resources

university resources

Penn State's Office of Off-Campus Student Support maintains a variety of resources including helpful links for everything from housing search engines to cable providers, an online classifieds for roommates, housing and furniture, and programming like the Housing Fair.
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The Office of Student Legal Services provides free lease reviews to Penn State University Park students.

government resources

The State College Borough provides an online booklet on living in the area.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission allows you to make or search for consumer complaints. They also maintain a website to help you choose your electric supplier.

affordable housing

There is limited low-income and government-subsidized housing in the area. The PaHousingSearch website offers searchable listings. The Centre County Housing Authority operates the area's low income housing programs. Housing Transitions, Inc. offers emergency housing and can help families and individuals explore their housing options.

safety

Unsafe apartment? First notify your landlord and request the repair in writing. You must give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to repair the problem. If the landlord refuses to fix the problem and/or unsafe or unlivable conditions persist, call the most appropriate resource:
  • Centre Region Code Administration (ph. (814) 231-3056) for structural conditions, maintenance, health, and safety issues in rental units.
  • State College Health Department (ph. (814) 234-7191) for complaints about insect or rodent infestation, refuse or weeds.

legal

This website is only able to provide general information, and is not intended to give legal advice. Your rental situation is unique. Here are some resources to consider if you need more help.
  • The website PaLawHelp compiles informational brochures from legal services agencies across the state.
  • Locally, free legal services are available to qualifying individuals through MidPenn Legal Services. MidPenn typically does not assist Penn State students with landlord-tenant matters.
  • Penn State's Office of Student Legal Services offers free referrals, advice, or consultation to Penn State University Park students. Please note that this office can only provide referrals in situations where another Penn State student is an adverse party.
  • Private attorneys can be located through the Centre County Bar Association directory.

mediation

The law is often the most expensive,  cumbersome, time consuming, and least satisfactory way to resolve a dispute. Alternative options include mediation and arbitration.
  • Mediation services are offered by the Center for Alternatives in Community Justice. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale, based on each participant's income.
  • If at least one party to the dispute is a Penn State University Park student, the University offers free Mediation Services through the Office of Student Conduct.
  • The Better Business Bureau will forward complaints to businesses and monitor whether the issue is resolved. If it is not, they offer a low cost binding arbitration option.
Every situation is different. This website is meant to give you only general information, not specific legal advice.
For legal advice, please consult an attorney.