Tips for selecting good off-campus student housing in Binghamton

Things to look for:

1. Ask if the residence you are looking at complies with the local zoning. In addition to the possibility that a conflict could arise that would force you to move during the year, this is a good indication of your landlord's attitude to other rules and city codes.
   
   The City of Binghamton's zoning law restricts the occupants of a dwelling unit to be a family or a functional and factual family equivalent. Single family houses contain one dwelling unit and two family houses contain two dwelling units. Apartment buildings can contain many dwelling units.  Most houses on the West Side are single and two family houses. If your living arrangement is in violation of the law, you could be subject to eviction. In addition, you and your landlord could be subject to fine or imprisonment.
   
   
2. Has the building been altered to permit more people to live in it than was originally intended? This includes conversion of single family homes to two and three family units, as well as the partitioning of rooms within the original building to allow more bedrooms. This is important because such alterations rarely include needed upgrades to the electrical and plumbing systems. A group of college students, each with their own array of electrical appliances, use much more electricity that the building was usually designed to furnish. Overloading electrical circuits is a potential fire hazard.
   
   
3. If you are concerned whether your selection of a rental unit meets Code requirements, Section 11.2 of the City of Binghamton Code and Zoning Laws states that you can request the Code Enforcement Department to inspect it for compliance.
   
   
4. How many people are you planning to share a residence with? In addition to the increase in roommate problems that accompany an increase in the number of roommates, a house full of people is more likely to cause a disturbance in the neighborhood. Good relations with your neighbors can be an added benefit to off-campus living. With the problems that local residents have had with some groups, bad neighbor relations can detract from your enjoyment of the city.
   
   
5. How does the building look? An attractive building is usually a well-maintained building. The presence of overgrown shrubbery, trees growing up from the foundation, or piles of debris in the yard are all indications that there may be other, more critical maintenance issues you are not yet aware of.
   
   
6. What sort of fire alarm or (better) sprinkler system is installed in the building. Buildings with none should be avoided. "Hard wired" alarms that do not require battery replacement should be the minimum that you should accept to ensure your safety.
   
   
7. Your lease should contain a clause that specifically allows you to terminate the lease (and recover your deposit) if your landlord is found to be in violation of any section of the city zoning or housing code that does not permit you to continue living there for the term of your lease.