Resources
Living off campus gives you the opportunity to learn new life skills and to become part of a larger community. Check out the sidebar for quick guides and helpful links on the different facets of off campus life. Have a question? Contact us in the Off Campus Student Center by dropping in at 103 Bartlett Hall, emailing us at ocsc@sacl.umass.edu, or calling us at (413) 577-1005). Our student lounge is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm.
UMass Amherst Links
Emergencies
Parking, Transportation and Maps
Area Town Links
Use these links to sign up for emergency notifications and access Town/City Services
Your Off Campus Student Center
Located conveniently on the first floor of Bartlett Hall! We offer:
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Relaxed space for studying, or taking a break while you read or watch TV
- Refrigerator and microwave
- Quick access computers
- Good Neighbor Registration - Register your Friday and Saturday Amherst or Hadley gatherings!
- Locker rentals! Need a place to store your gear during long days on campus? Simply stop by the front desk to request a locker, fill out a quick form, and pay the $20/semester rental fee, payable by UCard (add funds to your UCard here).
Our offices are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm!
Living Off Campus Certification
Living Off Campus Certification is an online tool for learning about rental applications, off campus housing costs, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities and more!
Link to enroll in the LOC course
The course recently was moved into the Canvas online learning system, if you run into any issues please email maura.roberts@umass.edu
Renting 101: First Time Renters' Resources
Renting for the first time can feel overwhelming in the beginning, and rentals in college towns can fill quickly. However, this doesn’t mean you should rush to sign a lease on the first place you find available. We recommend beginning the search for an off-campus apartment for the next school year in the early spring semester, with a goal of signing a lease by the end or March/beginning of April. Starting the process early helps ensure that you choose the right housemates, find a location that works for you, and sign a lease that fits your situation. Amherst and the surrounding towns are home to a combination of housing complexes and individual homes, in both student-prominent and mixed-resident neighborhoods. Consider the type of environment that best suits your learning and social style. Students applying to large housing complexes may find themselves waitlisted by the property manager if the demand is high. We strongly urge you to continue to apply for other apartments if this is the case. A waitlist is not a guarantee of a place to live. Just like applying for college, you should not rely entirely on a waitlist to make a decision.
- Housing Website Quick Guide
- State Renting Guide for Students
- Tenant's Rights in Massachusetts
- Housemate Agreement template
- Statement of Condition template
- Packing and Moving Checklist
- Get Certified to Live Off Campus
- Security Deposits: What to Know
- Rental Inspection Checklist
- 6 Tips for Finding the Right Housemates
- 7 Tips for Finding the Right Rental
- 7 Tips for Signing the Right Lease
- 7 Tips for Paying the Right Amount Before You Move In
- How to post a sublet on the off campus housing website
- How to make a roommate profile on the off campus housing website
Housing Information Translations
Off Campus Student Life is excited to offer important information about the off campus housing process in 10 additional languages. This sheet includes common housing terminology, tips to avoid rental scams, and an explanation of the fees a landlord can and cannot charge you under state law. Click on a link below to download and view the translation!
Budgeting
Every student’s budget will look a little different. Remember, the cost of living is more than just rent and food. Here are some basic points to consider when putting together your budget:
- What do your sources of income look like? Will you be using money from student loans? Did you find a part-time job? Consider how fixed your income is.
- Have a conversation with your housemates. If you’re splitting bills, prorating rent based on room size, or assigning certain communal costs to individuals, consider how that may affect your individual budget.
- Are your water, heating, and electric bills included in your rent? If not, expect to pay more in the winter months.
- How will you be getting to class? If you’re driving, factor in gas prices, insurance, and a parking pass.
- Is your residence furnished? Do you have cooking equipment? Living furniture, pots and pans, a desk, and a good bed are all one-time expenses, but can add up.
- Set aside money for the unknown. Things like car repairs, fines, and inflation are never hoped for, but can’t be ruled out.
- Factor in fun! Whether it’s take-out or a night out, put some money aside to unwind and make the most of your college experience.
Starting the conversation early will help you hit the ground running with a plan that works for you. You may find these links helpful as you begin the process:
Health & Safety
Be safety-aware! Rental units in Amherst must have a town-issued permit, renewed each year, and owners must at the very least complete a self-inspection checklist for the town. Owners must also provide a sheet to tenants each year outlining key local regulations. Basic health and safety requirements for your apartment include:
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Working locks on all exterior doors
- All exits must be kept free from obstruction
- Handrails on all stairways
- Compliance with unit occupancy limits. In Amherst, the limit is 4 people. In Hadley, 5.
Remember: it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure their units are in compliance with all codes at all times. If you feel your apartment does not comply with local safety codes, reach out to your local board of health and ask for an inspection. All units are subject to town inspection upon request by a tenant. Your landlord must begin repairs or contract workers within five days of notification from an enforcement agency.
Neighborhood Relations
One of the great things that comes with living off campus is the opportunity to connect with the local community. Many student rentals are in neighborhoods next to permanent residents, and it’s important to understand the different expectations involved. One of the best things to do is introduce yourself to your neighbors when you move in and swap phone numbers. Transparency about expectations and solid communication will make for a great school year. Here are some other great resources to utilize:
- Gatherings can get loud, regardless of their size. If your Friday or Saturday night get-together gets a bit too noisy, this widely-used program is your simple solution to avoiding noise fines and keeping your neighbors happy.
- Grants of up to $500 are available for collaborative projects jointly proposed by students and permanent residents in their neighborhoods with the goal of bringing neighbors together and building community. Projects can range from neighborhood cleanups to block parties, or anything in between. Drop by the Off Campus Student Center for more information. We’d love to work with you!
Relevant Policies & Laws
The Code of Student Conduct (CSC) applies to UMass Amherst students both on and off campus. You, your housemates, and guests can be subject to legal liability, fines, and university sanctions for violations. The Dean of Students Office will be involved in any violations of the Code of Student Conduct or Campus Policies.
Massachusetts State Laws
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol Under 21: You could be arrested, jailed, fined and CSC.
- Underage Driver Transporting Alcohol: Under 21 & driving a vehicle carrying alcohol means you could lose your license, fined and CSC.
- Failure to Disperse: If police order you to leave, do it immediately or you could be arrested.
- Providing to Minors: Selling or providing alcohol to someone under 21 can result in criminal charges.
- OUI: If arrested for operating under the influence, your license will be suspended. A conviction means losing your license, paying big fines, higher insurance rates and CSC.
- Public Urination: Urinate in public, and you can be charged with indecent exposure.
Amherst By-Laws
- Noise: Excessive noise that disturbs others is illegal and can result in a $300. fine. This includes loud music and yelling.
- Open Containers: Open containers of alcohol on public property are against the law.
- Kegs: It’s illegal to have a keg without a permit. Get these through your local police department.
- Nuisance House: Throwing a rowdy off campus party can cost you your housing, fines and CSC.
Property & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
When you live off campus, your landlord’s insurance usually only protects the building itself — not your personal belongings. If something unfortunate happens. Renters insurance helps you replace your personal electronics, computers, clothing, furniture, and other valuables. It also includes personal liability coverage, which can prevent you from paying out of pocket if you are found legally responsible for someone’s injuries or accidental damage to their property.
As a tenant, you can take out a renters insurance policy for about $15 to $30 a month. These policies come in two basic forms:
- Actual cash-value policies cover the value of the item at the time of loss, taking depreciation into account.
- Replacement-value policies cover the cost of replacing the lost item with a new one. (Replacement-value policies cost more, though both types are subject to the coverage limits.)
Property Insurance
Personal property insurance protects students against theft, damage and many other causes of loss to personal property that may occur while you are at school, home, or when studying abroad. Laptops, cell phones, textbooks, gaming stations, and other electronics are expensive to replace.
Ask the insurance agent about coverage limits, as well as whether you may benefit from additional coverage for certain valuables. Automobiles, motorcycles, or any other type of motorized land vehicles or other conveyances or their accessories (including car stereos, GPS devices, etc.); firearms or ammunition; pharmaceuticals; artwork; antiques and collectibles are not covered by personal property insurance.
Special provisions coverage for bicycles is limited to $500. Insured property in a personally-owned vehicle is covered, if the vehicle was locked at the time of theft and there are visible signs of forced entry into the vehicle. Insurance will cover items that are stolen or damaged in a fire, for example. However, insurance does not cover lost items.
Next Steps
If your parents carry a homeowner’s policy, check the terms and determine what their policy will cover while you are at school. Decide with your parents which type of renters insurance coverage is best for you. Read any policy carefully to find out exactly what is covered and the limits and deductibles that apply. If you need more coverage, ask whether it can be added at additional cost or at a later date.
Keep a Home Inventory
Hopefully your stuff stays safe and sound in your off campus home. Take inventory of possessions ahead of time in case you need to file a claim. Attach receipts and photos for each item in the inventory and store copies of the inventory at home and at school, in case one gets lost or destroyed.
Source: consumerreports.org
Know Your Rights Seminar
Check out this seminar from October 2022 regarding your rights as a tenant. Topics discussed include:
- Lease agreements and the services that the Student Legal Services Office (SLSO) provides
- Rental regulations specific to the Town of Amherst
- Resources and guidance available through the Off Campus Student Center
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity has many forms, including skipping a meal, eating smaller meals, or eating lower quality food to cut costs. If you live off campus and are having a difficult time accessing enough food to meet your needs, there are several supports in place to help you. The best place to start is by contacting the Dean of Students Office. They are best situated to connect you with services based on your specific situation.
Dining Services offers two meal swipe programs:
- Supplemental Meal Swipe Program: This is intended for students with meal plans, and students can activate it via the "My Account" tab in Spire. This loads 3 days of meals onto your UCard. The Dean of Students Office will be notified and a staff member will follow up with you to discuss any barriers you may be facing.
- Meal Plan Assistance Program: This is an application-based program that may be awarded once during your studies and is meant to provide support for financial hardship or unexpected circumstances. A typical review by the Dean of Students Office takes 1-2 weeks and any award is based on your specific situation.
Outside of UMass, there are several community resources and programs that can assist you:
- The Amherst Survival Center in North Amherst, near the Cumberland Farms has a food pantry providing 14+ days of food at a time. No ID is needed, there is no citizenship requirement, and there is no income cap. They offer in-person “shopping”, curbside pick up, and delivery to many complexes.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides money on a card for nutritious food each month. You may qualify if you: don’t have a meal plan for 2/3 of your meals, were awarded work study, your financial aid EFC is 0, or you meet monthly income requirements ($2200 max for a person living alone). Drop-in hours for the 2024-2025 school year will be held in the Off Campus Student Center on the first Wednesday of the month from 1pm-3pm: September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th, December 4th, February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, and May 7th. Outside of those times, contact The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for SNAP sign-up assistance.
- The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts supplies many local food banks. They have SNAP enrollment coordinators that can determine eligibility and help you enroll over the phone in as little at 10 minutes. You can contact them at 413-992-6204, or talk to an enrollment coordinator in person during one of their monthly drop-in sessions in the Off Campus Student Center.