Off-Campus Housing

Stop! Read these Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease to be sure you fully understand what is involved.

In order to avoid any disputes with your roommates, make sure that all issues are discussed prior to moving in to your new place of residence. It is advised that you all decide on how things such as bills, overnight guests, and household duties will be handled while living together. We have a sample roommate agreement to get you started.

If your apartment is robbed or the apartment above you has a fire and the water used to extinguish it floods your apartment, your landlord’s policy likely will not pay to replace any of your stuff. That’s up to you. Your landlord or apartment association may have insurance, but this only protects the building, not your personal possessions. Renters insurance helps to covers the damage or loss to your personal belongings and will protect them in case of disaster. It is even more important to consider renters insurance when living with roommates because renters insurance can offer protection for accidents that are caused by other tenants. Look in the yellow pages of your local phonebook to see listings of local insurance companies and to get more information on policy quotes and prices.

Before moving in to your new residence, make sure you call all local utility companies at least two weeks in advance to get the services turned on. Below is a list of all the utility companies servicing the area:

Delmarva Power
(electric)
www.delmarva.com
1-800-375-7117

Chesapeake Utilities
(natural gas)
www.chpk.com
1-800-427-0015

Suburban Propane
www.suburbanpropane.com
410-749-7141

Delmarva Oil
www.trigas-oil.com/
1-800-296-5175

FiOS.Verizon.com TV/internet/phone
fios.verizon.com
(888)656-4454

HughesNet
Satellite Internet
internet.hughesnet.com
1-877-940-3220

Peninsula Oil and Propane
(oil and propane)
www.PenOil.com
1-888-410-9276

Verizon (phone)
www.verizon.com
410-954-6260

Comcast Delmarva
(cable: internet and phone)
www.xfinity.com/
1-888-266-2278

Public Works Department
www.salisbury.md

DirecTV
(cable)
directv.com/internet-bundles/
1-866-810-7892

We give you a Moving Guide with seven helpful steps to off-campus living.

• Do visit the neighborhood at various times of the day, night, weekend to make sure that it is safe.
• Do check the property thoroughly, a house that looks good in summer may be cold and damp in winter.
  • The heating/cooling system - when was it last serviced?
  • Do the windows and doors fit securely?
  • Are there any cracks in the windows?
• Do check gas and electrical appliances. If electric sockets are loose or plugs get warm when used, ask these to be repaired.
• Do check the inventory – not only for the number of items in the premises, but also the condition of fixtures and fittings (e.g. badly stained carpet, leg missing from bed, etc.)?
• Do seek written confirmation if the property owner makes any promises that are not included in the lease (e.g. “the house will be decorated before commencement of tenancy” or “the faulty heater will be replaced”).
• Don’t pay any money without obtaining a receipt. Avoid handing over excessively large deposits months before moving in.
• Don’t pay a deposit without a note stating what the deposit is for (e.g. damage or unpaid bills).
• Don’t sign an inventory unless it has been checked and agreed.
• Don’t sign a lease if the landlord says they will fill in the details later.

The Moving-In (Condition) Checklists helps you assess the status of your new place before you move in – we’ve thought of everything!

This handy Move-In and Move-Out Property Checklist helps you keep track of the state and damages of your new place. When you move out, you should request that your landlord or his/her representative conduct a joint inspection of the property with you. This checklist can be your pre-existing damages, which you should have available during this inspection. Your landlord has 30 days to notify you in writing of any damages for which you are being charged and 45 days to return your security deposit less any damage assessments. If you have maintained a good relationship with your landlord, you may wish to request a letter of reference.

Once you have found a rental that seems to meet your needs, it’s important that you understand your rights and those of your landlord and neighbors before entering into any written rental agreement or lease. Considering the rights of all involved will encourage fair treatment of you as a tenant and a neighbor, as well as develop a positive relationship between you and your landlord and neighbors, and provide good references for your future use. Find out more about your rights and responsibilities.

Find out some Tips on Avoiding Disputes to ensure that you have a good relationship with your landlord. It is important that both parties understand the commitments made in the contract, as any misunderstandings can be detrimental to the relationship.

Be sure to know Maryland laws regarding rights, security deposits, leases, evictions and more!

The purpose of the Code of Community Standards is to provide students of Salisbury University with information on expectations regarding responsible citizenship and standards of conduct associated with membership in the university community. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with these policies and regulations, which are incorporated into this code. The Code of Community Standards applies to all currently enrolled students, regardless if they live on or off campus. Student hosts are responsible for their guests and, therefore, should inform them of Salisbury University policies.

Find out all the information you need to know about being a responsible member of the community in which you reside. Here you can find information on animal control, trash removal, recycling and much more!

Read Salisbury City Code of Ordinances for more information on observing local laws. Some details are highlighted here:

Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the State of Maryland to provide fair housing for all its inhabitants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.

Illegal Occupancy (City of Salisbury)

Tenants within Salisbury city limits must observe the city’s occupancy requirements as part of Salisbury City Codes 17.04.120.

Noise Ordinance (City of Salisbury)

Salisbury City Code prohibits plainly audible noise at 50 feet from the public street, public area or private property during the designated “quiet hours” between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. as part of Salisbury City Codes 8.20.020 and 17.184.02.

Keeping a Disorderly House (State of Maryland)

Salisbury City Code 8.08 mandates the maintenance of curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

Alcoholic Beverages (State of Maryland)

It is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages on public property, obtain alcoholic beverages for minors and obtain alcoholic beverages by minors through misrepresentation of age as part of Salisbury City Codes 9.08.100, 9.08.120 and 9.08.140.

Trash (City of Salisbury)

Salisbury City Code 8.16.060 details trash collection rules and regulations

SU partners with Shore Transit to provide a weekday shuttle service with stops at University Park, University Village, Avery Parking Lot and the campus bus stop near the Guerrieri Academic Commons.

Want to know when the next shuttle bus is arriving at your stop? Visit NEXTBus for the latest tracking information.

SU’s Stay Street Smart Sea Gulls campaign is an effort to help those walking and biking stay safe when navigating around campus.

Enter your bike’s information into the SU Police database of bicycles (and laptops, too!) to aid in finding your bike just in case yours ever goes missing. 

SU’s campus has bike repair stations near bike racks around campus. Locations include Seagull Square, Maggs Gym, Chester, Manokin, St. Martin.