I. Searching Tips

• Review your finances. Decide how much you can afford to pay each month.
  
  
• Think about transportation and distance to the University. Choose neighborhood near the campus: Mayaguez Terrace, La Riviera, Ensanche Vivaldi, Ensanche Martinez, Downtown Mayaguez, Barcelona, Paris.
  
  
• Check our site often, listings are on our site for a month after landlord must renew. Use other resources, campus bulletin boards, local papers, realtors and classified ads like www.clasificadoselnuevodia.com, www.clasificadosonline.com, www.15segundos.com and others.
  
  
• Come to Mayaguez area at least five days for the search and before the first day of classes. Get out in the housing areas, make phone calls and make arrangements to visit the premises.

II. Utilities & Inspection

• Off Campus Housing does not inspect, approve or supervise any premises listed with our web site. Inspect the property yourself before signing a lease. Ask your landlord all questions about your tenant rights.
  
  
• If the landlord make any promises have him/her put in writing.
  
  
• Often utilities such as water and electricity are not including in the rent, so that you must pay then separately. Rentals almost have oven and usually refrigerator; others include furniture, but most do not. Please ask before you visit the property.

 

III. Contract

• The housing contract or lease requires a security deposit which may be as much as one or two months rent.
  
  
• Remember a lease is a binding legal contract. Don’t sign a lease until you are certain you want the place and don’t commit yourself to a place you can’t afford.
  
  
• Be a reasonable tenant. Treat the place, your neighborhood and your landlord with common respect and expect the same in return.