Leasing
Please begin the leasing process by completing our application. Information on applying can be found on the Apply to Ponderosa page. Completing an application is not a guarantee of occupancy; our staff will contact you with more details about availability and anticipated vacancies.
All applicants and any additional occupants of the unit will be required to complete a background check and credit check (primary applicant only) before signing a lease.
We offer one lease term for Ponderosa village. Our leases start July 15th and go through June 30th of the following year. If you move in after July 15th, your rent will be pro-rated and your lease end date will not change (June 30th).
All residents are required to pay a security deposit when they move in. This deposit is used to cover any costs for damages or repairs to the unit caused by the resident. At the end of your lease, we will assess the unit for damages and use the deposit amount to cover those damages. Any remaining amount will be refunded via check and mailed to the address you provide during your move out inspection.
On-campus living is similar to living off-campus. Individuals living in apartments are financially responsible for the full term of the lease which they signed prior to occupancy.
We understand that at times, a resident’s personal situation may change. While technically you are still responsible for the full term of the lease, Residential Life, Housing and Food Services has developed the following criteria related to requests to break the lease agreement.
Please understand that in order for a resident to be released from their lease, they must have experienced a “” as stated in the lease agreement and the request is approved by a committee of students and staff who review the requests. Please refer to your lease agreement for more information on what constitutes as a qualifying event.
If you do not have a and still wish to be released, you have two options:
- Continue to pay rent through the term of your agreement. Please note you are not able to sublet the unit.
- Explore the lease transfer option:
- Identify someone else to take over your lease. This individual must be eligible to live at Ponderosa Village and not have a current lease at the property. You are responsible for rent until this individual (if approved) officially takes over your lease.
- Email, call, or connect in-person with the Ponderosa Village staff to let them know.
- The individual will need to complete and pass a background check
Once the individual has passed the background check and our staff has verified their ability to live at Ponderosa Village, we will connect with you and the individual taking over your lease to determine a lease transfer and move-out/in date. This is the date that will determine your prorated rent and when the other individuals lease agreement takes effect. Please note that the Ponderosa Village staff is not responsible for finding a lease transfer for you, this is entirely your responsibility.
Qualifying events for lease cancellation
If your situation has changed since after the signing of your lease Agreement, please refer back to the lease agreement as it states what is possible in terms of requesting to be released. Please note that only the following "Qualifying Events” will be considered by a committee of students and staff when a Ponderosa Village resident(s) requests to break their legally binding lease agreement:
- Resident withdraws or is separated from University for medical reasons. Resident’s notice must be accompanied by documentation from a qualified physician who is certified to write prescriptions.
- Resident’s international visa status changes, and resident is no longer able to attend the university. Proof must be provided.
- Resident is drafted or commissioned by the U.S. Armed Forces for active duty; provided, resident provides documentation to the University that resident:
- is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserves on active duty or a member of the National Guard called to active duty
- and, has received orders for permanent change-of-station or to deploy with a military unit placed on active military duty.
- Resident will graduate in December. Ponderosa Village will verify this information with the University Registrar. Graduating in August or May are not considered “Qualifying Events.”
Common reasons or event that will not be considered
As you think about your situation and are considering submitting a request to be released from your legally binding lease agreement, please reflect on the following reasons students have provided in the past.
The following reasons do NOT qualify as reasons to break the lease agreement:
- "I signed a lease agreement to live off campus (in the middle of my current license agreement)"
- "I need/want to live off campus for financial reasons"
- "I am not from this country and therefore do not understand the culture nor the leasing laws”
- “I did not read my lease agreement before I signed it and therefore was unaware”
- “My significant other is moving to Reno and we will be living off-campus”
- “I was not able to get documentation on official letterhead from a medical provider"
- "I did not understand my lease and was unaware that I cannot break my lease agreement”
- I don't have documentation showing a significant decrease in income/ability to pay for housing.”
- "I want to take all online classes and therefore will be moving off campus"
- “I found someone that can rent my lease but are not eligible to take over my lease.”
- "I moved out of on-campus housing and no longer live there"