International Resources

Click here to read the International House Personal Safety Handout.

Learn how to identify a scam - visit the Duke Student Affairs Scams Alert Page.

The Duke Police Department website has a variety of resources to educate students on ways to prevent crime and stay safe. Check it out here.

The City of Durham has a robust collection of statistics on its website to keep residents informed of areas of criminal activity. Click here to check it out.

Click here to learn your rights and responsibilities as a tenant renting a place to live while in the United States

Lease Agreement

The relationship between you and your landlord is defined with a contract, typically a lease. Leases vary from landlord to landlord, but clauses in the lease will generally fall into one of the following categories:

1. Restatement of guaranteed legal rights

2. A variation of a negotiable state or local law

3. A policy or rule not covered by state/local law

In North Carolina, a lease can be in writing or a verbal agreement. It is advisable to avoid verbal agreements, however, if your landlord insists on a verbal agreement, prepare a letter of understanding, documenting basic terms of the agreement and other things you discussed prior to moving in.

Review and understand all parts of the lease before you sign it. If you've negotiated for things that are not written in the lease, include an addendum documenting what you agreed to and be sure that you and the landlord sign it.

Are the doors to the apartment solid-core wooden doors or metal? Do these doors have good dead-bolt locks or at least shielded doorknobs to deter access to the locking mechanism. Ask the landlord if the locks have been re-keyed since the last tenant moved out. (If allowed, consider installing your own locks)

Do the doors have a “peep-hole” so visitors can be observed without opening the door?

Do shrubs and trees allow places for concealment near entrances and windows?

Do windows and accessible fire escapes have good locking mechanisms?

Good lighting deters crime. Is the lighting adequate near entry doors and around walkways?

Do outer doors of the apartment stay locked at all times?

Are good working smoke detectors in place? There should be at least two emergency escape routes in case of fire.

Communicating with your landlord using written correspondence is important and necessary in certain situations. Written correspondence serves as a follow-up and reminder of verbal conversations, and in the event of a misunderstanding, provide clarification. It may also be required in certain situations with your lease agreement. Be sure to save a copy of all written communication with your landlord.

Maintenance/Repair Request (PDF)

Tenant's Notice of Intent to Move Out (PDF)

Forward Address Notice for Security Deposit (PDF)

Tenants entering into any rental agreement (i.e., YOU) should make a concerted effort to learn about their legal responsibilities and become familiar with the protection granted to them under the law. The following information is not a substitute for legal advice, but is provided as a guide to help you evaluate reasonable expectations for landlords, building managers, and tenants.

Get all agreements and commitments in writing and signed by all parties involved; keep copies of everything.

Always notify the landlord about any problems in person or over the telephone. Follow that first notification with a signed, dated letter noting the problems that you stated in your conversation. Putting the situation in writing will not only look business-like, but will also establish a record if there are problems later. Remember to keep a copy of everything for your records.

Although it may seem uncomfortable to request that you and your roommates agree to payment schedules, utilities, food, cleaning, etc. in writing, there are many important reasons to do so. Misunderstanding and miscommunication are common; written agreements can prevent small issues from becoming huge problems.

Keep copies of all documents pertaining to your rental (lease, work orders, maintenance requests, and move-in checklist). Take good notes, including date and time of all communications with your landlord. Having too much information is far better than not having enough.

Federal law prohibits discrimination by a lessor in the rental procedure. Under the law, landlords may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or age. [Fair Housing Act under Federal law, and State Fair Housing Act under North Carolina General Statues § 41A-4 (1983).]

If you feel you have been discriminated against, it is to your advantage to act quickly: contact the Housing Assignments and Off Campus Housing Office [Insert housing@studentaffairs.duke.edu email link] for more information on the North Carolina Fair Housing Law.

The City of Durham Unified Development Ordinance Article 16, Section 16.3 says of a one-family dwelling unit, “Where some or all of the occupants are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption, the total number of occupants that are unrelated, shall not exceed three.”

Lease Agreement

The relationship between you and your landlord is defined with a contract, typically a lease. Leases vary from landlord to landlord, but clauses in the lease will generally fall into one of the following categories:

1. Restatement of guaranteed legal rights

2. A variation of a negotiable state or local law

3. A policy or rule not covered by state/local law

In North Carolina, a lease can be in writing or a verbal agreement. It is advisable to avoid verbal agreements, however, if your landlord insists on a verbal agreement, prepare a letter of understanding, documenting basic terms of the agreement and other things you discussed prior to moving in.

Review and understand all parts of the lease before you sign it. If you've negotiated for things that are not written in the lease, include an addendum documenting what you agreed to and be sure that you and the landlord sign it.

In addition to collecting the first month's rent, your landlord may collect additional money prior to move-in.

Security Deposits in North Carolina –link: http://www.ncrec.gov/Brochures/Print/tenant.pdf

Typically between $10-$50, this fee pays for the expense of processing your application. This is a nonrefundable fee. Unless stated otherwise, if you are denied housing, you do not get this money back; if you are approved, it is not applied to your rent.

A security deposit provides assurance to the landlord that they will be reimbursed for possible specific losses caused by the tenant. With a rental period greater than month-to month, a landlord can charge up to the equivalent of 2 month's rent. At the end of your lease term your landlord must refund your deposit within 30 days after your termination of tenancy. If the landlord refunds part of or none of your security deposit, they must provide you an itemized list of deductions.

Expect this fee if you plan on moving into an apartment complex. The fee is typically $200-$300, is nonrefundable and may replace the security deposit (although some complexes will charge both).

If you have a pet, your landlord will likely charge a deposit, fee or both. Just remember, a pet deposit is refundable (unless your pet does a lot of damage to the rental), a pet fee is nonrefundable. Some landlords charge additional rent for your pet/s.