Reading a campus housing contract

A campus housing contract is a binding agreement, and reading it before you sign can save you charges later. This page walks through the sections that most often surprise students and the questions to put to the housing office.

How long the contract runs

Most residence hall contracts cover the full academic year rather than a single term. Leaving after the fall can mean paying for spring as well unless you graduate, withdraw, study abroad or meet another release condition the contract lists.

Look for the cancellation schedule. Many contracts set a sliding charge that grows as the move-in date approaches, and some keep part of your housing deposit no matter when you cancel.

Read the section on what happens if you withdraw or take a leave of absence. Some contracts end when you leave the school, while others keep charging until the room is filled by another student.

Charges you can avoid

Most schools give you a room condition form when you move in. Fill it out carefully, note every scratch or stain, and take dated photos. At move-out, staff compare the room against that record, and anything new can be billed to you or shared among roommates.

Check the rules on lockouts, lost keys, cleaning and items left behind. These fees are usually small on their own but add up, and they often appear on your student account, where an unpaid balance can hold up registration.

Find these clauses first

• The contract term and release conditions
• The cancellation charge schedule
• Break housing and closing dates
• Any required meal plan
• The room condition process

Breaks, meals and room changes

Some halls close over winter break or between terms. If you need to stay on campus during those weeks, find out whether break housing exists, how to request it, and whether it carries an extra charge.

Many contracts tie your room to a required meal plan, and changing one can affect the other. Room changes usually wait until a set point in the term and need housing staff approval.

If you have a disability or medical need, ask about housing accommodations early. The disability services office reviews documentation and works with housing on rooms, equipment and assistance animals.