The College of Idaho owns a number of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom rental houses in the blocks adjacent to the south of campus. Our rental houses are reserved for full-time, current students who are juniors or seniors, over 21, married, have partners or have dependent children. Rental house policies are below, and a map of rental house locations and some of the house floor plans are available online.
Application for a Rental House
Rental house placement is typically competitive. If placed, tenants must turn in a non-refundable $300 cleaning fee and deposit (checks made out to The College of Idaho). Tenants must also attend an informational meeting about renting a house.
Check-out and Check-in
Contact the Office of Residence Life to schedule check out and check in times. Before coming to the Office of Residence Life to check in, tenants must have filled out a Utility Hook up Form. At check-in, the tenant will receive a copy of the house key and a House Condition Report. The tenant is responsible for filling this out and returning it to the Office of Residence Life within one week of checking in. This report is used at check out, so it is very important for tenants to be thorough. Tenants will not be allowed to check-in if their account has an outstanding balance.
Deposit and Fee
A cleaning fee of $100 and a deposit of $200 are required of each tenant to rent a house. Once the residents have checked out, the cleaning fee is used to deep clean carpets and to clean the house professionally. The deposit is used to make any repairs necessary. Residents will receive the remainder of their deposit after check-out.
Early Termination of Rental Agreement
Tenants wishing to terminate their agreement early lose their deposit and are responsible for payment for the remainder of their agreement.
Tenants whose agreement is terminated as a result of academic dismissal from the college or eviction forfeit their deposit and fee. Tenants whose agreement is terminated as a result of college disciplinary measures will forfeit their deposit and fee and may be financially responsible for the remainder of their rental amount.
At times, another rental house may have an available bed for a student wishing to terminate his/her agreement. If a student moves to another rental house, that student loses his/her deposit. The student must sign a new agreement for his/her new property.
Good Neighbors
Tenants are responsible for keeping houses and yards clean and free of trash, etc. If a house is determined to be unclean, tenants will be given notice to clean the area and a walk through of the property will be done after the deadline. If the condition of a yard is such that it must be cleaned for the tenants, tenants will be billed for the cleaning. Repeated problems could result in eviction.
Tenants are responsible for reporting any maintenance issues to Maintenance and Operations in a timely manner. If maintenance is not reported, the renters will be held responsible for the cost of repairs.
Renters are expected to be good community members and neighbors. Repeated complaints from other renters, neighbors or police could result in eviction.
Internet
Internet, cable and phone services are the responsibility of the tenants. The College of Idaho does not provide these services.
Insurance
The College of Idaho carries no insurance on the contents of the houses. Tenants should consider providing their own insurance. Information about Renter’s Insurance can be found in the Office of Residence Life.
Keys
Tenants are not allowed to make copies of house keys for personal distribution. If this happens, the tenants will be charged for re-coring the house entrances. Requests for additional keys can be made from Maintenance and Operations.
Painting
Tenants may paint interior walls will the approval of the Office of Residence Life.
Pets
Pets are allowed in the College's rental houses only under limited conditions. For more information, refer to the pet policy in the rental house packet.
Lawn Care
The College of Idaho maintains the rental house yards. If a tenant has concerns or requests regarding the yard, please direct these to Maintenance and Operations.
Living Areas
Tenants are welcome to double bedrooms. No more than two tenants can occupy one bedroom. Tenants are not permitted to live in basement areas which have insufficient egress.
Rental Amount
Houses rent for the equivalent of $300 per month if the tenant lives in a single room. If a room has double occupancy, then each tenant is charged the equivalent of $200 per month.
Rent for the term is due at the beginning of each term. Rent for the term must be paid in full before tenants can move in.
Rental Agreement
Residents of the rental houses sign either a ten month or a twelve month lease agreement. The agreement typically runs from August 1 to May 31 or August 1 to July 31. Students are charged an additional daily rate for any days that student lives in the house prior to or following the end of the rental agreement. Tenants must make arrangements to stay late or arrive early with the Office of Residence Life.
Rental Placement
Tenants are placed in rental properties though a random lottery process. Students who are married or who have families receive first priority. Students must be of junior standing or at least 21 year old to be considered for a rental house.
Repairs and Maintenance
All repairs and maintenance are handled through the Maintenance and Operations department. Requests for repairs or work are submitted by work order to Maintenance and Operations. To submit a work order, go to the college website. Click on the Administration tab, then Maintenance and Operations, and then submit a request. By submitted a work order, you have implicitly agreed to allow a staff member from Maintenance and Operations into your home, whether or not you are present. If you have any concerns about this policy, please direct these to the Office of Residence Life.
Roommates
It is very important that tenants think carefully about the roommates with whom they wish to rent a house. Renting a house commits you and your roommates to a legally binding lease agreement, and the financial obligation of paying utility bills in a timely (and fair) manner. Disagreements with roommates or differences in living styles are not justification for terminating a lease without the resultant financial responsibilities.
The Office of Residence Life recommends that potential roommates have frank discussions together about appropriate noise levels, guests, hosting social events, paying utility bills on time, borrowing money for rent or utilities and house cleanliness before signing the lease agreement.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the rental houses.
Utilities
The College pays for water, sewer and garbage. Electricity and gas are the responsibility of the tenants. Before tenants move in, they must contact the electric and gas company to put the bill in their name. Once they have done this, tenants must fill out a Utility Hook up form. This form must be completed and on file at the Office of Residence Life to allow tenants to check in. Before moving out, tenants must also contact the electric and gas company to have the utilities returned to the college’s name. Contact numbers for electricity and gas are:
- Idaho Power 1-800-488-6151
- Intermountain Gas Company 1-800-548-3679
