Fall 2020 off-campus students should review the Academic Year COVID-19 Recommendations and the Eagles Care Pledge.
All students living off campus must adhere to MA COVID-19 Order No. 46 requiring they wear a face covering with limited exceptions in private and public spaces, including backyards. The Eagles Care Pledge also requires to wear a mask at all times absent physical distancing.
COVID-19 Information Specific to Off-Campus Housing
- There are new features on the Off-Campus Housing Database that virtually allow you to see a space before signing onto a lease; listings may now have up to 100 photos and accompanying videos.
- HERE you can find screenshots illustrating these updated features.
- Coordinate with landlords and/or real estate agents to provide a live virtual viewing via FaceTime, Google Meets, Zoom, etc., or have them provide photos or pre-recorded video of a tour of each space.
Advocate for a "Worry-Free" clause to be included in your lease. There are two kinds of "Worry Free" clauses:
- Students and their co-signers would have the option of leaving the lease.
- Students and their co-signers would have their monthly rent reduced.
In addition to the resources listed in the “How can students who have already signed leases financially protect themselves?” section, the following resources may or may not apply to you:
- Eviction Suspension: No tenant can be evicted from their space for late payments through October 17, 2020 or 45 days from the lifting of the MA state of emergency, whichever is first, except in emergency cases unrelated to payment. This does not mean that tenants won’t be sent to eviction court for late payments, but simply that they would not be forced to move out before the end of the moratorium. A separate notice must be sent for each late rent payment.
- Utility Shut-Off Suspension: No utilities are to be shut off due to late payment for the duration of the state of emergency. All payments will be due after the emergency has ended, however. Students should work with their utility providers to arrange alternative payment plans, if necessary.
- RAFT Program: This program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income and/or increase in expenses.
- Food Resources During COVID-19: From the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Contact
Office: Maloney Hall 413
(Currently Working Remotely)
Phone: 617-552-3075
(Leave Voicemail for a Returned Call)
Email: offcampus@bc.edu
Facebook: fb.com/BCOffCampus/
Twitter: @BC_OffCampus
Instagram: @BC_OffCampus
Blogger: bcoffcampus.blogspot.com