West Virginia University students preparing to move off campus are invited to learn about housing options at off-campus housing fairs in January.

The fairs will take place Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms and Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Blue and Gold Room at Lyon Tower.

The event is hosted each semester by the Office of Campus and Community Life to help students start thinking about options for next semester. More than 40 area landlords and property managers will be on hand to talk to students about rental needs and to make appointments to see rental properties. Representatives from WVU Student Legal Services, Off-Campus Housing, the Morgantown Fire Department and City Code Enforcement will also be present at the fair.

“Students at WVU have so many options available to them. The fairs are good opportunities to explore those options and get a feel for the different properties available to them within their budget,” said Brian Walker, off-campus housing director with the Office of Student Life.

Walker said the first priority for students should be establishing a budget for housing that includes the cost of utilities, travel and other personal expenses.

Safety should also be a main focus for students when looking for a place to live, Walker said, adding that students should make sure that all the windows in the property lock for safety purposes and open in case of a fire. Walker also suggests students carefully examine door locks and make sure they have deadbolts on exterior doors.

More information on off-campus housing can be found online at http://campuslife.wvu.edu/off_campus_housing.

-WVU-

ta/01/13/15

CONTACT: Brian Walker, Office of Campus and Community Life
304-293-5611, Brian.Walker@mail.wvu.edu

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