WVU students interested in living off-campus are encouraged to attend West Virginia University’s annual Off-Campus Housing Fairs on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016.

The Nov. 18 fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms, and the Jan. 23 fair will be held in the Evansdale Residential Complex Lyon Tower Blue and Gold Room.

More than 40 area landlords and property managers will be on hand to talk to students about their rental needs and make appointments to see rental properties.

“Students at WVU have so many options available to them. The fairs are good opportunities to explore those options and get a feel for the different properties available to them within their budget,” said Brian Walker, off-campus housing director with the Division of Student Life.

Representatives from WVU Student Legal Services, the Off-Campus Housing Office, the Morgantown Fire Department, and City Code Enforcement will also be present at the fair to answer students’ questions.

When looking for a place to live, there are a variety of things students should consider, Walker said.

“First and foremost, a student must establish a budget for housing, Walker said.
“When considering a budget for housing, students should include the cost of utilities, travel and other personal expenses.”

“For many students this is the first legal contract they have ever entered into and they often don’t understand the ramifications,” Walker said.

“Safety should also be a main focus for students when looking for a place to live,” he said. “Students should make sure that all the windows in the property lock, no matter what floor they are on, and they should also make sure the windows open in case of a fire.”

Walker also suggests that students carefully examine door and window locks and make sure they have deadbolts on exterior doors.

More information on off-campus housing can be found online at http://campuslife.wvu.edu/off_campus_housing.

-WVU-

bw/11/9/15

CONTACT: Brian Walker, Office of Campus and Community Life
304.293.5611, brian.walker@mail.wvu.edu

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