Top 10 things Great Gator Neighbors should know
1. Budget
2. Leases: what to look for and what to avoid
3. Roommates: tips for success
4. City Codes you need to know
5. Safety
6. Transportation
7. Macaroni and cheese: it's time to eat!!
8. How to be a GREAT GATOR NEIGHBOR
9. Ask questions
10. GET INVOLVED & stay connected!!!
1-Budget
Before you begin your search for off campus housing you should consider what your budget is for rent each month. For some leases you will be paying not only rent but also utilities, cable, internet and you must budget for these costs. Some other costs to think about: food, books, clothing, renter's insurance, etc. For more details on budgeting including a budget spreadsheet please visit the Gator Guide to Off-Campus Life.
2-Leases: what to look for and what to avoid.
A lease is a contract that specifies what you and your landlord agree to do and provide for each other. Since a lease is a legally binding contract, it is important that you know exactly what you are signing. Typically leases in Gainesville are for 12 months….if you know you only need an apartment for 10 months or less…talk with the management about whether they can provide you a shorter term lease.
Clauses to LOOK FOR in a Lease
- Specific dates of occupancy.
- Amount of monthly rent and the date it is due each month.
- Amount of Security Deposit.
- Responsibility for payment of utilities.
- Responsibility for general maintenance and repairs.
- Sublease: If you sign a 12 month lease but think you may need the dwelling for a shorter period of time, make certain the lease allows you to sublease (rent your dwelling to another person who will assume the remainder of your lease).
- Whether or not pets are allowed.
- Automatic renewal clause.
- Type of lease: joint vs. individual.
Clauses to AVOID in a Lease
- At management's discretion, the tenant may be asked to leave within three days.
- Tenant waives all defects in the building.
- Landlord shall not be responsible for injury to person, including tenant and guests, as a result of any cause.
- Tenant is responsible for all repairs to premises.
- Landlord may enter dwelling without notice.
- Landlord has a lien (a legal claim on the property of another as security for the payment of a debt) on all personal property of tenant.
Student Legal Services
If you aren't sure if you should sign a lease, contact Student Legal Services for free advice regarding your lease. Visit http://www.sg.ufl.edu/organizations/sls/ or call 352-392-LAWS for more information.
For more information on leases please visit the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life.
3-Roommates: tips for success
In rental situations, you may find yourself living with someone else. It may be due to a friendship, sublease for space, or for economic reasons. Depending on your situation, it is important for everyone to get together and discuss every aspect of living together, especially where there might be differences of opinion.
What to Discuss:
- Who will occupy specific bedrooms and how the rent will be split per person, if not stated in the lease.
- Concerning the purchase of food - will it be for individual or communal consumption?
- The purchase of household supplies and furniture.
- You should agree on the usage or non-usage of individual property, even "trivial" items such as shampoo and hairspray.
- Also, you will want to discuss and come to some sort of agreement on the remedies when individual property is missing or damaged and the responsible party cannot be determined.
- It may be helpful to create a policy for entertaining guests. You will want to discuss with your roommates rules on overnight guests and how long guests can stay.
Looking to sublet or find a roommate… here are some suggestions:
- meet any potential sublets or roommates before agreeing to room with them or allowing them to sublet your apartment
- talk about your expectations and don't agree to live with someone or sublet to someone who will not respect your or your apartment
- make sure any future roommate(s) and or person to sublet signs the necessary lease and pays all necessary money themselves before allowing them to move in
- do not accept checks or money orders and agree to make rent or other expense payments for roommates or sublets…everybody is responsible for their own rent and expenses…checks and money orders can be falsified and then you can be out of a lot of money…
- make sure you can sublet your room with your landlord or apartment complex management
- check your lease before allowing a roommate or sublet to move in and follow any requirements
A Roommate Agreement
A roommate agreement can be useful for several reasons. Most importantly, it encourages everyone to work as a group in forging an agreement. It also is valuable in that it limits future misunderstandings concerning expectations. Check out the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life for a copy of the roommate agreement.
If a Conflict Arises
- Keep the lines of communication open between all roommates.
- Keep calm and diplomatic.
Problems are best resolved with tact and honesty so that no one is offended.
For further information on making your roommate experience position visit the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life
4-City Codes you need to know
Below you will find a few city codes that will help you to be a great gator neighbor. For a full listing of city codes please visit the City of Gainesville Codes Enforcement website.
Noise: the most common complaint
Gainesville has a noise ordinance and the city takes a very active approach in the enforcement of noise complaints. Noise disturbance, as defined by the ordinance, is any sound which:
- Disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities
- Exceeds the sound level units set forth in the ordinance
- Is plainly audible defined as any noise or sound that can be clearly heard by a person using his/her faculties, at a distance of 200 feet or more from the real property line of the source of the sound or noise.
Having a party?
Noise complaints are often the result of loud or overcrowded parties. If you have a party, remember it is your responsibility to keep the event under control. The following tips are useful guidelines when hosting an off-campus party:
- Inform your neighbors that a party is going to take place.
- Draw up a guest list. Parties tend to get out of control if you have an open-door policy. Be responsible for all guests on the premises.
- Avoid parking problems and consider the parking needs of your neighbors.
- Monitor the level of noise coming from your party.
- Clean your house properly after the party. Remove all garbage from the yard and street.
- Do not sell alcohol or require a cover charge for your party.
- Do not serve alcohol to guests under the legal drinking age of 21.
Alcohol:
Alcohol consumption is a major cause of student violence such as sexual or physical assault. Thus, the University of Florida and the City of Gainesville are committed to enforcing the laws and ordinances regarding alcohol use. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the laws and ordinances regarding alcohol use and arm yourself with the knowledge to make informed and reasonable choices about your health and safety. Visit the University of Florida Alcohol Policy for more information.
Disorderly Conduct:
Behavior prohibited by the Disorderly Conduct Ordinance includes promoting or provoking a disturbance, brawl, assault, or nuisance. Included under disorderly conduct are fighting words, unlawful congregation that hinders pedestrian or vehicular traffic, resisting or hindering the performance of duties by a police officer or city official, or damaging or destroying personal or private property.
Occupancy:
The Gainesville Code of Ordinances restricts the number of unrelated people living in a residence to no more than three. When you plan to share housing with roommates you are required to either restrict the number of occupants to three or seek appropriate housing in a multi-family district. More information about occupancy and becoming a landlord can be found at the Code Enforcement website http://www.gainesvillecodes.org.
Household Garbage and Trash
Containers may be placed in front of your residence or at the curb no earlier than the evening before your scheduled trash collection. Following the trash service, containers must remain behind the building, screened from view or placed in an enclosed structure. For information on pick-up of garbage, recycling or yard trash contact the Gainesville Solid Waste Division at 352-334-5040.
Parking:
In Gainesville residential areas, passenger vehicles are permitted to be parked on approved driveways only. Parking in the front yard of a residence, other than on an approved surface, is prohibited by the Gainesville Code of Ordinances. If you have any questions about the parking regulations you can contact the City of Gainesville Code Enforcement Division at 352-334-5030 or visit their website.
Want to learn more about city codes please visit the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life.
5-Safety
Gainesville is considered a safe community; however, it is not immune from criminal activity. Crimes ranging from theft to sexual assault have occurred in off-campus residences. However, common sense precautions can reduce your vulnerability to both personal and property crimes.
Personal Safety Tips:
- Call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency.
- Get to know your neighbors. If you look out for them, they'll look out for you!
- Don't advertise your class or work schedule.
- Pull shades or drapes after dark.
- Look outside before opening the door. If you cannot see the area in front of the door, have a peephole installed.
- Never let strangers in the door. If it is a repair or service representative, call the property owner or company to ensure they are supposed to be there. Always insist on identification.
- Have your key in hand as you approach your entryway.
- Immediately report malfunctioning doors, windows, security gratings, lights, overgrown shrubbery, etc. to the person responsible for maintaining your residence.
- Avoid walking alone at night; but if you must, stay in well lighted, open areas.
- Stay sober and coherent. Persons under the influence are much more likely to be the victim of a serious crime or accident or to victimize others.
Protecting Your Property:
- Buy renter's insurance.
- Keep your outside doors locked even when you are home.
- Be sure your locks are strong and working.
- Permanently mark valuables and record serial numbers.
- Leave some light on when you are not home.
- Do not leave valuables such as computers or purses where they can be seen from a window.
- Do not leave a note on the door saying when you will return.
- If you own a bike and it must be stored outside, make sure it is secured to an immovable object with a high-quality locking device.
A great service on campus is SNAP - Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol
On campus late at night and need a safe ride back to your car or bus stop so you can get home? SNAP provides nightly escorts anywhere on campus to persons on request. The service is staffed by students equipped and supervised by the university police department. Escorts are routed on foot and driven trips. A person requesting an escort may contact SNAP via telephone at 392-SNAP (92-7627). The requester provides their first name, location of pick-up and destination to the dispatcher who determines the best method of meeting the requester's need. A walking or driving escort is dispatched, to their location.
Also don't forget to visit the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life for more tips and resources to help you stay safe.
6-Transportation
Parking Decals:
All vehicles parked on campus during hours of parking restriction (7:30 am - 4:30 pm -- unless signage indicates otherwise) must display a valid UF parking decal (unless parked in a metered space). A decal is not required to park in most restricted areas after 4:30 pm, but be sure to check signage and never park in a service drive, reserved space or disabled person parking space without the proper decal or permit. Decals can be purchased by students through Transportation and Parking Services. Decals are available for cars, motorcycles and scooters. The decal office can be reached at 352-392-2241 or visit their website for more details http://www.parking.ufl.edu.
Local Bus Service:
Students can ride any Regional Transit System bus for free by showing a valid UF student ID. Bus routes and schedules are available on-line at http://www.go-rts.com or print versions of the schedule can be found at various campus locations such as the Reitz Union Information Desk, the UPD office, Transportation and Parking Services, and on RTS buses. Most RTS buses are equipped with bicycle racks so you can take your bike with you (each rack holds up to two bicycles). The racks are on the front of the bus. If you wish to use the bike rack, signal the driver that you are going to the front of the bus. You will be responsible for loading and unloading your bicycle.
The Later Gator Bus Service:
The Later Gator Bus Service lets you ride safely at night. You can catch the Later Gator A (every 10 minutes) from Campus, Later Gator B (every 15 minutes) from Southwest Gainesville, or Later Gator C (every 20 minutes) from the Oaks Mall, to take you downtown. Just show your UFID to catch the bus. For more information see the RTS website, http://www.go-rts.com.
Gator Lift:
Gator Lift provides fast, dependable and comfortable on campus transportation to members of the UF community with permanent and temporary disabilities. Gator Lift hours of operation are 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (7:00 am to 10:00 pm during Summer terms). Rides are by appointment only. To schedule a ride on Gator Lift, call (352) 374-6547 and dial 482, 24 hours in advance if possible. For more information about Gator Lift call Transportation and Parking Services at (352) 392-8048 or visit their website http://www.parking.ufl.edu/pages/algatorlift.htm. Although permanently disabled persons receive priority seating, temporarily disabled students and staff may be accommodated as well.
Bike Safety
In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle, subject to the same rights and traffic laws as the operators of other vehicles. You must obey the State of Florida bicycle laws when riding a bicycle on campus or in town. If you need more information you can contact the University Police Department Community Services Division (352-392-1409). You can access a listing of Florida's bicycle laws on http://www.MyFlorida.com.Some simple guidelines to follow while biking:
- Always stop at stop signs and stop lights
- Always ride with traffic; do not ride the wrong way down a one-way street
- Always yield to pedestrians when riding on a sidewalk
- Always ride with both hands on the handlebars
- Always use common sense
If you are interested in becoming a safer cyclist, University Police Community Services Division offers a free bicycle education class twice a week. The course is offered to all with an interest in becoming safer cyclists. Because more people at UF are turning to bicycles as a transportation alternative to cars, changes have been made on campus to facilitate bicycle traffic. Bike lanes and contra flow lanes (lanes that allow bicyclists to travel both ways down one-way roads) have been designated for bicyclists on campus roads that get the most traffic. Each year, students are injured on campus while biking, so it is important that you are careful while biking.
7-Macaroni and cheese: it's time to eat!!
Whether you love to cook or don't know how to cook at all there are lots of food options both on and off campus. Students who live off campus are able to get meal memberships on campus that will allow you to eat in any and all of the on campus dining facilities. For more details on eating options on campus visit the Gator Dining Services website http://www.bsd.ufl.edu/dining.
Click here to access the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life for more information about cooking while living off campus. Be a healthy Gator!!
8-How to be a GREAT GATOR NEIGHBOR
After you move in go next door introduce yourself and spend some time getting to know your neighbors. You will notice that you might have neighbors that are students just like you but you also could have a neighbor who is not a student they may be a grandmother, single parent, or college professor.
Be open and listen to your neighbors whether it is asking you to lower the stereo or an often of help with yard work. Listen to what your neighbors are saying and in turn they will listen to you.
Know what your rights and responsibilities are as a tenant and community member. If you feel that a landlord or neighbor is not respecting your rights then communicate with them to try and learn what they expect of you as a tenant or neighbor. If you need legal assistance contact Student Legal Services at 352-392-LAWS or visit their website for more information about the service they provide.
Give back to your community through service. Volunteer in the community whether that is working at a local homeless shelter or becoming a big brother or sister. There are many ways to get involved and give back to the Gainesville community. For more information about community service visit the UF, Center for Leadership and Service website http://www.dso.ufl.edu/cls.
You will have friends or family who want to visit you at your house, condo, or apartment. Please remember to be responsible for your guests. Before you invite anyone for a visit communicate with your roommates and set up a time frame for the visit. Then, once your guests arrive be aware of their whereabouts and take responsibility for their actions.
Check out the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life for further information on what you can do to be a great gator neighbor.
9-Ask questions
If you don't know what is expected of you while living in the Gainesville Community simply ask. Direct your questions to local law enforcement, codes enforcement, your landlord, apartment manager, neighbor, city official, or Off Campus Life. We are all here to help you learn more about your community and your role as a great gator neighbor. Visit the Gator Guide to Off-Campus Life for a list of resources both on and off campus to help provide you support and answer your questions.
10-GET INVOLVED & stay connected!!!
Whether you are a student living on campus or off campus it is important to get involved while you are here at UF. Involvement on campus whether it is with a Greek organization, academic society, student organization or intramural team will assist you in feeling connected to UF and the greater Gainesville community. For information about how to get involved both on and off campus visit the Gator Guide to Off-Campus Life.