Did you recently sign a lease that will be affected by Boston’s new housing ordinance (“NU not ready for lease limit,” March 17)? Are you still searching for an apartment? Do you have questions about the terms of your current lease?
Off Campus Student Services is prepared to assist you in each circumstance, as well as in all matters related to living off-campus, regardless of whether you are moving in September or already live in the community.
More specifically, the City of Boston’s Inspectional Services Department is still in the process of reviewing the “no more than four” ordinance to determine how to best implement the amendment, which specifies no more than four full-time undergraduate students may reside together. As of yet, nothing has been determined, so it is too early to know how current – or future – lease agreements may be impacted. Off Campus Student Services is continuing to monitor this development and will keep you informed as information becomes available.
Students are urged to consult our website, www.offcampus.neu.edu, which provides a wealth of resources, including an apartment listing registry, a list of area realtors, description of neighborhoods in and around Boston, plus tenant rights and landlord responsibilities. Although the ordinance is expected to make the search for off-campus housing in Boston more competitive, it is still important that all students know and understand their rights and responsibilities before signing a lease.
If you are affected by the new ordinance, if you need alternative housing contacts or have any other concerns, stop by our office in 226 Curry Student Center. You can also write to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help.
– Gail Olyha is associate dean and director of Off Campus Student Services.