FAQ: Students

We have received a lot of questions about living in fraternity houses from individuals who are preparing to live-in. Below are answers to a lot of frequently asked questions.

How do I submit a maintenance request?

Maintenance requests can be submitted to us by completing the maintenance request form. Alternatively, you can log-in to your RentCafé account and fill out a maintenance form there.

I moved-in and found issues with my room, what should I do?

Prior to moving-in, you should have received a move-in email containing a variety of information. Attached to the email is a move-in condition form. Please fill out the form and we will get in touch with you regarding a resolution. Alternatively, feel free to complete the maintenance request form and we will be in touch with you to correct any issues.

Should I do anything special before I move-out?

Rooms should be left in broom clean condition. More details for the move-out process can be found here.

Does my housing agreement specify which room I’ll get?

The housing agreement guarantees you a place in the house. Room selection is determined by the chapter and the room selection policies vary by chapter. For more information about your chapter please contact your chapter leadership.

What are the dimension of the room I will be living in?

Each house and room are slightly different, and we do not have exact measurements for every room. Your best bet is to ask the person living in that room now if you can stop by and measure the room. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to us or your chapter’s leadership.

When are housing agreements due?

A signed housing agreement is due by May 1st,unless another date is specifically noted in your Housing Agreement.

When is the security deposit due?

A security deposit of $750 is due by May 1st, unless another date is specifically noted in your Housing Agreement.

 

When is rent/room & board due?

Full payment of rent/room & board, or a submitted payment plan, is due by June 1st, unless another date is specifically noted in your Housing Agreement.

 

 

Who is my housing agreement with? Who owns my chapter’s house?

Your housing agreement is with the house corporation for your specific house. This house corporation exists solely for the benefit of housing your chapter. Your chapter’s house corporation either owns the house or rents it from a third party landlord. For more information, talk to your chapter’s leadership or feel free to contact us at [email protected].

 

 

I have concerns about the meal plan, who should I talk to?

If Esponda manages your chapter’s meal plan, any and all issues can be sent to us at [email protected]. We also recommend you talk to your chapter’s chef directly, they want to make meals you enjoy and can accommodate most reasonable requests.

If your chapter manages their own meal plan, you should talk to your chapter’s executive board or steward about your concerns. If you have concerns that are not being dealt with by your chapter, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help get your issues resolved.

 

How is damage billed?

When damage occurs that cannot be attributed to normal wear and tear, the cost is placed upon the resident that is responsible for said damage. If no individual takes responsibility for the damages, we will ask your chapter leaders if they know who is responsible and assign the damage to the responsible party. If no responsible party can be identified, all residents will share the cost of the repairs, pro-rata. We understand that it can be frustrating to pay for something you did not damage, that’s why communication is extremely important in any communal living setting; if we know who broke something and it wasn’t you, they’ll pay for it, not you.

 

 

When will I get my deposit back?

We endeavor to return your deposit, less any damages, within 30 days. To ensure a timely return, please send us a forwarding address upon move-out. If we do not receive a forwarding address, we will make our best effort to return your deposit but cannot guarantee that it will get to you in a timely manner.asn’t you, they’ll pay for it, not you.

 

 

Are there things we can fix ourselves?

There are some things that you should never try to repair/replace on your own, such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems in your house. There are, however, plenty of things in the house that you can fix on your own or with a few friends, this is a great learning experience. For example: clearing clogged toilets, tightening door knobs, replacing light bulbs, patching small holes in the wall, etc.

For more information about things you can fix on your own, reach out to your chapter’s house manager or feel free to contact us.

Are beds provided? What furniture do I have in my room?

Each house is slightly different, but your housing agreement should specify what, if any furniture, may be in your room when you move in. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to us or your chapter’s leadership.

Is there laundry on site?

Each house has a slightly different laundry setup, but every house has laundry machines. For more information about the laundry setup in your specific house, check with your chapter leadership or feel free to contact us.

Can I have a pet?

Per the housing agreement, no pets are allowed in the house.

Do I need renters insurance?

The house corporation does not have insurance coverage for your possessions. Per the housing agreement, “Student shall obtain, at Student’s own expense, insurance that covers their property and possessions as well as their personal liability.” Most insurance companies should allow a renter’s policy to be added for students, so check with your parents’ insurance company to see if they can add coverage to their existing policy.

Is housing available to freshmen?

Each campus is different, some allow freshmen to move out of dorms but most do not. If you are unsure about your specific campus, reach out to your chapter’s leadership or feel free to contact us for more information.

Does the house stay open over breaks (summer, winter, spring, etc.)?

The house will remain open over winter and spring break, unless there is substantial work that needs to be done that would require us to close the house. The house may be secured prior to break in order to ensure people aren’t using the house over break without our knowledge, but if you need to stay, just let us know. 

Summer is slightly different. You should check your housing agreement and note the end date of the agreement. Most do not include summer, and most of our houses close over the summer in order to allow us to do summer turnover work (cleaning and repairs). Some houses have special summer-only housing agreements available if there are enough people interested. If you are unsure whether your house closes over summer break, please check with your chapter leadership or contact us.

I am considering studying abroad, is a one semester housing agreement available?

We do not offer housing agreements that only cover one semester/quarter. If you are planning to go abroad, you can fill out a request for release form. Depending on the occupancy of your chapter’s  house, you may still be required to pay a termination fee, up to the full original rent for the time that you are abroad.

I am not planning to return to campus for part of my housing agreement, can I be released?

Housing agreements cover the entire academic year. If you are planning to go abroad, you can fill out a request for release form. Depending on the occupancy of your chapter’s  house, you may still be required to pay a termination fee, up to the full original rent for the time that you are abroad

What happens if I don’t like my roommate?

Rooming selection is handled by your chapter and chapter leadership. If you have an issue with your roommate, we recommend talking with your chapter’s Brother at Large, House Manager, or Master about ways to resolve your issues or change your room assignment.