You may choose to live in one of the Pittsburgh neighborhoods surrounding Duquesne's campus. In doing so, you may find that living on your own comes with newly found opportunities and responsibilities. We remind students to always be responsible neighbors within their communities and to meet the Expectations of a Duquesne Student.
Additional Resources
If you're living off-campus—or thinking about making the move—and have questions about landlords, leases, roommates, neighbors and neighborhoods, safety, moving and more, we are here to help. See the articles in our Resources section, check out our Off-Campus Housing Guides, or reach out to our office.
Campus Residency Policy
You may start living off campus beginning your junior year. Per the Campus Residency Policy, students in their freshman or sophomore year are required to live on campus or at home with their parent/guardian(s).
City of Pittsburgh Code
Students who live off campus should be advised that according to City of Pittsburgh Code, no more than three unrelated individuals are permitted to reside together in one rental housing unit.
Updating Your Information in DORI
In order to be in compliance with federal regulations concerning student location, and to assure the efficient and effective delivery of important University communications, all students are responsible for maintaining current and accurate addresses, telephone numbers and emergency contact information at all times.
Students must regularly review and update their permanent and local (if applicable) addresses and phone numbers and must also report having moved temporarily to a location that would not be considered a local, commutable distance from campus nor would it constitute a permanent address change.
Each semester, Roll Call will begin two weeks prior to the first day of classes. The purpose of Roll Call is to confirm your intention to enroll, followed by a review of your address, phone, emergency contacts, and FERPA Directory Information Disclosure. Students are required to log on to DORI to complete the Roll Call process, and a response is required no later than the last day of the first week of classes.
Up to five address types* should be reviewed and updated by students and will be stored and maintained in the Banner Student System. These address types are:
- Home – permanent residential address (required for all students)
- Local – address at which student resides while attending classes if not living at HOME or in an on-campus Residence hall
- Residential – address in one of the on-campus residence halls
- Temporary – temporary relocation from Home, Local, or Residential address for the purpose of an internship, clinical, or practicum, for example, during the semester
- Foreign - international home/permanent address
Details regarding address updates can be found by viewing the Personal Information Procedure.
Students wishing to review and/or update the above information once Roll Call has ended can do so using the Self-Service Student option in the Duquesne Portal (DORI) Home Page to update Personal Information or Answer a Survey.
Brief tutorial video on Updating Your Local Address
Rental Listings Bulletin Board
An Off-Campus Housing Bulletin Board is located in the Commuter Lounge, Room 120 of the Duquesne Union. Individuals wishing to post available apartments or sublets are welcome to place flyers/handouts on this board. There is a 30-day limit for postings.
Students who live off campus should be advised that according to City of Pittsburgh
code, no more than three unrelated individuals are permitted to reside together in
one rental housing unit. It is important you take the time to find a roommate(s) that will make living in your
new rental property as enjoyable as possible. Finding a compatible roommate(s) is
equally as important as finding that perfect rental property. Talk to your prospective roommate(s) and discuss each other's expectations regarding
living together. Sign a roommate(s) agreement regarding topics and issues listed below: Regardless of whether or not you are living in the rental property all year round,
you are responsible for paying your rent on time for the entire lease term. Make sure
you and your roommate(s) are aware of one another's plans. You all should be in agreement
on items such as: Some landlords require rent to be paid with one check, so make sure to create an agreement
on how and who will pay the rent each month. Living with another person(s) can be an incredible experience, but it can be trying
at times, too. Issues can arise from important things like paying the rent on time,
deciding who is going to clean and take out the garbage, and figuring out how groceries
are going to be purchased. Living with others takes hard work and sometimes a great
deal of patience. A roommate agreement can help you and your roommates navigate through
common issues and make a big difference in maintaining healthy relationships between
roommates. When you sign a lease with other people, you become liable for each of your roommates'
obligations to the landlord. If one roommate does something that violates the lease,
it can have a negative impact upon all roommates. You can find many sample roommate agreements by simply doing a Google search. You
can also deign your own contract. It is recommend that you and your roommates complete
a roommate agreement prior to moving in. Use our Roommate Agreement template or create your own using any/all of the following: Have questions about creating a Roommate Agreement that best fits your situation? Contact our staff--we're happy to help. One of the things that makes Pittsburgh such a great city is its number of unique
neighborhoods. The following sites offer more information about Pittsburgh's neighborhoods. The following are grocery stores and other locations where groceries can be purchased
throughout the Pittsburgh area. POGOH is Pittsburgh's newest bikeshare program. A very important consideration when looking into off-campus housing is the cost of
living. To determine the affordability of a rental unit, you will need to consider
the following: rent, utilities (not covered in the rent), renter's insurance, parking,
food and other living expenses. Pittsburgh has plenty of wonderful neighborhoods that offer resources and entertainment
to suit everyone's tastes and interests. For example, we have students that live in
the South Side, Uptown, Oakland and Mt. Washington as well as other neighborhoods
all within a short walking distance, bus ride, or individual commute. To learn more about a particular landlord, research by Googling the landlord/company
name and talking to current tenants. Find out what their experience has been and ask
questions such as: Abbreviations are frequently used when describing apartments to prospective renters.
Since the price of many classified advertisements is determined by the number of words,
using abbreviations allows realtors to give more information about their rental units
in less space. Common Abbreviations Apt = Apartment Before signing a lease, thoroughly inspect the entire property. Below is a checklist
to guide your inspection. Please use this checklist to help you decide about the security/safety of the off-campus
housing you are considering. Visit the neighborhood during the day and at night. A required, yet refundable, payment to the landlord when the landlord and tenant sign
the lease. It is usually the amount of one or two month's rent. When the lease ends,
the landlord must return the security deposit if no violations of the lease have occurred.
The landlord may keep part of the security deposit if there are any documented damaged
to the property as outlined in the lease. A security deposit is refundable within 30 days after your lease ends, as long as: A lease is a contract by which one conveys real estate, equipment, or facilities for
a specified term and for a specified rent. It is a legally binding document. Do not
enter into one unless you are comfortable with all terms and conditions. If you rent, your landlord’s insurance policy does not provide coverage for your belongings.
Renters insurance protects your personal property. This means if your things are damaged
due to a circumstance outlined in your policy, your insurer may pay the actual cash
value of the item or its replacement cost, depending on what kind of policy you choose. Moving into an apartment/house can be a very exciting time, as you'll have a new place
to live and a new sense of freedom, as well as a different set of responsibilities.
The Office of Commuter Affairs is here to assist you with this process. Buy parking permits. The following are suggestions to build a good relationship with your neighbors and
foster a healthy community in which to live. Moving into your own apartment is an exciting change that can be fun and rewarding
if you are aware of your responsibilities as a tenant, roommate, neighbor, member
of the community, and a Duquesne University student. Common sense and knowing your
legal responsibilities will help you if a rental problem occurs. For the most part,
landlords desire a positive relationship with their tenants. Paying your rent and paying it on time is important. The Office of Commuter Affairs
suggests that you do not pay rent with cash unless you receive a written receipt indicating
the month of rent, amount, date received, and signature of the landlord. This is your
documentation if the payment comes into question in the future. Paying rent with a
check or money order is preferred because it provides you with proof of payment. If
you and your roommate(s) are required to submit only one check rather than individually,
make sure to get everyone's share before the rent is due so that payment is not late
and you do not incur late charges. Your rent should be paid up-to-date even if you
are having a problem with your landlord. Your rental unit must meet minimal construction, maintenance and safety standards
of the City of Pittsburgh. Landlords are responsible for replacing or repairing items
to keep the unit in a habitable condition. Tenants are responsible for contacting
their landlord when a problem arises. If possible, follow up with an email, so you
have proof of your request and the date the landlord was notified. Landlords are required
to make the repair(s) within a reasonable length of time unless it's an emergency
situation. If you feel your rental unit does not meet housing code requirements and are unable
to resolve the issue with the landlord, you may need to wish to file a complaint with
the City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspection and ask them to visit your unit for an inspection. If the unit does not meet legal
standards, a notice and a timeline will be given to the landlord for correction of
these requirements. The Office of Commuter Affairs provides this general information to assist students
in understanding tenant and landlord responsibilities. You should not consider this
as legal advice. It is very important that students living off-campus are aware of their rights and
responsibilities both as Duquesne University students and as members of their local
community. The following links are provided for further information: To find information regarding the City of Pittsburgh's trash removal and recycling
as well as your collection day and/or schedule reminders, please visit: http://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/collection-schedule Recycling is required by the City of Pittsburgh. For more information and instructions
please visit: https://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/residential-recycling Although there are many resources and services available to help support your safety,
it is up to you to take necessary precautions to stay safe. DU Alert is an automated message notification system used to contact students and employees
(who have subscribed to the service) about emergencies or major disruptions to campus
services. This is one of several emergency communication methods. Campus Fire Safety Video from the U.S. Fire Administration National Fire Protection Association - Fire Safety Tips When residing off campus, follow these tips to prevent apartment/house fires. They
can save your life! The City of Pittsburgh has a Non-Emergency Response Center for concerns or questions
known as 311. Learn more and download MyBurgh for Android & iOS. When a tenant whose name is on a lease rents a room, a portion of property, or all
of the property to another, it is referred to as subleasing (or subletting). The subtenant
must pay rent and comply with the lease terms, but the principal tenant remains ultimately
responsible for the lease. Need someone to take over your lease for a period of time? Are you are certain your
landlord permits subleasing? Remember that you may still be held responsible for the
rent and/or potential property damage when subleasing your rental unit to someone
else. To understand the implications of subleasing, be sure to check your lease and
talk to your landlord for further information! Consider donating items that are in good condition. You may even be able to have these
items picked up. For further information, please visit the following sites: Check your lease for your move-out period notice. Notify the landlord prior to the deadline, in writing, of your intent to stay or to
move out after the lease term. Be sure to pay your last month's rent. You cannot substitute your last month's rent with the already-paid security deposit. Clean the property thoroughly. A thorough cleaning job includes removing all tacks, nails and tape from the walls.
It also includes replacing any light bulbs that are burned out. Document the condition of the property. Once this has been completed-and, ideally, once you move your furniture out, complete
a move-out checklist and take pictures/video ( just like you did when you moved in)
to show in what condition you left the property. You also want to do a walk-through
with the landlord, so that you can inspect the property together. Cancel all utility, cable, internet, etc. accounts. Ensure that you call all of your utility companies directly to schedule a date to
disconnect all your utilities. Remember your bills have to be paid in full before
you are permitted to close your accounts. Return all keys. You might want to have your landlord sign something indicating you returned all keys. Provide your landlord with a forwarding address. If you want your security deposit back, you must provide your landlord with a forwarding
address. Resources
How many students can live together?
Roommate Expectations
Clear Expectations
Household Rules
Discuss the Lease Terms
Will each roommate be responsible for paying a share of the utilities, even if he/she
is not residing in the property?
If a roommate wants to find a replacement for his/her room and the landlord permits
this, is everyone comfortable with the arrangement?
Will the current roommates have a say in selecting the new/temporary roommate?Paying Rent
Unforeseen Circumstances and Dealing with Household Conflict
You can't predict everything in life, but you can certainly plan for the future. For
example, a roommate may run into financial difficulties and be forced to move out
without paying rent. This may leave the financial burden on you and the remaining
roommate(s). Therefore, it is best to decide how the household will deal with a situation
such as this, to help resolve potential conflict in the future.
It's nearly impossible to discuss every scenario that may come up during the lease
term, but you can generally outline resolution procedures to help if and when conflict
arises. For example, you and your roommate(s) can establish house meetings and a voting
system to resolve problems. If you need another person's prospective, you can contact
Tim Lewis, Director of Commuter Affairs, at (412) 396-6660. He would be happy to talk
with you.Roommate Agreements
Pittsburgh Neighborhoods
Grocery Stores
Bikes throughout Pittsburgh
Bike Safety Tips
PA Bike Laws
Things to Consider
Expenses and Extra Costs
Because living within your means is vital, utilize a budget to keep track of your
money. When renting a property, utility costs are often not included in the rent cost.
Utilities can vary a great deal based on the type of unit you are renting and the
age of the building. If you contact the utility company they should be able to provide
you with an estimate of monthly costs based upon the previous tenants. It is important
that you budget extra money each month for electric, gas, cable, internet and water.Location
Talk to other students and individuals who live in the area. Often, they can be your
best resource when trying to find an off-campus apartment.
Never live in an area where you feel unsafe.
Visit the area during various times of the day and night and on weekends to see what
the area is like.Choosing a Landlord
Decoding Housing Advertisements
AC or a/c = Air Conditioning
Avail = Available
BA = Bathroom
BR = Bedroom
Dep Req = Security Deposit Required
DW = Dishwasher
Eff = Efficiency
F = Female
FP = Fireplace
Furn = Furnished
Grad = Graduate Student
HW = Hardwood Floors
Imm = Immediate
Inc = Included
M = Male
M/F = Male or Female
MW = Microwave
NS = Non-smoker
OBO = Or Best Offer
Occ = Occupancy
Part Furn = Partially Furnished
Prkg = Parking
Prof = Professional (non-student)
Pref = Preferred
Ref = References
Twnhse = Townhouse
Unfurn = Unfurnished
Util = Utilities
W/D = Washer and Dryer
W,E,G,C,P = Water, Electric, Gas, Cable, Phone
W/W = Wall-to-Wall CarpetingHow to Inspect a Property
Security Safety Checklist
Exterior:
Parking:
Doorways/Windows:
Security Deposit
What is a Security Deposit?
Tips to ensure you get your security deposit back:
What to Expect When Signing a Lease
Renters Insurance
Renters insurance does not necessarily provide coverage for all risks, so familiarize
yourself with what’s covered and what’s not. For example, certain types of weather
or natural disaster events may not be covered.
If your parents have a homeowner’s policy, you can check their coverage to see if
it extends to your belongings already, without purchasing renters insurance.Signed a Lease, Preparing to Move - What's Next?
To make sure your move is as smooth as possible:
Schedule a date and time to get the keys for your rental property.
Meet your landlord at your unit to get the keys so you are able to do a walk through
before moving your furniture. During the walk through, take pictures or videos of
the entire rental property, especially holes in the wall from pictures, carpet stains,
dents in appliances, etc. You don't want to be charged for these damages when you
move out.
Rent a moving truck.
Rent your truck in advance to ensure you have one for the day of your move.
Set up your utilities.
Talk with your landlord about what utilities are your responsibility and need to be
set up in your name. This may include gas, water, electric, cable, internet, etc.
Contact local companies ahead of time to get these services to your property by the
time you move in. You may need the following to set up your utility accounts:
Be prepared by researching and, if necessary, purchasing the following in advance
of your move:
Local parking permit for your neighborhood
Duquesne University parking permit
Duquesne University South Side ShuttleBe a Respectful Neighbor
Responsibilities as a Tenant
Paying Rent
Habitability
Housing Code Violations
Rights and Responsibilities
The last four bullet point resources listed above are from third party websites. The
University cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in the listed
resources and cannot guarantee that the third parties responsible for maintaining
the websites keep the website information up-to-date.
Trash Removal and Recycling
Home Safety
General Safety Tips
Tips to Consider if you will be leaving for Break
Make sure all doors and windows are locked and securedPersonal Safety
DU Alert Information
Safety Tips
Fire Safety and Prevention
Common Factors Relating to Fires
Reporting Non-Emergencies and Concerns - 311
Important Phone Numbers
On-Campus Non-Emergency: (412) 396-6002Subleasing
Donate and Help Others
Move Out Checklist