How do I begin my housing search?

We recommend beginning your search by visiting our Off-Campus Student Affairs website

(http://offcampus.students.gwu.edu/

). You will be able to browse links to rental search engines and local

leasing agencies; read about different neighborhoods in DC, Maryland, and Virginia; and learn about tenant

rights and responsibilities. Your second stop should be

http://gwoffcampus.com. This website features rental

listings, a GW roommate profiles section, message boards, and other resources.

website and its features. The GW Hatchet also provides a classifieds page where you can browse listings for

housing and roommates directed at the GW community:

http://gwhatchet.campusave.com/.

What types of housing are available in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas?

• Apartment communities: A building or group of buildings made up of individual apartments. Usually

has a central leasing and management office. Some smaller apartment buildings may be managed by a

single landlord or off-site management company. Amenities vary, but may include laundry facility,

community room, exercise room/gym, business center, pool, etc.

• Converted apartments in private homes: Private apartment that is located inside of a single-family

does not have to purchase those items. May include bed/mattress, dresser, couch, dining table and

chairs, bookcase, etc.

What other costs besides rent should I be aware of and budget for?

Common utility costs may include water, electricity, gas, cable, internet, and phone. You should ask the

landlord or property manager which utilities are included in the cost of rent and which utilities/fees the

tenant must pay for before signing a lease. The landlord/property manager should also be able to give you an

estimate of the cost of each utility for a typical unit per month.

Are there special housing options for international graduate students?

interested in leasing with Columbia Plaza should contact gwhouse@gwu.edu

to their desired move-in date.

Other specialty housing options for international students in Washington, DC include:

• International Student House (Dupont Circle) (http://ishdc.org

• HelloGWU (www.hellogwu.com; Listings maintained by the GW Chinese Students and Scholars

• Cassa Housing (http://www.cassahousing.com/; special packages for international students)

How much will it cost if I want to live close to campus in Foggy Bottom?

Foggy Bottom is one of DC’s more expensive neighborhoods. The average price for a one-bedroom apartment

is $2,200. Rooms in group houses may be a more inexpensive option in Foggy Bottom. Residents within a

group house may cycle out of the property. This means that the original signers of the lease may not live at

the property anymore. You may or may not be asked to sign a lease. If you start living in a space without

signing a lease, you will not have rights as a tenant and may be asked to move out without notice. Also be

aware that factors such as the age and condition of the building may impact the price. If the advertised price

of a unit is very low compared to others in the same area, be sure to inspect the unit carefully before signing a

lease.

If I can’t find a place to live near GW, how will I get to school?

How do if I know if a neighborhood is safe?

The safety of Washington, DC neighborhoods can vary. You may want to check out http://crimemap.dc.gov

CrimeDC.com for additional information regarding a particular area.

What documents will I need to rent an apartment?

Some documents and/or items that may be required of international students before signing a lease:

• Guarantor-Some apartments may require you to have someone living in the United States who will

"guarantee" payment of rent if you fail to do so.

• Completed Application and Application Fee-Rental history and references are often required on

When should I start looking for housing?

Give yourself an adequate amount of time for your housing search. Start researching your options as soon as

you know you will need off-campus housing. Finding housing can take anywhere from eight to twelve weeks,

or more. You may not be able to find permanent housing before arriving in Washington, DC, and you should

arrange a temporary place to stay while you search for a place to live.

What do I do if I can’t find a place to live before I arrive in DC?

If you are not able to secure permanent housing before arriving in DC, you may find it much easier to do so

once you are in the city. There are several options for temporary housing, including hostels, hotels, and

What is the difference between a hostel and a hotel?

In most cases, hotels are the more luxurious of the two and, therefore, more expensive. At a hotel, a traveler

can have his own room and bathroom as well as maid service and other amenities. Hostels are generally used

by younger travelers with less money to spare, and those visiting one will most likely be required to share a

room as well as bath and shower rooms. Some will include a hot meal or beverage in the accommodation

price and most will provide a kitchen area where guests can cook their own food.

resource center by providing information and links to listings, housing advocacy organizations, and other

or a property, our office is available to answer questions and suggest resources.

When should I sign a lease?

Once you submit a rental application and it is approved, you are not obligated to sign a lease. You should look

at several properties so that you can compare costs, amenities, convenience, and get the best value for your

budget. You should also ask to review a copy of the lease and take the time to read it thoroughly before you

sign.

careful attention to the length of the lease and the terms for extension and termination of the lease. You will

want to make sure that you can stay in the property for the full length of time that you will be in the area for

classes and final exams.

Should I ask the landlord for an official inspection of the apartment before I move in?

appliance, fixture, or furniture) or items that need repair, and have the landlord sign the document (some

landlords will provide an inspection form, but you may have to create your own document). This alerts the

landlord to problems that he/she must fix and ensures that you will not be held responsible for the damage or

repair costs.

What may be done if the landlord fails to complete repairs on time?

Try to work through issues concerning repairs with your landlord. After attempting to correct concerns

yourself, you may report problems to the DC housing inspector for further review :

http://dcra.dc.gov/node/509352

Most landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit before they move in. It should be no more than one

month's rent. You must also sign a lease if you are giving a security deposit to a landlord; otherwise there is

no confirmation or obligation of the deposit. Also, understand the terms and conditions relating to the

deposit. When you move out the landlord has 45 days to return your deposit or to notify you in writing if they

intend to apply the money towards damages. The landlord has 30 days from notification of payment of

damages to return the rest of the deposit: http://www.rentlaw.com/washingtondclandlord.htm

Renter’s insurance provides a significant benefit when something goes wrong (theft, fire, flood) and your

belongings are lost or damaged. Renter’s insurance policies are often very affordable. For more information,

You should always try to communicate with your landlord. In the event that you are unable to come to an

agreement, keep copies of all correspondence for future reference. The DC Office of the Tenant Advocate

(OTA) advises tenants on resolving disputes with landlords, identifies legal issues and the rights and

responsibilities of tenants and landlords, and provides legal and technical assistance for further action such

as filing tenant petitions. For more information, visit: http://ota.dc.gov/.

states that tenants have a responsibility to maintain and clean the property, and to use all the electrical, gas,

plumbing, and heating equipment properly. Landlords have the right to ask for Housing Regulation

Administration (HRA) inspections of a property if they think it is not being maintained properly.

A landlord may not evict you without prior written notice unless the tenant has waived their right to written

notice in the lease for nonpayment of rent. If a landlord wants to evict you for violating your tenancy

You can also be evicted if the building you live in is scheduled for substantial renovations or alterations, or is

to be demolished or no longer used as a housing property, in such cases you have several rights as a tenant,

including the right to be notified in advance, and the right to relocation assistance.