Housing Information
The following information may help you in locating housing, but
we cannot make housing arrangements for you. Locating accommodations
is your responsibility.
- Our college does not provide on-campus housing.
The majority of students at our school live in apartments,
either alone or with roommates. Rental rates can vary widely,
depending on the type and location of apartment. Shared
apartments range from $350 (especially when sharing a bedroom)
to $500 or $600 (for own bedroom) per person per month, not
including utilities or meals. (Utility costs in California are
currently higher than in other areas of the country.) Check out
our recently updated list of Temporary Housing
and Apartments Near Grossmont College.
- The Associated Students Office at Grossmont College has a housing referral list of students and local families
sharing apartments and homes. Their number is (619) 644-7604 and
their hours during the fall and spring semesters are Mon-Thurs,
8 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Fri, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Summer hours
vary, but are generally in the mornings until 12:00 p.m.,
Monday-Thursday.) Although it is preferred that students come
into the office to look through the list, someone is usually
available to assist those students who call. You may also view
some housing listings on the
ASGC web site.
- To get an idea of available apartments, students can do a
web search. You can do a search simply by 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 Grossmont College, type "El Cajon, " "La Mesa, " or "San
Carlos" under city name.
Web sites to visit for rental lists:
(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.
- Ask your friends if they know about an available living
situation. Your classmates can be great resources.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How much can I spend on housing?
- Do I want to live with someone else (roommate)?
- If so, how do I find a roommate?
- How far is the Apartment from school? Is it close to a bus
stop?
Questions to Ask the Manager or Landloard:
- Amount of rent.
- Expected rent increase.
- Amount of deposit.
- Conditions for receiving full refund of deposit after
move-out.
- Type of rental agreement (month-to-month, etc.).
- Security Deposit?
- Credit check (paid by applicant or landlord?).
- When can I see the apartment?
- Termination requirements.
- House/Apartment rules.
- Parking availability.
- Amenities (pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, club house,
etc.).
- 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 don't 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's 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.
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