The Baton Rouge area has an abundance of housing options for students. Because each type has positive and negative aspects, it is important to analyze all options to determine which will best fit your needs. Most importantly, choose housing that provides a safe and comfortable living environment for you, your roommates, and your neighbors.

Residence Halls & Campus Apartments

LSU Residential Life promotes a positive living and learning environment for students, and new students are encouraged to reside in an on-campus residence hall. A very large percentage of first year students at LSU live on campus. Each floor of a residence halls has a Resident Assistant (RA), who is a full-time, upper-class student trained as a resource to help students adjust to college life.

Apartments

There are many apartment communities in close proximity to campus that are occupied predominantly by LSU students, so there is much opportunity to live with peers and make new friends. Leasing arrangements vary according to 9-month, 12-month, and semester terms. Some apartment communities charge one fee that covers rent and most utilities, but most do not operate in this manner. Apartment complexes usually have managers on site and use lease agreements that may prevent students from engaging in frequent risky behavior and getting into trouble with management or police. Most apartment complexes also are equipped with security mechanisms. Transportation to and from campus and parking may require additional time and money.

Apartments provide more independence than the residence halls, but they require a greater degree of responsibility. Students are responsible for cooking their own meals and cleaning a larger space. Conflicts among roommates must be resolved without the intervention of a Resident Assistant.

Rental Houses, Condominiums, Duplexes & Fourplexes

These options offer more privacy and space than apartments because there are fewer units per building. Many of these options, especially rental houses, require considerably more responsibility from all residents. Responsibilities may include tasks such as mowing the grass, providing some appliances, and making small repairs. Ask the owner/manager to put responsibilities in writing when renting this type of housing.

Sometimes these housing options are available in and around more residential neighborhoods typically reserved for families. If this is the case, all residents of the property may need to take on an even greater obligation of respecting the neighborhood standards and watching out for neighbors.

Rooms in Homes/Garages

This option provides the opportunity to experience neighborhood living without purchasing a home. Details regarding renting a room vary greatly, however, so check the written details before signing a rental agreement. If the owner does not provide a written agreement, request that a document be created to clearly define responsibilities of both parties.
 

Some questions to consider include: Will you have your own entrance, kitchen facilities, and bathroom? How many people will be sharing the common facilities? What kind of environment is there? Will you be treated like a member of the family or merely a boarder? Will you be required to do additional chores around the house?

Single-Family Residences

Some students want to purchase independent condominiums or houses. This option provides an opportunity to exhibit both independence, interdependence with others, and a willingness to invest long-term in the community. Be aware, however, that city zoning laws prohibit a certain number of unrelated people from living in a house in designated single-family neighborhoods. Since there is no landlord, the owners will have to manage all internal and external problems, repairs, and damages. All those who are designated as owners will be responsible and may be held liable for any violations of city-parish laws, neighborhood restrictions, and community standards pertaining to the health and safety of people on or near your property. This means that social behaviors such as loud parties, late-night visits, and underage drinking may have to be restricted. If any drug activity occurs there, the property can be confiscated.

Consider all the benefits and drawbacks of your decision when investigating housing options.