Housing - Deposit Info

Coming to United States, every International student must be aware of importance of the deposit. Landlords and renters usually charge small amount of money alongside the first payment for housing. The amount of deposit varies between $75 and $150 depending on conditions of the apartment. The rent can be paid weekly, or in several installments - it depends on the owner`s requirements. When signing a rental lease agreement, you will be asked to pay for the following week or the first installment plus deposit. The deposit will be used in case of any damages to the property when you depart; otherwise if property was returned to the owner in original conditions, without any damages and in clean condition, money will be refunded at the end of your stay. So, before you sign your name on a lease/contract and pay your security deposit, check the unit with the landlord for anything broken, leaks, etc.

Housing - Lease Agreement

Lease agreement or contract is a document that is signed mutually, assuming that both parties agree with terms and conditions of rent. Please read the contract completely before signing, and ask if there are any additional charges, e. g., whether the utilities are included in weekly rent. Always ask for an explanation of anything in the rental lease agreement if you do not understand. We will be glad to guide you through the lease and deposit information.

Most of the housing that our center rents includes utility bills (water, gas, electric, TV), so you only pay the rent, which varies from $65 per week to $90, again depending on the location and conditions of the accommodation.

Summer rental terms are starting as early May 1st till October 1st. Please keep in mind that most landlords prefer lease to be paid long before the summer ends. All of the contracts indicate deadlines for rent to be paid. Usually seasonal rent must be paid no later than August 15th in some cases July 20th.  After that you will not owe anything to the landlord and stay until you depart to your home country. But again, terms are always negotiable, and if you feel that timeframe does not fit your preferences, you can always discuss it with the landlord before you sign anything.

After you and the landlord have agreed upon the seasonal/weekly rental amount, security deposit, move in and move out dates, and move in condition of the unit, you should check that the lease agreement includes all of this. You want to be sure that the lease specifies whether utilities (electric, air conditioning, TV, etc,) are included in the weekly rent. Ask for an explanation of anything you do not understand in the lease. A lease is giving you protection against misunderstandings and protection from wrongful eviction. Also, the landlord must give you prior notice before entering the unit and may not enter the unit anytime they want, unless it is stated otherwise in the lease. You should also know that the landlord cannot keep any of your documents (passport, etc.) as a requirement for signing the lease, only copies of them.

Housing - Prices and Rates

Most the Work & Travel participants are coming to USA on the average of 4 months. Therefore, seasonal rentals are determined by  four month length in the lease agreement, which in fact is around 16 weeks; and seasonal rates are also being calculated as - weekly rate multiplied by number of weeks in the season. As an example, if weekly rate is $80, your seasonal rent will cost 80X16=$1280, plus security deposit will be applied (read deposit rules). Those students who arrive early (first half of May) and leave end of September, can benefit from relatively cheap housing, by having lived more weeks per season. As an example, if you in fact lived 20 weeks, we will still calculate 16 week length, and if seasonal rent is $1280, your weekly amount will decrease from $80 to $1280/20=$64, which is significant savings over the summer. Those savings can easily be spent for travel trips or electronics. Upon arrival our representative will give you detailed information about payments and possible savings and discounts for seasonal rentals. 

Please note: every student that rents apartment through E-Point student Center automatically qualifies for discounts for travel trips and gets club membership (read membership section). E-Point membership is for entire summer, and can get you benefits such as Free internet for the entire summer, free gifts and much more.

Housing - Short Term Rental vs. Seasonal Rental

Short term rentals are defined as daily and weekly basis. Short term rentals are used by students in the early stages of their stay in United States. It is not always easy to find fun group of people to live with. It might take few days till you find the right place with people you feel comfortable to share entire summer with. But we can assure you that during all these years E-Point has been assisting International students to meet their needs and preferences, giving them valuable support and choices to make summer time as much memorable as it can. And we will continue to do so in years to come. Week to week based rentals are usually higher and it averages around $100 a week.

Seasonal rental, as we have mentioned above is for the entire duration of your stay. In terms of cost saving, seasonal is the best option for students. Most of the students choose housing depending on the workplace location. E-Point offers many locations to choose from alongside the resort area.

Please note that all of our apartments are well furnished, have full kitchen, stove, refrigerator, microwave, air conditioner, bathroom, shower etc.

Housing - Book Your Summer House NOW!!!

Dear student, If you have already decided that you are going to spend next summer in Maryland or Delaware resorts; or if you already found your employment on eastern shore, please use the opportunity and be one of the first to reserve and guarantee your place in the house chosen by you.

Please note: most of the units we rent are 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. Capacity for 2 bedroom apartments is 6 to 8 ppl; 3 bedrooms apt have up to 10 people occupancy.

Interested students please contact us by emailing to epointcafe@gmail.com, send your requests; please indicate your dates of arrival, location that interests you and planned duration of your stay. We will promptly reply to you providing with individual and group rates; also we will send you addresses of locations, and pictures of your possible future accommodation. We can also provide you with the list of real estate agencies and landlords in our area, so you can have broad options to search.  

Good luck everyone with getting visa and looking forward to seeing you all!!!

With respect and dedication,
E-POINT
Work&Travel Support since 2001