OCLF 2009: Housing Seeker FAQs
What are the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
What are the dates and times of the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
Does it cost anything to attend the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
How do I register for the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
When can I register for the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
What should I do if I want to go but I am not sure if I can make it to the fair?
What happens if I miss the registration date? Will you accept walk-ins?
How do I get to the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
What happens if I register for the Off-Campus living fair but I can no longer attend?
What should I bring with me to the fair?
What kind of housing possibilities will be presented at the fairs?
Where will these housing opportunities be located? In what neighborhoods?
What if I need to find a roommate in addition to housing?
What other kinds of information will be available at the fairs, besides housing?
When should I start searching for housing?
Who should I contact with questions or for more information?
What are the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
The housing fairs are an open house event that takes place every spring and summer in the Stamp Student Union. They serve as opportunities for students interested in living off campus to gain information about many properties at once. The fairs bring together landlords, College Park officials, and University resources to inform students about housing options and how to successfully live off campus. In particular, transfer and international students use the fairs to finalize housing for the year.
What are the dates and times of the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
The first fair will take place on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 - 7 pm and the final two fairs will be held on Wednesday, June 10 from 3 - 5 pm, and Saturday, July 18 from 10:30 am – 1 pm. All fairs take place in the Colony Ballroom in the Stamp Student Union. Make sure to sign up!
Does it cost anything to attend the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
The Off-Campus Living Fairs at the University of Maryland College Park are absolutely free of cost for housing seekers!
How do I register for the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
Click here to register if you are attending the fair(s) as a housing seeker.
When can I register for the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
You can start registering for the April fair on February 23, the June and July fairs, May 1.
What should I do if I want to go but I am not sure if I can make it to the fair?
If you later become unable to attend, notify our office via e-mail to och@umd.edu or call us at 301.314.3645. We will update our list accordingly.
What happens if I miss the registration date? Will you accept walk-ins?
Student registration to attend the fair is open until the morning of the fair. After that time, we will accept walk-in registration, which will take place at the student sign-in table. If you plan to participate in Turbo Roommate Match-Up, you will be placed on a stand-by list.
How do I get to the Off-Campus Living Fairs?
The Off-Campus Living Fairs are held in the Colony Ballroom in the Stamp Student Union (UMD). Here are maps of the Stamp Student Union and the UM campus.
What happens if I register for the Off-Campus living fair but I can no longer attend?
You can cancel your registration by e-mailing our office at och@umd.edu or by calling us at 301.314.3645.
What should I bring with me to the fair?
If you are a student looking for housing, it might be helpful to give some thought, prior to the fairs, about what your ideal housing situation would be. Our Off-Campus Housing Living Consultants can help you think about what you are looking for. Call (301) 314-3645 for more assistance. We also have resources available online at our website. Try to arrive at the Off-Campus Living Fairs with a “wish list” of housing options (e.g., amenities, price, location, etc.). Also, you might decide which of these items your housing must have, and which items, though they would be ideal, aren’t completely necessary for you. Additionally, you might want to create a list of questions you’d like to ask each property manager to make sure you get all the information you need.
What kind of housing possibilities will be presented at the fairs?
Private property or home owners and apartment community representatives will be present at the housing fair to answer any questions you may have. You will also be able set up times to view their properties, and will have access to housing applications and much more. Both vacant and shared properties will be offered.
Where will these housing opportunities be located? In what neighborhoods?
Our office has invited apartment complexes and private landlords from the Washington Metropolitan area. As such, a wide range of cities and towns will be represented at the fair. There is, however, an emphasis on properties in the greater College Park area.
What if I need to find a roommate in addition to housing?
We offer a Turbo Roommate Match-Up for students interested in finding people with whom to share housing. Students will be divided into groups based on if they’d like to live with males or females. Additionally, we hold a session specifically for graduate students. The Match-Up will resemble speed dating, in that you will speak with each person for three minutes and switch, until you’ve had a chance to speak with ten other students.
Additionally, when you register online for the fair, please make sure you click on the Turbo Roommate Match-Up registration button to complete your profile. You can also check out the Turbo Roommate Match-Up FAQ page for more information. For those who are interested, we will be providing copies of the profiles so that you’ll be able to contact people after the fair.
What other kinds of information will be available at the fairs, besides housing?
Our office has invited a variety of University resources to attend the fairs, including representatives from Off-Campus Student Involvement, the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and the University Health Center. We understand that living off campus creates a diverse and different experience than living in the residence halls. We hope that these fairs will not only help you to find housing, but will also give you an opportunity to learn more about the University and all it has to offer!
When should I start searching for housing?
Now! Although the first housing fair isn’t until April, we encourage you to start your search as soon as you determine that living off-campus will be one of your main options. You can get started by searching our housing database, OCH101, and by using Roommate Finder. If you have any questions during your search process, feel free to contact our staff.
Who should I contact with questions or for more information?
For more information, please contact the staff at Off-Campus Housing Services via e-mail to och@umd.edu or by calling 301.314.3645.
