West Virginia University students thinking about making the move off campus will want to attend a housing fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the Mountainlair ballrooms.

The Off-Campus Housing Fair offers future renters a chance to meet area landlords in an informal setting, view property listings and schedule appointments to visit properties.

The event attracted some 1,500 students and more than 30 landlords last year.

While students cannot sign leases at the fair, they have access to numerous resources that can help them in their search for the perfect apartment or house. Students need to remember to shop around and ask a lot of questions, advised Julie Whiteman, program manager with the Office of Student Life.

I always tell students to ask landlords the average cost of utilities and why former tenants have moved out,she said.

There are plenty of wonderful places to live in Morgantown, but it is important to plan wisely, invest time and energy in looking for a good place to live and investigate all of the resources that the Off-Campus Housing Office provides,added WVU Parent Advocate Susan Lantz, who addresses parentsquestions and concerns through the toll-free Mountaineer Parents Club helpline (1-800-WVU-0096).

These resources include an off-campus housing Web site athttp://studentlife.wvu.edu/OffCampusHousing/. With the click of a mouse, students can find information about housing (only properties that meet city and state housing codes can be listed), subletting and parking; search for WVU students needing a roommate; and learn about what steps they need to take before signing a lease.

In addition, Whiteman organizes informational sessions to educate students about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities and offers lease review clinics jointly with Student Legal Services in residence halls every fall.

For more information, visit the Off-Campus Housing Office in Elizabeth Moore Hall or call 304-293-5611