James Madison University Off Campus Life
   Warren Hall, Room 270 (near Transitions)
JMU Home

Off Campus Life Home

Housing Guide

Services Offered

Search Available Housing

Contact Us

Links


 

If you live in Rockingham County, you need to contact one of the following:

Dominion Power - (888) 667-3000

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative - (540) 879-2551

Both of these companies participate in UDAP, so members may have their service deposits waived by submitting, in person, a valid UDAP contract. Contact the specific utility company directly for further details and instructions.

Water and Sewer

City of Harrisonburg -
Water and Sewer Operation Center

2155 Beery Road
Harrisonburg,VA 22801
(540) 434-6783

A deposit is required and is refundable at the end of a one-year period or on termination of residence, provided all bills have been paid in full and on time.

Gas

Columbia Gas Services of Virginia
P.O. Box 830005
Baltimore, MD 21283
(800) 543-8911

Service connections are handled through the main office located in Richmond. Because Columbia Gas participates in UDAP, members may have their deposit waived, up to $200, by submitting a valid UDAP contract. If the required deposit exceeds the $200 limit, the student is responsible for paying the remaining amount. If you need to contact this utility, please use the toll-free number to make arrangements for service connection.

Non-UDAP Utilities

You will need to consider telephone, cable and internet service, none of which is covered by UDAP contract.

Costs and deposits vary depending on which companies you choose.We have brochures from some of the companies at the OCL office. The Harrisonburg telephone directory is another resource you can use.

Things You Should Know as a Tenant

Tenants entering into any rental agreement should make a concerted effort to learn about their legal responsibilities and become familiar with the protection granted to them under the law. The following information is not a substitute for legal advice but is provided as a guide for reasonable expectations of landlords, building managers and tenants.

Landlord Responsibilities

According to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (2002), a landlord must:

  • Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to maintain a dwelling in fit and habitable condition.
  • Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times, air conditioning (where installed) and reasonable heat in season.
  • Maintain in good and safe working order all electrical, heating, plumbing, sanitation, ventilation, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances supplied, or required to be supplied by the landlord.
  • Keep all common areas clean and in a structurally safe condition, and provide and maintain appropriate waste receptacles in common areas shared by two or more rental units
  • Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, health and fire codes.

Tenant Responsibilities

According to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (2002), a tenant has the obligation to:

  • Maintain a clean and safe dwelling.
  • Conduct themselves and require any individuals on the premises with the tenant’s consent to conduct themselves in a manner that does not violate the peace and enjoyment of the neighbors.
  • Not deliberately destroy or damage any part of the dwelling or allow any other person to do so, whether known by the tenant or not.
  • Abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the landlord in the rental agreement.
  • Use in a reasonable manner all utilities, facilities and appliances.
  • Keep all fixtures as clean as their condition permits.
  • Regularly remove all garbage and waste and dispose of them in the appropriate facilities.
  • Keep the part of the premises occupied and used by the tenant in a clean and safe condition.
  • Comply with all applicable housing and fire codes.

Go Back
Page 11
Go Forward
Page 12


James Madison University
 PUBLISHER: Off-Campus Life, MSC 3501, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 - PHONE: (540) 568-6071
 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: ocl@jmu.edu - Privacy Statement
 Last Modified: 1/25/2006