Temple University Students' Guide To Off-Campus Housing Finance

Temple University offers a range of off-campus housing options for students who prefer to live independently in the city. The Off-Campus Living support team at the University Housing and Residential Life division is dedicated to helping students make informed decisions about where to live and how to succeed in the area surrounding the campus. The University's website offers a range of resources, including the ability to view and filter rental listings, search for roommates, and access the message board for various topics. Additionally, Temple University introduced the Best Nest Program, which certifies off-campus properties within the Temple patrol zone that meet specific safety and security criteria, as well as good neighbour criteria. Students can also expect support from the Off-Campus Living Fairs, providing them with the necessary guidance for their transition to off-campus housing.

Temple University's off-campus housing website

Getting Started

To get started with finding off-campus housing, students can visit Temple University's Off-Campus Housing Website at offcampus.temple.edu. Here, students can register and log in to search for housing or roommates, view available rentals, and connect with landlords. The website also provides resources for students to learn more about off-campus living, including information on the various Philadelphia neighbourhoods and transportation options.

Best Nest Program

Temple University's Best Nest Program is a self-certification program for off-campus properties within the Temple patrol zone that meet additional safety, security, and good neighbour criteria. These properties are identified on the off-campus housing website with either a cherry or a diamond badge, depending on which criteria they meet. Students can filter their housing search to only show Best Nest properties and can also leave reviews for other students to view.

Lease and Contract Information

It is important to remember that housing contracts are legally binding agreements. Students should only sign a lease for the amount of time they plan to stay in Philadelphia and are responsible for the entire duration of the lease, even if they are studying at Temple for just one semester.

Contact Information

The Off-Campus Living support team has a physical office located at 1910 Liacouras Walk and can be contacted by phone at 215-204-7184 option #2 or by email at offcampus@temple.edu. Their operating hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Off-Campus Living Fairs

Temple University also hosts Off-Campus Living Fairs to provide additional support and information for students considering off-campus living.

The Best Nest Program

Resources and Tools

Best Nest Properties

The program identifies and certifies properties that meet specific criteria within Temple's patrol zone. These properties are listed on the university's off-campus housing website, making it easy for students to find housing options that prioritize their safety and well-being. The website includes tenant reviews, providing first-hand accounts of living in these residences, and landlords are encouraged to self-certify that they meet the required criteria.

Cherry and Diamond Badges

Best Nest properties are awarded either a Cherry or a Diamond badge, indicating their level of compliance with the program's standards. The Cherry Badge focuses on crime prevention and is awarded to properties with valid landlord licenses, adequate insurance, outdoor lighting, and outdoor cameras with retrievable video footage. The Diamond Badge, considered the highest badge, builds on the Cherry Badge requirements and recognizes landlords who go above and beyond in being good neighbors. To qualify for the Diamond Badge, properties must have minimal noise and trash violations and provide sufficient trash cans, recycling bins, and storage space.

Benefits of the Program

The program is a valuable resource for students, especially freshmen and those new to the process of renting houses. By using the tools and resources provided, students can confidently navigate the off-campus housing market and find suitable accommodations that meet their needs and priorities.

Renting options and prices

Students at Temple University have a variety of off-campus renting options. The university's website provides a platform for students to search for rentals, roommates, and sublets, as well as a message board for various other purposes. The website also features a self-certification program called the Best Nest Program, which identifies properties that meet additional safety and security standards set by the university and are located within the Temple patrol zone. These properties are marked with either a cherry or diamond badge, and students can filter their search to only show these rentals. The university also hosts off-campus living fairs to help students make informed decisions about their living arrangements.

Another option for students is Temple Villas, which provides student-friendly housing at multiple locations close to the Temple campus. Students can choose to live independently in the city while still being surrounded by fellow students. Temple Villas allows students to submit their requirements and then provides rentals that match those criteria.

While most students live near the Main Campus, others choose to live in other areas of Philadelphia that are well-connected to the campus via public transportation. It is important to remember that housing contracts are legally binding, so students should only sign a lease for the duration they plan to stay in Philadelphia.

The Off-Campus Living support team

In addition to the online resources, the Off-Campus Living support team hosts events such as the Off-Campus Living Fair, providing students with an opportunity to learn more about their off-campus housing options and connect with landlords. The team also offers guidance on important considerations when living off-campus, such as safety, neighbourly relations, and lease agreements.

For students who are new to renting, the Off-Campus Living support team can provide valuable assistance in understanding the rental process and making informed decisions. They can help students navigate the Temple University Off-Campus Housing Website, which offers a centralized platform to search for housing options near the Main Campus. The team also emphasizes the importance of considering transportation options and lease duration, especially for those studying at Temple for a single semester.

Overall, the Off-Campus Living support team at Temple University is committed to ensuring that students have the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their off-campus housing options. They provide a range of services, from online resources to in-person events, and are dedicated to supporting students throughout their off-campus living experience.

Temple University's Landlord Self-Certification program

The Best Nest Program has two levels of certification for properties: Cherry and Diamond. To be eligible for the Cherry level, properties must meet the following criteria:

• Valid and current landlord rental license
• Adequate outdoor lighting (defined as having light that illuminates at least two feet of its immediate surrounding area and illuminates the ground surface beneath it)
• Outdoor cameras with retrievable video footage

To achieve the Diamond level, properties must meet the Cherry criteria and additional requirements:

• No current "unsafe" L&I code violations
• Minimal noise violations in the past year (maximum of 2x per leasing year)
• Minimal trash violations in the past year (maximum of 2x per leasing year)
• Landlord must provide enough trash cans, recycling bins, and storage space for these receptacles, ensuring that trash and recycling can be stored on the premises between pick-up days and not left on the street or sidewalk

Landlords who self-certify that their properties meet the Cherry or Diamond criteria are listed on Temple's off-campus housing website. These properties are identified with either a cherry or diamond badge, depending on the level of certification achieved. Students can use the website to filter for Best Nest properties and read tenant reviews.

The Best Nest Program provides students with valuable information and resources to make informed decisions about their off-campus housing options. It is important to note that while the program enhances students' choices for safe and secure off-campus housing, Temple University encourages students to prioritise on-campus housing or accommodations close to the campus that align with its safety profile for on-campus residences, including 24-hour controlled building access.

Frequently asked questions