Signing the Lease:
Your lease is a CONTRACT and is BINDING. It may be impossible to “change your mind” later without significant costs to you. If you move out prior to the end of the lease, you may be responsible for the remaining rent (the full 12 months), and/or you may be asked to assist the landlord in finding a new tenant. Many leases do not allow the tenant to sublease the apartment. (Subleasing is allowing someone else to live in your apartment and charging them rent that you then pay to the landlord.)
You can expect clauses regarding:
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Duration (ex: February 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010)
-
Where/when rent is due and form of payment accepted
-
Notice-of-termination provision (under what conditions the lease may be terminated)
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Responsibility for repairs (Who will fix the broken sink? Will it be done before I move in? What does “as is” mean?)
Make sure you know what is or is not included:
-
Utilities (gas, electricity, water/sewer, phone, TV cable)
-
Repairs (who will fix and PAY for a burst water pipe? Etc.)
-
Parking (Is parking assigned? Does it cost extra?)
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Trash/Recycling (How often and where is trash collected? Is there a charge?)
-
Make sure you know what is or is not allowed:
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Pets, number of occupants, quiet hours, limitations on activities
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Applications cannot be denied based on:
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Race, sex/gender, national origin, age
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Know who to call in the event of an emergency. Get the landlord’s name, address, email address and telephone number.
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Inspect the property carefully before you sign the lease. Take plenty of time to check EVERYTHING. Check the working condition of windows, appliances, water taps and drains, heating and cooling systems, security systems and locks, etc. Have repairs made before you move in or document the repairs that are needed.
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Protect your security deposit. Most landlords require that you put down a security deposit. This amount of money is often the value of one or two months rent. This deposit can be withheld from you if you do not meet the conditions that are outlines in the lease. New Jersey law regulates how much of the security deposit a landlord may collect and when the deposit must be returned to the tenant.
-
Prepare to comply with the termination provision. Try to get a lease for the exact period of time you need the housing. Understand the policy about subleasing. When you are planning to move out, give the proper amount of notification (one month, two months, etc.) to the landlord.
-
Pay your rent in full and on time. Be sure to find out how and where to pay the rent (By mail? In person? Personal check? Money Order?)
-
Be prepared for accidents. Have the landlord correct small problems such as wiring and loose rugs. Obtain renters insurance for theft and damage.
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Know your rights. You have the right to privacy, quiet enjoyment, a habitable home, nondiscrimination, and to express your opinions in an appropriate manner.
Adapted for use with permission of The Office of International Education at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mail
Mail can be posted at the Post Office or put into blue postal boxes located on-campus and in most residential areas. Both domestic and international stamps can be purchased at the bookstore or at the local post office.
Teaneck: Hackensack New Milford
751 Palisade Avenue 226 State Street 1055 River Road
(201) 836-6912 (201) 646-9736 (201) 692-3951
Addressing mail Do’s and Don’ts:
DO
- A. Put the correct postage on the upper right corner of the envelope.
- B. Include your return address on the upper left corner of the envelope.
- C. Include the name of the country if mailing outside the US.
DON’T
- A. Use foreign characters.
- B. Use only a first name.
There are many ways to send packages, other than through the Post Office, including: UPS, DHL, and FEDEX. Rates can vary. When shipping overseas, inquire about Air Cargo. Depending on the destination, size and weight of the box, this could be less expensive.
Below are the locations of several shipping companies:
FEDEX DHL UPS
80 E Atlantic St 100 Wesley St. 492 C Cedar Lane
Hackensack South Hackensack Teaneck
(201) 880-9625 800) 225-5345 (201) 836-8777
Entertainment
Check with the Information Booth in the Student Union Building to find out what is happening on-campus. You should also look out for flyers on the various bulletin boards located around campus. The Equinox, the campus newspaper, is also a good source of information for campus happenings.
For off-campus entertainment in New Jersey and New York City, check local newspapers. The Friday edition and the Sunday Arts and Leisure section of the New York Times give a listing of different events going on in New York City.
The Wednesday edition of the Bergen Record has a Community section, which lists local community events. The Friday edition has a Previews section, which lists different events going on in the New Jersey and New York area.
The Thursday edition of the Star Ledger has a local community calendar, and the Friday edition has a statewide weekend calendar.
Movie Theaters:
Many theaters have discount rates for “First Shows” or “Twilight Shows” which start around 4pm. Check the local paper or call the theater for the current listing of movies, times and cost. Some theaters offer discounts to students when you show a valid student ID card. Below are some of the movie theaters in the area.
Cedar Lane Cinemas
503 Cedar Lane
Teaneck
(201) 836-3334
|
AMC Loews
75 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, NJ
(888) 262-4386
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AMC Garden State 16
Garden State Plaza Mall
Rte 4 & 17
Paramus
(973) 614-0644
|
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Some useful links for checking show times, online ticketing and reading movie reviews:
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www.fandango.com
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www.amcentertainment.com
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www.flixster.com
Outdoor Activities and Sports:
Bergen County Zoo and Park
Van Saun Park
260 Forest Avenue
Paramus
(201) 262-3771
Ringwood State Park
1304 Floatsburg Rd.
Ridgewood
(973) 962-7031
| State Parks
Liberty State Park
Jersey City
(201) 915 3400
www.libertystatepark.com
Ramapo Mt. State Forest
Oakland
(973) 962-7031
| Skiing
Campgaw Mountain Ski Resort
Mahwah
(201) 327-7800
| Ice Skating & Roller Skating
Ice House
111 Midtown Bridge Rd. Hackensack
(201) 487-8444
(has an ice rink and a roller rink)
| Golf
Overpeck Golf Course
Foot of E. Cedar Lane
Teaneck
(201) 837-3029
| Bowling
Bowler City
85 Midtown Bridge Approach
Hackensack
(201) 343-3545
| YMCA
360 Main Street
Hackensack
(201) 487-6600
(has a swimming pool and a gym)
| Beaches
Belmar
www.njbelmar.com
Pt. Pleasant (Jenkinson’s Boardwalk)
http://www.jenkinsons.com
(Check website for directions)
|
Shopping Malls and Museums:
Malls:
Bergen Mall
Route 4 West and Forest Avenue
Paramus
(201) 845-4050
Garden State Plaza Mall
Intersection of Rt. 4 & 17
Paramus
(201) 843-2121
Paramus Park Mall
700 Paramus Park
Paramus
(201) 261-8000
Riverside Square Mall
Rt. 4 W & Hackensack Ave.
Hackensack
(201) 489-3606
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Museums :
New Jersey:
Aviation Hall of Fame
Teterboro
(201) 288-6344
Bergen Museum of Art and Science
25 East Salem Street
Hackensack
(201) 752-4333
New York:
Metropolitan Museum
of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
at 82nd Street
New York
(212) 535-7710
Museum of Natural History
Central Park West
and 79th Street
New York
(212) 769-5100
Guggenheim Museum
575 Broadway
at Prince Street
New York
(212) 423-3500
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