the California State 
University San Marcos Off‐Campus 
Housing (OCH) Services 
•How far away from campus do you want tolive? What kind of transportation will be
needed?Finding housing can be difficult and frustrating,but we in the office of Student Life & Leadership
have put together this guide to aid you in yoursearch. By using this guide we hope that you willbe able to find and maintain the most beneficial
housing situation possible. Through the use ofproper planning, careful selection ofroommates, and clear communication with your
landlord, you can find housing that meets mostof your needs.
•What are your personal needs? What type of
atmosphere do you want to live in?
•What type of setting do you want to live in?
Do you want to live near the beach or nearschool?
A Few Things to Remember•Living near the beach and living next tocampus is going to be more expensive, so
remember to include this in your budget.The office of Student Life & Leadership islocated in Craven Hall 3400. The office is openMonday - Thursday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and Friday,8 A.M. to 3 P.M.
•Having roommates will save you money.
Housing Options for Students•Make sure that you account fortransportation costs (e.g., gas for your car,
bus fare, or parking) when you arecalculating your budget.Students at California State University SanMarcos (CSUSM) have many options for whereto live when they attend school. Students have
the option of living in our on-campus housing,which is called the University Village Apartments(UVA). Due to the limited amount of space in
UVA, most students live off-campus. Off-campushousing refers to local apartments, houses,condos, or rooms in private residences. We
recommend that you search for a place at least3 months before school starts because demandwill be lower and your chances of finding theright place for you will be higher. Most students
search in August, but if you beat the rush youmay have better luck.
Search for What Is Right for You
Many things contribute to your decision about
where you are going to live. Here are a fewthings that you want to take into considerationwhen making that decision:•How much money will you have availableper month for rent, utilities, food, and otherexpenditures? Create a budget using our
Budget Worksheet that is found in the backof this guide on page 18.1Looking for an Apartment
When You Look for an Apartment
•Keep a journal of all of the properties that
you visit, that way you can go back and lookthrough them and compare them when youare done. You can use the Housing Search
Journal that is provided in the back of thisguide on page 19.
•Make an appointment. Landlords orapartment managers are busy people somaking an appointment is always a good
idea. Depending on the apartment complexan appointment may be necessary to viewthe apartment.
•Prepare a Tenant’s Resume. This will helpyou by having all of your personalinformation ready when you visit prospective
apartments. We have provided a sampleTenant’s Resume later in the back of thisguide on page 20.
•Look presentable. Your appearance is thefirst thing property managers see and they
may use your appearance as an indicator ofwhat type of tenant you will be.
•Thoroughly inspect the unit. Allow yourselfenough time to really go through the unitand check for the condition of everything. To
guide yourself you can use the InventoryChecklist that is provided in the back of thisguide on pages 21-23.
•Walk around the neighborhood. Take a strolland see what the neighborhood is like. Youmay want to do this on a weekday as well as
a weekend or in the morning and in theafternoon so that you see what theneighborhood is like at different times.
•Make sure you get a written receipt for allmonetary transactions.
Making an Informed Decision
Make sure that you are completely comfortable
with the decision you are making before yousign a lease. Get all of your questions answeredand ensure that nothing is bothering you about
your decision. You also may want to go over theInventory Checklist with the landlord ormanager and make sure that anything that is
wrong will be fixed, but it is essential that youget this in writing, not just an oral agreement.Make sure you read your lease and know yourrights and responsibilities as a tenant.2Looking for a Roommate
Finding Roommates
CSUSM offers a roommate finder as part of our
Off-Campus Housing website, which isaccessible by visiting www.csusm.edu/sll.Roommate finder allows you to search through
potential roommates based on your personalpreferences, characteristics, and qualities.Roommate finder allows you to search through
all of the other potential roommates fromCSUSM at one time.
Also, don’t forget to consider your friends,
people you meet at orientation, or people inyour major when finding a roommate. Oneadvantage to this is that you have already met
these people and have spent varying amountsof time with them.
What to Discuss
Once you have picked some prospective
roommates you should meet with each otherand discuss many different things. This processcan be looked at like an interview because youare selecting someone to live with and spend a
lot of time with. You want to make sure thatwhat you expect from each other is made clearbefore you sign any agreements or leases. Here
are some possible topics to discuss whenmeeting each other; additional topics can befound using the Roommate Compatibility Form,
which is on pages 26-27.
•Rent & UtilitiesoHow much can you afford eachmonth for rent and utilities?oHow will the bills be split and who is
responsible for making sure thatthey get paid on time?•Food & CookingoWill you share groceries and theexpenses or will you keep everythingseparate?oWho is responsible for the cookingand cleaning?
•CleanlinessoWho is in charge of cleaning the
different areas of the apartment?What is meant by clean?•Personal Habits & NeedsoWhat hours of the day do you sleep,go to school, do homework, or relax?oHow much privacy do you want?oHow do you feel about havingboyfriends/girlfriends or friends
spending the night? How frequentlydo you expect this to happen?oDo you want your own bedroom orwould you prefer to share one?oDo you prefer silence or noise whenyou study?•Smoking or Drug UseoWhich do you prefer, a smoker or anonsmoker?oMake sure each of you is clear aboutthe rules for alcohol or illegal drugswhere you live.•Music & TelevisionoWhat types of music do you like or
dislike?oWhat television shows can you notlive without and which can you notstand?oHow often do you watch televisionand at what hours of the day do youwatch?•PetsoDo you own pets?oDo you plan to bring any pets withyou?Even though you and your potential roommateswill go over these topics, conflicts are sure toarise. Whether they are minor or major, we
suggest that you put all of what you talkedabout in writing to prevent or solve thesepotential conflicts. We have provided a sampleRoommate Contract in the back of this guide on
pages 24-25.3Rental TipsYou Have a Roommate and You Have Found thePerfect Apartment….. Now What?
Once you have found the perfect roommate andthe perfect place to live, you will need thefollowing rental tips:
•MoneyoMost places require first and last
month’s rent and some sort ofsecurity or cleaning deposit whenyou sign the lease. Be ready to pay
these charges when you sign yourlease. When planning your budget fitthese costs in, as well as utility start
up costs. As mentioned before,make sure you get a written receiptfor all monetary transactions.•ReferencesoBe prepared with references fromformer landlords, property
managers, neighbors, employers,and family. Also, landlords may askyou for a co-signer in order to rent
you a space.•PetsoNot all living arrangements allowpets so be open and honest aboutthe pets that you own in order to
avoid penalties from themanagement. If you cannot livewithout your pets or the space you
are looking at does not allow pets,be prepared to spend extra timelooking for somewhere that canaccommodate you and your pets.•AgreementsoOnce you have decided on a space it
is imperative that you read the entireagreement before you sign it toprevent future confusion or conflict.
It is best to get an agreement inwriting rather than orally because anoral agreement does not give you or
the management any legalprotection.The agreement that you sign will be seenas a contract between you and
management, which means that theconditions that are stated within theagreement should be held up by bothparties. The terms that are in the
agreement are enforceable by themanagement, if necessary, so it is veryimportant that you read them and
understand them prior to signing.Landlords or property managers usuallyprovide these agreements; however, a
sample agreement is available in theback of this packet on pages 28-29 tohelp you familiarize yourself with the
content of an agreement. It is importantfor you to understand that these are onlysamples and they are in no way officialagreements.•Fair Housing Council of San Diego (contactthese offices for their hours and the
services they offer):o625 Broadway, Suite 1114San Diego, CA 92101-5418
Phone: (619) 699-5888Fax: (619) 699-5885Email: admin1@fhcsd.comoNorth County BranchPhone: (760) 439-3940Fax: (760) 754-98234Tenant’s Rights
Tenant’s Rights
Once you and your roommate sign your lease,
you may still be accountable for all of the rent ifyour roommate decides not to stay. Make surethat you have an agreement form with the
landlord that states that you have the right toreplace the roommate that left. Also, have all ofthe roommates sign a roommate contract,
which holds them accountable if they terminatetheir contract before it expires. A sampleRoommate Contract is provided in the back ofthis guide on pages 24-25.
Discrimination in Housing
•California Fair Housing Law
“All persons… are free and equal, and no
matter what their sex, race, color, religion,ancestry, or national origin, are entitled tothe full and equal accommodations,
advantages, facilities, privileges, or servicesin all business establishments of every kindwhatsoever.” This statement is the basic
premise contained in California Civil CodeSection 51 (the Unruh Civil Rights Act).Section 53 declares all restrictions whichlimits access to real property to be void.
Section 54 applies specifically to disabledpersons. (Note: Owners are not required tomodify their property to accommodate
people with disabilities.)
Another California law, the Rumford Fair
Housing Act of 1963, made discriminationbased on marital status illegal along withearlier named protections. More recently,
decisions have been made by the CaliforniaSupreme Court which interprets the law toprohibit discrimination because of age,sexual orientation or preference, or “any
arbitrary basis.” This can include studentstatus as arbitrary discrimination. (Note: Anexception is made for certain senior citizen
complexes and mobile home parks whichallow them to restrict on the basis of age.)
•U.S. Fair Housing LawFederal law also protects against
discrimination. The earliest law regardingaccess to housing was passed in 1866. ThisCivil Rights Act provides that all citizens
have the same right “to inherit, purchase,lease, sell, hold, and convey real andpersonal property.”
The Fair Housing Law of 1968 (Title 42, U.S.Code Section 3601) as amended by the
Housing and Community Development Actof 1974 (Section 5308) declares a nationalpolicy of providing fair housing throughoutthe United States.•Prohibited ActionsoRefusal to sell or rent or negotiatefor such sale or rental.oRefusal to show a unit.oGiving different information aboutterms and conditions to differentpeople.oSaying that a dwelling is notavailable when it is.oApplying different qualifyingstandards (i.e., a higher credit rating
for women than men)oAdvertising for a particular group(i.e., looking for Christian tenants)oSegregation: for example, permittingstudents to rent units in somebuildings in a complex, but not in
others.oInappropriate questions in anapplication (i.e., where were you
born?)oRetaliatory action against those whoreport discriminatory practices.5•Identifying Discrimination
In seeking housing, the following proceduresare recommended:oIf a number is listed, telephone firstand ask the following questions:1.Is the place still available?2.Is it available for immediateoccupancy?3.Is the description and pricecorrect?4.Is a lease required; if so, forhow long a period of time?5.Are there any rules regarding
pets, number of people toshare the apartment, etc.?6.Are references required? An
application form?oAnswers to these questions over thephone will provide a check on
whether landlords give you the sameinformation when you see them inperson. If your race or nationality canbe identified by your voice, have
someone else make the call for you.oImmediately following the telephoneconversation, go to the apartment
and ask to see it.oIf you are given different informationin person than you received over the
phone, you may be a victim ofdiscrimination. Discouragingremarks made to a prospective
tenant may be clues todiscrimination. One example mightbe, “We’ve had students herebefore, but they were never very
happy with the place.”oIf you suspect discrimination, pleasemake a note of:
1.The address where you appliedor inquired2.The date of your contact3.Names of persons contacted4.How you learned about thevacancy5.The requirements of occupancywhich you were given6.What information was asked of
you7.What information youvolunteered about yourself
•Legal Screening TechniquesLandlords can screen applicantsappropriately by using objective criteriaincluding:oAbility to pay rentoCredit historyoRental history
Limits on the number of persons living inone unit are legal. Students who are not
self-supporting may be asked to have theirparents co-sign their rental agreement.Consistency in applying the same policies to
all applicants is a key factor in complyingwith fair housing laws.6Preparing for Your Move
The Big Move
You have a place to live, new roommates, and
you have signed your lease, now you are readyto move in. Here is a simple timeline to help youget everything done.
•8 weeks before you moveoCreate a move file to keep track of
all of your records and receipts.oContact moving companies or truckrental companies.oResearch auto insurance,homeowner’s insurance, andrenter’s insurance rates.oMake a final doctor and dental
appointment for yourself or your petsbefore you move.•7 weeks before you moveoCall CSUSM and check thevaccination requirements. If you
have children, call their new schooldistricts for the same information.oIf you have children, start
researching child care options.•6 weeks before you moveoNotify your doctor, dentist, andveterinarian of your move and askfor records and possible referrals.oCheck transportation requirements
for pets.oNotify any clubs or organizations thatyou belong to about your move.•5 weeks before you moveoContact storage locations, if
necessary.oStart collecting boxes. You can checktruck rental companies or moving
companies.•4 weeks before you moveoGive notice to your current landlordor property management company inwriting of your move. A sample letteris provided in the back of this guide
on page 30.oStart cleaning out your closets for agarage sale, if you plan on havingone.oStart packing things that are notused that often and seasonal items.oCancel any monthly services that you
get.oIf you have children, arrange atransfer of your children’s school
records.oIf you have children, start to involveyour children in the move by havingthem pack some of their things.oSend a change of address card tothe post office, your insurancecompanies, utilities, personal
contacts, magazines, businessorganizations, and do not forget theDMV. If necessary, also send a
change of address to the SocialSecurity office, your accountant,attorney, and previous employers.oArrange your utilities at your newlocation.•3 weeks before the moveoIf you are moving to a new state,check and see if your plants can bemoved because some states prohibit
bringing in new plants.oHave a garage sale and then donateany leftover items that you do not
want to move with you.oReturn all rented movies andchecked out library books.oMake sure that you have picked upall of your dry cleaning.oClean out your current storage
facility, if necessary.oStart packing everything else.7•2 weeks before the moveoGet any service done that your
vehicle needs.oMake sure that you can stay at yournew place the day of your move and
if not, make arrangements to stay ata local hotel or motel. A list of localhotels and motels is available later
in this guide on pages 16-17.oUpdate your email address.oArrange for a babysitter for yourchildren and pets, if necessary.•1 week before you moveoClose or transfer bank accounts andget traveler’s checks if needed.oClean out your safety deposit box, if
you have one.oArrange for housecleaning of yourold place after the date that you
move out.oContact all of the utility companies tomake sure that all of them areswitched over after you move out.oConfirm your travel plans.oFinish packing everything.•Moving WeekoClean the refrigerator, freezer, andstove.oConfirm your address with themoving company.oPerform a final walk through of your
old place to check for damages andthings that need to be cleaned.oPick up the rental truck, dollies,
moving blankets, and any othernecessary, materials.oBe at your new place when themoving truck arrives.oUpdate your driver’s license andregistration.oBe prepared to take your jewelry,
valuables, and precious breakableswith you to your new place.Local Utilities
Before you move into your new place you needto make sure that you have contacted all of yourutility companies. Here is some of the contact
information for the San Diego area utilitycompanies:
•Gas and ElectricoSan Diego Gas & Electric(800) 411-SDGE (7343)•TelephoneoCox Digital Telephone Service(619) 262-1122oAT&T Telephone Service(800) 288-2020•Water, Trash, and Cable/Satellite TVoCheck with your landlord or propertymanager for your local companies.•Post OfficeoVisit www.usps.com for your local
post office and zip code information.
•NewspaperoNorth County Times(760) 740-5456oSan Diego Union Tribune(619) 299-2121
Settling Into Your New Place
Take the first few weeks with your newroommate as a trial period where you act likeyou would normally act; then discuss your likes
and dislikes about each other openly. This wayany problems that may come up in the futuremay be avoided. Make sure you really talk about
each other’s feelings. This will help you avoidconflict later. After this initial period and yourdiscussion, try to pay attention to your actionsto make sure that you are being the best
roommate you can be. If conflict does arise atany time, make sure you really talk about it andget it cleared up. Try to arrange solutions that
will work for both of you.8Tips for Furnishing Your Apartment and Budgeting
Now That You Have Moved In
You have moved in to your new place and you
have started to unpack all of your things and getthem organized; but you realize that you stillneed a few things. If you need furniture and
some appliances, like a new television, you cantry looking in the following places:
•Furniture RentalsoThere are plenty of furniture rentalcompanies that can be found in your
new phone book or online.•Classified AdsoLook through your local newspapers
for some great deals.•Garage SalesoOne of the best ways to getinexpensive and useable goods is togo to local garage sales. Remember,
one man’s trash is another man’streasure.•Look for SignsoLook for postings on the campusposting boards from other students
that are trying to get rid of theirfurniture. Look for these in thespring semester when students arepreparing to move away from school.•Local StoresoLook for local thrift stores,
secondhand stores, or consignmentshops to find some great deals.
Enjoy Your New Community
Stop by the Student Life & Leadership Office,
which is located in Craven Hall 3400, to pick upour “Fun Within 5 Minutes Guide”. This guidehas a list of activities and hot spots in the area
for you to enjoy. Remember, take time foryourself and get to know the area you live in; ithas plenty to offer, take advantage of it!Budgeting While Living In Your New Place
The expenses do not stop once you have moved
into your new place; here are some tips to helpyou spend your money wisely:
•Grocery ShoppingoMake a list before you go to thestore to reduce impulse buying.oEat before you shop. If you areshopping while you are hungry, youwill end up buying more.oTry buying the supermarket orgeneric brands.oAvoid buying convenience food (pre-packaged, ready to eat, or instant
foods), instead make food yourself.oBuy in larger quantities and takeadvantage of sales and coupons.•Reduce Your Utility BillsoClean your oven, stove top,
refrigerator, and defrost your freezerregularly.oReduce your use of electric stove
tops and air conditioners becausethey are big consumers of electricity.oTurn out the lights when you leavethe room.oSet your thermostats on your waterheater and furnace to a lowertemperature.oOperate your dishwasher only whenit is full.•Other Ways to Save MoneyoBe on the lookout for studentdiscounts anywhere you spend
money.oGo to matinees or discount nights atthe movies.oTry to purchase used books orborrow them from someone who hasalready taken the class.oMake or bake your gifts.oDo not keep too much cash on handbecause you will end up spending it.9Safety Tips
Keeping Safe in Your New Place
Here are some tips to help you stay safe in your
new place:
•Increase Security
Always lock your doors when you are awayand even when you are home. Remember to
lock the doors when you leave and yourroommate is still home. Lock everything,which includes sliding doors and windows.
Report any problems with locks, lost keys, oroutdoor lighting that is not working to themanagement or landlord.
Request a deadbolt lock if there is not onealready in place. Ask your landlord to re-key
the locks if it was not done after the lasttenants vacated the unit. Use window locksand secure sliding glass doors with
appropriate hardware and/or a dowelplaced in the track.
Keep your blinds and curtains closed afterdark. Keep a few lights on or a radio playingwhen you are away. You might want to tryputting them on an automatic timer to turn
them on and off.
Get acquainted with your neighbors and
agree to be watchful of each others’ places.It is always a good idea to participate in ororganize a Neighborhood Watch program.
Notify the police immediately if there issuspicious behavior or circumstances inyour area of residence.
Notify your neighbors when you plan to beaway for more than a couple of days. Stopdeliveries of newspapers and mail or get
someone to get them for you. Use initials orlast name only on your mailbox. Use a buddysystem when you go to do your laundry.
Be aware of any large bushes whereintruders could easily hide and keep them
trimmed or ask the manager or landlord tohave them trimmed.
Keep a list of the possessions that you ownand give it to your parents or someone thatdoes not live with you. Include sales
receipts, lists of model numbers, serialnumbers, and a description of each item.
Put your telephones in locations that will beeasy to access at any time. Call 911 in caseof an emergency.•Don’t Take Risks!
Never open doors to unknown people, use apeephole to see who is at the door, and askwho it is before you open the door. Demandidentification of some sort from all workers.
Offer to make a phone call yourself ifsomeone asks to use your telephone.
Do not give out information about yourselfover the telephone and be cautious abouttelephone surveys. Do not record your name
on your answering machine. This safetymeasure prevents prank callers fromknowing your name, finding your address,
and identifying who you are. If you livealone, say “we are not home” on youranswering machine instead of saying “I amnot home” to give strangers the impression
that you have more than one person living inyour home. Get an unlisted phone number.
Never leave your keys under the doormat,over the doorway, in or under flower pots, orin any other obvious place. Do not put your
address on your key ring. Do not enter yourplace if you come back and find the doorajar or a window broken. Avoid keeping
large sums of money or expensive valuablesin your room or apartment. Never leavenotes indicating that you are away.Do not assume that any place is safe.
Before you rent make sure that you askabout any experiences with burglary, rape,or auto theft at that location.10•Safety On The Street
When you are walking anywhere at nightmake sure you are walking in a groupwhenever possible. Use the route that is
best lit and least isolated. Avoid shortcuts.Vary your route when you have appropriateoptions. Act confident. Be alert to the people
around you. Be aware of your surroundingsat all times. Know what businesses arelikely to be open and have people around, incase you need help. Keep some distance
between yourself and a stranger who asksfor directions. Do not hesitate to get asmuch attention as you need if you need
help. Do not be embarrassed to make ascene if it could save your life. Notice carsthat pull up beside you or pass you more
than once. Always carry enough money for aphone call or make sure your cell phone isfully charged and always with you. Also,
keep enough money on you for bus fare.
When driving never pick up hitchhikers.Always lock your car, even while you are in
it. Park in well lit areas and remember tonote the exact location of your car. Scan thearea before exiting your vehicle. Be
especially alert in parking structures.Maintain your car in good running conditionand keep an adequate supply of gas in it. If
you have car trouble, stay in your vehicleand use a sign that says “Call Police,” if youare in danger. Do not go directly home if you
believe that you are being followed; insteaddrive yourself to a police station or to a busypublic place. Try to get an insuranceprogram that covers towing services or
become an auto club member. Forindividuals who drive alone at night alongdeserted highways and commute long
distances, make sure that you always havea fully charged cell phone with you. You maywant to consider finding a reputable towing
company and programming their numberinto your cell phone.•Safety On Campus
Walk with others whenever you can. Be alert
and aware of your surroundings. Stay in wellpopulated areas and avoid out of the wayplaces. Notify University Police if you areworking alone and be sure to lock the doors.
Use the Community Service Officers toescort you to your car or other locations oncampus late at night or when the campus is
not very busy. You can reach them at (760)750-4567. Consider programming thisnumber into your cell phone so that youhave it in case of emergencies. Know where
the emergency phones are on campus anduse them when needed. Learn self-defensetechniques. Yell very loudly and strongly if
you need help. Do not give the impressionthat you are helpless. You can also set offyour car alarm to attract attention.
Remember to park in well lit areas if youintend on returning to your car after dark.•Fire SafetyThe three important factors associated with
fire safety are prevention, detection, andescape. Statistics show that 95% ofresidential fires are accidents. To increasefire safety in your dwelling, use the following
list as a guide.
Fire Prevention
Keep a fire extinguisher in a convenientlocation in your apartment, preferably near
the kitchen.
Be sure smokers are careful with cigarettes
or other smoking products. Smoking is the#1 cause of residential fires.
Do not overload electrical outlets or
extension cords.
Check all appliances regularly to ensure
safe operation and report or replace at thefirst sign of any malfunction. Frayed cordsare dangerous.
Keep all flammable materials away from theheating equipment. If any space heaters are
used, they must not be in a crowded areabecause they need an open area aroundthem.11When cooking with oil or other grease, usecaution and never leave the kitchen. An
electric stove top burner at the high settingmay ignite cooking oil. Grease fires shouldbe smothered with a pan lid before they get
out of control.
Never store gasoline near a source of heat,such as a water heater pilot light.
Remember that one gallon of gasoline isequivalent to 14 sticks of dynamite inexplosive force.
Store matches in a safe place and in a non-flammable container.
Fire Detection
Smoke detectors are required in eachdwelling unit as of January 1, 1986. If yourresidence does not have a smoke detector,
notify your landlord or property managerimmediately. A multi-story dwelling shouldhave a detector on each level.
Test your smoke detector regularly to ensurethat it is operable. It is the tenant’sresponsibility to promptly report any
inoperable smoke detector.
Fire Escape
Plan a way to escape from your room andyour dwelling as soon as you move in. Look
for two possible ways to exit each room. Youmay not have time to think of alternativeslater.
Sleep with the bedroom door closed. If yoususpect fire, be sure to test the door beforeopening it. Prepare to slam the door fast if
you open it and smoke or heat rushes in.
Leave the building as fast as possible
whenever there is a fire. It is best to call thefire department from another location.
Never use an elevator when leaving aburning building. The elevator could takeyou to the area of the fire or becomeinoperable while you are in it.Toxic fumes and high temperatures usuallyfill the highest levels of the air, therefore, it
is best to crawl out of a burning building.Cover your face with a cloth. If your clothingcatches fire, stop, drop to floor, and roll to
put the flames out.
Never stop to gather possessions whenleaving a burning building and do not return
once you are out.•Tenant’s InsuranceNormally, landlord’s insurance does notcover your personal possessions in the
event of theft or fire. Renters insurance isrecommended. Any general insurance agentcan give you a quote on renter’s insurance.
Do comparison shopping. Some questionsto ask include whether the coverage isbased on cash value of the item at the time
of loss or is it the replacement cost atcurrent prices, what the deductible amountis, whether the coverage amount applies toall occupants of the dwelling or does each
roommate have to apply separately, andwhether the policy covers property which isoff premises (such as a car).12Emergency Preparedness
•How can I make my apartment safer?oMake sure that nothing breakable orheavy is placed above the head of
your bed. Injuries happen fromfalling objects, not just structuraldamage.oMake sure that your bed and yourdesk are not placed next to awindow. If your bed must be placed
next to a window then make surethat the head of your bed ispositioned away from the window.oLock the wheels on any moving orrolling carts or furniture. Make sureyour computer is attached to yourdesk and that all parts are also
attached. You can attach all of theparts using Velcro.oMake sure you know the safe spots
and the dangerous spots in yourapartment.Safe spots: Under heavy
furniture, such as large heavytables or desks, in theinterior hallways, or braced in
an interior corner away fromall shelves and windows.Dangerous spots: Next towindows, mirrors, doors, any
hanging objects, fireplaces,under skylights, in thekitchen area, and next to tall
or unsecured furniture.oAlways have a supply of food, water,and emergency supplies in your car
and your place of residence.oAsk your landlord or propertymanager where the gas, water, and
electric shut offs are located. Learnhow to shut them off just in casethere is an emergency.Do not light the pilot light on
your gas water heater; makesure that your landlord orproperty manager does this.oHave a predetermined meeting placefor your family or roommates in theevent that you get separated during
an emergency situation.oHave enough of your medications inyour car, apartment, and in yourbackpack at all times. Also, carry
some emergency medical supplies.•During an earthquakeoIf you are indoors, stay indoors.During the earthquake get under atable or desk, stand in a corner, or in
an interior hallway. The thing toremember during an earthquake isto duck, cover, and hold onto
something that is secure.oIf you are outdoors, get yourself to aplace that is not under any buildings,trees, power lines, and is not next to
any walls.oIf you are driving, pull over to theside of the road and put your car in
park. Make sure that you stay in yourcar and do not get out for any reasonuntil the shaking has stopped.•After the earthquakeoUse common sense.oUse your car for shelter if you do nothave any other safe place to go. Youcan also use your car radio to getemergency information.oPrepare yourself for aftershocks. Donot leave the building if you areinside. Do not run downstairs or
outside. Wait until all of the shakinghas stopped.oNever light a match or a candle
because there may be leaking gas orelectrical short circuits. If it is dark orif it is nighttime, use a flash light to
see your way around.oPut on shoes, such as tennis shoesor sneakers, to protect your feet
from debris and glass. Also, put on ajacket to protect your arms.oShut off your gas valves in case of aleak. Check all of your appliances
and utilities for damage.oOnly use your car and telephone foremergency situations.13Tips for Moving Out
Moving Out and Moving On
Nothing lasts forever and at some point you
may decide that it is time to move on. There arecertain things that you are expected to do whenyou decide to move out of your place. Any time
you decide to change your living situation youmay be overwhelmed, but if you keep yourselforganized and if you approach the situation in
the right way it can be far less daunting thanyou thought. Here is a list of some importantprocedures that you should follow when itcomes time to move:
•Check Your Signed Rental AgreementoCheck for any expiration dates and
procedures for terminating rentals.You should begin renewing orextending the lease in plenty of time
before it expires.•Notify Your LandlordoNotify your landlord in writing that
you are planning on moving out ofyour place. Make sure you keep acopy for your records. Also, make
sure that you do this at least 30 daysbefore you plan on moving out or youmay still be held liable for rent. Asample letter is provided in the back
of this guide on page 30.•Have The Landlord Inspect The ApartmentoMake sure they do this in your
presence after you have moved all ofyour things out and cleaned up.Have them sign on the Inventory
Checklist (that is provided in theback of this guide on pages 21-23)indicating that the apartment is in
satisfactory condition. If the landlordrefuses to meet you or if you feelthere may be a future dispute
regarding any condition, takepictures of the entire apartmentafter you have cleaned.•Settle All BalancesoPay all balances that are due tomiscellaneous charges from thebeginning of the last rental period.•Notify All Utility CompaniesoNotify all utility companies inadvance of the date that you plan to
discontinue service. You need to dothis at least one week in advance.•Remove All Trash and Personal BelongingsoThis includes items you intend todiscard. Place furnishings in theiroriginal position. Clean all floors,
bathrooms, closets, fixtures, kitchen,utensils, etc. Remember, in order toget your security deposits back, your
responsibility is to give back theapartment in the same conditionthat it was given to you.•Return All KeysoReturn them all to the landlord. Ifyou do not, you may be assessed akey replacement charge which can
be quite expensive.•Leave A Forwarding AddressoLeave a forwarding address with the
post office and the landlord toenable the prompt return of yourdeposit. This also ensures that your
mail will be forwarded to your newaddress
The Security Deposit
Security deposits must be refunded to youwithin 21 days after you move out. Remember,
in order to get your full security deposit back, itis your responsibility to leave the apartment inthe same condition as when you moved in. The
landlord may make deductions from yoursecurity deposit for unpaid rent, damages, andcleaning that is required.
Avoid deductions by repairing any damagesyourself. Nail holes and thumbtacks in the wall
are “damages” which may require spacklingand painting. Also, plan to clean up verythoroughly before you move out. Use the
following list as a guide:14•The BathroomoScrub the bathtub and shower
including the shower curtain and tile.Scrub inside and outside of toilet.Scrub the sink, medicine cabinet,
and mirror. Clean the floor.
•The KitchenoClean out the cupboards, drawers,counter tops, and scrub the sink.Disinfect and defrost the refrigeratorand freezer. Clean the stove top,
oven, and broiler. Scrub the kitchenfloor.
•Other RoomsoVacuum the carpeting thoroughlyand remove any spots. Clean and
wax any hardwood floors. Removefingerprints and other marks fromwoodwork, door jams, and walls.
Take down all pictures or postersand remove all nails and tacks fromthe walls. Spackle all holes in any of
the walls. Vacuum the furniture thatcame with the apartment and emptyany drawers. Clean all of thewindows.
If the place was a mess when you moved in, thisis not required, but you need to have pictures to
prove it or the landlord can withhold yoursecurity deposit for any of the above problems.
In the case that you have to go to court toretrieve your security deposit, then you need tobe prepared to prove the condition in which you
left the apartment. Take your inventory checklistwith you with the landlord’s signature on it.Also, bring photos that prove the condition ofthe apartment when you moved in, as well as
when you moved out. If the apartment wasdamaged or not very clean when you moved in,of course you will not have to work so hard, but
the burden is on you to prove that thoseproblems were there before you moved in. Ifthis is the case, as soon as you move in, be sure
to get a signed statement from the landlordacknowledging the damages, as well as takephotos and/or bring friends by to witness the
condition.15Hotel and Motel Directory
San Marcos and the surrounding area haveplenty of places for your accommodations. Hereare a few options, which are listed in order of
distance from campus:•Hampton Inn San Marcos0.90 miles away
123 E. Carmel St.San Marcos, Ca 92078760-736-9249
760-736-4872 Fax800-HAMPTON Reservationswww.hamptoninn.com•Ramada Limited Inn & Suites1.97 miles away517 W. San Marcos Blvd.San Marcos, CA 92096760-471-2800
www.ramada.com
•Quails Inn Hotel3.28 miles awayAt Lake San Marcos Resort
1025 La Bonita Dr.San Marcos, CA 92078760-744-0120
www.lakesanmarcosresort.com
•La Quinta Inns, Inc.5.21 miles away630 Sycamore Ave.
Vista, CA 92083760-727-8180760-598-1732 Faxwww.lq.com
•Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites5.40 miles away1250 W. Valley Pkwy.Escondido, CA 92029
760-741-7117760-839-1601 Fax800-972-2802 Reservations
www.ichotelsgroup.com
•Mount Vernon Inn5.55 miles away
501 W. Mission Ave.Escondido, CA 92025760-745-6100
760-745-6105 Fax
•Super 8 Motel5.72 miles away528 W. Washington Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025760-747-3711760-747-8385 Faxwww.super8.com
•Best Value Inn & Suites5.85 miles away555 N. Centre City ParkwayEscondido, CA 92025
760-743-3700760-591-9018 Faxwww.bestvalueinn.com
•Rodeway Inn6.20 miles away250 W. El Norte Pkwy.Escondido, CA 92026

refer page:-------http://www.officesoon.com/doc/201871-off-campus-housing