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Timeline 

• Begin your search at least 30-60 days before you need to move. 

Touring 

• Always call or message before visiting the housing option you would like to explore. In most cases you will be required to schedule a tour ahead of time.  

Budget, Fees, and Security Deposits  

• How much can you afford without breaking the bank? Be sure to include the cost of amenities, fees, and a security deposit (where applicable) when making your budget. Any fees or additional expenses can contribute to the total cost of monthly rent. 
• This can be a helpful resource in estimating total housing and living expenses.
• Possible Monthly Expenses: 
  • Utilities and fees 
  • Transportation 
  • Groceries, including food and household staples 
  • Internet and Wi-Fi  
  • Renters and other types of insurance 
  • Entertainment and personal expenses 
  • Is there an application fee?  
  • Is there a security deposit? 
• The 30% Rule is commonly used by individuals to estimate the cost of rent while budgeting:  
  • The 30% Rule: The 30% rule suggests that you should not spend more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. However, this rule serves as a starting point and may not be suitable for everyone, as it will need to be adjusted based on individual financial situations and the presence of others living in the household. 
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  • The federal government also offers resources to identify housing options, which includes finding affordable housing, HUD field and regional offices, the Public Housing Agency (PHA), Multifamily and Public Housing locations, homeless coordinated entry system points of contact, USDA Rural Housing.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is determined by a student's program type, enrollment, residency status, and living arrangement. The COA includes both direct (billed) and indirect (not billed) costs associated with a student's program. Students can view their Cost of Attendance by logging into SURFS, navigating to the Financial Aid Dashboard, and selecting the Award Offer tab. 

For additional information please visit the University Student Financial Assistance website or email aidtalk@umaryland.edu 

Location 

• How important is proximity to the University and UMB resources?  

Landlord Requirements 

• Some landlords might have income requirements, so research what they expect from potential tenants. 
• Is a credit check required? Is a guarantor required? 

Amenities   

• What appliances are important to you? 
• Is it important that you live in a community with access to a gym? What are the hours? Does it cost extra to use? 
• Is the apartment or house furnished or unfurnished?  
• What parking options exist?  
• What is the cost of parking?  
• Is a parking permit required? 
• Are there covered or reserved spaces? 
• Will you need to rely on finding street parking?  
• Is the property on the UMB Shuttle or Safe Ride/Safe Walk routes?  
• Do you have a preference regarding the location of your laundry facilities?
  • Are there hook-ups for washers and dryers in the apartments? 
  • If not, does the unit or property have a laundry facility? How much does it cost to wash and dry clothes? 
• Is there on-site recycling? 
• How accessible is the home? 
• How are repairs handled? 

Utilities  

• What utilities are included in the rent? What utilities are the tenants responsible for paying? Are all units individually metered for their utilities? 
• The provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. Energy assistance will not reduce the amount of any other public assistance benefits you receive, such as TCA or SNAP. Nor will it reduce Social Security benefits. 

Moving Assistance Programs and Resources 

• Every call is completely confidential. Your local 211 is the best resource for help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage, or utility bills and to stay in your home. You can call 211 to speak with someone immediately, or to find more contact information. Be ready to answer a few questions about your current living situation, any income you have, and any children or other dependents who live with you. 
• Catholic Charities is among the nation’s largest providers of safe, decent, affordable housing. They believe that access to housing is a human right, one that upholds the dignity of all people.    
• Military and Veteran  Housing Resources 
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  • VA Housing Assistance 
• The Salvation Army provides emergency services, including food, clothing, shelter, a safe space, and a hopeful word to everyone who needs it.  
• USDA’s Rural Housing Service offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. VA housing assistance can help Veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home or refinance a loan. They can also offer benefits and services to help you build, improve, or keep your current home. 

Roommates   

• Most people at some point in their lives have a roommate. This is a fantastic way to save money on the total cost of rent and other expenses.  
• Living with others can be challenging. Make sure you talk about your social, sleeping, and study/work habits before signing a lease with a roommate/s. Be sure to learn a lot about your potential roommate(s) to learn if you are compatible to live together before you sign a lease. These discussions and roommate agreements can help set you/roommate(s) up for success and prevent disagreements from the start.  
• How To Find a Roommate 
  • Connect with your program's Director or Student Affairs Dean to connect with others who are pursuing the same degree as you. 
  • Give yourself time to find a roommate(s), it can take longer than expected.  
  • Utilize social media: Baltimore and the surrounding areas have many Facebook groups dedicated to looking for roommates. 
  • Some rental properties rent by room and will place others in the same unit. 
  • Ask friends, family, and co-workers if they know anyone. 

Children 

• and bus transportation to school: For many families, school districts matter when it comes to finding a home. Another consideration when looking at schools is transportation to and from the school. Not all school districts in Maryland have school buses, so the family will be responsible for children getting to and from school. These needs are unique to every family.  
• : Researching extracurricular options, pools, parks, trails, and recreation centers in the area can help parents get an idea of what is available for children outside of normal school hours.  
• : The Maryland Family Network provides a free referral service affiliated with all of Maryland’s regulated childcare providers. Trained specialists can help you identify childcare based on program type, location, and cost. The Family Network webpage, LOCATE, enables families to find childcare either via telephone or online. LOCATE can also be used to find programs specifically geared toward Spanish-speaking families. 

Pets, Service Animals, and Emotional Support Animals  

• Fees, Monthly Rent, and Deposits: It is not uncommon for landlords to charge an additional fee, rent, or deposit for tenants who have pets. Check State guidelines for rules regarding Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Service Animals. Renters can be held responsible for any damage to the property that the pet, ESA, or Service Animal might cause. If you are considering or you already have a pet, ESA, Service Animal, make sure you account for these possible costs in your housing budget.  
• Restrictions on breeds and size: It is not uncommon for a landlord to place restrictions on the type, size, or breed of an animal that can live on the property. 
• Service Animals: Maryland law, like the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), protects individuals with disabilities who use Service Animals in housing. Landlords are generally required to allow Service Animals in rental units, even if they have a "no pets" policy. This is considered a reasonable accommodation under the FHA. You cannot be charged extra for having a Service Animal, except for damage(s) caused by the animal. 
• Emotional Support Animals: Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for ESAs, similar to Service Animals. You can be charged for damages caused by the ESA, but not for having it. 

• Resources and information about both Service Animals and ESAs.

Baltimore City Tenant’s Guidebook 

• Live Baltimore is a nationally recognized, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to recruit and retain Baltimore City residents. We do this by gathering resources, simplifying information, and offering firsthand knowledge about city life. 

• 311 connects Baltimore citizens, businesses, and visitors with a vast array of city services, programs, and information through a live agent-assisted phone call or through the self-service web or mobile portal. 311 allows customers to report a problem, request a service, check the status of a previously submitted service request, and obtain information regarding City programs or events. 

Baltimore Facebook Groups 

• Individuals have created Facebook Groups geared towards helping individuals find rentals and sublets. Be aware of possible scams and do your own research before making a financial payment or signing a lease. 
• City of Baltimore : Social groups, such as those for parents and caregivers of young children, make meeting neighbors easy and fun! 

• Neighborhood associations are organizations that assist residents in advocating for their needs based on their home address. 

Utilities in Baltimore City 

• In Baltimore City, residents need to be aware of utility services provided by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) for water and wastewater, as well as for trash and recycling collection. The DPW also manages the city's water supply and wastewater treatment systems.   
• Water and Wastewater:  
  • Baltimore City DPW provides these services, and residents can find information on billing, rates, and payment options on their website. Bills are typically issued quarterly, and residents can view their accounts online through the self-service portal. 
• Trash and Recycling:  
  • The DPW is responsible for these services, including collection schedules, recycling guidelines, and program details. 
• (BGE) 
  • BGE Residential — Start, stop, or transfer your service to a new location all online. No need to call. Start new services or add a service location to your current account. Learn more. Schedule Service. 
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  • Full-time college students who live in the City of Baltimore and apply for a one-time grant are automatically approved to receive assistance to pay their BGE bill. 
  • Grants range from $25-$2000. The funds are applied directly to an individual’s BGE bill. If a student receives funding above their bill balance, they will carry a credit that can be used to cover another month’s bill within the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Students can reapply every year. 
  • The process for students who live with family members would require providing additional information. Students who have roommates do not have to provide additional information about non-family members living in the house. 

• The Baltimore Collegetown Network brings 14 area colleges and universities together with government, business, and community leaders to strengthen the links among the city’s educational, cultural, and community institutions. 

• Baltimore City’s Mass Notification System 

Lease Terms 

• How long of a lease are you interested in signing? 
• Is subletting allowed? 
• What are their lease and cancellation policies? What fees are involved in the breach of a lease? 
• How long is the lease? Start date? End date? 
• Is the lease collective (all roommates are responsible for the rent to be paid in full, so if someone moves out, everyone else picks up their share) or individual (you pay for your portion of the apartment regardless of another roommate’s status)? 
• Do you have a pause/freeze policy? 
• Can I get a copy of the lease and any rules/regulations before I make my decision? 
• Will you be able to pick up the keys on the first day of the lease? 
• When is the rent due? 
• How much are the late fees, and when are they applied? 
• What forms of payment does the landlord accept for rent and other costs associated with renting the home? Is there a service fee if you pay using a credit card, a check, or for electronic bank account transactions?   
• Will a deadline extension be granted for a financial aid delay? 

Short-Term Leasing Needs 

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Recommended Resources 
  • A student-run website that helps medical students find and post sublets while doing away rotations at hospitals around the country. It provides Google-mapped results, public transportation directions, panoramic street views, and more. 
  • : A housing platform where individuals rent rooms to international students. It originally started as a platform where outgoing exchange students could rent their rooms when they went abroad. Incoming exchange students can rent these rooms.  
• Baltimore Facebook Groups 
  • Individuals have created Facebook Groups geared towards helping individuals find rentals and sublets. Be aware of possible scams and do your own research before making a financial payment or signing a lease.  

Subletting versus Subleasing 

• A sublet is when a tenant finds a new renter to replace the tenant, and the new renter signs a new lease with the landlord. Subleasing is when you occupy the space without signing a lease directly with the landlord; this might look like paying the original tenant, and they pay the landlord. Make sure you read your lease when considering this option to make sure it is allowed before proceeding. 
• These can be great options for individuals who don’t want to break a lease or are looking for a shorter duration to rent. 

Crime Statistics  

• For information on neighborhood crime statistics in the City of Baltimore, visit the . 
• Baltimore City’s neighborhoods are grouped into community statistical areas (CSAs) to ensure consistent data reporting. To explore these CSAs, visit  https://bniajfi.org/mapgallery/gallery-csa-reference-maps/  
• Individuals not living in Baltimore City can check out crime statistics from the police department or official city resources in the area you're considering.

• Use this to learn more about Baltimore’s neighborhoods. It’s here to help you find important information about the city. Browse by Topic: You can also browse layers by topic, such as Baltimore City Historic Districts, Storm Map Gallery, and Bus Routes. Just pick a topic, and CityView will show you all related layers to add to your map.  

UMB Police and Public Safety 

• The Íøºì±¬ÁÏ, Baltimore Department of Police and Public Safety’s mission is to promote a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We provide professional public safety services ethically and fairly through education, engagement, and collaboration. We adhere to the Core Values of the Íøºì±¬ÁÏ, Baltimore. Emergencies: 911 Non-Emergencies on the UMB Campus: 410-706-6882 

UMB Shuttle   

• If you are considering options outside of downtown, we recommend checking the UMB Shuttle routes convenient public transportation option. Faculty, staff, affiliates, and postdocs will be charged a fee of $1.75 per ride using their OneCard. 
• UMB students pay a shuttle fee as part of their tuition, which covers unlimited rides on the UM Shuttle—no need to pay per trip.

Safe Ride/Safe Walk 

• The Safe Ride Program provides transportation from 7 am to 1 am within the boundaries of the Safe Walk/Safe Ride map. Safe Ride is for UMB/UMMC students and employees only. All riders must be 18+ and are required to have a UMB ID or UMMC ID. To request a Safe Ride, please request a ride through the Mobile UMB app or call 410-706-6882 
• Safe Walk is a public safety service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year within the boundaries on the Safe Walk/Safe Ride map. Please call 410-706-6882 to request a Safe Walk. 

Mobile UMB App 

• Put UMB in the palm of your hand. Our free mobile app offers you the UMB experience on the go. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play now.

Parking and Transportation  

• Please visit UMB’s Parking and Transportation page for more information on student, employee, resident, and visitor parking. The school also supports a variety of alternative transportation options including public transportation, bike parking, carpooling, and electric vehicle charging.  In addition to parking on campus or taking public transportation, there is a UMB shuttle available to students as well as a SafeRide/SafeWalk program. 
• Students living elsewhere may utilize the Commuter Option program, which offers three different plans. 

Student Pantry 

• The UMB Student Pantry assists with facilitating students' access to nutritionally rich snacks and meals and is open to all UMB students. 

Emergency Funds 

• We hope your experience at UMB is free of hardship, but we understand that some students may face financial emergencies. Each School provides the Student Emergency Fund (SEF) for currently enrolled students who are experiencing a serious financial hardship due to a sudden or unforeseen event that requires additional emergency monetary assistance.

Student Health Center  

• Student Health strives to meet the health care needs of students. 

Student Counseling Center  

• Provides short-term, professional counseling and psychiatric services for currently enrolled full-time and part-time UMB students. 

URecFit and Wellness  

• University Recreation Fitness and Wellness exists to support UMB students and the community in the pursuit of well-being. 

For information on employee resources such as Employee Moving and Relocation Expenses, Live Near Your Work, Employee Discounts, the UMB Child Care Grant, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more check out UMB Human Resources Webpage.  

Child Care Grant for UMB Faculty, Staff, and Postdocs Only

• The State of Maryland provides fair housing throughout the State to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, source of income, or military status. 

Navigating Landlords Issues

• – Maryland Attorney General 

Residential Eviction Prevention Resources 

• Federal Resources   
• : Provides information about renting rights and responsibilities 
• Maryland Emergency Rental Assistance 1-800-756-0119. (This site also has links to local/county rental assistance programs.) 

2-1-1 Maryland  

• Get help with food, housing, utility assistance, and other essential health and human services. Call 2-1-1, and the staff will connect you with rental assistance (also available ).