Unless you are able to obtain housing in advance, we advise you not to bring your family with you, and to send for them only when you have found suitable quarters. Housing in New York City is expensive.

When renting a room or an apartment, you should always request a lease with all relevant charges noted, such as rent, and any other costs charged to you (electricity, phone, etc.) from the landlord. Without a lease, you have no binding agreement and your landlord may decide to alter arrangements previously agreed upon.

An apartment is a complete living unit, with no facilities shared by residents of the building, with the possible exception of laundry facilities. A studio or efficiency apartment usually has two rooms: a bathroom and another large room that serves as the kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Studios are designed for a single occupant. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with separate kitchen, dining and living rooms are also available at considerably higher cost.

An unfurnished apartment will have a refrigerator and a stove. The renter must obtain all other furniture and items needed. A furnished apartment includes all furniture, but not linens (sheets and towels) or cooking and eating utensils. An unfurnished apartment costs less to rent, and many students furnish it with second-hand (previously owned) furniture bought at a thrift store or from other students. There are many more unfurnished than furnished apartments in New York City. A tenant (renter) normally pays electric, gas, and telephone utilities, which are billed on a monthly basis.

The lease is a written agreement between the tenant and the landlord. It is a binding document, which outlines the tenant's responsibilities and specifies dates of occupancy. Leases often contain exclusions; for example, you may not be permitted to have children or pets. Before you sign a lease, be certain that you understand its terms. Make sure you can keep the apartment for as long as you wish, but that the lease is not binding for more time than you need. See whether you can break the lease with one or two months' notice to the landlord. In the absence of such a provision, you may be required to pay rent until the end of the period covered, even if you move out. Also, check if the lease allows you to "sublet" your apartment to someone else in your absence. Find out which utilities you are responsible for. Ask the landlord or current tenant what the average utility bills are, because you need to add this to your budget. Find out how to arrange for repairs of appliances and other items.

Students are advised to obtain renter's insurance to provide for the replacement of belongings in case of fire or theft. It is a relatively inexpensive investment that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in case your belongings are damaged.

Dormitory-style housing is available in three YMCA locations across Manhattan.  Costs range from $45-50 per night (approx. $225-250 per week).   If you are interested in long-term discounted rates (full semester) please contact the YMCA Central Reservation Office, the Y's Way at (212) 308-2899

        Vanderbilt Y - 227 E. 47th Street, NY, NY 10017      - Tel: (212) 756-9600
        West Side Y - 6 West 63rd Street, NY, NY 10023     -  Tel: (212) 787-4400
        McBurney Y - 206 West 24th Street, NY, NY 10011 - Tel: (212) 741-9226

Temporary Housing for Women:  The YWCA Judson Post Hall residence provides dormitory-style housing exclusively for women at 30 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217.  Phone (718) 875-1190, Yvette Williams, Resident Director.  Rates for single rooms are either $68 or $79 per night and a security deposit is required.  Community style rooms include a kitchen and bathroom. 24-hour security is also provided.

Housing for Students with Disabilities:  The NYC Housing for the Handicapped (Mayor’s Office) helps match disabled New Yorkers with specially furnished apartments.  For more information or an application please contact  Ms. Peck at (212) 306-4634.

Access Real Estate facilitates real estate transactions throughout the U.S. for persons with disabilities. Call (516) 288-6244 or write Access Real Estate, c/o Sea Realty, 22 Sunset Avenue, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.  The contact person is Richard Weir.

International Student Arrival:  A YMCA International Student Service representative will meet you at your port of entry, help you obtain temporary lodging and advise on travel arrangements in the U.S.  Service is free.  Write: International Student Service, 236 East 47 Street, New York, NY 10017.  Phone: (212) 727-8800; telex:  ISS 620675; cable:  FORSTUDENT.  Requests must include:  name; nationality; age; sex; port of entry; date and time of arrival; airline and flight number; connecting flight, airline flight number; destination in US; sponsorship (if any); and any requirements for temporary lodging a passport photo is helpful.

Other options include:

1. What is the rental price for the apartment? __________________________

2. How many bedrooms____/bathrooms____ does the apartment have?

3. How many tenants may (legally) share the apartment? ____________________

4. Where is the apartment? How close to campus? ________________________

5. How close is the nearest bus stop? ____________

6. How close is the nearest subway stop? _______________________

8. What utilities are included in the rent?

____electricity ____gas ____cable TV hookup

11. What furniture and/or appliances are in the apartment? __________________

13. Where is the nearest laundry? ____________________________________

15. Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs of the apartment (landlord or tenant)?________

16. Is a short term lease available (semester, six month, nine month, summer only)? ________

17. What is the price difference between a short term and a long term lease? ______________

18. Are sublets allowed? How are sublets handled? ________________________

19. Is an application fee required? ____ What is the required security deposit? ____ Is the application fee credited to the security deposit? _________

20. Is there a play area for children? ____ How near is a public park? ____

21. What is the neighborhood school my child(ren) will attend? How near is it? __________________

23. What is the pet policy? ________________________________________

1. Have an extra copy of the financial guarantee (bank or sponsorship statement) used to obtain your visa as evidence of your ability to afford a year's rent. (Your visa authorization document, I-20 or IAP-66, is not a financial guarantee. You do not have to show your immigration documents to your landlord for any reason.)

3. Spend time finding (an) apartment mate(s) to help you share the cost of an apartment.

• Consult the academic department you will be entering, the international student organizations representing your region of the world, and rental advertisements posted on campus on the housing board.

• Compare smoking habits, study habits, dietary customs, etc. with the strangers with whom you propose living.

• Discuss and agree to arrangements for handling bills, ordering telephone service, maintaining the apartment, entertaining guests, buying groceries, cooking, watching TV, and listening to the radio.

4. Look for an apartment that suits your budget and your needs.

• Ask many questions (such as those recommended in the next section)
• Read the contract carefully.
• Check that the number of apartment mates with whom you plan to live is within the legal occupancy limit for the apartment. (All apartments have a legal occupancy limit.)

5. Make an application for the apartment of your choice. Apply for only one apartment.

• Ask if your application involves an application fee.
• Is your application binding? This means that you are making a commitment to sign a lease if your application is approved.
• You will be asked for a financial guarantee to prove that you can pay for the rent. Use the financial information from your personal, family, or sponsor's support statement. (Your visa authorization document, I-20 or IAP-66, is not a financial guarantee. You do not have to show it to a landlord for any reason.)

6. When your application is approved you will be asked to pay a security deposit and the first month's rental fee.

• The security deposit will be held by the landlord during your rental of the apartment. When you terminate your lease, the landlord must send you an itemized bill for any unpaid charges due on the apartment and the remainder of your security deposit.
• Your careful maintenance of the apartment and your timely payment of rent protect your chances of a refund from your security deposit.

7. Sign the lease contract with all your apartment mates.

8. INSPECT THE APARTMENT AND MAKE A DAMAGE CHECK LIST IN YOUR FIRST WEEK IN THE APARTMENT.

• Detail any damage and/or lack of cleanliness in the apartment.
• Photographs of the apartment are a reasonable addition.
• Deliver the damage check list, dated and signed by everyone living in the apartment, to the landlord or apartment manager as soon as possible to provide evidence of the condition in which you receive the apartment and for which your security deposit should not be charged when you terminate your lease.

9. Apply for electric and telephone service.

10. Give your new address to the Registrar's Office, to assure that you will receive official
college mailings.

11. Ask the landlord or apartment manager to help you with any appliances unfamiliar to you.

12. Request maintenance and repairs in writing to your landlord or apartment manager. Keep a copy of your requests.

13. Pay your rent before the late penalty period each month. (Payment by registered mail, return receipt requested provides evidence of your timely payment.)

14. Renew or terminate your lease in writing before the renewal/termination date.

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*N Adapted by permission of New York University.

*T Adapted by permission of the University of Texas, Austin.