To Penn students, off-campus housing is synonymous with many things -- independence, loud partying and no signing in guests -- but it can mean a whole new load of responsibilities. Fortunately, the Office of Off-Campus Living is there to assist Penn students through the process. Situated on 4046 Walnut Street, the office is dedicated to providing counseling and housing options to the Penn community, mainly in the areas surrounding University City, Center City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. "We assist Penn affiliates, especially students, through all their stages of living off campus," Director Miki Farcas said. One of the most popular services that the office offers is its database, which lists all the housing offers currently available. Prospective tenants may search according to area, landlord, sublets, building, availability or ratings. Also, daily updates give users access to the latest offers in real time. The office also provides students with information about issues relevant to housing. Some of the most frequent inquiries concern the rights and responsibilities of a tenant, the demographics of a given area or the choice of roommates. Other services include lease reviews, counseling, legal assistance upon request and mediations between roommates or between landlords and tenants. While students are entitled to a great deal of assistance, there are some basic procedures that future tenants must follow on their own to make sure their off-campus experience will be a pleasant one. The first step is to make arrangements with future roommates so that there will be no misunderstandings later on. Also, it is important that all tenants sign the lease together to equally share rights and responsibilities over the location.
Upon taking possession of the house, tenants must put into writing the conditions in which the apartment was found and all requests to ensure legal protection. Also, tenants must check thoroughly if the place is adequate in terms of compliance with the law. "People need to look and take note," Farcas said. Rents have noticeably increased in the past few years while services have not always kept up accordingly. Off-campus prices are roughly the same as those on campus, so tenants need to weigh the benefits of independence with the drawbacks of losing University dorm commodities. And this requires being informed and acting responsibly at all times. "You've got to know, pay attention and find out what you're entitled to and give what you must," Farcas concluded. This challenge seems to be one that many Penn affiliates wish to take on. In fact, some housing options are available as early as October of the year before moving in. However, the majority of those who choose off-campus residences begin the process in late November and continue through December. By now, about 90 percent of the houses have been taken. Further information can be obtained from the office's Web site at www.business- services.upenn.edu/offcampusliving/.
