Housing
Residence Halls
In order to make a reservation in Residence Halls, it is MANDATORY to send a non-refundable reservation fee of $400 US dollars. Check our website for the methods of payment accepted at:
http://www.mty.itesm.mx/rectoria/pi/internationalstudents/admission/requirements.htm
NO RESERVATION will be made if this check is not received. The sooner this payment is sent, the higher your chances of getting the type of accommodations you request.
By sending your reservation fee you'll be accepting the policies described at: residence halls policies.
Family Program
In order to make a reservation for the Family Program, it is MANDATORY to send a non-refundable reservation fee of $100 US dollars. Check our website for the methods of payment accepted at:
http://www.mty.itesm.mx/rectoria/pi/internationalstudents/admission/requirements.htm
NO RESERVATION will be made if this check is not received. The sooner this payment is sent, the higher your chances of getting the type of accommodations you request.
By sending your reservation fee you'll be accepting the accepting the policies described at: host family program policies.
Apartments and Houses for Rent
I. Important recommendations
There are plenty of houses and apartments for rent around the Tec campus, so it will be easy to find one that fits your needs and budget. However, we recommend you to arrive at least one week before Orientation Week, since finding and leasing an apartment or house takes several days. If you don't take this precaution, other students will take all the available apartments or houses.
You'll find information on this subject in the following Internet sites:
http://tuviviendatec.mty.itesm.mx/index.htm
II. Evaluation of an department
The following recommendations will be useful in case you decide to rent your own place:
a) Facilities
Check all aspects of the apartment. Make sure everything works properly. We advise you to check:
• Faucets
• Electric and gas inlets/appliances
• Doors and windows
• General condition
• If possible, make an inventory of all kitchen appliances included in the rent.
In case you find any malfunction, report it immediately to the owner and ask if he/she will take care of and/or pay for the repair. If the answer is affirmative, make sure this commitment is written on the lease agreement. Preferably, set a deadline for the completion of the repairs and a penalty for default.
b) Location
Consider the location of the apartment regarding:
• Student population
• Distance from campus
• Availability of transportation to Tec if necessary
• Security
III. Lease Agreement
Make sure you understand all the provisions in the lease agreement before you sign it. We recommend you negotiate the following aspects in advance and make sure that all are included in the agreement:
a) Security deposit
In addition to the rent for the first month, the owner will usually ask for a security deposit equivalent to 1-3 months rent, also in advance. This deposit is meant to cover the following:
• Damage caused by the tenant
• Long distance calls made
Be sure to ask when your deposit will be reimbursed. Frequently, these deposits are returned several months after termination of the lease. In case you don't agree with this policy, we recommend that you negotiate it and, if you don't reach a satisfactory arrangement, look for another place. We also recommend you clarify the long distance calls and damage policy.
b) Long distance calls
Make sure you define the long distance calls policy well. Sometimes these properties don't have a phone and when an owner installs one by request of a tenant, he usually wants the cost of installation, rent, and taxes to be paid by the tenant.
Another important aspect to consider is that, in most cases, telephone bills arrive months after calls have been made. For this reason, owners often decide to retain the security deposit some time after the student's departure. It is very important that all this is negotiated from the beginning to avoid misunderstandings.
The owner has the right to cancel phone service if he/she deems necessary. Many times, long distance phone bills exceed the security deposit. In this case, the owner generally offers students two options: 1) to raise the deposit to cover this, or 2) cancel the phone service.
c) Repairs policy
We advise you to get in agreement with the owner and decide who will pay for what repairs. It would be wise to come to the following agreements:
• The owner will cover any unintentional damage caused by natural wear and tear or by a defect.
• The tenant, accidentally, or by misuse/abuse, will cover any damage caused intentionally .
d) Rent commitment
Make sure you understand your rent commitment well. Generally, apartment owners ask students to pay the rent for the duration of their stay, whether it be a school term/session or an entire year. This is regardless of the time that the students actually intend to live there. Other owners ask for three month's rent even if the tenant will only stay for two or two and a half months. It is important to negotiate and include the rent commitment in the lease. The best thing is to include a clause specifying explicitly the day the tenant will occupy and vacate the property, and the amount payable for the complete period.
Remember that considering all of the above before signing a lease may prevent conflict and frustration in the future.