Worcester Campus

MCPHS - Worcester Off-Campus Housing

Planning to live Off-Campus?


Quick Tips to Get You Started

Looking for an apartment? You are not alone. Many students commute from all over the city and neighboring towns.

First, you need to figure out what kind of apartment you want.

Worcester is densely populated with a large number of living opportunities from apartment complexes and condominiums to single and multi-family homes around area colleges. The lease lengths and utilities included in rent vary, so it is best to consult with the landlord first before signing or even looking at a property.

Location: Where your apartment is can affect your quality of life in many ways. Things to consider:

  • Think about how far you want to commute and how you want to do it. Be sure to consider transportation costs for locations further away from campus.
  • Safety is a priority. Make sure you would be comfortable living in your neighborhood. You always have the option of talking with landlords and the local police about crime rates in the immediate area.
  • These are the five large neighborhood regions in Worcester:
    • North – Burncoat, Greendale, Indian Hill, Summit, Indian Lake, Lincoln St, Green Hill Park
    • South – College Hill (Holy Cross), Main South (Clark University), Cambridge St, Webster Square
    • East side – Plantation St, Sunderland/Massasoit Road/Rice Square, Shrewsbury St, Lake Ave, Quinsigamond Lake, Bell Hill, Grafton Hill, Vernon Hill, Kelly Square, Water St
    • West Side – Tatnuck (Worcester State), West Tatnuck, Salisbury St (Assumption), Mill St, Worcester Airport, Highland St (Becker), Park Ave (WPI)
    • Downtown – Lincoln Square, Federal Square, Pleasant St (closest to MCPHS)

Roommates are an immense part of moving into an apartment in the city.

Classifieds often have apartments already occupied by some roommates who are looking to fill an empty bedroom. You also can explore the option of seeking roommates from among current MCPHS students or incoming MCPHS students. An Off Campus Housing Discussion Forum is created to help facilitate information exchange and to connect with other MCPHS students. This way, you can hear from fellow students on their experiences living off campus. Go to http://groups.google.com/group/mcphsworcesteroffcampus for more information.

If you have an apartment and need roommates, please start a new discussion with all the relevant information. If you are seeking an apartment or other roommates and want to let people know, create a new discussion with your profile. Remember to use professional language and etiquette when posting to this forum. You should always be aware of your status as a professional school student when discussing your experience here with off-campus housing.

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

Costs are a major concern, and should be considered individually and with roommates. Consider:

  • Rent
  • Security deposits
  • Realtor fees
  • Utilities
  • Groceries
  • Furniture and apartment supplies
  • Renter’s insurance
  • Commuting costs

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

  • Some buildings are better kept 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?
  • 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 theft. However, it can be difficult to transport items, including groceries, and you may tire of climbing flights of stairs.
  • Kitchen - Culinary whizzes 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. Is important to check these items.
  • Closet space - Do you have enough room to store things?
  • Outside resources - How long will it take to get to the supermarket, the pharmacy, or the convenience store?

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

Leases

Leases are contracts between the landlord and a tenant which protects 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 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 and are certain you want the apartment/condo/house. If you do not understand the language in the lease, do not rely on the landlord’s oral explanation of such language. 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?
  • Read through all the terms. Are you comfortable with them? Discuss and make changes before signing.

Things to be aware of to prevent future problems:

  • 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.
  • Keep a copy of the lease and be sure it has been signed by the agent or landlord.
  • 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 commonly occurs 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 is a checklist of the condition of the apartment before moving in. This should be done for each room and a list should be made of any pre-existing conditions/damage. The inventory should be signed by the landlord before the renter(s) move in and kept with renters’ records. Photographs of the condition of the apartment before your take possession of it are the best evidence of its condition before you moved in.

Before signing the Lease

  • Know your rights as a tenant and know the landlord’s responsibilities.
  • Know if the cost of utilities (gas, electric, heat, hot water) is included in the monthly rent.
  • Remember a renter is legally responsible for the rent specified in the lease.
  • Discuss and negotiate any problem areas in the lease before signing it.
  • 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.
  • A written agreement helps to avoid disagreements at a later date over the terms of the agreement.
  • If you sign the lease you will be considered a primary tenant and will be responsible for all costs and damages.

What to Ask

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?

Other Costs:

Rent is not the only financial cost you must consider when renting an apartment. There are other expenses that must be considered which can include:

  • Security deposits - usually the equivalent of a first month’s rent.
  • Commuting expenses, including parking
  • Food
  • Furniture, apartment supplies
  • Internet, Cable, Phone (can be expensive)
  • Renters insurance
  • Realtor costs, typically one month rent

The College does not endorse specific off-campus housing rentals. The resources below can assist you with your search:

Web Resources

Area Apartment Complexes

The following list of area apartment complexes was prepared exclusively as a courtesy and resource to students and their families. These listings do not constitute an endorsement of any kind by MCPHS or the Office of Residence Life. MCPHS does not make any recommendation based on the quality, value, service or safety of any listing. As with any business transaction, we encourage you to proceed with caution and use your best judgment.

As previously indicated in our guide to searching for an apartment, you need to do your research and determine what type of apartment and neighborhood you would like to live in. The following listings all represent multiple apartment buildings. There are many other types of housing available in Worcester and the surrounding towns. Use the web resources to guide you towards these listings.

Located less than 2 miles from MCPHS:

Micozzi Management Inc.

50 Elm Street, 3rd Floor
Worcester, MA 01609
(P) 508-798-8406
www.micozzimanagement.com
Manages multiples apartments throughout the city, the closest of which are located at:
56 Elm Street
53 Elm Street
77 Elm Street
1&3 Cedar Street
33, 34, 36 Chestnut Street

The Sky Mark Tower

600 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
P (508)795-7651
E-mail: info@theskymark.com
www.theskymark.com

The Hadley Apartments

657 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
P 508-791-1437
www.liveathadley.com

Bancroft Commons

50 Franklin Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(P) 508-753-1612
Bancroftcommons.com

The Royal Worcester Apartments

45 Grand Street
Worcester, MA 01610
(P) 508-755-1406

Located less than 5 miles from MCPHS

Plantation Ridge Apartments

511 Plantation Street
Worcester MA 01605
(P) 508-799-7299
e-mail: plantationridge@lincolnapts.com
www.plantationridgeapartments.com

Princeton Place

285 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01604
(P) 508-754-6777
e-mail: pplace@princetonproperties.com
www.princetonproperties.com

Sutton Apartments

21 Harley Drive
Worcester, MA 01606
(P) 508-842-8846
e-mail: imperialapts@townisp.com

Tatnuck Arms

13 Brookside Ave.
Worcester, MA 01602
(P) 508-756-2596

Salisbury Estates

70 Park Avenue
Worcester, MA 01605
(P) 508-798-0456

6 miles from campus:

Ashford Crossing

22 Yorkshire Terrace
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
(P0)508-845-9556
e-mail: info@ashfordcrossing-apts.com
www.ashfordcrossing-apts.com

For more information about the city of Worcester and its neighborhoods, check out the official city of Worcester municipal website or contact the Chamber of Commerce:

Worcester Chamber of Commerce
446 Main St, Ste 200
Worcester, MA 01608
508.753.2924
www.worcesterchamber.org

MCPHS Worcester Office of Residence Life is here to help.

Have Questions? Contact Us!

Office of Residence Life
Student Affairs Suite/19 Foster Street
508.373.5628