Spring 2016 CSU Housing Guide by The Rocky Mountain Collegian

2 Student Housing Guide 2016

INDEX Don’t Panic.............................................4 American Living.....................................6 Roommate Conflicts..............................8 Party Smart............................................9 Protecting Your Security Deposit..........10 What’s Normal Wear & Tear.................10 Map Locator..........................................13 Why Live On Campus............................14 Know Your Stuff.....................................16

U+2 Know the Facts..............................22 Neighbor Etiquette...............................22

STAFF Contributions include Off-Campus Life, Student Legal Services and the City of Fort Collins.

The CSU Housing Guide is

Cover Design: Lilly Luke Publication Design: Kailee Kwiecien

in partnership with Off-

produced by the advertising and creative services staff of The Rocky Mountain Collegian Campus Life.

Safety First............................................18 Cost Saving Transportation..................20

Student Housing Guide 2016

DON’T PANIC!

OFF-CAMPUS LIFE Can Help You Find the Perfect Place Did you know there is an office on campus to help you find off-campus rental housing?! It is Off-Campus Life, and we have a host of ways to help you find the perfect place to live next year! Here’s how we can help:

1. CSU RentalSearch – RentalSearch is an exclusive site for CSU students to find housing in Fort Collins. Visit rentalsearch. colostate.edu and log in using your EID to search for vacant rentals, rooms for rent, and potential roommates. You can also list your own vacant place, room for rent, or yourself as a potential roommate.

2. CSU Housing Fair February 10th, 9am-4pm, LSC Grand Ballroom Brought to you by Off-Campus Life, this free event is open to the public and takes place in the Lory Student Center every spring. On this day, you can visit with landlords, apartment complex personnel, property managers, and community resources. See what is available for rent, shop around and compare, ask questions, gather freebies, and enter a drawing for a grand prize! 3. Off-Campus Life Apartment Complex and Property Management Lists - On the OffCampus Life website (ocl.colostate. edu), you will find two easy-to-use resources:

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• Apartment Complex List is an extensive list with pricing, lease options, amenities, proximity to campus, etc.—all the details you need to know about apartments catering to students. • Property Management Company List is a compilation of property managers in town with contact information and direct links to their websites. It’s a great place to search for houses, condos, and duplexes! 4. Roommate Round-ups – Like “speed dating” but for roommates! This program is designed to connect people who have a vacant room or rental and others who need a place to live. Offered multiple times throughout fall and spring semesters, this is a great opportunity to meet people face-to face and do on-thespot roommate interviews! Visit Off-Campus Life’s website calendar for future dates coming soon. Visit Off-Campus Life to get all the help you need in finding the best place that’s right for you! We are located in Room 274 of the LSC, (970) 491-2248, ocl@colostate.edu.

OTHER AVAILABLE SOURCES Be sure to shop around and explore your housing options before signing a lease. Decide what you’re looking for and broaden your search! The following resources will help you do just that: • Newspapers: Collegian, Coloradoan, and other prints • Local realtors Bulletin boards in public locations • NorthernColoradoRentals.com and other rental websites • Signs in lawns/windows • Word of mouth: ask other students and community members. Find out what management company or apartment complex they have used, who their landlord was, and what it was like to live there.

#SPRING #MUSTHURRY #FINDRENTAL #SLOWDOWN #SMELLTHEFLOWERS By Kathleen Harward, Director of Student Legal Services Student Legal Services attorneys say to you: Choose smelling the flowers over rushing into a rental! Resist the frenzy! Don’t be lured by landlord giveaways and discounts to sign early. Fort Collins will not run out of rentals by August. Too often your plans (or your intended roommates’ plans) will change. Most leases require that you pay a relet fee (in the hundreds of dollars) and ﬁnd your own replacements to terminate a lease, even if you’ve never moved in. Never sign until you conﬁrm the landlord has a decent reputation. Search the internet for reviews! Come to Student Legal Services BEFORE you sign any lease. We will explain lease jargon and steer students away from problems. Check out our tips for seeking a rental: sls.colostate.edu

Student Housing Guide 2016

AMERICAN LIVING Advice for International Students Seeking Housing

By: INTO CSU You got off the plane and took the bus to your new apartment, the one you reserved months ago once you received your admissions letter to CSU. According to some stereotypical college American movies, like National Lampoon’s Animal House or Accepted and maybe even Monster’s University, you think you have a good idea of what your new roommates might be like. You have pictured yourself drinking beer and going to parties every weekend. You envision having a cranky landlord who will get mad about the dartboard in the bathroom or the sofa on the roof. You go for it and sign the lease, unlock the door and find a neat, clean living room with one roommate cooking dinner and another roommate studying on the couch. Where’s the party you were promised in the movies? Well, that was the movies. You will hear a lot of myths and some truths about living in the United States. Here are a few things we believe you should know, no movie fantasies, about being an international student seeking housing in Fort Collins: 1. U + 2 – this LAW means you can only live with two roommates who are not related to you. Not two roommates and their two boyfriends, not you and your cousin and her three best friends. Even if your house has five bedrooms, unless the place is zoned for more than three people, that’s all you get. For more detailed information check out: fcgov.com/ neighborhoodservices/occupancy.php. 2. Private bathrooms – not so fast. While you may prefer to have

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your own private bathroom, when it comes to rentals in the United States, your choices may be limited. If you want the “classic American roommate experience,” be prepared to share a bathroom with your roommates and their guests. If you can’t live without a private bathroom, you should look to rent a room with a master bathroom which means the bathroom is “en suite” and attached to your room. Additionally, you may want to look at apartment complexes that offer individual leases and individual bathrooms. 3. Floors are NOT waterproof. Most houses in the United States are made of wood and don’t have drains in the floors like houses in other countries. You must keep water off the floors. This means you must keep the shower head and curtain in the shower and only put toilet paper in the toilet. If you don’t, you’ll have a flood in your house along with an expensive repair bill and a very angry landlord. 4. Utilities included – it depends. The rent looks like a fair price but now you have to pay for a deposit, first and last month rent, internet, TV, electricity, water, heat, gas, sewer, trash, Home Owner’s Association fees, snow removal, pet deposit, carpet cleaning, yard maintenance…and the list goes on. Don’t forget furniture, bed linens and groceries. There are many rental options that do include utilities, just pay close attention to the lease and what all is and isn’t included. 5. Parties, pets & smoking – If you like to party or want to own a dog or smoke hookah, your housing options may be limited. Most

landlords don’t want these in their rentals, and if you violate the policies you could be facing thousands of dollars in fees and getting evicted from your apartment. 6. Don’t sign a lease until you have read through the entire contract! It might seem very long and boring, but make sure you understand the terms and conditions because a contract is a legally-binding agreement that you must follow. CSU’s Student Legal Services office can help you

understand the lease. Call (970) 491-1482 or visit their website, sls. colostate.edu/ before signing a lease! 7. Take pictures and document problems with your rental BEFORE moving in. Most rental places have an inventory form for you to document any damages that currently exist in your apartment. If an inventory form isn’t provided, there is a sample one in the Off-Campus Life Student Handbook, ocl.colostate.edu.

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Student Housing Guide 2016

Off-Campus Roommate Conﬂicts Conﬂict Resolution & Student Conduct Services and Residence Life Roommate conflicts can happen at any time, but when students move into off-campus residences and increase the number of roommates they are living with, they often face more complex issues. People who start out as the best of friends may find themselves feuding over bills, food, overnight guests, cleanliness, noise, parking, pets, house temperature, parties, or alcohol/drug use. Conflict can be scary and uncomfortable, yet it can also be a great opportunity to develop and practice communication and conflict resolution skills. By maintaining open lines of communication with your roommates, you can avoid escalation by addressing issues when they arise. Here are a few tips to help with conflict:

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Encourage communication and collaboration. Most roommate conflicts occur due to lack of communication. Use “I” statements to communicate any behavior bothering you, rather than judging or accusing the individual. Try to work toward a solution that is mutually acceptable for everyone involved, and be willing to recognize where you may have room for improvement. Conﬂicts are normal. It’s not essential for roommates to be best friends with one another, or for best friends to be roommates. In fact, sometimes it’s better not to live together in order to get a little break from each other. Be proactive in your roommate relationship so you can feel ready to talk about it when conflict begins.

Being direct is the key. Sometimes we are afraid to hurt our roommate’s feelings, but this can also end up hurting them more in the end. Remember to stand up for your rights while respecting others. It’s not what you say but how you say it! When you are direct (and respectful), everyone involved usually benefits. Avoid the following behaviors. Communication through text message or social media, getting friends and others involved who do not need to be involved, and/ or confronting a roommate when there has been no time allowed for “cooling-off ” are not effective methods of communication. Avoid confronting your roommate when you are angry. Face-to-face communication is far more effective

than a white board or post-it note. The Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services Office (CRSCS) is a great resource on campus for roommate (or other) conflicts. Oftentimes students have a concern but don’t know how to navigate the situation. CRSCS can help you through Conflict Coaching, in which we meet with you one-onone to talk through things, brainstorm solutions, and prepare for the conversation with your roommate. For students who feel the lines of communication with their roommate have broken down, CRSCS can offer a neutral third-party mediation to help facilitate a difficult conversation. To set up an appointment with CRSCS you can call 970491-7165, request an appointment at conflictresolution.colostate.edu, or come visit the office in Aylesworth Hall NW. Whatever the conflict, CRSCS is here to help!

We know that students want to host successful parties, but sometimes all of the details aren’t thought out. Here are some of the many tips to help you host a safe party. Always remember that when hosting a gathering you are assuming responsibility for any and all issues that may take place. • Discuss party expectations with your roommates before you host a gathering. Things to consider include: date, timeframe, house rules, how many people to have over, what you will provide guests, etc. • Notify your neighbors in advance and provide them with a phone number of the sober host. • Designate a sober host to control music volume, access to the party, outside disturbances, and to address any interactions with the neighbors or police. Neighbors typically report that it’s the behaviors of people coming and going (including parking issues) to the party that they find most disruptive, not the party itself. Make sure the sober host is monitoring the foot traffic to and from the party, and don’t forget to check the backyard. • Think before you post! We strongly advise against posting your party using social media outlets. Simply put, what you put out on social media cannot be taken back. Posting your get-together using social media can lead to out-of-control parties, unwanted guests (are you really comfortable with complete strangers in your home?) and their unwanted behaviors,

#PARTIES #POLICE #CRIMINALRECORD #JOBTURNDOWNS By Kathleen Harward, Director of Student Legal Services Your goal should be to graduate without any criminal record. Students do get charged for party, alcohol, and marijuana violations that seem small. We hear over and over from students who don’t get considered for jobs due to a criminal record, no matter how

and more guests than your gathering can accommodate without unwanted consequences. Remember, as a party host you are responsible for what happens at and as a result of your party, including the actions of others. • Engaging in a riot can have long term consequences. Engaging in a riot – or even just being a bystander and watching it – can get you into trouble. Having a role in a riot can mean automatic suspension from all state supported universities – including CSU – for 12 months if convicted – and your tuition is NOT refunded. • Keep the size reason able so your party stays in line with the capacity of your residence and to avoid disturbing your neighbors. Have a guest list! Remember that unwanted guests do not know you or care if you receive a ticket. • Do not provide alcohol to minors. If the minor is over 18 but under 21, the crime is a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. If the guest is under age 18, it’s worse: the crime is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine. If you’re in doubt of someone’s age, protect yourself and don’t serve. petty or small the convictions. If you do get charged, make an appointment with Student Legal Services. You should never go to court before being advised. There might be a way to structure a plea agreement that will allow you to seal a conviction later. Prosecutors you meet at court will not tell you about this. Student Legal Services is located in Room 284 of the Lory Student Center. Information on many legal topics can be found at sls.colostate.edu.

• Do not provide marijuana to

minors. If you are 21, Colorado law permits you to use recreational marijuana within a private residence. It is NOT legal to : • consume marijuana in public • sell or transfer marijuana to persons under the age of 21 • drive under the influence of marijuana The use and possession of marijuana is prohibited on all CSU property, regardless of your age. • Be proactive by asking for help. If you’re uncomfortable with the size of your party or people will not leave despite your requests, call Fort Collins Police Services’ dispatch non-emergency number (970) 2216540 ext. 2 and ask for assistance in breaking up your party prior to things getting out of control. • Be cooperative towards neighbors, police, and others who come to discuss issues. Don’t make the situation or citation worse. When police arrive, all guests need to leave. • Clean up all trash resulting from your party and follow up with your neighbors the next day. Your neighbors may be more tolerant of your next party if they see that you care about how things went for them and that you are respecting the neighborhood. • …and Don’t Forget Your Free Party Pack at Off-Campus Life, which includes a ton of free items: neighbor notices, trash bags, a pretty sweet water bottle and more party smart tips!

Year-round | Friday & Saturday Parties | Holidays: New Year’s Eve, St. Patty’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, 4th of July & Halloween 20 minute warning for noise complaints | Avoid a costly $2,650 noise citation Register in person by 5:00pm Thursday’s with Off-Campus Life (LSC 274) Visit ocl.colostate.edu for more info

Party Registration Myth Busters: “The List” is given to all police on duty for the night.

FALSE – The list is never

provided to the ofﬁcers on the street.

Dispatch calls every party at midnight to give a warning.

FALSE – Dispatch only calls when an address receives a noise complaint from a neighbor. Or, if a neighbor can’t determine a speciﬁc address when there is a cluster of parties, dispatch calls all surrounding registered parties.

Being on “The List” means police target those addresses.

FALSE – Police on duty do

not have the list, nor do they have the time to target parties as there are higher priority calls coming in.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS PARTY REGISTRATION? Party Registration April 2009 - December 2015

2.5%

CITATION

85%

65 1760

12.5%

WARNING

258

NO ISSUES

[

Student Housing Guide 2016

PROTECT YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT By Off-Campus Life Staff With help from Kathleen Harward, Director, Student Legal Services Room 284, Lory Student Center sls.colostate.edu Your security deposit is the amount of money collected at the beginning of the lease and held by the landlord to cover damages beyond ordinary wear and tear. The deposit usually represents a substantial sum of money. Accordingly, you should take care to ensure you get it back. Some landlords are fair and reasonable in returning deposits, others are not. Rather than waiting to find out what type of landlord you have, take a few simple precautions in advance to protect your substantial investment.

WHEN YOU MOVE IN Check-In Sheets: Check-in sheets document the condition of your rental unit when you move in. Usually both the tenant and the landlord sign the list to acknowledge its accuracy. Make a Video: Imagine that a judge is viewing your videos, deciding what you should be charged for, what was pre-existing to your tenancy, what was ordinary wear and tear, and what was damage caused by your misuse. You should make a detailed narrated video before you move in, and before the unit is cluttered with boxes and your items. Give a detailed, clear narration

of the condition of the residence. Go from room to room, blemish to blemish. Send a Copy to Your Landlord: Even if your landlord refuses to sign it, send him a copy with a request for a reply. Keep a copy of your cover letter, check-in sheet, and video. PHOTOGRAPHS With the best camera you have access to, photograph your entire unit, paying close attention to damaged areas. When the photos are developed, note the date they were taken and the area pictured on the back of each photo. WITNESS Have someone other than a

roommate inspect your unit when you move in. Have the same person inspect it when you move out. DURING YOUR TENANCY Be responsible. Take care of your rental unit. Report problems to your landlord promptly. WHEN YOU MOVE OUT The conditions you documented at move in should have been sent to your landlord at the beginning of your lease. Additionally, you should have kept copies of those documents, especially if there was evidence of pre-existing damage prior to your tenancy. You should only be charged if there is evidence you caused new damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

WHAT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR?

by Mike Levy, NorthernColoradoRentals.com Have you ever wondered why landlords require security deposits when you move in? One of the main purposes of a security deposit is to help cover the cost of any damages to a unit outside of normal “wear and tear” that may occur within your rental period. So, what is normal “wear and tear”?

Normal

Electrical WINDOWS & WINDOW COVERINGS

• Worn out or broken electrical switches • Frayed or broken pull strings on blinds • Faded drapes, blinds, or curtains • Heat blistered blinds • Sticky windows

WALLS

• Plaster cracked from settling • Faded, cracked, or chipped paint • Peeling or loose wallpaper

hey yo

CEILINGS DOORS FLOORS KITCHEN PLUMBING MISC.

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• Stain on ceiling from rain or plumbing • Worn out keys • Loose or stubborn door locks • Loose door hinges or door handles • Closet doors off track • Worn carpets • Carpet seam unglued • Scuffed up wood floors • Linoleum/vinyl tile worn thin • Worn countertops • Toilets run or wobble • Loose or inoperable faucet handles

Not Normal (Tenant’s Responsibility) • Broken drapery rods • Torn or missing blinds, curtains, or drapes • Blinds with bent slats • Torn or missing screens • Broken windows • Large holes in the walls from shelving or hanging pictures • Repainted walls to a signiﬁcantly different color • Holes in walls • Unapproved paint job • Ripped or marked-up wallpaper • Stains on ceiling from overflowed bath tub • Lost keys • Broken or missing locks • Damage to doors from forced entry • Damaged or missing doors • Torn, stained, or burnt carpeting • Badly scratched or gouged wood floors • Linoleum/vinyl tile with tears or holes • Burns or cuts in countertops • Broken toilet seats or tank tops • Broken or missing faucet handles • Clogged drains from misuse • Intentional alterations to the premises

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HOUSING

LOCATOR MAP 10. PURA VIDA PLACE 518 West Laurel Street 970-472-4250 puravidaplace.com

5. CAMPUS CROSSINGS AT RAM’S POINTE 2250 West Elizabeth 970-672-0980 ramspointe.com

11. RAM’S PARK 2226 West Elizabeth 970-224-9982 Ramspark.com

6. CSU HOUSING 1005 West Laurel 970-491-6511 housing.colostate.edu

12. RAMS VILLAGE 900 Constitution Avenue 970-498-0206 ramsvillage.com

City Park Mulberry

Prospect

Downtown

Oak

Plum Campus West W. Elizabeth

Lincoln

W. Mountain

Laurel

10 CSU Campus

E. Elizabeth

4 2 7

14 Kirkwood

CSU Veterinary Hospital

Timberline

4. BRANDT COMPANY 1504 West Prospect 970-482-4000 thebrantcompany.com

14. THE SUMMIT 1721 Choice Center Drive La Porte Ave 970-484-RAMS thesummitoncollege.com

Lemay

9. PROSPECT STATION 221 West Prospect 970-237-6838 prospectstation.com

E. Vine

e id rs ve Ri

3. ASPEN HEIGHTS 530 Lupine Drive 970-300-4539 myaspenheights.com

College

8. MAX FLATS 306 West Laurel 970-237-3771 flatsattheoval.com

Conifer

Shields

2. AGGIE VILLAGE APARTMENTS Colorado State University 970-491-6511 housing.colostate.edu

13. THE DISTRICT AT CAMPUS WEST 1308 West Plum 970-658-5540 W. Vine districtcsu.com

Taft Hill

7. GROVE 2101 Perennial Lane 970-493-1058 gogrove.com

Overland Trail

1. 1409 1409 West Elizabeth 970-237-6838 1409elizabeth.com

Drake

Swallow Overland Park Horsetooth

Student Housing Guide 2016

WHY LIVE ON? Why do you live on?

It is often assumed that after one year in the halls all students move off campus. In reality, one out of every five students in the halls are returning, transfer, and upperclass students and that number is growing. There are 1,200 premium spaces set aside for returning students next year so don’t forget to consider the benefits of staying on campus. Higher GPAs: Students who live on campus have higher GPAs than students who live off campus,

and the gap is more significant for juniors and seniors. Location, location, location: If you want easy access to The Rec, Morgan Library, Moby, and events on campus, living on campus offers the best location in FoCo. Easy living: Forget leases, splitting utilities with roommates, shoveling sidewalks, and grocery shopping, the halls offer one bill that goes directly to your student account with no negotiation required. Room and board rates for next year are frozen so you know up front what your costs will be. $0 due at signing: If you return to the halls, your deposit from this year carries over to next fall and there are no hidden or surprise application fees, security deposits, or first and last month rent due. Beyond U+2: Block housing in the halls allows you

to live with as many friends as you’d like in adjacent and adjoining rooms. Designated spaces for returning, transfer, and upperclass students: You get first choice of available rooms on campus, including the brand new Laurel Village, Aspen Hall, and the 4th Floor Lofts at Parmelee. There are designated wings and floors in these locations set aside for returning and upperclass students only. Flexible, convenient dining: The U Plan, offered only to returning students, provides maximum flexibility with just 5 meals per week. Returning students also have the option to select the Any 10, Any 14, Any 21, or Any Meal, Any Time dining plans. Skip the commute: When it’s cold and snowy outside enjoy the luxury of sleeping in and still arriving to class on time without the hassle of scraping car windows, finding parking, biking on icy roads, or waiting at the bus stop. You can select your space on campus at myhousing.colostate.edu through March 31. For details on rates and available spaces visit www. housing.colostate.edu/liveon.

“You always have a study buddy when you live in the halls.” Julietta, Academic Village Engineering Hall

“Studying, for me, in an offcampus environment is very difﬁcult: I’ve tried it and I’ve failed at it. On campus there are so many more resources; there’s the Cube, there’s the library, there’s the study halls.” Taylor, Westfall Hall “All the maintenance is done for us. When you’re a student you have so many other things to worry about.” Allison, Allison Hall

“You don’t have to ﬁgure out things like a lease and rent and utilities. You have your whole life ahead of you to do that.” Lisa, Aspen Hall

“There’s food everywhere. Seriously. There. Is. Food. Everywhere.” Kara, Summit Hall

“I’m very involved so I need to stay close to campus. I’m in a thousand clubs and I need to be available.” Kwon, Parmelee Hall

“One of my favorite parts about living on campus is being able to use my bike so much. I don’t have to pay for a car. I don’t have to pay for car insurance or gas or tickets. Any car related expenses are completely cut out of my budget, which I can use for other things.” Allison, Allison Hall

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Student Housing Guide 2016

KNOW YOUR STUFF: Understanding Important City Codes & Ordinances

While there are many codes and ordinances within the city, there are a few that get discussed a little more frequently among students. Here is your chance to get a glimpse of how some of these ordinances may have an impact on you. Unreasonable Noise: A violation of this ordinance can come with a $2,650 price tag (per resident!) and a criminal misdemeanor. In the City of Fort Collins unreasonable noise is determined, typically, when noise is heard beyond property lines. When a noise complaint is called in to Fort Collins Police Services, an officer is sent to determine if the level of noise is unreasonable by considering the time of day, type of noise and other factors. While you may think you are doing a good job at keeping the noise down, it is always wise to go outside and walk around your property line to determine if noise can be heard from your residence. Nuisance Gathering Ordinance: This ordinance holds party hosts accountable for any damage to neighboring properties as a result of their gathering. A conviction carries up to a $2,650 fine, in ADDITION to the cost of any repairs needed, with the possibility of jail time or community service hours. Examples of these damages include trash and litter, public urination, and vandalism. Remember, as a party host you are responsible for what happens at, and as a result of, your party, including the actions of others.

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For information on how to avoid receiving these citations, check out the Party Smart article. Those are some heavy hitters, but how about other codes and ordinances that could have an impact on you. Whether you rent or own, there are several important nuisance ordinances to be aware of. If violations are not corrected in the allotted time, the City will bill the property owner for the expense, which may be passed down to tenants. The City may also issue citations for chronic problem properties or for violations that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be corrected by a contractor. Trash: Residents are not allowed to accumulate trash and discarded items. Trash containers must be stored out of view from the street. Snow: You are responsible for clearing snow and ice off the public sidewalks adjacent to your property within 24 hours of accumulation. Remember itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to shovel fresh snow! Sofas: Furniture manufactured for indoor use is prohibited from outdoor areas. This includes unenclosed porches. Weeds: Weeds and grass on your property can only be up to 6 inches tall. As a renter, it is important to know that a violation of any of the above may cost you additional fees assessed by your property manager. So what happens if I have received

any citations related to the issues above? Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO): The PNO is a tool for dealing with chronic problem properties. Properties are considered problematic when citations occur on a regular basis. Property owners are accountable for the use of their properties and the behaviors of tenants. If a residence receives two

citations (of the same kind) within six months, three citations (of any kind) in a year, or five citations in two years, the tenants and property owner can be held responsible under the PNO which may require eviction. It is important to note that citations follow the property, so be aware of prior citations to avoid costly fines or possible eviction. You can check on property violation history by calling (970) 224-6046.

Student Housing Guide 2016

Safety First

Ways to Protect Yourself and Property You’ve just moved into a neighborhood and it reminds you so much of the one you had growing up that you soon find yourself leaving your bike unlocked on the front porch or your doors unlocked after dark. It seems like it wouldn’t be a big deal, but all it takes is a few seconds and your precious belongings can vanish without a trace. As a new resident in the neighborhood, it’s important to remember some tips that can help keep you and your belongings safe: At your house or apartment: • Lock that door! Even if you intend to return shortly, or even if you are going down the block. It takes a thief 10 seconds or less to enter an open home and steal your property. • Lock or secure doors and windows when you are alone or asleep. Do we need to remind you about all those horror movies?

• Put emergency numbers in your cell phone’s address book for quick access. • Do not leave messages on your door or answering machine indicating that you are away and when you will return. That is basically an open invitation for thieves to come in and grab what they please. • If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to dial for them instead of allowing them to enter your home. • Do not put your address on your key ring. If it gets lost or stolen, you’ve basically given them the key to enter. • Get to know your neighbors! When you move in, introduce yourself and exchange information. • Do not leave keys in hiding places because thieves will find them. Those fake rocks in the garden aren’t

fooling anyone. • Check if smoke detectors are working and change the batteries twice a year. When you are leaving for breaks: Thieves know the college schedule, so make your place look busy and ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for any suspicious strangers lurking around. Keep your windows and doors secured. You don’t want to grant them free access! Store all electronic equipment and small valuables in a safe place, like at a friend’s house or even take them with you! Have a timer for lights so your house looks busy even when you are not home. They’re a cheap way to keep your home safe even when you’re not there.

When you are walking: • Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary. • Keep to well-lit and commonly used routes. • Avoid using shortcuts and isolated areas. • Walk purposefully, know where you are going, and project a nononsense image. • Avoid dangerous situations. • If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone, or enter a store or a place of business (even if you have just left it). • Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pocket or hand, not buried in a purse or backpack. • When walking to your car, don’t hit the unlock button until you are in close proximity to the vehicle and lock the doors behind you once you are inside.

Searching is FREE! • Renters - Search for an apartment, house or condo, price match and contact the Landlord directly. • Landlords/Property Managers - Place a listing, edit property information and upload color photos from any location at any time without the • Virtual Tours - Quality photos and tours get your property rented sooner.

NorthernColoradoRentals.com 18 Student Housing Guide 2016

Student Housing Guide 2016

Considering Moving Off-Campus?

Keep All Your Transportation Options Open Aaron Fodge, Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking & Transportation Services The First Move Off-Campus is a Significant Life Decision There is nothing more exciting than selecting your first apartment or house after your first year of college. It is fun to get wrapped up in the decisions about how many bedrooms to secure for your apartment, or who you might live with. Unfortunately, these decisions often outweigh the more impactful opportunity: How can a student limit the amount of time and money spent on the commute to CSU? Consider this first decision to move off-campus a test-run for the major financial decision to come after a student graduates. Consider Commuting Expenses Where a student decides to live, whether a student rents or owns the property - is a significant life decision. The distance between where a student lives and where a student travels daily influences a monthly budget for living expenses, but also dictates how much time a student will need to spend commuting when time could be spent on other tasks. Too often, a young professional will consider only the cost of their rent when making a decision on where to live with respect to their campus or employer. The chance to save, let’s say, $100 per month on rent by living farther away from campus is quickly lost to a CSU parking permit, fuel, auto insurance and maintenance. Many find the cheaper rent decision actually led to an increase in monthly expenses. How Can A Student Limit Commuting Expenses When Selecting a Rental? Generally, a decision to live closer to campus will provide you a greater opportunity to reduce your transportation expenses and commuting time while attending Colorado State University. The table below compares the decision to live closer or farther away from campus.

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The CLOSER you live to campus... • The more transportation OPTIONS (walk, bike, transit routes, longboard) are available to you • The less TIME you will spend commuting when you could be doing something else, like studying • The more MONEY you will save on car-related expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance) • The less likely you will need to pay for an on-campus PARKING PASS • The greater the opportunity to EXERCISE while you commute by bicycle, longboard, and walking

The FARTHER away you live to campus... • The FEWER transportation options (walk, bike, transit routes, longboard) are available to you • The MORE time you will spend driving when you could be doing something else like studying • The LESS money you will save on car-related expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance) • The increased likelihood you will need to PAY for an on-campus parking pass • The more DIFFICULT it becomes to walk, bicycle, or longboard because of the longer commute time

Transportation Considerations When Living Off-Campus Ultimately, your decision about where to live is about work-life balance. Where you live will dictate how much time you spend at work, with your family, at play, and … commuting. Embrace this test-run as a chance for you to learn about a desired work-life balance before making the major financial decision to come after you graduate and get your first job. Just below are noted great ways to promote balance and save money by using alternative transportation. Also, Walkscore is a great resource that can be used for obtaining information about proximity to common and popular locations (grocery store, coffee shop, parks, etc.) based on the location of the property. Transit or Bus –Your RamCard allows you to ride all local buses for FREE. Look to see how close your rental is to the local bus line to campus. The largest frequency of routes is west of campus. The MAX bus system creates easier commuting opportunities from the north and south. Some apartment

complexes now offer their own shuttles to campus. For more information, visit http://www. ridetransfort.com to confirm where the routes are located. Download the RideTransfort app to quickly find out when the next bus comes to your rental Bike – CSU and Fort Collins are recognized nationally as one of three Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Universities and Communities, respectively. Select a rental close to a bike trail or bike lane for a safer commute to campus while providing access to recreation. On campus, we have over 10 miles of bike trails and over 15,000 bike rack spaces to lock your bike during your classes. Use the city’s bike map to confirm your rental is near a bike trail or lane: http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/ bike-maps.php Zipcar Carsharing – The biggest commuter cost savings comes when you leave your car home. CSU and many off-campus properties now host Zipcars—vehicles you can rent hourly for quick trips to the grocery store or a trip to the mountains with your roommates. Pay for a Zipcar

only when you need one. Register for a Zipcar Membership before you move in so you are ready to drive when you need one: http://www. zipcar.com/universities/coloradostate-university Carpool – Why drive alone? Split the cost of driving (parking pass, fuel, insurance) by carpooling with someone that lives close to you. Register for a carpool parking permit here: http://pts.colostate.edu/ students/carpool/ Longboard – Longboards can travel almost as fast as a bicycle and provide a wonderful exercise opportunity commuting to campus. CSU has lockers placed across campus for you to securely lock your longboard. Read more about the laws for proper Longboarding in Colorado: http://www.courts.state. co.us/Courts/Education/Youth/ Laws.cfm For more information about transportation-related questions at Colorado State University, please contact Parking and Transportation Services at 970-491-7600 or visit: http://pts.colostate.edu/

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U+2:KNOW THE FACTS Did you know that in the City of Fort Collins no more than three unrelated individuals may live together? Prior to signing a lease, it is important to know the facts behind the occupancy ordinance and how it may have an impact on you. Some facts… 1. Occupancy in a residential dwelling unit (single-family, duplex, and apartments) is restricted to: • One family and not more than one additional person, or • Two adults (and their dependents) and not more than one additional person. 2. “Family” means any number of persons who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodial relationship, who live together as a single housekeeping unit and share

common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities. Helpful examples… 1. Allowed: three unrelated friends 2. Allowed: two siblings and one friend 3. Allowed: three unrelated friends and guests who stay 30 nights or less in a 12-month period 4. Not allowed: four unrelated friends 5. Not allowed: two siblings and their 2 friends 6. Not allowed: three unrelated friends and guests who stay more than 30 nights in a 12-month period (anyone who spends more than 30 nights in a dwelling unit in a 12-month period is an occupant)

There are exceptions… A frequently asked question that students have is whether there are any places that allow for more than three unrelated people to live. There are options in the City that allow for extra occupancy. If you are interested in finding a place where you can live with additional friends, visit the Off-Campus Life website and under the Off Campus Housing tab/Helpful Resources, you will find the “Extra Occupancy” list. A little history… Since the 1960’s, Fort Collins has enforced occupancy restrictions. The City addresses occupancy to help ensure health and safety of residents, and to help protect the quality and character of neighborhoods.

A new development…. Starting January 1st, 2016, the City began a pilot program in the Avery Park neighborhood, enforcing this ordinance on a proactive basis. This means the City will be regularly inspecting the Avery Park area, no formal complaint needed, and identifying potential violations. For the purposes of this pilot program, the Avery Park pilot area is being defined as the section of the City bordered by Shields Street on the east, Prospect Road on the south, Taft Hill Road on the west, and Elizabeth Street on the north. Need more information… If you are looking for a little more detail to this law, please visit fcgov. com (just type “occupancy” into the search tab) or contact Neighborhood Services at (970) 224-6046.

NEIGHBOR ETIQUETTE Fort Collins is known for its friendliness and small town warmth. Take pride in where you live! Get to know your neighbors and city ordinances. Here are some helpful tips: Introduce Yourself ! A simple “hello” goes a long way. This is your first step in building a good relationship, and it’s a great one, but don’t stop there. Grow the relationship throughout the year, you never know when you will need that cup of sugar or help shoveling your walk.

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Keep Neighbors Informed Contact your neighbors in advance before undertaking something that may affect them… like throwing a big party, building a fence, or getting a dog. Share your contact information (cell phones, etc.) so there is an easy way of communicating during any event you might host or if other questions come up. Be Aware of Neighborhood Expectations & City Ordinances Be aware of not only local laws

and HOA covenants, but also the neighborhood expectations. Each neighborhood has a different feel. As you get to know your neighbors, ask them about what is expected of each resident. Be Aware of Differences Age, faith, ethnic background, and family status can drastically affect how one goes about their daily life. Be aware and respectful of differences between you and your neighbor. Ask How You Can Help Neighborly gestures contribute

to a positive and welcoming neighborhood for all! Shoveling snow for your neighbor who may need assistance is a great welcoming gesture. Be Candid If your neighbor does something that bothers you, respectfully let them know as soon as possible. If you cannot work out a fair compromise, take advantage of free and confidential mediation services offered by the City of Fort Collins Community Mediation Program, (970) 224-6022.

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