IDENTIFYING SCAMMERS It's peak Scam Season. The newest approach is to ask if your place is still available and would you send pictures. As always the request is accompanied by the usual explanations why they want to rent sight unseen. Don't send pictures.

The "Grace Martins" scam is also making the rounds again, as are the usual other variations of the "my father is going to send you a check" to hold an apartment scam. There is usually a heart wrenching and seemingly plausible story offered. They're all scams. Just forward them along. I'll add them to the Scammers List.

As we approach the end of the spring term there will be an uptick in scams from folks who claim to be coming to the University to do "research". Ask them for their academic department and for the name of the faculty member they're working with. Most will not answer this direct question. Forward these "suspect" emails to OCSS@sacl.umass.edu and report them to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Click here for the list of Recently Reported Scammers

UMass Amherst Residential Life Dean of Students Off Campus Student Center

Landlord/Tenant Assistance
Mon to Fri 8:30am - 5pm
Tel: (413) 577-2187
314 Student Union
Off Campus Student Services
Manager, Thea Costine
tcostine@umass.edu

Student Assistance (summer)
Mon. to Fri. 10am-2pm

OCSS Service Expectations
Exceptions to these standards will be noted in the lime green NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS box. Unless otherwise noted, customers can expect the following:

Monday - Thursday

  • Acknowledgment of voice and email messages sent in 48 hours.
  • Rental listing status acknowledgment sent in 24 hours.
  • Housemate/Tenant Profiles posted the same day if submitted by 5pm, otherwise posted on Saturday.

Friday

  • Acknowledgement of voice and email messages sent the next business day.
  • Rental listing status acknowledgment sent same day if submitted by 1pm, otherwise sent on Saturday.
  • Housemate/Tenant Profiles posted the same day if submitted by 5pm, otherwise posted on Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday

  • Rental listings and Profiles will be acknowledged at least once each weekend day. Other communications submitted on Saturday and Sunday will be acknowledged by the end of the day Tuesday.

Email: OCSS@sacl.umass.edu

INFORMATION FOR UMASS STUDENTS Are you planning to live off campus? Have you already signed a lease? Take the MOVING OFF CAMPUS OWL training. Read more...

INFORMATION FOR FAMILY MEMBERS Are you talking to your student about living off campus? Has your student already signed a lease? Read more...

INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS As leases expire we ask that you require your UMass Amherst student tenants to take the MOVING OFF CAMPUS OWL training as part of your application or lease renewal process. Read more...

INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS The University created the MOVING OFF CAMPUS OWL training for students who will live off campus in the greater Amherst community. Read more...

Tobacco-free UMass Amherst starting July 1, 2013

LOOKING FOR HOUSING?

  • The good ones go quickly. Not seeing what you want? Follow UMOCSS on Twitter and see every rental as soon as it's posted to the website.

LOOKING FOR HOUSEMATES or Tenants?

  • Search Housemates/Tenants or Submit a Profile so housemates can find you.

Having Housemate Issues? As the end of the year approaches, many of you report having housemate issues. We suggest you talk to the Student Legal Services Office. In addition to helping with a Housemate Agreement, they can suggest other ways to help you work things out.

Moving Out for Good? Did you pay a SECURITY DEPOSIT?
Make sure you make a written request for the return of your security deposit. Your landlord has 30 days to act on that request. Contact the Student Legal Services Office if you have questions about the return of your security deposit.

Moving In? Protect your Security Deposit. It's your money! Your landlord has 30 days to provide a receipt with information about where your Security Deposit is being held. Contact the Student Legal Services Office if you did not receive this information from your landlord.

Curious about who else uses UMOCSS.org?

Most University of Massachusetts Amherst students who live off campus will have one or more housemates. Searching for a housemate is both an important and exciting undertaking. Sometimes it can feel a bit daunting. If you're wondering how best to approach the task of choosing someone to join your household, click the Additional Resources link to the left and select the Choosing a Housemate Checklist. It will give you some tips, some ideas about questions to ask, guidelines for determining the "rules" for your household, and some ideas about resolving the inevitable conflicts that will arise during your time together.

If you don't have housing, we encourage you to submit a Housemate/Tenant Profile. Landlords actively search for prospective tenants from among the many Profiles submitted.

If you don't have housing and want help submitting a Housemate/Tenant Profile enter click the Website Help link to the left and select How to Manage Your Housemate/Tenant Profile from the list of Help documents.

The information offered by Off Campus Student Services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is for the benefit of students, faculty, and staff who live in the private rental market. The University assumes no responsibility for situations arising from the use of the provided information or forms.