Lease and Lease Terms

Most of the landlords in the area require leases for 12 months. A few will provide leases for the academic year, but these are in fairly high demand and usually are not on the rental market long.

Generally, local residents who take boarders into their homes are more flexible about leases, but they still expect boarders to commit themselves to a specific time that they intend to live in their homes.

Since there are many 12-month leases, subleasing for the summer months is a common practice in the area. Nonetheless, if you plan to sublease, make certain there is a sublease provision in the lease that you sign. The Off-Campus Housing list also includes subleases. If you have a place to sublease, you may list it in the office, Schleman Hall, Room 207, or ask to have the for emailed to you - offcampushousing@purdue.edu.

Before you sign a lease, be sure that you read and understand it. Make sure you get all promises in writing. Even a landlord's agreement to repair a unit or provide furniture should be in writing.

Whenever possible, negotiate directly with a landlord. Make sure your name is on the lease and that you are the tenant of record along with your roommate(s). Stay away from an arrangement where one roommate acts as the sole lessee and has a second lease for the other roommate(s). Do not enter into a loose oral agreement either with your landlord or with roommate(s).

You can obtain the most current off-campus housing list on the following website: http://www2.itap.purdue.edu/SSTA/offcampushousing/search/search.cfm.

Rent

Some rents in the area include the cost of utilities such as water, gas, electricity, sewage, telephone, or cable television. However, most rentals in the area include only water and sewage connections. Before signing a lease, be sure that you know which utilities are included in the rent. Ask the landlord to estimate the cost of non-included utilities.

Deposit

Most leases call for some damage or security deposits to be paid in advance at the time the lease is signed and refundable after the lease expires. However, the refunds are usually contingent on the tenant's returning the property to the landlord in satisfactory condition. Check the lease before you sign it to make sure that you understand the terms of the deposit.