How to find a place to rent

There are as many ways of finding a place as there are choices in housing. The best place to start is perhaps the Office of Off Campus Housing. The Office is located in the Stamp Student Union in the center of campus. OCH is basically a clearinghouse for people looking to rent places and people looking to lease places. In addition to their vast database, they also keep track of landlords against whom complaints have been filed and other helpful information like bus maps, etc. There are also notice boards outside their office for people who are looking for roommates. Most of their database is on line and you can search for housing over the Web: http://www.inform.umd.edu/OCA/Services/OCH/och.html

Another especially useful tool is the Apartment Locator's Guide. This is a free booklet, published quarterly, that lists many (although not all) apartment complexes (and some townhouses) according to area. The booklet gives descriptions and lists features like whether pets are allowed and which utilities are covered. It also lists phone numbers for rental offices. You can find copies of the Guide at the Office of Off Campus Housing, and in most grocery stores and pharmacies.

3/12/1999