How to Move Off Campus: Off-Campus Life

How to Move Off Campus

How far from campus you want to live?
Do not forget about rain, snow, & heat
Identify the area of the neighborhood you want to live in
Think about safety
Consider where the nearest transit stop, bicycle storage, grocery store, ATM, gas station, parking, doctor, police/fire station, and laundromat is located.

Find listings for rentals at the !
Look for "for rent" signs and postings on campus and around Evanston.
Attend the annual Housing Fairs! These are held at Norris, with one in the Fall and one in the Winter or Spring.

Read your lease carefully, making note of any clauses or provisions that you don't understand.
Use our Lease Review to help you look for the key terms and conditions.
For locations in Evanston, compare your lease to the or . (ERLTO stands for Evanston Residential Landlord-Tenant Ordinance.) Make note of anything that seems to be missing, or lease clauses or provisions that may conflict with the Ordinance/Model Lease.
- For instance, the new ERLTO requires landlords to provide a list of the reasonable expenses that any fee charged, such as a Move-In or Application Fee, will cover. Don't see that list? Ask for it! Think the list contains items not related to the fee's purpose? Ask about it!
- Students looking at Chicago places should review Chicago's .
Be ready to ask your landlord to explain anything you don't understand, and to help you reconcile the differences you observed when you compared documents.
A good landlord will take the time to ensure your understanding.

Walk through the property before signing
Record property conditions in the Property Checklist available on our website
Take and e-mail pictures to the landlord to avoid unnecessary costs when moving out