The University of Maryland is hosting four Off-Campus Living Fairs this year:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009
3-5pm
Registration is open now.

Saturday, July 18, 2009
10:30-1pm
Registration is open now.

All fairs will be held in the Colony Ballroom of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union.

Living Fairs bring together landlords, property managers, community resources, and University of Maryland offices in an effort to inform students about their housing options and how to successfully live off campus. Participants will get personal assistance with the what, when, and where of off-campus living; learn how to work with landlords/property owners; learn their legal rights as tenants and being a good neighbor; learn how to link off-campus living options with area transportation; and meet other commuter students and potential roommates.

How to Use the Fair

• Registration is a two step process: you need to register as a housing seeker in order to participate in the Off-Campus Living Fair. If you would like to participate in the Turbo Roommate Match-Up during the summer fairs, please also complete the second part of the registration process.
• Turbo Roommate Match-Up! If you are looking for a roommate, sign up for our roommate speed interviews. Like speed dating, you will talk with someone for three minutes before meeting another potential roommate. Note: TRMU is only available during the summer fairs.
• Gather Information - Pick up important information and handouts at the information table (near registration) as well as inside the Fair, use the computers to search for housing online with OCH101 and to add yourself to Roommate Finder.
• Make contacts - Make appointments with apartment representatives and landlords to visit their properties.
• Learn about resources - learn about various resources: public transportation, legal aid, and campus involvement opportunities.

Questions? Check out our FAQs.

In addition:

• Throughout your housing search, continue to consult the Off-Campus Housing Services website to search for available housing as well as potential roommates. Visit us at www.och.umd.edu.
• Check out the OCH webpage for three checklists about housing search essentials, safety and security, and lease signing. They are available at www.och.umd.edu/resources.
• Consult the Department of Transportation website for up-to-date parking details at www.dots.umd.edu.
  

The Off-Campus Living Fair is a one-stop shop for incoming students, faculty, and staff to research their off-campus living options. Participants will get personal assistance with the what, when, and where of off-campus living; learn how to work with landlords/property owners; learn their legal rights as tenants and being a good neighbor; learn how to link off-campus living options with area transportation; and meet other commuter students and potential roommates.

Registration: In order to participate in the Off-Campus Living Fair you need to register online. Registration for both the June 19 and July 18 fairs are available now.

Set up:

• Plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and set-up fairs.
• Materials: plan to bring 100 or more copies of any materials you’d like to give to housing seekers to each fair.
• Guest logins for wireless internet access is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you will need internet access, please designate this when you register. Plan to operate any equipment on battery power for the duration of hte fair
• Unable to attend the fair? Please contact OCH at 301-314-3645 to cancel your registration so that another property lister may use your space.
• Questions? Visit our FAQ page for logistics and other information about the Off-Campus Living Fair.
• Parking: paid parking is available in the Union Lane garage; OCH staff will be on hand at the side entrance of the student union if you need to unload your materials before parking. Consult the Department of Transportation website for parking details at www.dots.umd.edu.

Those who wish to attend the fair, either as property managers/private landlords or as housing seekers must register. Registration for both the June 10 and July 18 fairs is available now.

Landlords: Click here to register for the fair(s).

Students: Click here to register for the fair(s).

If you are looking for a roommate, be sure to attend our Turbo Roommate Match-Up (TRMU) sessions. TRMU is similar to speed-dating, but allows you to find a suitable roommate. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. Housing seekers can register to participate in TRMU as part of their main fair registration. Please note that TRMU is available only at the summer fairs.