An Open Letter to Students Living Off Campus in Evanston

Because you are living off campus this year, you have the unique perspective of being a member of two communities - Northwestern University and Evanston. You have both rights and responsibilities as a member of these communities. As a tenant in Evanston, you have rights and responsibilities specific to the lease of your apartment. Landlord access, minimum standards for availability of utilities including heat and water, grievances for repair of maintenance problems, and the handling of damage deposits are representative of issues which might arise. All of these and more are addressed in the Evanston Tenant- Landlord Ordinance. Copies are available in the Off Campus Housing Office in Engelhart Hall or at the Civic Center at 2100 Ridge Avenue.

You probably know unwanted noise is a serious problem in some residential neighborhoods. Such noise can be very disruptive for families with small children, the elderly, and people with early morning work schedules among others. You might not know Evanston has a strong ordinance addressing this problem. The ordinance defines the standard of tolerance for such noise and the liability of the landlord for tenants not conforming to community noise standards. We urge you to be considerate of your neighbors so that all may lead their daily lives without interference.

Please regard this message as a reminder from Northwestern University regarding your rights and responsibilities as a member of both communities. If the Graduate and Off-Campus Housing Office may be of any assistance to you with either of these, please do not hesitate to call.

Thank you.