Welcome to

Putting the Pieces Together: Living as a responsible off-campus member …

Moving off campus and living in a house will be one of the first big things you do as a young adult in the community, some issues you might face include:

– Housing

– Living with a Roommate

– Security Deposits

– Your Responsibilities vs. Your Landlord’s

– Finances and Housing Costs

– Living in a Neighborhood

– Lease Agreements

– Transportation

We’ll talk about these issues more in-depth later…

Putting the Pieces Together: Being a Responsible Ithaca Community Member

- We have created this informational presentation to help you understand what it means to be a responsible member in the surrounding Ithaca community. This presentation supports the Ithaca College mission to share the responsibilities of citizenship and service in the global community.

- Please realize that City and Town Ordinances change and it is YOUR responsibility to be knowledgeable of any changes!

- You can find information by going to codes@town.ithaca.ny.us and IBD@cityofithaca.org

Putting the Pieces Together: Being a Responsible Ithaca Community Member

Living as a responsible off-campus member of the Ithaca community is not always easy. Sometimes students see this as a very exciting time in their lives, while others may see the transition to entirely being on their own as a struggle.

Housing

Some things to consider before you go apartment hunting:

– How much can you afford for rent?

– What type of housing arrangement would you prefer? (i.e. an apartment, house, or condo)

– What is included in the rent? (i.e. utilities, services, furniture, etc.)

– Where in Ithaca do you want to live?

Location! Location! Location!

– Do you want to have roommates? How many?

– Do you know how to read a lease?

– Do you have the deposit money prepared in order to secure the rental?

– Do you want to be able to have a pet?

Housing

There are many types of apartments throughout the Ithaca area. You need to prioritize for yourself what attributes you feel are a must in your new home and what attributes you would like it to have. You may need to be flexible with some of the items on your list, while some things you may NOT, when deciding on a place to live.

Housing

Resources for apartment hunting:

– The Ithaca Journal

– The Ithaca Times

– Craig’s List

– The Landlord’s Association of Tompkins County (LATC)

– The Ithacan

– Yorango

– Cornell University’s Web Page

– By word of mouth

Lease Agreements

Your lease should include the following information:

– Date of signing

– Complete names of landlord and tenant(s)

– Location of the rental unit

– Term of the lease

– The agreed rent:

• Amount of each payment

• When and where payment is due

• Circumstances for penalties, fees, and increases in rent

– Know your rights: www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Tenants_Rights.pdf

Lease Agreements

- Extra charges for parking, storage, etc.

- Utility charges

- Amount of security or damage deposit

- Provisions for subletting – this is especially important if you plan to be away from campus during one of the upcoming semesters

- Limit on the total number of occupants

- Whether multiple lessees are responsible for making one rent payment or if everyone pays individually and how you are held accountable

Lease Agreements

- Landlord’s rights of access to the premises

- Rules regarding guests and pet privileges

- Whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished

- If furnished, a complete written inventory of the furniture and its condition

- Provisions for terminating the lease and any penalties

- Provisions for renewing the lease

- Whom to contact and communicate with for repairs and emergencies (i.e. the property manager, owner, or maintenance contractor)

Lease Agreements

Before you sign: – Know your resources such as the South Hill Civic Association,

Rental Housing Advisory Commission, the Building Department and the Health Department and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (CCE).

– Check the property at City and Town Hall to be sure there haven’t been problems with the property or the landlord Codes@town.ithaca.ny.us and ibd@cityofithaca.org

– Mark objectionable clauses, list any provision you would like changed or added, and have the conversation with your landlord

– Be sure that any agreed additions and deletions are in writing. Never accept oral arrangements

– Make sure the contract you sign has not only the address of where you will be living but also the contact information of the landlord or manager including address and phone numbers.

– Don’t forget to request and keep a copy of your lease

Security Deposits

According to the City of Ithaca’s Rental Housing Code, when a tenant provides a security deposit to a landlord, and until the deposit is either repaid in full or rightfully applied for repairs to the apartment, the money continues to be that of the tenant’s and shall be held in trust by the landlord.

* The deposit money is only to be used once the lease has ended. These funds are not legally to be used to repair damages or for any other reason during your tenancy.

Security Deposits

- When you move in, be sure to document in writing any damages that may exist and the condition when you move in and submit this to landlord. Keep a signed copy of this document with both yours and your landlord’s signatures.

- The landlord must provide a written receipt to the tenant for the deposit and inform the tenant where the deposit will be held. If the deposit is to be held at a banking institution, the name and address must be provided, as well as if it is being held in an interest-bearing account

Security Deposits

The landlord has 30 days from the time that you terminate your tenancy or you surrender the premises (whichever happens later) to return either the full security deposit or a written statement specifying the reasons for retention as well as a good faith estimate of the cost of each item of damage. Before signing the lease, ask for how damages are assessed at the end of your lease. Damages to the property can impact your security deposit return. Remember that if you are signing a lease as a group, the entire group is held responsible for all individuals.

Your Responsibilities vs. Your Landlord’s Responsibilities

Your Responsibilities:

- Pay rent and a security deposit if requested

- Not damage the premises

- Maintain the occupied portion of the premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition

- Inform the landlord of the need for repairs

- Respect your neighbors and other members of the Ithaca community

Your Responsibilities vs. Your Landlord’s Responsibilities

Your Landlord’s Responsibilities: - Provide a place that is habitable and that meets all

applicable health and safety building codes

- Provide appliances for hot water, heat, gas, and electricity- the cost of utilities may or may not be included in the rent

- Avoid interfering with the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the premises so long as the use of the premises is lawful and not damaging

- Put security deposits in a separate bank account

- Promptly return the security deposit in the time and manner required as previously mentioned in this presentation

Finances

It is important to realize that your only cost to living off-campus is NOT just rent. Many students do not realize the costs they may be responsible for and how quickly it all adds up. Think about the following list of costs before you sign your lease agreement.

- Security Deposit - Rent - Utilities (Are they included?) - Phone - Cable Television - Internet - Vehicle (i.e. Parking, Gas, Insurance, Car Payments) - Food - Trash pick-up - Furniture - Other bills - “Fun Money”

Finances

The cost categories indicated on the previous slide deal with how necessary prioritizing what is important for you in your apartment is– it will help you determine what you can and cannot afford.

Roommates

Living on your own Together:

– The people you choose to live with will affect your off-campus living experience. In making this choice you need to realize that you will be in a binding agreement. You will need to communicate, cooperate and compromise to be able to live together. If you are having trouble working through the conflict on your own, you can utilize the Conflict Resolution Dispute Center (CDRC) for help.

Roommates

What to consider: - Similarities/Differences in ages, personalities, and

backgrounds - Social and recreational habits - Division of household work - Standards of cleanliness - Common/private property - General values regarding alcohol, drugs, smoking, guests, etc. - Study habits and/or work hours - Agreeable temperature for heating and air conditioning - Responsibility for the connection of utilities and payment of

necessary deposits Allergies - Assurance that each roommate has the ability to pay their

share of rent every month

Utilities

- There are costs for heat, electric, and water use. Which utilities will be paid by your landlord and which ones will be your responsibility? Usage and cost are according to the habits of the people who live in the rental. The conditions of the home and its systems also affect the utility usage.

- If you and your roommates use a lot of energy the utility bills can be expensive. The electric bill covers things such as the refrigerator, TV, computers, lights, microwave, and much more. The gas bill covers hot water for showers, dishes, laundry, and keeping you warm in the Winter.

Utilities

Set up:

– An account will have to be set up with NYSEG, the local electric and gas provider. Only one tenant’s name will go on the account, so one person will be responsible for making sure the bill gets paid

– It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your roommates to plan for billing and so you can work together to reduce energy use in the apartment

Utilities

Ways to reduce your uses and expenses:

– You can reduce your electric use by: • Turning off lights when not in use • Unplug your “Power Vampires” (i.e. phone charges, gaming systems,

laptops, kitchen appliances, etc.) • Having fewer TVs & mini fridges

– You can reduce your water use by:

• Reducing your time in the shower to 5 minutes or less • Repairing your dripping faucets or running toilets; this is generally the

landlord’s responsibility.

– You can reduce your gas use by: • Washing your clothes in cold water • Running the dishwasher only with a full load • Keeping windows and doors shut in cold weather • If you can control the thermostat, set it low (and wear a sweater if you’re

cold) • Turning down the thermostat when you are not home • Thawing food before cooking

Building Systems

How Does an Apartment/House Work? Knowing how the different parts of a house operate can help you to live comfortably and reduce potential problems and/or damage.

– Electric panels (Electric panels hold breakers. These are like switches that turn off when there is too much current on a circuit.)

– Water and gas shut offs (Shut off valves are next to and under most water and gas appliances. These control the flow of water and/or gas to the appliance (i.e. sinks, toilets, stoves).

– Thermostats (Thermostats are usually located in a central area and control the heat in an apartment.)

– Smoke detectors (All residences should have a smoke detector installed that provides an audible alarm. These should be placed on each level of the dwelling, outside sleeping areas, within each bedroom or other room used for sleeping purposes.)

– Carbon Monoxide detectors (CO detectors are required only if the dwelling unit has appliances, devices, or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or if there is an attached garage.)

Neighborhood and Community:

- You will be a neighbor to many people in your lifetime. When you rent housing, you are entering into a contract with more people than just your landlord; you are entering into a social contract with your neighbors.

- Respectful, considerate and courteous behavior can lead you into neighborhood friendships that will expand your sphere of experience and enrich your stay in Ithaca.

- The South Hill Civic Association allows you to meet your neighbors and share ideas. Take time to learn about your place in this community group.

Your Neighborhood

- Be aware of the character of your neighborhood. Will your lifestyle be compatible with those who already live there?

– Making an effort to meet your neighbors when you first move in (especially if they aren’t IC students) can help to avoid friction in the future.

- Antagonism with those living nearby can be time-consuming and a source of aggravation for all concerned.

– Issues that commonly cause conflicts are: noise, parking, trash/recycling, trespassing and pets.

Noise

Be sensible about music and noise

– Be sensible about noise. Ithaca Police have a new tool for settling noise complaints that sets specific decibel levels in various zoning districts and for days and nights. A property in a residential zone may now cause up to 60 decibels of noise during daytime hours (7:30am to 10:00pm), and 50 decibels at night.

– It is unlawful for anyone in the City of Ithaca or in either any Residential Zone or within 500 feet of a Residential Zone in the Town of Ithaca to operate a radio/receiving set, musical instrument, television, any other machine or device for producing/reproducing sound or any other sound-amplifying equipment such that it can be heard or disrupts conversations of members of the public at a distance of 25 feet at night and 50 feet during the day.

Noise

In the city, a special noise permit is required at any event at which sound-amplifying equipment will be operated and heard outside of a building or vehicle after 10:00 p.m. or before 7:30 a.m. The permit application must be submitted 72 hours in advance of the event.

In the town, a permit application must be filed with the Town Clerk no less than 45 days before the event.

Fire Safety

Keep your safety and others in mind…

- All public displays of fireworks are strictly prohibited in the City and Town of Ithaca without a permit issued by the Town Code Enforcement and the Fire Chief after having gotten approval from the Chief of Police.

- Backyard fires are prohibited and no grills are permitted on decks or porches.

Successful Parties

Having a party…

– If you are having a party, let your neighbors know in advance and keep it inside. Remember, you are responsible for your guests' behavior. Keep the party under control, and clean up immediately after it ends. It is best to limit large parties to appropriate facilities.

– Consumption of alcoholic beverages in open containers is not permitted on public streets and sidewalks in the City and Town of Ithaca. The City of Ithaca enforces all regulations regarding the open container law and responds to neighborhood complaints of disorderly conduct.

Successful Parties

- The Town of Ithaca has specific regulations regarding the number of people permitted to be in a given location at one time. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Department and/or New York State Police respond to disturbances in the Town of Ithaca.

- Make sure you have discussed the party with your roommates prior – and make sure that everyone is comfortable with being equally responsible for the planning, hosting, and dealing with any consequences that may develop.

Successful Parties

- Consider what you will be serving: – Will there be food available? – Will you have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks?

- Remember it is illegal to serve alcohol to individuals who are not of legal age. How will you identify and monitor underage individuals at your party?

- What party guests do after leaving your house affects you!

- You are responsible for their behaviors such as: – Being verbally rude to neighbors – Urinating on another’s property – Throwing trash – Being loud on the way to their vehicle – Driving after drinking

Successful Parties

- The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law of the State of New York prohibits the purchase and/or attempted purchase of alcoholic beverages through fraudulent means by any person under the age of 21 years.

- This violation is punishable by a fine of up to $100

and 30 hours of community service.

- The ABC law also prohibits the possession of an alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume by persons under the age of 21 years. The only exceptions to this requirement are if a person is consuming alcohol in a licensed or registered educational activity and/or the person was given the alcohol by his or her parent or guardian. Violations of this part of the law are punishable by a fine up to $50.

Successful Parties

- The City of Ithaca has an ordinance which restricts the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places. No person within the City of Ithaca is permitted to drink alcoholic beverages or possess with the intent to consume alcoholic beverages in any public place, which is defined as any highway, pedestrian mall, street, sidewalk, park, playground, or parking area.

- Violation of this ordinance is punishable by a fine up to $100 and 15 days in jail. – Also prohibited is public urination or defecation. For the purposes of this

ordinance, a public place is any place to which the public or substantial groups of persons have access. This includes but is not limited to public areas as defined above in addition to hallways, lobbies, and other portions of apartment houses or hotels not constituting rooms of actual residents.

- A violation of this ordinance is punishable by a fine up to $250 and 15 days in jail.

Successful Parties

- Disorderly conduct is a violation of the New York State Penal Law and is defined as any public fighting or threatening behavior, unreasonable noise, or the use of abusive or obscene language or gestures in public. Disorderly conduct is also the disturbance of any lawful assembly, the obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or failure to comply with a lawful order of police to disperse, or any behavior which is hazardous or physically offensive and serves no legitimate purpose.

- Punishment for this violation depends on the particular behavior and includes a variety of fines, community service, and jail time.

Trash and Recycling

- Responsible solid waste management is reducing, reusing, and recycling. The 3-Rs can heal the planet and save you money

- Ask your landlord what your responsibilities are about trash/recycling

- See that your trash gets put out on the scheduled day and that the garbage cans are carried in after trash pickup.

- See that your recyclables are put out on the scheduled day and that your bins are brought in after they are picked up. See Recycletompkins.org for the schedule.

- Keep the exterior of your house looking neat. Pick up litter on your lawn, even if you didn't put it there.

- Reduce your waste by carefully recycling and composting. - Tickets are issued by the city and town when trash is not

properly handled. Know the law, not the fines (Exterior Property Maintenance Ordinance).

Sidewalks

- Keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Be clear with the landlord who is responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear in these conditions.

- The City of Ithaca requires that snow and ice be cleared from the sidewalk within 24 hours of the start of a snowfall. If the snow has not been cleared within 24 hours, the City will remove the snow and you will be charged for the removal.

Pets

- Tompkins County (inclusive of the Town and City of Ithaca) has a leash law that requires that your pet be on a leash at all times unless fenced in on your premises.

- Only domesticated household pets are permitted within the city limits.

- The City of Ithaca has an ordinance that specifically requires pet owners clean up after and dispose of waste from their pet. This will ensure your pet's safety as well as benefit your neighborhood.

- Pets can be stolen or hit by cars if left unleashed.

Pets

- Excessive barking or howling can result in the pet owner being ticketed or fined.

- It is ultimately the landlord's decision on whether to allow pets, so be sure to ask if pets are allowed.

- Pets can damage property, so be prepared to pay for any damages.

- Having a pet is a commitment to caring for the pet for its entire life.

Transportation

You will need to decide what your best means of transportation are…

- How will you get to and from campus? Do you have a car? Do you have a bike? Can you walk? Does one or more of your roommates have any of those? What are your schedules for traveling back and forth? Will you split the cost for gas and a parking permit?

- Does the TCAT have a route near your apartment? Does its schedule coincide with your class schedule?

- How will you get around town?

- Think about alternatives to motor vehicles like Ithacacarshare, Zimride and biking.

Transportation

- It is important to remember that your neighborhood may include small children, school zones, one-way streets, and people who are unfamiliar with the area. All of these are reasons to be especially aware of your surroundings while driving.

- Changes in speed zones to 15m.p.h. around schools and play areas are strictly enforced.

- The maximum speed limit in residential areas is 30m.p.h.

- Driving too fast in ever-changing weather conditions is an additional hazard.

Parking

- Parking restrictions vary from street to street in the Town and City of Ithaca. Read the signs carefully because vehicles will be ticketed and towed!

- Odd/even parking restrictions in the City of Ithaca are in effect from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week, November 1 to April 1, on all city streets, unless parking is only permitted on one side of the street. You cannot park on an odd-number-address side of the street on the odd dates or the even-number-address side of the street on even dates.

- Keep in mind what date it is during the 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. time period, not necessarily the date it is when you parked your car at 10:00p.m. that night.

Parking

- If your apartment does not come with a parking space, see if your landlord can rent you one.

- If you must park on the street, make efficient and considerate use of space; parking regulations in effect within the city and town limits.

- Do not block driveways or sidewalks (you are liable for ticketing and towing) and do not park on lawns.

Think About The Future

College is about a lot of things… one of them is about making good choices. Take the opportunity while living off-campus to create positive relationships with your community, both with your housemates and your neighbors. Choose to be a responsible member of the Ithaca community while you are living here!