F-1 INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT
HOUSING GUIDE
2 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHERE TO START ......................................................................................................................................... 3
QUESTIONS TO ASK ....................................................................................................................................... 4
COMMON RENTAL TERMS .......................................................................................................................... 5
HOUSING OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Grays Pointe Condominiums ................................................................................................................................. 6
Extended Stay Hotel .................................................................................................................................................. 7
The Willows at Grayslake ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Pembrook Club Apartments .................................................................................................................................. 9
Live with an American Family ............................................................................................................................ 10
CORT Furniture Rental.......................................................................................................................................... 11
UNDERSTANDING HOW TO SIGN A LEASE .......................................................................................... 12
UNDERSTANDING LEASING POLICY ...................................................................................................... 13
What is expected of me as a tenant .................................................................................................................. 13
ELECTRICITY SERVICE ............................................................................................................................... 15
SECURITY DEPOSIT ..................................................................................................................................... 16
WHAT IS A SECURITY DEPOSIT .......................................................................................................................... 16
HOW TO PROTECT THE SECURITY DEPOSIT ................................................................................................. 16
HOW TO GET THE SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK ................................................................................................ 16
YOUR RIGHTS ................................................................................................................................................ 17
TENANT’S GENERAL RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................... 17
LANDLORD OBLIGATION ...................................................................................................................................... 18
BEING A GOOD ROOMMATE ..................................................................................................................... 19
HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOMMAATE ................................................................................................................... 19
TIPS FOR TENANTS ..................................................................................................................................... 20
OFF CAMPUS LIVING ................................................................................................................................... 22
BUDGET TIPS FOR STUDENTS ............................................................................................................................ 22
GETTING AROUND ....................................................................................................................................... 24
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................................. 24
HOUSING TRANSPORTATION FROM O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ......................................... 25
WHO TO CONTACT ...................................................................................................................................... 26
3 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
WHERE TO START
College of Lake County offers a variety of housing assistance options to
our international students. You are more than welcome to live where
you would like; however, we have worked with the following options to
ensure that they are prepared to help you be successful during your time
at CLC.
Our options include the Extended Stay Hotel, Grays Pointe
Condominium, The Willows at Grayslake, Grand Oaks Apartments, and
Pembrook Club Apartments. There are many choices of apartments
with different price ranges in which students can live independently, or
with roommates, and we encourage you to search for the best fit for
your lifestyle.
DID YOU
KNOW…
All students must ensure that their permanent and
local off-campus addresses, phone numbers, and
emergency contact in
formation are current at all
times. You are required BY LAW to keep this
information current with Lindsey Hobson,
your International Student Advisor.
Students can meet with our International
Student Adviser, Lindsey Hobson, to discuss the
housing process, and to find more information
about housing accommodations
Visit our office, e-mail jcushin[email protected] or
call: (847) 543-2733
4 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Think about the following questions as you begin your search for
housing:
1. What is your budget?
2. Do you want to have a roommate(s)?
3. Do you want/need furnished housing
(i.e.: bed, kitchen, washer/dryer) or
unfurnished housing?
4. How far do you expect/want to
commute to College of Lake County?
(Most students choose to be within
close proximity to campus/classes and
social activities.)
5. What resources might you need?
(i.e.: grocery stores, cafes, pharmacy, etc.)
6. How long will you need a place for?
(Most leases are 12 months although you
may also 6 month leases)
5 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
COMMON RENTAL TERMS
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Search for apartments on your own:
apartmentsearch.com
apartmentlist.com
apartments.com
trulia.com
A/C
Air Conditioning
LG
Util Incl
Utilities included –
usually water,
electricity and gas
BKR
Broker
LOC
W/D
Washer/Dryer
G/E
Gas and Electricity
MO
OSP
Off-Street Parking
HF BTH
Half Bath means a
bathroom with no
shower or bathtub
Ref
EFF
Efficiency/ Studio
rent.com
zumper.com
zillow.com
6 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS
Grays Pointe Condominiums
1900 Country Drive
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
www.grayspointcondoapartments.com
Contact: (847) 223-5100
Security deposit and lease required
One and two bedroom apartments
available ($850 and up)
Heated Pool, Tennis courts,
Basketball courts, Sand Volleyball court and Playgrounds,
Walking/Jogging path, Wetlands + Nature path, Controlled access with
Intercom, Balcony or Patio, Cable or Satellite, Courtyard, Extra Storage,
and minutes from Gurnee Mills Mall, grocery stores such as Jewel and
Walmart close by.
Parking
Community-Wide WiFi
Laundry Facilities
24 Hour Availability
Recycling
Courtyard and grill
Pond
7 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS
Flat Screen TVs in all rooms
Dining and cooking utensils provided
Close to College of Lake County (Vernon Hills Campus)
Extended Stay Hotel
215 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
http://www.extendedstayamerica.com
Contact: (847) 821 7101,
CVH@extendedstay.com
Single room - $1,110. Double room
(share with roommate) $1,410
Rate includes shuttle to campus,
Mon - Thur
Kitchen with refrigerator,
microwave, and stovetop
On-site guest laundry
Free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms
Free grab-and-go breakfast
8 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS
The Willows at Grayslake
http://www.willows-homes.com/
33601 N. Royal Oak Lane
Wildwood, Illinois 60030
Contact: (847) 548-5100
1 and 2 bedroom apartments available
($850 and up)
Security deposit and lease required
On PACE bus route – limited stops
Grand Oaks Apartments
http://www.grandoaks-homes.com/
36033 N. Grand Oaks
Gurnee, IL 60031
Contact: (847) 245-4400
1 and 2 bedroom apartments
available ($895 and up)
Security deposit and lease required
On PACE bus route – limited stops
9 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS
Pembrook Club Apartments
https://bhmanagement.com/communities
5389 Lezlie Lane
Gurnee, IL 60031
Contact: (847) 662-0420
1 and 2 bedroom apartments available
($1098 and up)
Security deposit and lease required
On PACE bus route – limited stops
10 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS
Live with an American Family!
Contact: Deboroah Best, [email protected], 815-721-5717
Our homestay experience is a secure, comfortable and enriching experience
for both hosts and guests. AHN-USA provides superior service and
experiences. Everything is managed online.
$820 per month with options to add on for a cost: meals,
airport transfer, kosher/halal meals, daily rides
24x7 professionally staffed emergency support
Hosts background checks
Online payment services
Airport transportation
11 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
FURNITURE OPTIONS
CORT Furniture Rental www.cort.com/student
Contact: Richard Highberger, (312) 545-3608, [email protected]
One bedroom packages starting at $99/month
Security deposits and leases are required and rental prices vary
Partnered with apartmentsearch.com which allows you to search for
apartments and book your rental furniture at the same time with 48-hour
delivery
12 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
UNDERSTANDING
HOW TO SIGN A LEASE
A lease is a legally binding agreement or contract between a property
owner/manager, “lessor” and a tenant, “lessee”. Once you pay rent and
have been given keys to access the premises, you have a lease. Written
leases are binding for the whole duration specified on the contract.
LEASE TERMS
SHORT TERM/
TEMPORARY
A short term lease is
one that is generally
only for one
semester. These
options are less
available.
ACADEMIC YEAR
An academic year
lease term is
generally for the
length of the
academic year
(August-May).
YEARLY LEASE
A yearly lease is one
which runs 12 full
months from the date
of signing. Generally
speaking this is the
most common lease
type available.
SUBLET
A sublet can be any
length term as you
are taking over a
portion of a lease
already signed by
another party.
1. How much is the security
deposit? (usually this is between
one to two months rent)
2. Will the rent go up after a while?
3. What will I do if I need to break
the lease or my plans change?
Before You Sign a Lease:
13 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
UNDERSTANDING
LEASING POLICY
What is expected of me as a tenant?
Generally, apartment complexes will have specific rules or regulations they
expect all members of their community to adhere to for the duration of their
lease.
You will be required to pay your monthly rent on time by the agreed upon rent
due day---usually within the first week of the month. If you are late on your rent
or bounce a check you may be required to pay any applicable fees.
You are responsible for returning the properly in a reasonable condition upon
the conclusion of your lease. This includes cleaning, maintaining, and making
every effort not to damage or willingly neglect the property.
Not taking on additional occupants into your unit without explicit permission of
your landlord or property owner.
Not creating safety hazards or disturbances for other community members or
the community at large.
Disposal of recycling and trash in an appropriate and timely manner as outlined
by your landlord or property manager.
UNDERSTANDING
LEASING POLICY
UTILITIES
Make sure the responsibilities regarding payment
of utilities are clearly outlined in the lease. If the
landlord is responsible for payment of utilities,
tenants are protected from utility shut off, if the
landlord fails to pay for the utility bills. The tenant
must pay the monthly bill to the utility company
and can deduct that amount from the rent.
RENT INCREASE
A landlord can increase rent by any amount
provided proper notification is given and no
violations of the housing code exist on the
premises. The landlord cannot raise the rent in
retaliation for the tenant exercising his/her rights.
POSSESSION OF PREMISES
A fair lease will specify that if unit is not ready for
occupancy because of reasons beyond the
landlord’s control, the tenant can either wait till it
is ready (and do not pay rent) or can terminate
lease and get the money back. Some leases ask the
tenant to wait for a number of days. In either case,
do not expect landlord to pay for storage or hotel
accommodation.
15 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
ELECTRICITY SERVICE
Electricity Service (ComEd) for CLC International
Students without a Social Security Number
Commonwealth Edison (also called ComEd) is a company that provides electricity in the Lake
County area. The following provides necessary steps to begin your ComEd service account:
1. Call ComEd Customer Service at 1.800.334.7661 and inform them of your intent to
begin service in your name. Unfortunately, without an SSN, you will not be able to set
up your electricity service by phone. You will have to go in person to a “Currency
Exchange” business.
2. Let them know that you do not have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), and that you
plan to visit a local currency exchange to setup your account.
3. When you call, the customer service representative can tell you which Currency
Exchange locations can provide this service; not all Currency Exchanges provide this
service. The closest one to campus is the following:
New Commons Currency Exchange Round Lake, IL 60073
811 E. Rollins Rd (847) 223-3232
4. At the Currency Exchange, you have to tell the clerk that you want to apply for ComEd
service. The clerk should give you a form to fill out and return at that time.
5. You will also need to present the following documents
a. Passport
b. CLC Student ID
c. Lease agreement for your apartment/house
d. Credit card with your name (if you have one)
6. Once your identity has been verified at the Currency Exchange, you will receive a
PSID#.
a. To set up your account, call 1-800-EDISON-1:
b. Ask for a sales representative. This person will ask for your PSID#.
c. Tell the sales representative that you are a new customer
d. Follow their directions
e. After 7 to 10 business days, you can call 1.800.334.7661 to verify that ComEd
has put the billing charges in your name, at the address you requested.
16 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
SECURITY DEPOSIT
WHAT IS A SECURITY DEPOSIT
A security deposit is an amount of money retained by the landlord for the duration of the
lease. It is used for any damages done to the property during the tenant’s occupancy. A
tenant cannot use the security deposit as rent payment.
HOW TO PROTECT THE SECURITY DEPOSIT
Inspect the premises upon move in, make a list documenting the condition of the apartment.
If possible, have the landlord inspect the property with you. This will ensure that you will not
be charged for damage from the previous tenants.
HOW TO GET THE SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK
The landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit to you after the termination of the
lease. If the security deposit is not returned in full, because of claimed damages to the
property, cleaning fees, unpaid rent or other charges, the landlord must supply you with an
itemized list of the deductions and the remainder of the deposit, if any.
Remember that you are responsible for leaving the apartment clean, even if you did not find
it so at the beginning. You are responsible for damages done through misuse, abuse and
negligence. It is very important to document items you feel the landlord may make you
responsible for.
If the landlord does not communicate with you in writing within the 30-day period required
by law, he/she forfeits the right to withhold any money for damages or cleaning. He/she still
can withhold for back rent and/or unpaid utility bills.
17 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
YOUR RIGHTS
Once you sign a lease or housing agreement you are a tenant and
have rights that are outlined by local, state, and federal
guidelines and in many cases, laws.
TENANT’S GENERAL RIGHTS
You have the right not to be
discriminated against during the
tenancy or rental periods.
You have the right to have your
unit be properly serviced and repaired,
if needed, in an appropriate amount of
time.
You have the right to have your
security deposit returned at the end of
your lease minus any outstanding rent
or damage beyond what is deemed
reasonable wear and tear.
You cannot be evicted without
proper notice.
Your landlord has the right to
enter your unit for reasonable
situations such as emergency
maintenance or life-threatening
situations.
YOUR RIGHTS
LANDLORD OBLIGATION
Maintain the property
M
ake and/or pay for necessary repairs
Provide notifications in writing when the property is being transferred t
o a
ne
w owner, or when other changes are made that potentially affect the tenant
Refrain from turning off utilities in an effort to get unpaid rent or otherwise
affect a tenant
Ensure the premises remain safe and deal with other tenants who are causing
a pro
blem or who are violating the term and conditions of their lease
A landlord or manager may enter
rented premises while the tenant is
living there without advance notice
ONLY in the case of emergency, such
as a fire or serious water leak: or
when a tenant gives permission.
BEING A GOOD ROOMMATE
HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOMMAATE
BE KIND AND RESPECTFUL. Respect your roommate’s need for space and quiet.
No
matter how stress/tired/annoyed you are, however, you should be kind t
o
h
im/her
.
CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. Nobody likes to live in a room littered with dirty
dishes or overflowing garbage cans. Make sure your mess doesn't stay there too
long.
BE CLEAR AND COMMUNICATIVE. Being forthcoming with your own needs is
very important. Is something is bothering you, talk about it; if you just want some
alone time, say so.
DON’R ACT LIKE YOU OWN THE PLACE. It’s as much his/her apartment as it is
yours. Before making big decisions for the apartment, consult with your roommate
first and find a compromise that suits both of your needs.
BE FLEXIBLE. The things that matter most to you might not matter at all to your
roommate, and vice versa. You might be surprised by how much you can learn by
being flexible and adaptable when needed.
BE CAREFUL OF WHO YOU BRING INTO YOUR ROOM. If your roommate studies
best in the quiet, and you study best in a group, can you alternate who hits the
library and who gets the room?
BE OPEN TO NEW THINGS AND CHANGES. Your roommate may be from
someplace you've never heard of. They may have a religion or lifestyle that is
completely different from your own. Be open to new ideas and experiences. Be
comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come up, with setting new
rules, and be flexible to your changing environment.
AL
WAYS FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE. Treat your roommate the way you want
to be treated.
20 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
TIPS FOR TENANTS
FINDING AN APARTMENT
1. Many apartment-locating services just give you lists of vacant apartments, which
you can find in local newspapers, and through various online resources.
2. Check that the person from whom you are renting owns the property or
represents the real owner.
3. Talk to neighbors about the owner before signing a lease and check the safety of
the neighborhood at night.
4. Landlords are responsible for their own negligence, not the acts or crimes of
others, so it’s a good idea to purchase rental insurance.
5. Most properties built before 1978 have layers of lead paint, which can poison
children, when peeling, chipped or cracked.
6. When moving in, get any promises to repair in writing with deadlines.
7. When offering to rent or while renting, it is illegal to treat people differently
because of their race, religion, mental or physical ability, gender, sexual orientation,
marital status, or because they have children or receive government financial aid.
8. A landlord must reasonably accommodate the needs of a person with a disability,
even if it requires making an exception to the rules.
9. Sexual harassment is gender discrimination from which you can sue.
10. You can win monetary damages for suffering from any form of discrimination
even if you no longer want to rent the unit.
21 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
TIPS FOR TENANTS
SIGNING A LEASE
11. Making monthly rental payments without a written agreement is enough to
create a month to month verbal lease.
12. A one-year lease that is not ended on time by either party automatically
continues for another year, unless the leases states otherwise.
13. You should always get receipts for cash payments.
14. If you have a year to year lease and you move out early, you owe the rest of the
years rent, unless the landlord has broken the lease.
15. You cannot keep a landlord from entering to inspect or make repairs, if it is a
real emergency you will get a reasonable notice.
16. Confusing leases are illegal. Your lease should be easy to read and understand.
RECOVERING A SECURITY DEPOSIT
17. Your landlord can deduct unpaid rent and the cost of repairs beyond normal
wear and tear from your security deposit when you move out.
18. Notify your landlord in writing of any defects when moving out and take lots of
pictures when moving out.
19. Before turning in your keys, walk through the unit with your landlord or with
someone who might be a good witness about its condition.
22 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
OFF CAMPUS LIVING
BUDGET TIPS FOR STUDENTS
Setting and sticking to a monthly budget can give you peace of mind. With a budget in
place, you can more effectively manage your money, save for large expenses, and
prepare for emergencies. Below are some budgeting tips:
BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR BUDGET
If you’ve never made a budget before, you need to start by estimating how
much money you’ll have coming in every month and how much you think
you’ll be spending.
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN “NEEDS” AND “WANTS” IN YOUR BUDGET
Needs come first, and if there’s money left over, you can spend on wants.
KEEP ALL OF YOUR BILLS AND RECEIPTS ORGANIZED
Organize all of your bills and receipts by category and file them each month in
a folder. This will make it easy to retrieve information if you need to dispute a
bill or track your spending history.
REVIEW YOUR SPENDING FOR LITTLE ITEMS
Spending $10 a day eating out during the week translates to $50 a week and
$200 a month. A $5 packed lunch translates into a savings of $1,200 a year.
Save even more by looking for ways to manage and reduce your
transportation and entertainment expenses.
COMPARISON SHOPPING
Comparison shopping is simply using common sense to compare products in
an attempt to get the best prices and best value. This means doing a little
research before running out to buy something.
23 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
OFF CAMPUS LIVING
BUDGET TIPS FOR STUDENTS
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Your emergency fund should be used for expenses that fall outside the categories of annual
and periodic bills. The good news is that if you do not use your emergency fund, you will
have savings—which should always be a priority when managing your finances. And, if you
have to use your emergency fund, you may avoid unnecessary borrowing.
SELL WHAT YOU NO LONGER USE OR NEED
There are plenty of stores, apps, and websites, like Poshmark and Craigslist,
where you can sell your used clothing, furniture or tech items.
USEFUL APPS
Use a free tool, like FinAid’s Student Budget Calculator or the one offered by
Mint.com, to keep track of your finances.
EASY RULES TO REMEMBER:
Don’t make impulse purchases
Never go grocery shopping when you’re
hungry
Limit the number of times you eat out
monthly
Live with others so you can split rent and
utilities
Shop where they offer student discounts
24 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
GETTING AROUND
Grayslake and the surrounding communities are well connected
by a public transportation network in addition to numerous bike
trails and public transportation.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
1. PACE
2. CTA
3. Metra
Bus service in the
suburbs (like around
Lake County)
Chicago Transit
Authority
Trains of the Chicago
“L” (metro) and bus
service downtown
Chicago
Railroad in
Chicagoland
Trains from Lake
county to Chicago
4. Ventra
5. Uber
6. Taxi
Electronic Fare
payment system for
CTA, PACE, and to
some extent, Metra
Similar to Taxi, but
cheaper (no tips!)
Anyone can be an
Uber driver
You need the App
Private
transportation
Usually expensive
You need to tip
25 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
GETTING AROUND
HOUSING TRANSPORTATION FROM O’HARE
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
For more information about this service and hours of operation, please
contact Lindsey Hobson at [email protected]
College of Lake County provides
a schedule of free airport pick-
up days to international
students who are applying for
housing assistance.
This service is free and a staff
member of the college will meet
you at the airport next to the
McDonald’s in Terminal 5 and
take you directly to your housing
arrangements near the college.
26 / THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
WHO TO CONTACT
For additional information and questions
concerning housing, please contact:
Lindsey Hobson
International Student Adviser
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (847) 543-2344
Become a fan of our Facebook page,
College of Lake County
International Admissions
www.facebook.com/clcinternational
19351 W. Washington St.
Grayslake, IL, 60030-1198 U.S.A.