Lindsay Ross
Equinox Staff
Making the transition from living on campus to off is a big step in becoming more independent. A student being on her or his own is a step closer to adulthood, and when it comes that time in college to move out on your own, responsibilities come along with it.
Thursday, Oct. 27, landlords from all over the Keene area made their way to the Student Center Atrium along with housing inspectors to inform students on what it takes to move off-campus. Landlords showed their apartments in hopes that students will find something they could call their home for the next year.
Program Assistant for Student Affairs Allison Riley helped set up this event. This gave the opportunity for students to come and see the selection they were able to choose from and what options they had available.
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“We felt the need to have landlords in the area come to campus and show what is available,” Riley said.
This was the first annual off-campus housing fair. In past years, the Residential Life page on Keene State’s website was where the students were able to go to view the different landlords and apartments that were available to students.
Having the housing fair provided a chance for students to see what they could choose from.
“It is a good way for landlords to meet students,” Riley said. “There was a large continuum of choices.”
Students living off-campus means that they are able to have more space to themselves, and not have to share living quarters with those they do not know.
“It provides privacy, quietness, and the study time you want,” landlord Jackie Perry of J&M Perry said. “Fire alarms will not be going off in the middle of the night.”
Senior Brittany Perez has the same viewpoints when it comes to the benefits of off-campus living.
“You don’t have to worry about getting into trouble and there is more space for your stuff,” Perez said. “I also like to distress on the drive to and from campus.”
“You have more independence with your free time, not having to show your ID every time you walk into a building, and its good preparation for the real world after graduation,” senior Jordan Volikas added.
There are certain expectations that should be met by students when renting out space. They would be part of a larger community in Keene and there are some rules that they should follow.
“They are responsible for what happens to the property. It needs to be treated with responsibility that the students take on,” Perry said.
The students are asked to follow the Keene Housing Code. This was installed in may of 2004, and the codes ask for the city of Keene to be a place where it is safe to live. The code is as follows:
No person shall use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any dwelling or dwelling unit that is overcrowded. All parking shall be on-site, constructed to meet the parking lot standards in the zoning code. No person shall park, keep, or store, or permit the parking, keeping, or storage of inoperative, unregistered, and/or uninspected motor vehicles on any premises unless stored within an entirely closed garage. And no person shall permit waste or yard waste to accumulate upon any premises, or the interior of any structure.
“If there is a complaint issued, the person will remain anonymous,” Fred Parsells, housing inspector, said.
In the pamphlet of tenant rights and information, it states that landlords cannot refuse to rent to anyone because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, physical or mental handicap, or to families with children.
“The tenants should know that they have rights, and landlords have obligations,” Parsells said. “Our goal is to seek compliance that we do what we are supposed to do.”
“The housing inspectors were at the housing fair to pass out information on property conditions and rights that students have as tenants,” Riley said.
Students also have benefits from living on-campus as well, as Assistant Director of Housing Operations Mandy Martin explains; there are services available here that may not be for those who live in apartment’s off-campus.
“For upper-class students, living in on-campus apartments provides a level of independent living with the safety net of campus services.
Lindsay Ross can be contacted at lross1@ksc.mailcruiser.com