We encourage you to get to know your community! Charleston has much to offer and we are sure you will want to get involved. You will soon see what a special place Charleston is to live in. Here are some guidelines to make you aware of important aspects of living off campus.

Residence Guide to Charleston | How to Get Started



Resident's Guide to Charleston Neighborhoods

Garbage | Trash and Yard Waste | Pets and Noise | Parking | Recycling |

GARBAGE
1. Garbage is picked up only on Monday.

2. Garbage must be in the large green carts supplied by the City.

3. Set your cart out no earlier than Sunday evening.

4. Remove your cart from the street no later than Monday evening.

5. Carts must be stored out of sight from the street.

6. If Monday is a holiday, pickup occurs on Tuesday.

TRASH AND YARD WASTE
1. Place all yard waste in clear plastic bags, per City ordinance. It will not be picked up if collected in brown plastic bags.

2. Place trash and yard waste in separate piles at the curbside.

3. If Monday is a holiday, pickup for the week is on Tuesday.

4. If you are overloaded, call (843) 720-7111 for the nearest convenience center.

5. If your garbage or trash is not picked up as scheduled, call the Sanitation Department at (843) 724-7364.

6. Please be considerate about setting out waste. No one wants to look at piles of trash. The law only allows one day for putting out and picking up any container or yard waste.

7. Limbs for pick up must not exceed 4" in diameter or 4’ in length.
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PETS
1. The law requires that you clean up after your dog at all times.

2. Please use plastic bags for scooping.

3. Law requires leashes at all times.


NOISE
1. By City ordinance, noise must be restricted after 10pm.

2. You are violating the law if at any time, noise from your house can be heard in the center of the street.

3. Fines for violations of the City Noise Code range from civil service to $100.00 per occurrence.

4. Noise while entering and leaving the neighborhoods is to be avoided.
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PARKING
1. Most neighborhoods have restricted parking zones. Parking is reserved at all times for residents.

2. Residents may obtain 1 parking decal per vehicle, with a 2 decal limit per residence.

3. The Department of Traffic and Transportation issues decals from their main office at 180 Lockwood Blvd. New decals are issued in December for January.

4. Visitors may park for 1-hour maximum from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

RECYCLING
1. Charleston County picks up recyclables. Obtain a schedule by calling (843) 720-7111.

2. Bins are available at 13 Romney Street for pick-up as needed.

3. Place bins out no earlier than Monday evening, and pickup on Tuesday. All bins must be stored out of sight.

4. The following items may be recycled: #1 & #2 plastics; glass; aluminum; steel; newspaper; junk mail. Do not include cartons with bottles or cans.
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How To Get Started

Housing Options | How to Look | When to Look

Housing Options
Location: Try to find a location convenient to places you’re likely to go (campus, grocery, laundromat).

Safety/Security: How safe will you be and feel? If possible, talk to your prospective neighbors.

Condition: Check all furnishings, walls, windows, and floors.

Appliances: Check to make sure they are in good working order.

Water: Check the flow and drainage. Do the faucets drip? Who pays the water bill?

Pest Control: How often is extermination done? Charleston houses should be treated often.

Noise: Listen in the living areas and hallways.

Utilities and terms: What is included in the rent payment? Will you be required to sign a lease or pay by the month? Be leery of monthly leases; always ask if the house is going up for sale.

Roommates: Can you afford to live alone or will you need a roommate to share expenses?

Pets: Are pets allowed? Is there a security deposit for them?

Lease: How long is the lease? Is subleasing permitted?

Maintenance: Who is responsible for repairs and yard work? Also consider how much space and privacy you need.

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Here are a few types of properties available in the Charleston area:

Rooms: sleeping quarters rented out, often in private homes; usually furnished; price usually includes utilities; kitchen privileges may or may not be included; bath is usually shared.

Efficiencies: one room accommodations that have sleeping, living, and cooking facilities all within one area, plus a private bathroom; sometimes referred to as studio apartments.

Apartments: separate kitchen, living room, and bedroom(s); kitchen appliances usually furnished; rent may or may not include utilities; usually un-furnished.

Duplexes: single housing units with two separate apartments; kitchen appliances usually furnished; will have one or more bed rooms; utilities usually not included.

Houses: single units with separate kitchen, living room, and bedrooms; most have two or more bedrooms; kitchen appliances usually not furnished; utilities usually not included; private yard with maintenance provided by tenant or landlord.
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How to Look
Plan to spend several days looking. Weekdays are best because most realtors are not in their offices on the weekends.

Always call before visiting a possible vacancy. When you call, state your name and the purpose of the call (i.e., "My name is John Smith and I will be a new College of Charleston student in the fall. I was wondering if the apartment on Main Street is available"). Many agents are listed with the Office of Residence Life and Housing and give preference to students. If a location is not available, ask if they are aware of any other properties or people to contact. Take advantage of these realtors since they are usually very knowledgeable in the rental market. Be friendly and courteous!

If you are interested in a particular apartment, be persistent and assertive. A personal visit is always better than a phone call.

TIPS:
Work early and quickly; listings in prime locations may be gone later in the day.

Be presentable; landlords prefer students who look like they will be good tenants.

Carry a checkbook and identification; if you find a good place, be prepared to put money down on it to hold it.

Get it in writing; whatever you agree on with your landlord or realtor, get it in writing.
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When to Look
Many students seeking housing for the Fall semester begin their search during the Spring semester.

In some cases, students proceed with renting an apartment before actually needing it, thereby paying rent for time it is unoccupied. Very few realtors hold apartments due to the great demand for properties. If a realtor agrees to hold a property for you, be sure you have something in writing to verify this.

Some students cannot visit Charleston to search for an apartment until a few weeks before the semester. While it is not impossible to find accommodations, it is considerably more difficult. Looking later does not mean you won’t find anything, but choices are better the earlier you start.

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