Be sure to check out our Summer Chats with OCL as well, for specific presentations on leasing, budgeting, and other topics of interest to off-campus and commuter students.

Off-Campus Life Frequently Asked Questions

The Harrisonburg rental market is very robust, and there are still many options available for students looking for housing. Don’t feel rushed into making a housing decision, as taking your time to research options and fully understand the leasing process is critical. Off-Campus Life (OCL)is here to help.

Off-Campus Life provides a variety of tools to assist you in your housing search. As not all properties are willing to rent to college students, we partner with an outside company to compile information and listings for those in the community that will. It is important to note that inclusion of a property in the Housing Guide or on the listing website does not constitute an endorsement or promotion of that property, its management, or its business practices by the University or OCL. These resources are intended for educational and informational purposes for JMU students and their families, to assist in making informed decisions about off-campus housing.

Click here to access our digital Housing Guide.

Click here to access the listing website.

It’s important to remember that a lease is a legally binding document, and signing one is obligating you to pay rent for the entire duration of the leasing period, as well as stating that you will comply with the document and the expectations of being a tenant as outlined in the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act. We strongly advise that you not sign a lease until you are comfortable doing so.

Be sure you have fully read the lease and any addendums or accompanying policy/community guidelines. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek clarity from the leasing agent or landlord. Make sure you are comfortable with, and have had purposeful conversations with, your new roommates, if applicable. Be sure you have had conversations with your potential guarantor, usually a parent or guardian who will be co-signing the lease with you, to make sure they are comfortable with and ready to take part in the lease signing process.

Remember, Off-Campus Life is here to help you navigate these questions. We will even sit down with you and read through a potential lease agreement. Don’t hesitate to reach out and set up and appointment.

Yes. Most properties maintain a list of individuals looking for someone to take over or “resign” their lease; be sure to ask about these when talking to leasing agents. OCL also maintains an active sublease list in our office, of students who, for a variety of reasons, are looking for someone to take over their lease for a semester of the full year. Subleasing can be an excellent opportunity for students looking for short-term (one semester) rentals as well, which can be ideal for those planning to study abroad, graduating in December, or perhaps interning in another place.

Contact our office for more information on subleasing or to request our active sublease listings; email us at OCL@jmu.edu, drop in during our virtual office hours, or call us at 540-568-6071.

Some apartments include all or partial utilities (water, electric, or gas) in your rent. For those that do not, you or someone in your unit, will need to contact the local utility companies to set up an account and schedule service for the utilities required. This is an important conversation to have with potential roommates.

The University also offer the Utility Deposit Assistance Program, UDAP, to help with costs of up-front deposits and provide some protections for students in this process. For more information, visit https://www.jmu.edu/udap/.

Some properties offer limited roommate matching opportunities. Be sure to ask about those when talking to leasing agents or representatives. Off-Campus Life offers access to a roommate finder through the listing website. Click on “Roommates” along the top navigation bar. You will need to have an active and valid JMU email address to create a profile and access the resource; this is done to limit access to only those in the JMU community.

Off-Campus Life will also host virtual chats on finding roommates, creating roommate agreements, and best roommate practices throughout the summer, as well as hosting a virtual roommate mixer. Be sure to follow us on social media, or check our website for the most up to date information on these offerings.

For more information on roommates and how to find them, check out the Roommates section of our website.

Off-Campus Life is your key to making Harrisonburg home. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you might have. You can email us at OCL@jmu.edu, drop in during our virtual office hours, or call us at 540-568-6071.

Be sure to check out our Summer Chats with OCL as well, for specific presentations on leasing, budgeting, and other topics of interest to off-campus and commuter students.

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