Finding a place to live can be overwhelming, but it is also one of the most important decisions you will make here. As a spouse, your house is your “home base” and where you will be spending a lot of your time. To aid you in this search, the Ross Housing Department conducts tours of housing options at the beginning of each semester. Be aware that some “school-approved” apartments and landlords are not necessarily nice places to live and are not necessarily nice landlords to have.   What they show you on the tour does not include each vacancy. If you are not happy with any of the apartments you visit, you do not have to agree to a place before you have searched other options. Many landlords advertise on campus with flyers. Also, if you ask students and spouses that you meet about housing, they may have information on vacancies you did not see on the housing tour.

Most places around campus are approved by Ross. If they are not, make sure to check and recheck their contract and ask a lot of questions about the place and policies. This is because Ross Housing will not help you if you have trouble with an apartment that is not on the housing list. What is most important, whether you choose an apartment/house on the tour or not, is to ask a lot questions about the place. Take notes on places that interest you, if needed. Do not be afraid to talk to tenants at those places. People are very vocal about this subject – take the hints! If you are warned against places, there is usually good reason. For example, you be be advised to stay away from particular apartments, because they do not return your deposit when you leave. 

Also, know what you would like in a place before you go looking for one. Many places do not have such options as bars on windows, backup generator, cable included in rent, etc., so you must decide what is most important to you and search for a place with those amenities. When you do find an attractive place, make sure you know exactly what is included in the package and that your landlord draws up a written contract or renters statement that will illustrate exactly what he expects from you and what you can expect from him. Ross designed contracts are available at Ross University Housing if your prospective Landlord does not have their own statement. (Just becasue a Landlord signs a Ross contract does not mean they are Ross approved.)

If you have questions or concerns, contact Ross University Housing, (767)255-6329 ext. 6262.   

The following is some housing advice from the faculty spouses:

Things to look for in addition to your own personal needs.Absolutely need!·         Ceiling fans (air conditioning can be nice, especially close to Portsmouth)·         Burglar bars on windows and doors – VERY important·         110/220 option·         Hot water – make sure it works, which faucet(s) it is connected to·         Screens on windows – VERY important·         Phone and/or cable hook up·         Appliances – present and in working order….check on this Other things to check on:

• If furnished – what does that mean?  Which things are included?  Ask for specifics
• Washer possible hook-up? (some places possible others not) Dryers? (there are a few on island, but it makes for an expensive electrical bill)
• Is there a previous tenant to talk to?
• Is the landlord on island or how will repairs, problems, etc. be handled?
• What else is included in the rent?  Some landlords are willing to include the water and TV cable, but if you don’t ask, they won’t include it.  Who pays for the extras and how?
• Back-up water tank available? (especially close to school. Water service is disrupted often)
• Water pressure, if bad will they put in a pump?
• If near Portsmouth, is there a back-up generator?
• Is there a cleaning lady included?  If not, do they know of one who is available?
• Drive by a night and listen….are the dogs, roosters, etc. at a level you can handle?
• Who cares for the road (leading to the property) and how often is it worked upon?
• What about garbage?  Is there a can to put the garbage in outside of the house?  How often is it picked up?

When you do find an attractive place, make sure you know exactly what is included in the package and that your landlord draws up a written contract or renters statement that will illustrate exactly what he expects from you and what you can expect from them. Common things that you have to pay for in addition to rent:

• Cable - $57.50EC per month – often included within the rent
• Phone – landline and internet (cannot have internet without a landline).  Deposit on a landline is $1000.00 (ec).  Some landlords will set this up for you under their name and you just pay the phone bill when it comes in.
• Electricity and Gas – This is expensive.  Using air conditioning will have a HUGE effect on the total bill.  It’s approximately about 1.00 per KW used
• Water – is pretty cheap – often included wihin the rent

Rents are in constant flux.  Generally much higher the closer to school.  They depend on the amenities, location and your landlord.  Talk to current students/faculty and locals (cab drivers) about current rates.  Feel free to negotiate !! 

NOTE TO STUDENTS:Note to unmarried couples: Some landlords will charge extra for couples that are not married. (You will be considered roommates.) So, you may want to let them assume you are married. NOTE TO FACULTY:We recommend that you stay in temporary housing initially….which is up to 1 month allowed by Housing Department.  If coming for the September semester, shipping is very unpredictable due to the hurricane season.  With none of your stuff, having a place of your own can be difficult. 

If you have questions or concerns, contact Ross University’s housing director, Joy Adrien, at jadrien@rossmed.edu.dm.  or Ross University’s housing supervisor, Natalie Watty, at nwatty@rossmed.edu.dm Some sponsors are willing to check out a place you are interested in and/or take pictures for you. If you would like to be assigned a sponsor please email rossspousesorg@gmail.com and introduce yourself, your significant other, your children (if applicable), and where you are from.