Table of Contents
		Introduction
		Types of housing
		Beginning the search
		Making decisions
		Housing laws
		After Moving In
		Glossary
		Navigating New York City
		Understanding Classified Ads
		Housing Listings

Following are some of the most common types of housing you should consider:

- Temporary Housing and Residences
- Dormitories and University Housing
- Renting a Room in a Private Home
- Apartment Shares
- Subletting an Apartment
- Renting Your Own Apartment

Temporary Housing and Residences
Be aware that it can take some time to find a suitable place to live, especially in New York's tight housing market. You will probably need a temporary place to stay while you are conducting your search. Regular hotels are expensive, but there are other options. If you are a student your first step should be to check with your foreign student advisor or campus housing office to ask if there is an affordable facility near your school where you can stay until you locate permanent housing.

Other temporary housing options include YMCA's, youth hostels, and the temporary residences that are listed on pages 48-53. These places provide rooms for one night to one month, and some for even longer. If you are interested in staying in a residence on a longer term basis, you can look into the residences listed on pages 54-57. Many of these residences fill up very quickly, so you should make arrangements for your stay well in advance. Always call, fax, or email first-you will save time and energy!

Dormitories and University Housing
Many colleges and universities provide dormitories or other housing for their students, although space can be limited. Usually both single and shared rooms are offered, as well as a variety of services such as meal plans, laundry facilities, and TV or study lounges. Many dorms house men and women in the same building. Choosing university housing is a good solution if you want to move in quickly and live in a ready-made community with other students. It also enables you to avoid the responsibilities of signing a lease and furnishing and maintaining an apartment.

There is no better way for a newly arrived student to adjust to life in New York City than to live with other students. Many newcomers report that living in campus housing provides a sense of community that can otherwise be hard to find upon first arrival in New York City. Living in a dormitory-at least during your first year-can help you feel more at home in your new surroundings.

Few New York City campuses have sufficient housing for all their students who request it, however, so if you are interested in this option you will need to watch deadlines, act quickly and reserve a room well in advance of arriving in New York City. There are often long waiting lists and rooms get taken quickly!

Local residents occasionally lease an extra room in their home or apartment to students at a nearby campus. Often the room will be furnished with a bed, dresser and desk; it may or may not include a private bath. Also, you may or may not have permission to use the kitchen. For information about renting a room in a private residence, contact your school's Off-Campus Housing office to inquire whether they keep a listing of such accommodations. You might also check notices posted on campus bulletin boards.

Though relatively inexpensive, this type of living situation requires careful consideration. Remember that you may have to adjust your lifestyle to accommodate the person or family with whom you will be living. For instance, if you are a smoker and the owner of the house doesn't allow smoking, then this isn't the right situation for you. On the other hand, you may find that you have much in common with your new "family" and this could be the start of a rewarding friendship. The best way to avoid major problems is to get to know your prospective housemate(s) before you make the decision to rent the room. Think about your needs and the specific circumstances very carefully before you make your decision.

Apartment Shares
A share refers to a situation in which you move into a space (apartment, loft, house, etc.) that has already been rented by another person or persons, and agree to divide the responsibilities and payment of rent and bills. You may or may not have your name added to the lease, or be asked for a deposit. As with any roommate situation, it is important to discuss any expectations you might have, and to agree on ground rules at the beginning. One benefit of a share situation is that there tends to be more leeway as to how long you must agree to stay, as compared with an apartment lease, in which you must take responsibility for a complete year's rent even if you will be leaving after nine months. Notices of shares can be found posted in the Off-Campus Housing Office, on campus bulletin boards, in many newspaper classified ads and online.

Subletting an Apartment
You may choose to sublet an apartment from a tenant who temporarily leaves the city and plans to return to the same apartment after a period of time. For example, an actor living in New York may get a temporary three-month job in Hollywood. Instead of moving out of his apartment, he may choose to sublet it to another person. This means that someone else, a "subtenant," can live in the apartment and use all the furniture and kitchenware until the primary tenant returns.

This is very common in New York City, but you should be cautious if you agree to sublet an apartment. A subtenant's rights aren't always as clear as those of a primary tenant. During a sublet the original tenant takes full responsibility for all obligations under the lease, continues to pay the rent to the landlord and reserves the right to reoccupy the apartment. You should be sure that you are dealing with a reliable person...and that you, too, are reliable. Above all, you should be certain that the apartment you decide to sublet can be sublet on a legal basis. A sublet that does not comply with the law may be grounds for eviction of the primary tenant.

A reliable tenant follows legal procedures when subletting his apartment to you. To sublet an apartment, the tenant must first obtain permission from the landlord. In general, a landlord is obligated to give his permission unless he can prove that you would be a "bad" subtenant. For example, the landlord may require information about you and your ability to pay the rent. Generally, you will pay rent to the tenant, who will then forward the rent to the landlord.

Another item a landlord may request from the tenant and subtenant is a copy of the sublease. The sublease is a written contract that states:

1. the condition of the apartment and its furnishings,
2. the duration of the sublet, and
3. your responsibilities as a subtenant.

Be sure to keep a copy of the sublease for your records.

The primary tenant should remove all valuable items from the apartment before you move in. If it is a short-term sublet, the tenant should make specific arrangements with you about mail delivery and telephone messages.

Other points to remember about subletting:

	While the primary tenant is away, the conditions of his/her lease cannot be changed without his/her consent
	If you are subletting a furnished apartment, the primary tenant is not allowed to charge you more than 10% above the legal rent. (This can be verified by looking at the tenant's lease.)
	You will probably have to pay a security deposit of 50% to 100% of one month's rent. This amount may vary depending on the duration of the sublet and the furnishings provided, as well as the condition of the apartment. This money should be deposited into a savings account at the bank and returned to you when you vacate the apartment provided that you have left the tenant's home and furnishings in good condition.

Renting Your Own Apartment
Having your own apartment is probably one of the ultimate "New York experiences." Although it can be a frustrating, time consuming process to find an apartment, most long-term residents prefer this option because it provides maximum freedom, space and privacy. There are no curfews, no rules about guests, and you can decorate your space however you like!

Looking for your own apartment requires patience and determination. Most people find that they must look at many apartments before they find one that they like and can afford. In searching for your own apartment you may encounter obstacles such as expensive rents, high broker fees, and enormous competition, especially in Manhattan. You will need to be persistent and even aggressive about following up leads and placing phone calls. Once you find something you like and can afford, you must act on it right away. There is no guarantee that you will get the first apartment that appeals to you.

Once you have found a suitable apartment, you will have to go through a complicated approval process, which typically involves filling out an application, providing references from people who can vouch for your reliability (you can ask your foreign student advisor, an employer or previous landlord, professors, family friends, and/or relatives), documenting your financial resources, and submitting to a credit check (proof that you have a history of paying your bills on time). There is often a small, non-refundable fee for processing an application/credit check. As a newly arrived student, you may not have any credit "history" and thus, you may need to provide a guarantor. A guarantor is a person (in the U.S.) who provides a written statement of agreement to pay your rent in the event that you fail to do so. Note: If you do not have a guarantor in the U.S., your landlord may require a larger security deposit or advanced rent from you.

To be prepared to make a quick decision, it is helpful to have the following items with you when you go to inspect an apartment

1. checkbook/travelers' checks for any required fees or deposit;
2. photo ID (passport or driver's license);
3. credit application information (name, address and phone number of references and guarantor);
4. bank account information (account numbers and recent statements, if available); and
5. verification of income.

Checklist for Selecting Housing

Here are some things to consider before you sign a lease or other contract!

	How secure is the building? Is there an intercom system or a doorman? Is the front door securely locked? Is the entryway well lighted? How secure is the apartment? Are there gates on the windows if it is on the top or first floor, or is accessible to a fire escape?
	Is it in a convenient location? Consider access to public transportation and necessary services like shopping, laundry, etc.
	How noisy is the apartment? Traffic noise, or nearby trains, schools, hospitals or fire stations can all make for a noisy location.
	How many flights of stairs will you have to climb if there is no elevator? Will a great view compensate for extra legwork?
	Is the ventilation adequate? Does the apartment receive sunlight for at least part of the day?
	Is the closet and storage space adequate?
	What kind of bathing facilities does the apartment have?
	Are the electrical and plumbing works properly maintained? How many electrical outlets are in each room?
	Do a stove and refrigerator come with the apartment? Are both in good working order?
	Are there visible physical defects, such as cracked plaster or leaking faucets? (If so, write down everything that is wrong and try to get the landlord to sign a written agreement that the defects will be repaired. If he/she refuses, send the list to the landlord via registered mail, return receipt requested, before you accept the keys.)

Continue to Chapter 2: Where Should You Begin your Search?