CHAPTER 7

Housing

Kennesaw State University has on campus housing as of Fall 2002. The link is www.kennesaw.edu/residencelife.  You can go online to reserve your space and select a roommate. The housing website is http://www.kennesaw.edu/housing. You may choose KSU Place, University Place, and University Village. All are in walking distance of the campus.  There is information in the chapter that is applicable if you live on or off campus.  Keep in mind, Kennesaw State University is a smoke free environment.  You can only smoke on the balconies, outside your apartment, and the designated areas on campus.  You must also be 18 to purchase cigarettes and in the state of Georgia you must be 21 years old to drink alcohol.  You will not have to tolerate a roommate’s pets.  They are not permitted.  It is the responsibility of the student to find and secure a place to live.

If you want off campus housing visit www.kennesaw.edu/residencelife off campus housing. This site is not monitored by Residence Life. There are also free rental guides such as The Atlanta Apartment Book, For Rent Magazine and the Metro Apartment Guide, which have pictures as well as information about many of the rental properties in Atlanta and surrounding areas. Listings of apartments for rent, rooms available and roommates wanted can also be found on campus bulletin boards, in the classified sections of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution the free weekly magazine "Creative Loafing" and the weekly campus newspaper The SENTINEL.

There are also apartment hunting services in Atlanta. These services can be very helpful-some even drive clients around to the different apartments. However, do not let them pressure you into renting an apartment you do not want.

Whenever you move from one location to another, it is important to let Admissions and the Office of the Registrar know your new address. If you do not notify the school of a change in address, then you may not receive your grades or other important correspondence.

It is also important to let others including your bank, the telephone company, bill collectors, magazine subscriptions, the Office of International Student Retention Services and the Institute for Global Initatives know your new address.

Make sure you complete a forwarding request at the post office and all of these other offices every time you move so your mail will be forwarded to you.

REMEMBER!!! The most important notification when you get an address in the United States or you change your address is to the Admissions Office. They have the official forms you must complete to notify the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formerly the INS, each time you change addresses.  This is not an option.  It is mandatory.  BCIS must have your current address at all times.

 

Abbreviations Used in Housing Advertisements

There are many abbreviations that are used in the classified advertisements. It is very important to know what they mean. A partial list of abbreviations are:

Renting A Room

If you rent a room in someone's private home or a boarding house you will most likely share a bathroom. Rooms are usually equipped rather sparsely with a bed and a desk. If you share a house or rent a room make sure your lease states that you have access to the kitchen, kitchen privileges.

Make sure you ask:

    Can I use the kitchen? During what times of day?

    Will I have a private bathroom?

    Will I have a private entrance?

    Is the room furnished? What furnishings are included?

    Will I share the room?

    How many people are sharing the house?

    Are there both men and women living in the house?

    Are there any house "rules" I will be expected to follow?

    What would my responsibilities as a member of the household be?

    Are there any cost in the household that are shared by all members?

Renting An Apartment

Visit several apartments before choosing one. Whether you plan to have a roommate to share the cost of renting or live alone, decide what features are a priority for you. Do you want a balcony, air-conditioner(summers get very hot and humid here), sliding glass doors? Do you want to be close to shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, public transportation, and religious institutions? Bear in mind if you are not within walking distance and you do not have your own transportation you will always have to rely on someone else to get around. This can be annoying for you and the people you are asking for rides.

Take careful notes and plan what your additional expenses might be. Do the windows have blinds or shades provided? If not you will need to buy some sort of window covering. Do the backs of your window treatments/coverings have to be white? Only you can determine how much you can afford to pay for your rent. Do not commit yourself to payments too difficult to maintain. A good guide is that your monthly rent should not cost more then one quarter of your total monthly income.

An efficiency apartment has two rooms, a bathroom and a large room, which serves as a kitchen, bedroom, living room and study. Unfurnished apartments do not have desks, lamps, or beds but should have a stove and a refrigerator. If not look for another apartment. You may rent a furnished apartment in which case you will not need to buy any furniture, although you will probably need to buy linen, cooking and eating utensils.

The first question you need to ask is how much is the rent for the efficiency, one, two or three bedroom, furnished or unfurnished apartment you are interested in? What, if any, utilities (the collective name given to services such as electricity, gas, water) are paid?

Utility Services

A new tenant often must start utility services such as telephone, electricity and gas. It may be necessary to also order and pay for water (if you rent a house), cable television, pest control (exterminator) and garbage pickup. Before renting ask which of these services are provided by the landlord and which you must arrange and pay for yourself. For safety's sake or in case of an emergency, you may want to have your telephone installed before you move in. To keep everyone who uses the telephone from having the number some people do not put the stickers with the telephone number on it on their telephone. Contact the utility companies in your service area to have your utilities turned on. The following are some helpful numbers to have your service turned on if these are the companies that service your area:

Electricity
(GA Power)   1-888-660-5890

Gas
(Atlanta Gas)   (770) 994-1946

Telephone
BellSouth   1-888-434-2586
AT&T   1-800-222-0300
LCI   1-800-860-2255
MCI   1-800-950-5555
Sprint   1-800-877-7746

Security or Damage Deposit

A security deposit, the advance payment of a flat sum of money, is usually required to get utilities that are the responsibility of the renter, turned on. Is there an apartment security deposit? Do you need to pay both the first and last months rent? Landlords often require deposits of first and/or last months rent in advance to protect against renters who leave without paying or who leave a badly damaged apartment. Keep a record of any deposit you pay and ask for a receipt.

The landlord should return the security deposit to the tenant within 30 days after the tenant leaves. If the landlord does not return the entire deposit, the tenant should receive a written statement explaining why some or all of the deposit was withheld. It is sometimes possible to receive interest on security deposits.

 

Renters Checklist

BEFORE YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE...
Make sure you know exactly what you are getting!!!

Who lives around you in the building?
What about adjacent properties and the neighborhood in general?
Is the building clean/well maintained on both the interior and exterior?
Does the landlord live on the premises? Is there a maintenance person living in the vicinity?
Are there private grounds around the apartment?
Has the apartment been exterminated since the previous tenants moved? If not, will it be done and when? How often does the exterminator visit?
Does the apartment need to be painted? If so, who will paint it and/or pay for paint?
Does the building have a security system?
Are the hallways well lit?
Are there fire extinguishers and smoke detectors?
Does the building have a fire escape? If not, where is the nearest emergency exit?
Is the street well lit?
Does the apartment door have an adequate lock? Is there a dead bolt lock?
What happens if you lose your apartment keys?
Is there a doorbell? Does it work?
Is there a peephole in the door?
Whom do you call for emergencies or repairs? Is there someone on call at all times?
Are there laundry facilities in the building? If not, are there facilities nearby?
Is there storage space allocated for you outside the apartment?
Is there a private secure mailbox?
Is there private parking available? If so, is it free, part of the rent? If not, where can you park? If you have to park on the street what are the parking rules ?
Is the apartment near public transportation? If not, how will you get to campus?
How far are grocery and convenience stores from the apartment? What about other places where you shop, eat, work, have recreation, etc.
How, where and when do you dispose of trash? How often is garbage collected?
Is there sufficient closet space in the apartment?
Will your furniture fit comfortably in the apartment?
If the apartment is furnished is the furniture adequate for your needs and in good condition?
Are there ample wall outlets?
Do the light fixtures work? Will you need additional lighting in the apartment?
Are there sufficient telephone jacks?
Are there enough windows in the apartment? Do they work? Do they lock? Are screens provided?
If the apartment is carpeted, is the carpet clean and in good condition?
Who pays for utilities? What is the average cost per month?
How is the apartment heated (gas or electric)? Who pays for and/or controls the heat? When is it turned on?
Is the apartment air-conditioned? Who controls and pays for it? When is it turned on?
Are appliances gas or electric? Are they in good condition? When were they last serviced?
Is the refrigerator clean and in good condition? Is there plenty of freezer space?
Is there ample water pressure in both the kitchen and bathroom?
Who pays for water? Do the faucets, traps or toilets leak?
Is there a shower as well as a tub in the bathroom?
Are there any signs of water damage around water fixtures or on the ceiling?
What are your limits in decorating the apartment? Can you hang pictures without being penalized?
Are there draperies, rods or blinds included?
Are there any stipulations regarding guests, parties etc.?
Is there ample room to study for all occupants of the apartment? Is there sufficient privacy?
Are there limits to the number of allowable occupants in the apartment?
What are the requirements for full refund of your security deposit?
Are pets or children allowed? If so, is there an additional charge?

 

Renting Tips

Talk with a current or previous tenant of the apartment or building you wish to rent. Ask them about the landlord's fairness, responsiveness to both emergency and non-emergency repairs, security deposit and lease stipulations.

Before you sign the lease, make sure all agreements you reach with the landlord are included. Make note of all deficiencies/damage in the apartment and make sure you have an exact copy signed by the landlord.

Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints on file against your prospective landlord or rental agency.

KSU Off-Campus Housing

There is an unmonitored link from the Residence Life website to off campus housing. This is an alphabetical listing of some of the off-campus housing facilities located near Kennesaw State University. It is provided only as a service to students and does not imply KSU's approval and/or endorsement of the facilities listed. The names, addresses and telephone numbers are subject to change without notice. If you are interested in any of these housing opportunities you must contact them directly for further information.

THE MILL AT CHASTAIN
575 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 590-9700

THE FALLS AT BELLS FERRY
1955 Bells Ferry Road NE
Marietta GA 30066
(770) 423-9770

*KENNESAW COMMONS
1400 Idlewood Avenue NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 427-4433

*POPLAR PLACE
3900 George Busbee Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 424-6512

THE ENCLAVE AT POPLAR
3780 Towne Crossing
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 424-6512

CRESTMONT
500 Williams Drive
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 428-8008

GREENHOUSE APARTMENTS*
3885 George Busbee Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 423-1379

MILSTEAD VILLAGE APARTMENT HOMES
3355 Busbee Dr. N/W
Kennesaw Georgia 30144

STERLING HIGHLANDS
1800 Barrett Lakes Blvd.
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 499-1970

WALTON GREEN APARTMENTS
50 Walton Green Way
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 425-2585

*Within walking distance of campus

The Lease

Before signing a lease ( a legally binding contract between a tenant and a landlord that specifies the terms or conditions for renting property) and becoming a tenant (someone who rents property from someone else for a fee) make sure you read all of it. The print make be fine and the lease long but take the time to save yourself problems later on. Ask questions if you don't understand.

Remember, this is legally binding.

Make sure you view the actual apartment you will rent and not just the model.

Do not sign a one-year lease if you plan to live in the apartment for six months. Sometimes it is possible to find a landlord who will agree to let you end a lease agreement early if you give them one or two months advance notice. You must be clear about the length and terms of a lease before signing. There is usually a monetary penalty if you break a lease before it ends.

Some apartments have an application fee of ten or twenty dollars that must be paid when you submit your application form to rent the apartment. An application form is different from the lease.

Whichever type of apartment you rent, you must be clear about whether the landlord or the renter pays for utilities and other terms of the rental agreement or lease.

If you have roommates they should also sign the lease. Make sure you choose a compatible person for a roommate. Asking the following questions "might" be helpful. We say "might" be helpful because it is hard to know if you will get along with someone as a roommate until you actually live with them. But these questions will give you helpful information:

Does the person smoke?
Do they have children or pets?
Does the person like to study or just "party"?
Is the person messy or neat?
Is the person quiet or loud?
How will you share expenses?
Who will pay for electricity, gas, and telephone? It is best for each roommate to have his/her own telephone number and telephone so long distance calls and the expense for calling options such as call waiting do not become an issue.
Do you buy food separately or share food?
Does the person like to cook?

The most important area that needs to be addressed immediately, upfront, before anyone moves in is: ARE OVERNIGHT GUESTS ALLOWED? Far too many roommate relationships and friendships have ended bitterly because one roommate has a friend that is always there. They act as though they live in the apartment but they don't pay rent. They eat the food and never contribute anything. It is not fair to the roommate who does not have someone regularly hanging around, or spending the night. It is an invasion of privacy because the roommate who does not have the guest can not really relax in the apartment.

Renters Insurance

To protect your valuables you will need to get tenants or renters insurance. For about one hundred dollars a year you can get as much as ten thousand dollars worth of coverage. You can get insurance that will pay you the market replacement value or the actual cost of your damaged, lost or stolen items.

Smoke Detectors

Every apartment must have a smoke detector. It alerts you to fire, smoke and can wake you if you are sleeping. It is a Georgia law that all apartments have smoke detectors. Make sure your apartment has one. Cigarettes, grease and electricity can cause fires. Some types of fire spread when you throw water on them. If your apartment does not have a small fire extinguisher, get one. Read the instructions so you know in advance how to use it if needed. While you are at it, get a carbon monoxide detector, too.

Subletting

If you plan to leave the country and have someone stay in your apartment paying the rent and utilities in your absence, check your lease. When a tenant leases property which he/she himself/herself is renting to another tenant, this arrangement is called "subletting".

This arrangement generally requires written permission from the landlord/manager. If this is done without permission significant penalties may be involved. One could be your eviction.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for the owner of a house or apartment, a real estate agent or a home-builder to refuse to sell or rent a housing unit because of a person's sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, family status (with children) or disability.

 

Whether it is moving into an apartment or renting a room, everyone needs a place to call home.

 

DID YOU KNOW. . .

. . .The Statue of Liberty’s mouth is 3 ft. wide?
. . . Boulder Dam is as thick at its base (660 ft.) as a city block is long?
. . . The Washington Monument sinks 6 inches each year?
. . .There is a house in Rockport, Massachusetts, built entirely of newspaper?  It is called the Paper House at Pigeon Cove.  It is made of 215 thicknesses of newspaper.  Even the furniture is made of newspaper.
. . . The pyramids is Egypt contain enough stone and mortar to construct a wall 10 ft. high and 5 ft. wide running from New York to Los Angeles?
. . . In 1711 when St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was completed and shown to King George I, he told the architect, Christopher Wren, that the work was “aweful and artificial?”  In the 18th century, “aweful” meant awe-inspiring.  “Artificial” meant full of great art.

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