Brigham Young University Off Campus Housing Requirements

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Brigham Young University Off Campus Housing Requirements

To accommodate BYU students and maintain approved status for student housing, all rental units must meet the specifications listed below and comply with state and local building, fire, health, and zoning regulations, and any reasonable requests of the BYU Off-Campus Housing Office relating to the safety or general welfare of tenants. These specifications are the minimum physical criteria by which the university determines if a rental facility is in a state of good repair and is meeting the basic physical needs of students. They are used to assess the physical condition of a rental unit at the time it is initially approved and when it is inspected any time thereafter; however, the Off-Campus Housing Office may make any reasonable requests affecting the health, safety, or general welfare of students not covered by these written specifications.

The university may require that the owner verify that he or she has obtained a building permit and certificate of occupancy or zoning compliance. Approval of facilities by the university is an indication that the minimum specifications of the university for off-campus housing have been met as far as can be reasonably determined by university housing representatives and does not mean that the university has certified that any unit complies with existing building or fire codes, ordinances, or other laws. Where regulatory violations do exist, such violations will be turned over to appropriate city or state inspectors. Exceptions to any of BYU's minimum specifications must be approved by the BYU Off-Campus Housing Office.

The Off-Campus Housing Office inspects all approved rental units at least annually and sends a written report to the owner. If, in the opinion of BYU housing officials, the general condition of a rental unit has fallen too far below the minimum specifications or if a single safety, health, or security hazard is discovered that could endanger students, the Off-Campus Housing Office may place a landlord on probation or give a warning that the condition of the unit must be improved within a set time or the university will withdraw approval. In the event of critical failures involving the gas, electric, water or sewer systems or other serious problems which affect the health, safety, or security of the tenants, the owner or agent shall take immediate action to correct the problems. Failure to take immediate action to correct such critical problems may warrant immediate withdrawal of university approval. In the event of disapproval, the landlord agrees that rental agreements of BYU students are terminable by the tenant upon 5 days' written notice to the landlord after disapproval of the rental facilities by the university.

BATHROOM FACILITIES

1. Every dwelling unit shall contain a room that is equipped with bathroom facilities in good working condition and is properly connected to an approved water and sewer system and provides adequate hot and cold running water.
2. Every bathroom shall comply with ventilation standards of the local building code.
3. There shall be at least one toilet, washbasin, and bathtub or shower in good working condition for the first six single persons or for one married couple or family. When the number of single tenants exceeds six persons (including family members when tenant(s) live with the landlord's family) but not more than eight persons, an additional washbasin must be provided. When more than eight persons are accommodated, two or more full bathroom facilities are required.
4. All such facilities shall be so located within the dwelling so as to be reasonably accessible to all persons sharing such facilities.
5. Wall surfaces around the bathtub and shower area should be constructed and maintained to be reasonably impervious to water and easily kept clean.
6. Each bathroom shall have at least one mirror, adequate shelf space, towel racks, and toilet paper holder.

BASEMENT ROOMS

Along with other required specifications, no basement space shall be used for housing unless these conditions are met:
1. Floors and walls are adequately insulated against dampness.
2. There are adequate provisions for light and ventilation in each room.
3. The occupied area has adequate, unobstructed entrance ways.

BEDROOM SPACE AND ARRANGEMENT

1. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor space per occupant. Closet floor space is not included in the calculation of bedroom floor space.
2. An exception to the above square footage requirement results when the sleeping room is the only facility available (other than a bathroom) to a single student; then the room must contain 70 square feet of floor space per occupant.
3. Not more than two single students may sleep in a single room without specific approval of the Off-Campus Housing Office. This approval will be contingent on an arrangement to assure adequate opportunity for uninterrupted study and sleep. Four is the maximum number that will be approved per room.
4. No unit containing two or more bedrooms shall be arranged so that occupants of one bedroom must go through another bedroom to leave the rental facility or to get to the bathroom, unless specific approval is given by the Off-Campus Housing Office.
5. Sleeping facilities for single students are not allowed to be set up in living-room areas.

CLOSET SPACE AND STORAGE SPACE

1. Enclosed closet space at least 22 inches deep, 3 feet wide, and 6 feet high, and a 3-foot-long bar at least 5 feet above the floor shall be provided for each individual.
2. Storage space for students' bags and trunks shall be provided.

COOKING AND EATING FACILITIES

Where cooking and eating facilities are made available to single students, the following furnishings are required:
1. One reasonably-sized refrigerator with freezing compartment in good operating condition for the first six adults. When more than six adults are accommodated, two refrigerators are required.
2. One electric or gas stove with oven in good operating condition for the first six adults. When more than six adults are accommodated, two stoves are required.
3. A kitchen sink within the unit in good operating condition which provides adequate hot and cold running water.
4. Adequate food preparation area.
5. Adequate cupboard space for food and cooking utensils.
6. Kitchen floors and walls finished so that they are sanitary and can be kept clean.

FOOD SERVICE

For those rental facilities that provide board as well as room, the following minimum standards will apply for services:
1. Food is to be prepared and served in clean, wholesome surroundings that are completely free from insects, rodents, or unsightly conditions.
2. Sanitary practices shall be followed in washing and sterilizing dishes before reuse.
3. Food should be wholesome and nourishing and should provide properly balanced nutrition.

FURNISHINGS
Suggestions for Required Furnishings for BYU or UVSC Student Housing
Courtesy of Oak Plus Furniture.com

Unless permission is granted by the Off-Campus Housing Office to the contrary, all facilities rented to single students shall be furnished as follows:
1. Study desk(s) or table(s) with a surface area of not less than 6 square feet per student, and adequate light or lamps for study purposes. The apartment should be large enough to provide the appropriate amount of study space.
2. One straight-back chair for each tenant at tables or bars used for dining or studying and one at each study desk.
3. Adequate dresser or chest-of-drawers space.
4. Bookshelves (minimum of 3 feet per student).
5. Sanitary floor coverings (carpeting, tile, linoleum, finished wood) in good condition.
6. Curtains and window shades in good condition that afford privacy to the occupants throughout the entire dwelling unit.
7. Living room furniture to comfortably seat all residents.
8. A dining table and chairs.
9. A separate bed must be installed for each single student. Beds and mattresses shall be comfortable, sanitary, and in good repair.
10. If bed linen and towels are provided by the landlord, they shall be changed at least once a week. All other supplied bedding shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary condition.
11. Provide all furnishings in good repair.

GENERAL EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE

1. Approved accommodations shall present a neat, attractive external appearance.
2. The grounds should be reasonably maintained and free from offensive, unhealthy, or unsightly debris.
3. Entrances, halls, stairways, handrails, decks, walkways, sidewalks, parking lots, indoors and out, should be clean, unobstructed, adequately lit, and kept in good repair and safe condition.
4. Owner must provide adequate receptacles for garbage storage and removal.
5. Garbage cans should be covered tightly. Garbage area should be kept clean.
6. Landlord shall make arrangements to reasonably remove snow and ice from stairways, walkways, and parking lots.

HEAT AND WATER

1. Every rental unit shall have heating facilities that comply with the health and safety standards approved by the city and county health and fire departments, and comfortable temperatures shall be maintained in all rooms occupied by students.
2. No owner or occupant shall install, operate, or use a heating device or hot water heating unit producing heat by combustion that is not vented to the outside of the structure in an approved way and is not supplied with enough air to continuously support fuel combustion. A central heating furnace shall not be located in bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or similar confined rooms.
3. Adequate amounts of running hot and cold water shall be provided for occupants.

HOUSING DESIGNATIONS

The following designations will be given to identify various types of rental accommodations offered by the landlord. All rooms must meet the specifications herein.
1. Unit: A single habitable room or group of rooms intended or used for living, cooking, or sleeping and located within buildings designed for residential use.
2. Apartment: This designation requires that the facility consist of a separate living room, separate bedroom(s), separate bathroom, and a separate kitchen. The kitchen facility must meet the requirements in the section on "Cooking and Eating Facilities" above.
3. Condominium: This designation has the same requirements as an apartment. The term is applied to separately owned dwelling units of a multi-unit building which has filed a "Declaration of Condominium" under Utah law.
4. Sleeping Rooms: This designation is given to facilities that provide a private bedroom and bath accommodations and provide other rooms such as a kitchen and a living room to be used in common with the landlord and his or her family.
5. Board and Room: This designation is given to sleeping-room facilities that provide prepared food service.
6. Hotels, motels, and studio apartments: This designation is given to a living unit that does not provide a separate bedroom but combines the living and sleeping area. Hotels, motels, and studio apartments will not be approved housing for single students.

LIGHT AND VENTILATION

1. Every habitable room shall have at least one window that opens directly to the outdoors or have adequate air ventilation at all times.
2. All outside doors and windows used for ventilation shall be adequately screened with at least 16 mesh and be properly maintained.
3. Every habitable room except the bathroom shall contain at least two wall-type double electrical convenience outlets, well spaced; one single electrical outlet is required in a bathroom.
4. Lighting shall be adequate for study and for normal living purposes. All light fixtures shall have proper light coverings.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The following minimum standards shall be maintained to reduce fire and safety hazards and to provide for personal security in all university-approved facilities:
1. Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or exterior door for emergency escape or rescue. The windows shall be operable from the inside to provide a full clear opening without the use of separate tools. All escape or rescue windows from bedrooms shall have a minimum net clear opening dimension of 5.7 square feet. The minimum window height dimension shall be 24 inches and the minimum width shall be 20 inches. Where windows are provided as a means of escape or rescue they shall have a finished sill height not more than 44 inches above the floor.
2. Sections of buildings housing more than 10 occupants shall be provided with two separate exits.
3. Doorways and aisles shall be at least 30 inches wide and shall always be kept unobstructed.
4. All student rental facilities are required to meet the local city fire codes.
5. Furnaces and water heaters shall be regularly serviced and kept in safe operating condition. No combustibles shall be stored within 12 inches of heating plants.
6. Electrical wiring shall be in good condition. Extension cords shall not be hung on nails or run under rugs or carpets. Proper sized fuses shall always be used.
7. No volatile, flammable liquids shall be permitted on the premises, except in sealed metal containers; and these shall not exceed one gallon capacity. Dry cleaning with gasoline and storage of explosives on the premises are prohibited.
8. All exterior doors shall be equipped with either a dead bolt lock or a deadlocking latch in good operating condition and which is built into the door and opens and locks by key from outside, but opens and locks from inside without a key. A key must be provided for each adult resident at the time occupancy begins. Spring latches and other flimsy locking mechanisms on exterior doors are unacceptable.
9. All windows shall have adequate locks.
10. All units shall be equipped with at least one smoke alarm on every floor with bedrooms, UL- or FMU-approved. Smoke alarms shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to rooms used for sleeping. Smoke alarms shall be regularly checked and properly maintained in good working order.
11. Structurally sound protective guard or hand rails shall be provided on any steps, porches, patios, or balconies as required by local building codes.

SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE

1. The landlord shall be responsible for all exterior and interior maintenance and repairs, although students shall be responsible for the cost of repairs if the damage is beyond reasonable wear and tear.
2. The tenants shall maintain the interior of the property in a reasonably clean and safe condition.
3. Floors and walls shall be finished so that they are sanitary and can be easily cleaned.

ZONING AND PARKING

1. Landlords planning to increase the number of student occupants in their rental facilities or purchase or build rental units should consult the appropriate city zoning office to insure that the type of facility they plan to rent is not in conflict with local zoning and parking requirements.
2. Zoning ordinances and parking regulations come under the jurisdiction of the respective city governments and are subject to change and interpretation by their authorized representatives. The university cannot assume the landlord's responsibility for determining whether or not their properties conform with existing regulations. The university shall not be held responsible or liable for university-approved properties not in conformity with such laws and regulations.
3. It is important to BYU that off-campus housing approval procedures do not promote violations of the law. For this reason the Off-Campus Housing Office approves apartments and condominiums only for the number and type of renters allowed by the laws of the community; however, BYU is under no obligation to determine zoning compliance or enforcement.

Information from: http://www.byu.edu/offcampushousing/minimum.html