Manchester Campus

Off-campus Housing

Quick Tips to get you started in your search for off-campus accommodations


Things to Consider

What: You need to think about what kind of accommodation you want.

  • Manchester is populated with a variety of accommodations from single rooms in private homes, apartments in complexes to luxury apartment/condominium units. The lease lengths and utilities included in each vary, so it is best to consult and clarify these items before even looking at a property. It is strongly recommended that you look at a location and it's neighborhood before signing anything!

Where: The location of your apartment can affect your quality of life in many ways.

Things to consider:

  • Safety is a priority. You want to be comfortable living in your neighborhood. You have the option of talking with the local police department and the landlord about crime rates in the immediate area.
  • Think about how far you want to commute and how you want to do it. Be sure to consider the transportation costs for locations further away from campus.

Who: Roommates…... If you want one, how do you find one?

You can also explore the option of seeking roommates from among current MCPHS students or incoming MCPHS students. Go to the admission homepage and follow the links to Facebook and My.MCPHS for more information. Newspaper classifieds often have listings for people looking for roommates.

Honesty about your answers to the following questions is the best way to ensure satisfaction with potential roommates:

  • What is your level of comfort for cleanliness/messiness?
  • Do you mind a roommate who smokes?
  • Do you plan to share meals together?
  • What is your comfort level with visitors, guests or significant others?
  • Are there dietary concerns?
  • What are your expectations around substance use? Do you share interests in music and hobbies?
  • Are pets okay?
  • Do work/study/sleep habits conflict?
  • What is the financial agreement going to be?
  • Who will be responsible for coordinating collection of roommates’ funds to pay shared bills? Are you comfortable with this arrangement?
  • Reminder: MCPHS students are accountable to the Student Code of Conduct both on and off campus.

Costs are a major concern, and should be considered individually and with roommates. Things to consider:

  • Rent
  • Security deposits
  • Condo fees
  • Utilities (heat, internet access, cable TV, hot water, electricity)
  • Groceries
  • Furniture and apartment supplies
  • Renter’s insurance
  • Commuting costs
  • Realtor fees

Amenities: What kind of resources are you looking for in an apartment?

  • Some buildings are maintained better than others. Look for structurally sound, well maintained buildings. Check to see how landlords care for their properties.
  • Space- How much space do you need for your things and what are you looking for as far as shared space? Is there building storage for items like bikes etc?
  • Laundry- Does the apartment have its own laundry? Is it shared inside the building? Must you look for an outside Laundromat?
  • Location within the building is important. Some people consider upper floors to be less susceptible to crimes of opportunity; however, it can be difficult to transport items, including groceries.
  • Kitchen- Culinary wizards may be looking for a modern kitchen, while others may not need much.
  • Building age - Older homes/apartments may not have air conditioning, sufficient insulation, or electrical outlets.
  • Closet space- Do you have enough room to store things?
  • Outside resources- how long will it take to get to the highway, supermarket, the pharmacy, or the convenience store?

How: Once you find an apartment/condo/house, you will most likely have to sign a lease.
A lease is a legally binding contract regarding your rental of the space.

Leases

Leases are legal contracts between the landlord and a tenant which protect both landlord and tenant by stating the terms such as the rental price, the number of tenants, the period of time the tenant will reside in the apartment, and much more.

The lease is a binding legal document that should be read carefully before it is signed. Once the lease has been signed, it is too late to make changes. Sign only if you fully understand and agree to each section. If you do not understand the language in the lease, do not rely on the landlord’s oral explanation of such. When you enter into a lease you will be bound by the language in the lease, not by what the landlord told you it meant.

Things to think about regarding the lease:

  • Length of stay- Do you plan to remain in your apartment all year? Can you sublet the space if you don’t?
  • Co-signers may be necessary if you do not have sufficient credit to lease/rent on your own.
  • Are all roommates going to have their own name on the lease? Do they each have their own co-signers?
  • Know the cost of utilities (gas, electric, heat, hot water) and be clear about what is covered in the rent (if any).
  • You must read through all the terms. Are you comfortable with them? Discuss and make changes before signing.

Look for the answers to the following questions in any lease:

  • When is the rent due?
  • Is there a penalty for a late payment?
  • Is there a grace period for late payments?
  • What deposits and fees are required (cleaning, damages, key, security)?
  • What are the terms for refunding deposits?
  • Do your roommates have to be approved by the landlord?
  • Can the rent be increased if the number of tenants increases?
  • What happens when a roommate leaves?
  • Is subletting permitted?
  • Is there an extra fee for subletting?
  • Who has the right of entry to conduct inspections and how often?
  • Are there rules regarding tack and nail holes?
  • Are there any rules concerning conduct or noise?
  • Are pets allowed?
  • How do you report maintenance issues/emergencies?

Before signing the lease

  • Know your rights as a tenant and know the landlord’s responsibilities.
  • Initial any changes that you or your landlord makes in the lease.
  • Make sure you have a copy of the lease with both your signature and your landlord’s signature on it.
  • Do not make oral agreements. A written agreement helps to avoid disagreements at a later date over the terms of the agreement.
  • Be clear that a signed lease makes you the primary tenant and responsible for all costs and damages.

Additional items for consideration:

  • Be sure you understand the lease or rental agreement before you sign it.
  • Do not sign a lease that is for a period longer than you actually plan to stay. You can’t count on being able to sublet for the remainder of the lease.
  • If your roommate moves out you may be responsible for that portion of the rent.
  • Make your rent payments and deposits by check and specify on the bottom of your check its purpose.
  • If you pay by cash, be sure to get a signed receipt.
  • Save all receipts, records and correspondence with your landlord until you have moved out and received your security deposit back.
  • One of the most common problems for renters is failure to recover an initial deposit. This is commonly due to conflicting memories between renters and landlords as to the condition of the rental property before the renter(s) moved in. The best protection against this is a checklist of the condition of the apartment. This should be done for each room and a list should be made of any pre-existing conditions/damage. Photographs of the condition of the apartment before you take possession of it are the best evidence of its condition before you moved in.
  • The inventory should be signed by the landlord before the renter(s) move in and kept with renters’ records.

Keep a copy of the lease and be sure that it has been signed by the agent or landlord.

In conclusion

The information in this brochure is provided to give you some insight into finding the right place to call “home” while attending MCPHS. While we do not endorse any particular realtor, landlord or apartment/condo complex, you can find additional specific listings at www.mcphs.edu/manchester/student_life/off-campus_housing.

Web Resources

For more information about the city of Manchester and its neighborhoods, check out the official city website http://www.manchesternh.gov/

Contact Student Affairs – Manchester if you have additional questions.
patricia.brousseau@mcphs.edu
Pat Brousseau
603-314-1783

Information regarding Manchester off-campus housing options is mailed to all newly accepted students on the Manchester campus by the Student Affairs Office.

The off-campus housing options list is available here. pdf


If you have questions, please e-mail Pat Brousseau or call her at 603.314.1783.