Handbook Blog
11/11/24
Looking for a one-stop shop for all your off-campus housing questions? Our student handbook is the perfect place to take a deep dive into all aspects of housing in Fort Collins. We update our handbook annually, and the biggest change this year is about the housing ordinance. The handbook goes into all steps of housing and has an interactive online version as well as a downloadable PDF. The chapters include:
- Chapter 1: First Steps
- Explore the first steps to moving off campus, including where to start looking and how to decide what works best for you.
- Chapter 2: Leases
- Learn about legal terms that may come up in leases, how to negotiate and terminate your lease
- Chapter 3: Moving In
- Get set up with everything you need in your new place, including changing your address, getting your utilities, electric, cable, garbage/recycling set up. Learn about renter’s insurance and security deposits as well.
- Chapter 4: Managing a Budget
- Learn about balancing a budget, creating a budget for food, and what to know about credit cards.
- Chapter 5: Roommates
- With the new housing ordinance, making sure you consider potential living and liability issues is important.
- Chapter 6: Health & Safety
- Learn about managing your stress, Emotional Support Animals, service dogs, walking home, and fire safety.
- Chapter 7: Transportation
- Figure out options for getting around town including Transfort, biking, and other options.
- Chapter 8: City Codes & Ordinances
- Ordinances are lesser known among students, so read this section to learn about the occupancy ordinance, the public nuisance ordinance, the social host ordinance, the nuisance gathering ordinance, and other municipal codes.
- Chapter 9: Being a Good Neighbor
- Learn about good neighbor etiquette, how to handle neighbor conflicts, registering parties, and being a good pet owner.
- Chapter 10: Community
- Learn about how to get involved in your community on and off campus as well as community liaison resources.
- Chapter 11: International Student Resources
- Explore international student housing options as well as leasing as an international student.
- Chapter 12: Basic Needs
- Find resources for food, housing, and transportation insecurity.
- Chapter 13: Appendix
- Find examples of a lease agreement, sublease agreement, roommate agreement, a request for return of security deposit, and a rental checklist. You can explore all this information here. It is a great resource for students to dive into all aspects of off-campus living. Our updated handbook will be live this December so keep an eye out for it!