Off Campus Housing

You are eligible to seek off-campus housing if you have children and/or pets, or have received special permission through the housing office.

Upperclassmen must enter a housing lottery if they wish to live on campus for the second term (in the case of graduate and professional students), or the second year (in the case of undergraduate, premedical and preveterinary students).

Off-campus housing must be at a university approved site. A list of university approved off-campus accommodations can be obtained from Admission in Bay Shore or the Housing Office in Grenada. Please contact Ms. Dawne Buckmire, Assistant Business Administrator, or Wendy Avril in the Housing Office, on the 2nd level of the Bourne Center, for more information.

Additional methods of finding good housing off-campus are:

Word of Mouth– If someone has a house you like, find out when they are moving.

Bulletin Boards at School – Always make a point of reading them, whether you are looking for housing or various other things such as furniture for sale, social events, etc.

SGUPost – This is an online bulletin board for the SGU community that contains information such as academic and social announcements, items for sale and rental vehicles and properties (http://qp2.sgu.edu/postit)

Local Real Estate Agencies – Check the Yellow Pages. It is advisable to have any leases checked over by a local lawyer.

Personal Inspection:

The following qualities should ALL be considered when choosing your “home away from home.”

  • LEASE: Leases should be read carefully making sure that everything the landlord promises is included. It may be wise to have a local lawyer review the lease for your protection.
  • SUMMER: To retain a unit until the fall, get an agreement in writing regarding rent payment and sub-lease options. Many landlords rent housing to visitors during Carnival time in late July and early August. If you don’t rent during the summer you may have to put your belongings in storage during your absence.
  • COST: Check with upperclassman for going rates.
  • EXTRA COSTS: These include maid service, gardener, utilities, etc. What kind of arrangements do the current tenants have? Who pays?
  • CONVENIENCE: How close is it to campuses, transportation, beach, shopping, other students, etc.?
  • WATER SUPPLY: Check the water pressure. Are there reserve tanks? During the dry season, which is January through May, are you going to be out of water every day?
  • HOT WATER: This is not necessarily a standard feature of rental units in Grenada. Note that cold water out of the tap is about 85° F, which is quite a shock first thing in the morning.
  • PHONE: If the housing lacks wiring for a phone, don’t plan on being able to get one quickly. Is there one nearby for people to contact you? (Bring your own phone.)
  • SECURITY: Do the premises offer outside lighting, screened windows, burglar bars?
  • KITCHENWARE: Are dishes, pots, pans, silverware, etc., included?
  • APPLICANCES: these include a ceiling fan, air conditioning, washing machine and television; make sure they work.
  • PRIVACY/NOISE LEVEL: How noisy is the neighborhood? Are there loud discos or night clubs, etc? Barking dogs can be an annoying problem in some areas.
  • INVENTORY: Make a list of what is in your new home with the landlord. Both of you should sign the list to avoid conflicts when laving at the end of your rental period.
  • AVAILABILITY OF MANAGE: Are maintenance personnel easily contacted?
  • DEPOSITS: Clarify the process by which the deposit is returned. The deposit is not usually applied to the last month’s rent. Landlords often wait until a tenant moves out and an inspection for damage and inventory has been conducted before returning the deposit.

For more detailed housing information, please refer to the Residential Life brochure. For questions about first term housing please contact the First Term Housing Liaison, Ms. Amanda Ryan, at (631) 665-8500, 1-800-899-6337 (U.S. and Canada), or 08001699061 (UK), extension 209.

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