What You Need To Know

International Students

We strongly recommend that international students live on-campus for at least their first semester, because acclimating to a new community can be challenging when you are also getting comfortable at a new school.

Staying on campus gives you the opportunity to spend time focusing on your classes and on meeting other new students, rather than worrying about how you'll get to class each day, and whether or not your rental property is safe and legal.

You should not assume that just because a landlord, website, or agent speaks your native language, or are originally from your home country, that they have your best interests in mind. Build a rapport with a prospective landlord, review the property, advocate for your needs and concerns, and arrive at lease terms that are legal, reasonable and comfortable for both you and the landlord.

Social Host Law

It is illegal for anyone over the age of 18 who owns or rents a home to "knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor" on the premises. The law also punishes any homeowner or tenant who learns that alcohol is being consumed by minors there and fails to take corrective action.

Suffolk County Social Host Law  

Red Flags

• Overcapacity
   More than 3 non-related  people living in a rental home is not legal in the local area. Furthermore, accommodating more people than one individual in a permitted bedroom is unsafe. 
• Being Asked to Pay Several Months in Advance
   It is fairly standard to be asked to provide one (or two, at most) month's rent plus the security deposit (typically equaling one month's rent). If you are asked to provide additional months in advance you should consider if that arrangement is in your best interest.
• Security Cameras
  Cameras inside the house are NEVER acceptable. If you see one you should not rent the property. It is illegal to monitor tenants this way!
• Being Asked to Pay Before Meeting the Landlord or Signing the Lease

  Asking for any form of payment before meeting or signing the lease or telling you to wire money is never safe.  Do not send money to someone you have never met for an apartment you have not yet seen.

• False Advertisement
  It is strongly advised that you DO NOT sign a lease without viewing the property first. If a landlord will not give you a tour of the residence prior to you moving in, this is considered a red flag. Additionally, flyers or ads for housing in your home country or native language may seem safe but the homes can be illegal, unsafe, or even occupied by too many students.
• Hijacked Ads
  Some scammers hijack rental ads by changing the contact information and can effect even the most reputable rental websites. For this reason, we encourage you to look at our listings exclusively and only look at outside websites if you take caution.
• Blocked Exits and Lack of Smoke Detectors
  Blocked exits and lack of smoke detectors are very concerning fire hazards. See our Safety page for more details about Fire Safety.
• Electrical Wiring
  Make sure to look at the electrical system in the home to check for faulty or unsafe wiring. If someone does not look right, it probably is not!
• Non-Permitted Bedrooms

   Turning a living room, garage or basement into a bedroom is illegal unless properly permitted by the town. 

  All listings options provided on our website are legal and properly permitted but if you choose to search through other sites, please be cautious to ensure the rentals are safe and permitted.

• A Landlord Not Willing to Sign a Lease
  All tenants have the right to protect themselves through a written contract. If your potential landlord insists on not having a binding contract, find a new rental!

What is Legal Housing?

A rental dwelling unit is considered legal when it has been inspected by the Chief Building Inspector or a designated employed by the town, and meets all applicable housing, sanitary, building, electrical and fire codes, rules, and regulations. Upon receipt of the approved Inspection Report, the Chief Building Inspector shall issue a rental registration valid for 15 months from the date of issuance of the temporary rental registration.

• House Rental License/Accessory Apartment License

  A House Rental License is required of any entity that rents any type of housing unit. Similarly, an Accessory Apartment License is required of any entity that rents a self-contained living area within a single-family home. These licenses are issued to a landlord when the town deems that the house or apartment has met all applicable housing, sanitary, building, electrical and fire codes, rules, and regulations.

  • Sample House Rental License
  • Sample Accessory Apartment License

  Please contact your local township to learn more about whether licenses of this nature are required to legally rent out a property. Furthermore, each township's license may look different from the sample above.

• Other Definitions

  Accessory Apartments: 
  A dwelling unit which is subordinate to a permitted principal one-family residence use in terms of size, location and appearance and is located within the principal structure. A self-contained living area within a single-family home. It is a separate housekeeping unit, usually with its own kitchen and bathroom, either within or adjacent to an existing one-family house. In some areas, the apartment may be in a structure that is physically separated from the house.

   

  Amenities:
  The conveniences offered by a landlord to a tenant, including but not limited to: laundry, kitchen, smoke-free, porch, fireplace, tub/pool, private entrance, dishwasher, microwave, and extra storage.

   

  Rental Registration:
  A rental registration is issued upon application to the Chief Building Inspector and shall be valid for 15 months from the date of issuance of the temporary rental registration.

   

  Temporary Rental Registration:
  Upon a landlord properly filing a complete application with the Building Division, the Chief Building Inspector shall issue a temporary rental registration valid for 90 days. Having a temporary rental registration means that the town either has not inspected the property yet or has not yet approved the Inspection Report.

   

  Utilities:
  A general term that refers to such basic services as water, heat, and electricity. This includes, but is not limited to: electricity, water, oil, Internet, and cable.