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#169Short-Term Housing

Introduction
Short-Term Housing

Apartment hunting for exchange visitors can be stressful with an overwhelming list of things to consider. This section provides general information and links to key resources along with advice regarding housing for participants.

Part 1 Admin procedures
Part 2 Useful tips
Part 3 Resources
Part 4 Inspection checklist
Part 5 What to note?

NOTE: As a general rule, do not sign any lease until you have actually visited the place and met with the landlord in person. Book a hotel or Airbnb for the first few days to settle down.

www.fusia.net/housing

Part 5 What to note?

1 Program rules. The distance between the worksite and the participant’s residence should be no greater than 25 miles. Hosts are not required to provide housing for their participant(s), but they should provide necessary guidance and support to ensure that they can finalize housing arrangements smoothly and in a timely manner.

2 Laws. Landlord tenant laws vary by state. As examples, short term subleasing is prohibited or comes with restrictions in many US cities, live/work lofts in SF are for those who own a business (not for exchange visitors), basements and cellars in residential properties are generally illegal, and good faith (holding) deposit is illegal in some states, e.g., New York and California. The landlord has the right to enter tenant apartments to inspect and make repairs with advance notice and/or consent (rules vary by state).

3 Sublets. Subleasing with roommates can be a nightmare if not managed properly. Find out what will happen if one tenant doesn’t pay or leaves before the lease expires. Be upfront and discuss any potential conflicts that can occur with your roommates.

4 Credit checks. Credit checks are common in the US. This check is usually conducted by a third-party service which asks for personal information such as Social Security Number and a fee. There are also third-party services that have less strict credit check requirements. However, since participants generally have no credit history in the US at all, it isn’t easy to pass such checks, and thus it’s suggested to consider subleases (becoming a roommate of someone who already has a lease) and rooms rented out directly by the owner (as opposed to management offices or agents), since their requirements may be less demanding.

5 Security deposit. Find out the requirements to get a security deposit back and discuss hypothetical situations with the landlord upfront. While rules vary by state, generally, a landlord should return a tenant’s security deposit, minus any portion that was rightfully subtracted (e.g., damages, cleanup) within 14-30 days after the tenant moves out. The maximum amount of the security deposit landlords can charge vary by state (e.g., is one month in NY, MA).

6 Return. Any disputes are settled in a small claims court, which requires both the landlord and tenant to appear in person. While it may not be convenient to fly back to appear in court, participants are suggested to discuss the procedures, timing, expectations for vacating the apartment, and deposit return arrangements ahead of time. Find out whether special arrangements can be made for you as an exchange visitor. If you return the apartment to your landlord right before your departure from the US, you could be prone to the risk of not being refunded the deposit before you leave.

7 Know your rights. Larger management offices and agents generally have systems in place that help safeguard client information. When it comes to more informal landlords, it’s important to find out ahead of time how tenant information is safeguarded. Note that a Social Security Number (SSN) should only be required for a credit check. It is illegal for a landlord to deny you a rental on the basis of race, gender, etc.

www.fusia.net/housing

Instructions