FAQs Off Campus at ODU

We have the largest selection of properties within walking distance of campus. Our prices are guaranteed fair without extra surprise charges. Our 24/7 maintenance staff is extremely responsive and our office staff provides exceptional customer service. We prioritize the safety of our residents with weekly police patrols and additional security features on our properties. Lastly, we are entirely managed by ODU alumni who know exactly what you are looking for!

Getting started is easy! You can start the process by:

1. CLICK HERE to schedule a free tour for any property you like!

2. CLICK HERE to complete an application!

Our homepage shows up-to-date availability for all our properties. If you are looking for an entire property, please click on how many bedrooms you are looking for. If you are only interested in 1 room, check 1-bedroom properties or click on “Rooms” for a list of current subleases available.

Great! We will know the availability for the next school year as early as January! Apply now and submit our proof of income so you will be at the top of our waitlist!

Click “Schedule a Tour” on our homepage or CLICK HERE!. If you need additional help, please call us at 757-675-6500.

Absolutely! If the property is available, you can click on the property on our homepage to access that particular property’s page. On the page, you will find detailed information about the property, including rent rates, deposits, utilities, and other features.

We do require all applicants to financially qualify before signing a lease. There are three ways to qualify:

1. Your 3 most recent pay stubs showing 3 times the monthly rent per month;

2. Proof of loans/financial awards showing 3 times the monthly rent per month;

3. Have a parent or guardian sign our parental consent form acknowledging they will be assisting you in your rent payments.

CLICK HERE to access the parental consent form.

We do not, HOWEVER, you parent/guardian can fill out the parental consent form, which states they acknowledge the lease terms you will be signing and agree to assist you in your rent payments and obligations. You can find a link to the form on our homepage or CLICK HERE

All of our leases are for one year terms. The lease does not automatically renew. If you are looking for a shorter period, we do have residents that want to sublease their rooms. Please check on “Rooms” under “Available Now” to see your options!

All tenants must sign one lease, BUT our lease lets us treat roommates jointly or severally. If there is a lease issue, violation, or eviction, only those residents involved will be responsible. It gives us flexibility in handling non-performing roommates.

ODUrent does offer roommate matching. Fill out Roomate Matching Survey or use our awesome Roommate Finder to find your new roomies!

No! We rent to whomever qualifies to rent with us! If you are a student, we only need you to email us your current class registration to verify. If you are a non-resident, a simple credit and background check will be completed.

Unfortunately, we are not able to change the lease dates because current residents are living at the property. If the lease dates do not work for you, please check other properties! Our properties have varying start and end dates, so you are sure to find something that works for you!

BIO PREP! We review and approve all cleaning personel and products/material to make sure all bathrooms, kitchens, doors and all flooring and carpet are thoroughly cleaned!

Unfortunately, no. Due to such a short window to turn properties between prior residents and new residents, we need as much time as possible to ensure your property is completely move-in ready for you!

Your Lease does not automatically renew! You MUST let us know you want to renew AND sign a new lease no later than February 25th! If not everyone is renewing, you are responsible for finding a replacement before the deadline! Once we have a full group from you, we will send you a renewal lease to sign.

Unfortunately, inflation is the simple answer. Insurance, taxes, maintenance, and general business expenses increase every year. We do a market analysis every year and try to be very competitive and offer reasonable rates. If you believe your rent is too high, we have a large variety of properties that may better fit your budget.

Your lease is a binding contract that lasts for the entire term specified on the lease. The only way to end your lease early is to request an early termination and pay associated fees. Please contact the ODUrent Leasing Team to start the process. Note: This section is listed twice in 2 areas on FAQs.

Your apartment will need to be returned to the condition that it was in at the beginning of your Lease. Standard cleaning fees and carpet cleaning fees will be applied to your deposit, but be sure that you perform a basic cleaning, vacuuming and trash removal so that you avoid any additional charges. If you have excessive trash or furniture, call the City of Norfolk at 757-441-5813 for free bulk pickup the week of your move out. For additional requirement and information, please review your Lease.

Security deposits are processed and mailed out 30-45 days after your move-out date. We process the move-out inspection and deduct charges for any damages to the property, as well as cleaning fees specified in your lease. Make sure to email us your forwarding address, so we know where to mail the remainder of your deposit!

Your rent is due on the first of each month and is considered late after the 1st of the month. Please refer to the FAQ “How do I pay my rent?” for instructions on how to pay your rent.

Login to your online resident portal to schedule a credit card (2.95% fee) or electronic payment (free!). You can setup recurring payments as well! If you don’t want to pay online, you can mail checks to our office at 875 W. 44th St., Norfolk, VA 23508. We also have a drop slot at our office for you to conveniently leave payments outside of business hours. All rent must be paid by the 1st of the month!

If rent is paid after the 1st of the month, then you will be assessed a late fee. If rent continues to remain unpaid, then we will commence legal action, which may result in your eviction. Additional expenses, such as legal fees, will be added to your balance. If you are not able to pay your rent on time or you are late on your rent, please call or email us immediately so we can discuss your options!

If you forgot your password, click on “Request a new one” on the login page to have a reset link sent to your email. If you do not remember what email you used to set up your account, please call us and we can help!

These may be due to various reasons, such as credit card conveneince fees, damages, lock outs, trash violations, utility back-bills, late fees, or court fees. You will see the explanation of the charge on your ledge in your online resident portal. If you need further clarification, please call us at 757-675-6500.

Yes, there is a 2.95% convenience fee charge to process your credit card payment. Alternatively, you can pay online using the EFT option and there is no fee. You can also mail or drop-off your payment!

Log into your online resident account and submit a general request. We have an amazing customer service staff that will follow-up with your request!

Some of our properties are decal controlled or may have assigned spots. Please refer to your lease for more information. For all other properties, you MUST park in your driveway. Do not block the sidewalk or park on the grass. The City of Norfolk will issue you a parking ticket! If you park on the street, pay attention to whether the street requires a permit or it’s a one-way street. If you live on a street requiring a permit, you can request a zone parking permit from the Norfolk Traffic Court office.

If your property is decal controlled, you can only park on the property if your car has a visible decal on it. Stop by our office with you car registration and we will provide you with a decal!

Pets are allowed ONLY IF they have been approved by us first. The pet must be fully grown, weigh 35lbs or less, and cannot be an aggressive breed. The Mill has a strict no pet policy. Contact us to receive a pet application. There is a required $500 pet deposit. Half is non-refundable. There is a $20/month pet fee as well.

Contact us to receive a pet application. We require legal documentation from a licensed doctor approving the ESA pet. After receiving both, the deposit and monthly fee will be waived. Per the VRLTA, ODUrent has the right to disqualify the ESA pet if property damage is sustained or other resident’s access/habitability is ever compromised.

You and your roommates are responsible for the actions and damages caused by any guests, so make sure to keep the party under control. Additionally, make sure that the level of noise from the party is not disturbing your neighbors. Norfolk City Code restrict noise levels between 10 P.M. and 8 A.M. It might be nice to alert your
neighbors that you will be having a party and encourage them to let you know if they are being disturbed by the noise. You can also alert ODU police that you are having a party and they will be more cooperative if it gets out of hand. Always cooperate with the Police or they will issue a summons or arrest you! If the police are called and the party is out of control, this is a Lease violation, and you will be issued a first and final violation.

We recommend all roommates meet and discuss any issues together in a non-hostile environment. We would be happy to mediate the meeting for you! If you simply cannot resolve the issue, it is important to remain respective of everyone’s rights to the property. You may no longer be friendly with each other, but you all must continue to live together. If you absolutely cannot stay at the property, you can request to sublease your room by going to your online resident portal and clicking on “Request”. Please review your Lease or click on our “Move Out/Sublet” page for more information.

ODUrent works closely with the University and Norfolk P.D. to make our properties a welcoming and safe environment for all of our residents. For added safety, we installed automatic door locks, door latch guards, dusk to dawn exterior lighting, peep holes on front and back doors, window bars on low windows, and many have free motion alarms. We went the extra mile and hired off-duty Norfolk Police officers to drive all properties over all weekends and breaks. We will continue the push our standards to ensure resident safety! See our section on Security for more latest news and how we prevent crime now.

We are proud of having the best selection of properties around ODU. Our full-time maintenance team does a great job renovating properties, keeping up exteriors, and preparing units for new residents. Drive around and compare ours to theirs. Our management team guarantees that you are satisfied with your unit at move-in. New residents also get to fill out a move-in inspection form for their
protection. Unfortunately, some of our residents may not be the cleanest and their guests get a wrong impression. Twice a year, we have inspections and warn any such residents to clean up or move out.

The city of Norfolk restricts excessive noise between the hours of 10 P.M. and 8 A.M. If you or your neighbors are being excessively noisy during these hours, the police may be called to handle the situation. Please notify us if the issue continues, as this is a violation of the Lease. Outside of these hours, please contact your neighbors to let them know of their excessive noise levels. They may not even realize how loud they are. If this fails, use your resident portal to contact us and we will be happy to contact them.

You will need to contact the utility companies directly and start service under everyone’s name on the Lease. The numbers are listed on
the “move-in info” section (Power is 888-667-3000, Water is 757-664-6700, Gas is 866-229-3578). You are responsible for keeping the utilities on at all times until your Lease expires.

Utility costs vary based on the number of occupants, personal usage habits, and thermostat setting. You may want to contact the utility company for a monthly average of the last 12 months. That would be a good indicator of what it will cost. Expect water to average about $40-$60 per person per month, depending on shower and laundry usage. Expect power to average around $50-$70 per person per month depending on the season. If you have gas service, electrical bills will be lower. If you have abnormally higher power or water bills, use your resident portal to submit a miaintenance request to inspect your property for leaks or other issues.

Most, if not all, of the properties have been wired for both cable and internet. All living rooms and most bedrooms are wired. If certain preferable rooms are not wired, you will need to pay an additional cost to the service provider. You must activate service in order to have cable and internet. Simply call and open an account with a service provider of your choice.

You will need to go online and complete a change of address form. Visit the US Postal Service website for more information. Or sign up for your on PO Box for privacy.

You are permitted to have guests in your property. You remain responsible for any actions or damage caused by them. Per your Lease, no guest may stay longer than ten days total during the term of the Lease. If they do, the guest is deemed an unauthorized resident and trespassing. You will be in violation of the Lease and your guest be treated as a trespasser on the property.

Residents should always obtain renter’s Insurance or may opt for coverage under parent’s homeowner’s policy. We strongly recommend it. Per your Lease, if your items are lost, stolen, or damaged, ODUrent cannot be held liable, regardless of the cause. Without insurance, you will not be able to recover any value from your belongings.

Your lease is a binding contract that lasts for the entire term specified on the lease. The only way to end your lease early is to request an early termination and pay associated fees. Please contact the ODUrent Leasing Team to start the process. Note: This section is listed twice in 2 areas on FAQs.

Your apartment will need to be returned to the condition that it was in at the beginning of your Lease. Standard cleaning fees and carpet cleaning fees will be applied to your deposit, but be sure that you perform a basic cleaning, vacuuming and trash removal so that you avoid any additional charges. If you have excessive trash or furniture, call the City of Norfolk at 757-441-5813 for free bulk pickup the week of your move out. For additional requirement and information, please review your Lease.

Security deposits are processed and mailed out 30-45 days after your move-out date. We process the move-out inspection and deduct charges for any damages to the property, as well as cleaning fees specified in your lease. Make sure to email us your forwarding address, so we know where to mail the remainder of your deposit!

Log into your online resident portal. Click on “Requests” on the left, then “Create Request” on the right, then “Maintenance Request”. Our maintenance staff will receive your request and follow-up as soon as they can. If it’s a maintenance emergency, please call our 24/7 emergency maintenance line at 757-675-7200. Please review the FAQ “What is considered a Maintenance Emergency?” before calling!

You are responsible to maintain the property in a clean and functional capacity. You will be held responsible for any damage caused by you, your roommates, or any guests, whether negligent or intentional. ODUrent will complete the repairs and charge your account accordingly. All residents are responsible to replace lightbulbs and smoke alarm batteries on their own.

The following are considered Maintenance Emergencies:

• A water leak or broken pipe that will cause damage to the property
• A sewer back up
• A stopped up toilet, if it is the only one in the property
• No heat and the outside temperature is expected to fall below 55 degrees
• No air conditioning and the outside temperature is expected to reach above 80 degrees
• Refrigerator is not working
• The pipes are frozen
• Doors, locks or windows are broken compromising the security of the dwelling
• Any fire at all
• Any incident involving emergency vehicles/personnel

Any other maintenance issue needs to be called into the maintenance department the following business day.

If it’s a small drip, tighten the faucet and see if it stops. If not, place a towel or something else to collect the water and put in a maintenance request. If there is a lot of water coming out, immediately shut off the water valve located behind toilet or under the sink. Move any belongings out of the way, and the call emergency maintenance line at 757-675-7200.

Attempt to plunge your toilet yourself. If that doesn’t work, submit a maintenance request through your online resident portal. You will be charged for maintenance to come out, unless the issue is structurally related.

Be sure to not over fill your dryer. Clothes need room for the air to circulate in order to dry efficiently. Also, make sure to clean the lint trap after every use. Check the hose behind the dryer to make sure it is not crushed or obstructed. Add dry hand towels to speed drying time!

You are responsible for taking out your trash cans to the curb! Cans are picked up EVERY THURSDAY MORNING! Set your cans out no earlier than Wednesday and remove them no later than Thursday evening, otherwise, the City of Norfolk will fine you. Recycling cans are picked up every other weekend! If you need additional cans or replacement cans, you must contact Norfolk Waste Management and submit a request. ODUrent has private service for cans at complexes with 5+ units.

All exterior doors are on keypads. There are no physical keys to use. Please remember the code assigned to you when you moved in. If you do not remember your code, see if anyone is home or if you can call a roommate to let you in. If you still cannot get in, call our office at 757-675-6500, Monday – Friday, 9AM-5PM, and we will send maintenance outside free of charge. If you are locked out after-hours (5PM-9AM), call our maintenance emergency line at 757-675-7200. There will be a $30 fee assessed to your resident account.

For electric, set your thermostat between 72 and 74 in the summer, and use ceiling fans. If you set it any lower, your AC will continuously run, which will increase your bill. In the winter, set your thermostat no more than 75. Turn off unused lights. For water, check to make sure no faucets are dripping and your toilet isn’t continuously running. Pay attention to how long the shower runs and your washing machine. If everything checks out and you still have a high bill, submit a maintenance request through your online resident portal and we will have maintenance come out!

Go to your online resident portal and submit a maintenance request. You will be responsible for the cost of repairs.

Make sure the vent in your room is open and unobstructed by furniture. Make sure your AC filter is clean and unobstructed. You may need to open your bedroom door a few inches to allow the air to circulate properly. You can also partially close the vents in area that seem overly warm/cold or are not routinely used. This would push more air into your room. On real hot days, your AC system can only cool 20-degrees less then outside temperature. If the issue persists, please submit a maintenance request through your online resident portal.

Call the City of Norfolk or go to their website before Wednesday to schedule free bulk pickup. Click this LINK to go directly to the website! Place items on the curb Wednesday night. If you place too early, the City of Norfolk will fine you!