Housing Information

The following information may help you in locating housing, but we cannot make housing arrangements for you. Locating accommodations is your responsibility.

1. Our college does not provide on-campus housing. The majority of students at our college live in apartments, either alone or with roommates. Rental rates can vary, depending on the type and location of apartment. Shared apartments range from $350 (especially when sharing a bedroom) to $500 or $600 (for your bedroom) per person per month, not including utilities or meals. (Utility costs in California are currently higher than in other areas of the country.)  
2. The Associated Students Office of Cuyamaca College (ASCC), located at the Student Services One-Stop Center ( Z-Building), post housing on 5 different bulletin boards located throughout the campus.
3. To get an idea of available apartments, you can do a web search by simply typing "apartments" in your Internet search engine or you can visit one of the following web sites. To find an apartment in the immediate area of Cuyamaca College, type "El Cajon", "La Mesa", or "Rancho San Diego" under city name.
    

   Web sites to visit for rental lists:

   • RentNet Online Rental Guide
   • Apartments.com
   • Apartmentguide.com
   • Apartments For Rent

   Free bi-weekly and monthly printed editions of Apartment Guide and Apartments For Rent are available in magazine racks at local supermarkets and shopping centers.

4. Ask your friends if they know about an available living situation. Your classmates can be great resources.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. How much can I spend on housing?
2. Do I want to live with someone else?
3. If so, how do I find a roommate?
4. How far is the apartment from college? Is it close to a bus stop?

Questions to Ask the Manager or Landlord:

1. Amount of rent?
2. Expected rent increase?
3. Amount of deposit?
4. Conditions for receiving full refund of deposit after move-out?
5. Type of rental agreement (month-to-month, etc.)?
6. Security Deposit?
7. Is a credit check required and is it paid by applicant or landlord?
8. When can I see the apartment?
9. Termination requirements?
10. House/Apartment rules?
11. Parking availability?
12. Amenities (pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, club house, etc.)?
13. Cable TV availability and charge?

Looking for an Apartment?

Vocabulary and Terms to Know

Landlord: The owner of an apartment/house.

Manager: The person who manages the apartment/house.

Tenant: You, the renter.

Month to Month Rent: This is when you do not have a long-term lease or contract. The tenant may stay for a month or longer as he/she wishes. However, if the tenant plans to move, California Law requires that a 30 days notice be given to the Landlord. Example: you notify your landlord on October 1 that you will move out on November 1.

Notice: A written letter to the Landlord informing him about your plan to move out in 30 days. Keep a copy of any letter sent or given to your landlord.

Lease: A contract stating that you will live in an apartment for a specific period of time, i.e., 6, 9, or 12 months. If you move out before the end of the lease, you will usually lose your security deposit. A 30-day notice to your landlord is still required.

Security Deposit: An amount of money paid to the landlord as a guarantee that you will leave the apartment in similar condition, as when it was rented to you. The landlord may use the deposit for cleaning or repairs if caused by a misuse or abuse by the tenant. In all cases the landlord must return the unused portion of the deposit within two weeks of your leaving the apartment.

Utilities: The monthly gas and electric bills that the tenant pays each month. Most apartments will pay for water, sewage and garbage pickup.

First & Last: Some apartments require payment for last month's rent as well as the first month's rent when you move in. This means that you do not have to pay for the last month when you move out but must still give 30 days written notice to the manager.

Amenities: Refers to such things as a swimming pool, barbecue, jacuzzi, sauna, laundry room, etc.

Furnished/Unfurnished: A furnished apartment has furniture (dishes, table, chairs, sofa, bed, chest of drawers, refrigerator, stove, oven). An unfurnished apartment usually has only a refrigerator, stove and oven with no moveable furniture provided.