West Virginia University students thinking about making the move off campus are invited to a housing fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 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.

This is a great place to begin your housing search,said Community Coordinator Brian Walker.More than 30 area landlords will be available to talk to students, distribute promotional materials and sample leases and answer questions.

Students may register for door prizes provided by landlords, he added, and representatives from the Morgantown Fire Department, Student Legal Services and the WVU Off-Campus Housing Office will be on hand to speak with students.

The event attracts more than 1,000 participants each year, Walker said, and 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.

Morgantown is a great place to live, but its important to do your homework and take advantage of all of the resources that the Off-Campus Housing Office provides,he said.

These resources include an off-campus housing Web site at http://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.

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