Leasing

The rental season starts as soon as tenants return to school in August and apartments/houses go very quickly. If you want to be sure to secure the house or apartment you want, you should start looking as soon as you return and sign a lease as soon as you know which apartment or house you want. 

Leases are signed jointly, meaning you and your roommates/housemates share responsibility for fulfilling all the obligations of the lease. 

If you would like to re-sign or sign a lease for a different Paradigm property for next year, please call our office (607) 756-4804 or email us at information@cortlandhousing.com and we will set up a time for you to sign the lease.

If you re-sign a lease for the apartment or house you are currently living in - or sign a lease for another one of our properties for the following year --your security deposit will carry over and you will not need to pay another one.

We give our tenants a few days after classes start to decide whether they would like to re-sign the same apartment/house for next year before it is considered available for next year and we begin showings. 

Yes! While we recommend that you take home any valuables, most of our returning tenants leave their clothes, bedding, decorations, etc., in their bedrooms.

Unfortunately, we cannot allow this. We want to be sure your house is thoroughly cleaned before your arrival and having items left makes it difficult for our cleaners. Additionally, we have had problems in the past with miscommunication regarding what is being left and what is actually wanted by the incoming tenants. If the previous tenants leave any items, they will be donated or discarded. 

We cannot hold a house or apartment without a signed lease. If you're ready to sign a lease, call our office at (607) 756-4804 or email us at information@cortlandhousing.com to set up an appointment. 

The security deposit is $450 per person and due one week from the date you sign the lease. The security deposit is used to cover the cost of any damages that may occur throughout the year. It does not go towards the rent. Security deposits are returned a month after moving out. 

Rent is broken up into 3 payments.:

• A $350 payment towards the fall semester's rent is due March 1st, the semester before you move in. 
• The remaining fall semester’s rent is due on August 1st. No one may move into an apartment or house until all the tenants have paid their fall rent.
• The full spring semester’s rent is due on December 8th, before you leave for the winter break.

Yes. Here are the requirements: If you are using external funding to pay for your rent and will not receive it by the date the rent is due, you will need to turn in three items no later than August 1:

1. A copy of your financial aid/loan agreement. This must show your name and the amount of aid you are receiving.
2. A $100 payment towards rent. This can be either a check dated no later than August 1, cash, money order, or a Doorloop payment.
3. A check for the remaining balance dated no later than October 15. We will not deposit the check until 10/15, which should be enough time for your aid to come in. (Even though the check is post-dated, we still require it by August 1.) If you do not send us a copy of your loan agreement by August 1, your October payment will be considered late.

If you want to swap out your post-dated check and pay a different way (via cash, money order, or make a Doorloop payment), once your loan comes in, let us know before the date your check is dated for and we will return your post-dated check once the new payment is received. 

All three of these steps must be completed by August 1 or your rent will be considered late.

Rent for the Spring semester is due December 8. We require a $100 payment towards the rent and a post-dated check dated no later than February 15. Both are due by December 8th.

This Guaranty Agreement is a legal contract that states that if a tenant doesn't pay his or her rent, their parent/guardian is responsible for making the payment.

Please note that parents/guardians are only responsible for the tenant they are signing the Agreement for. They are not responsible for any other tenant in the house. This is a required document and must be signed by at least one parent/guardian and notarized or digitally signed by a parent/guardian. No one is allowed to move into the house until all tenants have turned in their Guaranty Agreements. 

Heat, hot water, electric, laundry, snow removal, lawn care, trash pickup, and parking are all included. Cable, Internet, and WIFI are not included and will need to be set up by the tenants. Spectrum (855-860-9068) is the local provider. The monthly cost will depend on what package you choose.

If you want to bring a mini fridge or air conditioner with you to school, there is a fee of $50.00 per semester per appliance to cover the cost of electricity. 

We provide all major furniture and appliances. This includes:

• A double (full-size) bed and a dresser in each bedroom 
• A couch & loveseat or a sectional (enough seating for the number of tenants), a coffee table, and a flat-screen TV in the living room
• A refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and kitchen or dining seating 

• Kitchen items (pots/pans, a toaster, silverware, dishes, glasses, cups, etc.) 
• A good vacuum and cleaning supplies
• A desk and chair for your bedroom (if you want them)
• Small garbage containers for inside your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom
• Curtains if you want them (blinds are included)
• A shower curtain (a rod is included)
• Decorations! Make this your home for the next year, but be sure to use Command strips to avoid damage to the walls. 

Pets are not allowed in our properties as they can cause damage to furniture, floors, blinds, walls, etc. Additionally, pet dander gets into the fabric of the furniture and carpets which can create an unsuitable living environment for current or future tenants with allergies. 

The lease is a legal agreement and you cannot cancel it. You can, however, sublet your house or apartment with our approval.