Office aims to showcase off-campus housing options at fair

Many factors go into deciding whether living on campus or off campus would suit students. The Off-Campus Housing Office will host an Off-Campus Housing Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the University Center Ballrooms. The event will feature different local landlords, property management companies and other related businesses.

“This is my first time personally organizing the Off-Campus Housing Fair,” said Matt Dunsmoor, a senior business marketing and political science major who is the Off-Campus Housing Coordinator. “In the past, we had huge swarms of tables with people trying to get you to sign leases, and that bothered me. So this year, one of the major changes is to bring them up to the ballrooms and actually hold a fair. Depending on where you live, you generally find places cheaper off-campus with a kitchen.”

Dunsmoor said a few advantages to living on campus are the vicinity and convenience, but it might cost a little more. He said living off campus means having the freedom without having hall directors and resident assistants, but the location might be a little further away from campus, and transportation could be an issue.

“First, you should create a list and prioritize what you’re looking for,” Dunsmoor said. “If you’re looking for a cheap place, then you can’t be picky.”

David Herbstman, a senior human services major and the Off-Campus Housing assistant coordinator, said students can come and ask questions and voice concerns about living off campus.

“This upcoming Off-Campus Housing Fair will be very informational, and students can sign their leases there, too, if they prefer; it’s like a one-stop-shop thing,” Herbstman, said.

Brandon Houtchens, the UNC Student Legal Services attorney, said one of the primary concerns for most students isn’t necessarily a legal concern, it’s the selection of roommates that’s most important.

He said students should also learn about the property they intend to rent as much as possible, including its condition and how to find out if the landlords had good relationships with their previous tenants.

“It is important to be comfortable with roommates — if the student is willing to have any,” Houtchens said. “If you have a dispute and a roommate moves out before the lease ends and stops paying rent, that means the remaining tenants have to pick up the rest of the rent because the landlord has no responsibility of picking it up.”

Dunsmoor said students should also speak to Houtchens if they have questions about legal matters. Houtchens can be contacted at 970-353-4281.