Renting a room in a house:
You can rent a room to live with an American family. To find available rooms, check the directory maintained by the Office of Commuter Services; either online, or in their office in 110 Bonds Administration Building. The directory is separated according to suburbs (for example, Berea or Strongsville.) The Rental Information sheet has all the requirements and explanation about the room and house. Be sure to write down the telephone numbers and addresses of the houses you’re interested in and call the owner to see if the house is available. If the house is available, go and see the place. Check everything that is written in the information sheet, and ask questions regarding the appliances, rent payment, house rules, etc. If possible, try to talk with the tenants living in the house. In the U.S., families may have pets in the house. Generally, smoking and drinking alcohol are not allowed in the house. Some host families may not want your friends to stay overnight or they may charge you extra money.
IF YOU DECIDE TO RENT THAT ROOM, ask questions about who is responsible for the utilities, ask about the house rules (cleaning, washing dishes, bathroom cleaning, cooking, etc.), rent payment (monthly, weekly or a full payment at the beginning). Check the room; if there is any damage or anything to repair, be sure to bring it to the landlord’s attention . Generally, you have to pay a DEPOSIT with the first rent. This deposit is for any damage or debt you might cause during your stay (i.e.telephone debt ). If there is no damage or debt, the deposit will be refunded to you when you move out. Do not be shy about asking questions. Something very common in your country may not be so common or important here. Do not forget, you are a foreigner here and no one expects you to know everything about living in the U.S.
A lease is a written agreement between a tenant and landlord, describing the rights and responsibilities of each. It is a BINDING DOCUMENT that makes the tenant responsible for the minimal care of the rented property and for the monthly rent of a stated amount for a stated period of time. It explains the responsibilities of the tenant and the landlord.
When you sign a lease, usually you pay a deposit as “damage deposit” or "security deposit”. The landlord is supposed to return the deposit to you within 30 days after you leave the apartment clean, undamaged and without any debt. If the deposit is not returned you may request a written explanation why some or all of the deposit was withheld. Check with the landlord or with the management about the deposit amount and repayment conditions BEFORE YOU SIGN THE LEASE.
Duration is very important; check and be sure that you can renew the lease. Ask what happens if you “break” the lease with a month or two months notice, or if you can SUBLET your place to another tenant while you are away.
Leases are not limited to apartments. Some host families also require a lease agreement. The landlord or the management has to guarantee the minimal living standards in rented rooms and apartments (providing adequate winter heating and insect control). If you make any agreement with the landlord or the management for any repairs you make, be sure that they are in the lease agreement. FOR ANY DISPUTE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU HAVE EVERYTHING WRITTEN AND SIGNED.
IF YOU SIGN A LEASE, read it very carefully before signing it, and be sure that you understand everything on the lease. Check the items on the lease (the condition of your room, furniture, etc). If you are not sure about something on the lease, ask one of your friends or the International Student Advisor.
Generally, you are responsible for cleaning your own room and any area or appliances you use. Try to be neat and careful in the places you share with others. Some landlords may expect some help cleaning the house, or taking care of the garden. Ask before you rent the room.
If you are sharing the telephone, check the bill to calculate your charges and add the tax to your telephone bill. Generally, if you share the telephone, the fixed charges for the telephone are included in your rent; you are supposed to pay only your long distance calls (calling out of town or out of the country). If you are using a discount plan (like Friends and Families), you have to pay the monthly charge of that plan, or you can share that cost with other tenants.
Be sure to observe the safety rules at home. Also, make sure you know all the important telephone numbers and keep them near your phone.
Host families want to know in advance when you will move so that they can rent the room after you leave. Check with the family to see how much advance notice you must give. Generally, host family rooms have basic furniture that includes a bed, a mattress, table and lamp. If furniture is provided, you will save money by not having to buy it. Also, when you decide to go back to your country, you will not have to sell or move your furniture.
Apartments
Rent for apartments ranges from $400 to $1,000/per month. Telephone numbers and detailed explanation of the apartments are in the housing directory located in the Commuter Services office.
A renter or “tenant” must pay his or her utilities (that is electricity, gas, water and telephone) if they are not included in the rent. The landlord or manager can explain what you must do to get electricity and gas to your apartment.
There are some websites you can use to search for apartments information.http://www.apartments.com/index.htm is one of them.
SAFETY
Although Berea is a very safe place, you must be careful because crimes do occur occasionally. Try to spot opportunities for crimes before they happen. Here are some crime prevention points:
At Home
Keep doors locked-- do not attach ID tag to the key ring--keep all hidden entries locked.
Ask service people for ID before you open the door; never open the door to strangers or let them know you are alone.
Mark all valuables with driver's license number (or other easily traceable identification number) and state abbreviation.
Hang up on (and report) nuisance callers; do not give information to strangers over the phone.
Neighbors and friends can watch out for others, go shopping, to the basement or do laundry together.
Females should put only an initial and their last name on the mailbox.
When You Go Out
Do not leave a note saying you are on vacation and/or when you will return.
Choose a well-lit route to your destination.
If possible, let someone know where you are going and when you should arrive. Avoid short cuts and dark isolated spots.
On buses, if you need directions, ask the driver, not other passengers.
On subways or trains, do not enter an empty car; look for one with several people in it.
Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet.
Do not use a purse with a shoulder strap; if you do, you should wear the strap across your chest.
Do not enter an elevator alone with a stranger, and keep your room key hidden until you leave the elevator.When driving, keep doors locked, windows up for safety, hide your purse, and keep valuables out of sight.If harassed at intersection, do not respond; drive away.Never pick up hitchhikers.
Park close to your destination, choose well-lit parking places.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood and stay inside your car. If strangers stop to help, ask them to alert the police or the nearest service station for you.Do not go with anyone in their car under ANY circumstances.
When going on a trip, do not discuss your trip in public before you leave.
Use caution at airports.Keep luggage locked, carefully watched. Leave identification inside the luggage; carry traveler’s checks or credit cards instead of cash.
Be alert at your hotel or motel; carry room keys with you and leave valuables in the hotel office safe.
These small points can prevent crime; do not be confused or feel uncomfortable, just be careful and alert. Berea is a relatively safe place, but if vacationing in a big city, you might face problems.Try to be on the safe side by being alert.
If you have a bicycle, buy a chain and a reliable lock when you buy your bicycle; lock it even if you are leaving it for a very short time.Maintain your bike in good condition. Register it with the Berea Police Dept.If your bike is stolen report it immediately.
Obey the same traffic rules as motor vehicles, and use your hand for signaling a turn or stopping.
Be careful and drive defensively. Watch the traffic and stay alert to avoid any other driver's error.
THE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER IS 911
275 Eastland Rd.