Current Tenants FAQ
- If I get a housing assignment and want to accept it, but am out of the country for a few weeks after my assignment date, what should I do?
- Can my spouse check in to the unit ahead of me?
- Can we have a spare key to our unit?
Parking & Transportation
- Somebody parked in my assigned parking spot – what do I do?
- If I have a guest, where should he/she park?
- I don’t have a vehicle. What are my transportation options?
Rent
Maintainence
Neighbors & Roommates
- I am moving here as a single student without my family, but my family will move here in a few months. Can I just move them into my unit?
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If I am having trouble with a roommate or neighbor, what should I do?
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What should I do if I witness policy violations or other concerning behavior?
Newsletter
Moving Out
Housing
Question: If I get a housing assignment and want to accept it, but am out of the country for a few weeks after my assignment date, what should I do?
Answer: If you accept the unit you will still be responsible for rent from the date the unit is available to occupy but you can pick up keys at a later date. Make sure you let the office know that you do not plan to arrive on your assigned date.
Question: Can my spouse check in to the unit ahead of me?
Answer: Yes, so long as your spouse is listed as an eligible key holder for your unit and has a valid photo ID.
Question: Can we have a spare key to our unit?
Answer: If at any time you get locked out of your unit, you can come to the main office during business hours or call the on-call staff after hours to get a spare key which you can have for two weeks. We do not allow spare keys to be checked out permanently.
Question: I need a new mailbox key cut. What do I do?
Answer: Visit the post office on Baxter Lane. You will need a letter from University Student Housing confirming your address and a Photo ID to request new keys. If you did not have keys in your apartment upon move in, you will need to complete this within 30 days after your move in date to not be charged for the rekey. However, if you need keys any time after this 30-day window you will be charged by the post office for a rekey.
If you don’t have a car… you can use the free Streamline bus service in town which has a bus stop located closely to the post office or use one of the car services in town.
Question: I’m not getting my mail. What do I do?
Answer: First, please stop by the University Student Housing Office to fill out one of our new tenant mail slips. If you still are not receiving mail you will need to contact the post office to follow up with them.
Parking & Transportation
Question: Somebody parked in my assigned parking spot. What do I do?
Answer: 7:30am – 5:30pm: call University Parking Services at 406-994-2121 and select option 2 for parking services.
After-hours and on weekends, call University Parking Services at 406-994-2121 and selection option 4 to reach non-emergency personnel.
Question: If I have a guest, where should he/she park?
Answer: They can park in the areas marked with a Visitor Parking sign. Please visit the University Student Housing Office to receive a visitor parking pass for their vehicle. You will need to have their license plate number and make/model of their vehicle.
Question: I don’t have a vehicle. What are my transportation options?
Answer: There are multiple options for transportation if you do not have a car. There is the free Streamline bus service with multiple routes in town as well as to the surrounding towns. Also, car services that need to be paid for and will take you to a specific location like Uber, Lyft, and Greater Valley Taxi.
Rent
Answer: Rent is posted on the 1st of every month.
Once you move in, if you wish to pay ahead on rent, you will have to do so in person at the Cashier’s Window, underneath Miller Dining Commons.
Click on Current Tenants at the top of the page, and navigate to My Housing Portal
Log in with your housing account information (what you used when you applied).
Click Pay Rent on the yellow banner
If you wish to pay less than the total, click the little Customize Payment Amounts box, next to the blue Pay Now button
Enter the amount you wish to pay and then hit Pay Now
Follow steps for entering credit card / debit card information
Question: How soon after move-in do I pay rent?
Answer: You should be able to pay rent within 48 business hours after moving in.
Question: If I move in mid-month, when is my first rent payment due?
Answer: We prefer you pay your prorated rent amount within 48 business hours of picking up your keys.
For future months, rent posts on the 1st of every month and you have until the 15th of that month before late charges are applied.
Maintenance
Question: How do I submit a maintenance request?
Answer: Contact the University Student Housing Office during business hours to request that work be completed in your unit. You can reach us at (406) 994-3730 or email [email protected].
For after-hours maintenance, please call our after-hours team at (406) 994-3730. If the issue is urgent they will come over to asses; if it is not urgent, they will get the proper information to submit the work order to the office.
If you need work completed on your dishwasher, fridge, or stove you will also need to provide the make, model, and serial number for your appliance which can normally be found along the edge of the door when the appliance is opened.
Question: What sort of heat is in my unit?
Answer: If you are having heat issues, please call our office or on-call staff and they will assess the situation and help get it fixed. We can always provide space heaters in the meantime to help keep your apartment warm.
If you live in Westside Houses, Paisley Court, or McIntosh your heat is provided by NorthWestern Energy, and is forced air.
If you live in Nelson Story Tower, Peter Koch Tower, or Grant Chamberlain Drive your heat is provided by the campus boiler heat. This is turned on/off by main campus when the weather starts to stay continually cold/hot.
Branegan Court has baseboard electric heat in each unit.
Question: Can you help me move my personal furniture?
Answer: No; however, there are moving companies in town that you can contact for help.
Question: Can I have furniture for a guest?
Answer: We do not provide short term furniture options.
Neighbors & Roommates
Question: I am moving here as a single student without my family, but my family will move here in a few months. Can I just move them into my unit?
Answer: No. If you plan to have family move in with you, please inform the University Student Housing Office. You would need to be transferred to a Family style unit for your family to live with you, and this process can take a minimum of six months. Please plan accordingly.
Question: Can my partner/sibling/family member live with me?
Answer: If you live in Grant Chamberlain:
Yes - a sibling who is also an eligible student AND eligible to reside in the University Student Apartments can live with you as a roommate (separate contract holder).
No - partners/family members cannot move in with you unless you transfer to a family unit AND provide proof of relationship.
If you live in the Towers:
No - these are single occupancy units – you may not have anyone live with you unless you transfer to a family unit. Transfers can take a minimum of six months.
If you live in Family units:
Yes, and here is the process:
You must provide proof of relationship
If the family member is a first-time freshman student of MSU, your sibling must go through the exemption process for the freshmen live-on requirement in the residence halls
You must live in a big enough unit to accommodate the family member moving in, per our contract requirements
You must complete paperwork with our office
Question: If I am having trouble with a roommate or neighbor, what should I do?
Answer: Stop into our office and ask to make an appointment with our Community Director who is here to help make our communities better!
Question: What should I do if I witness policy violations or other concerning behavior?
Answer: Please call our office or on call staff at (406) 994-3730. During business hours or after hours, someone will always be around to help with the situation. We may ask for more detailed information as to what is happening, but your information will never be given out.
Question: What should I do if I smell cigarette or marijuana smoke?
Answer: Please call our office or on call staff at the time you are smelling the smoke. Our number is (406) 994-3730. Our staff will ask for detailed information and then follow up accordingly. Your information will never be given out as being the person who reported it.
Newsletter
Question: Can I advertise something in the On the Horizon newsletter?
Answer: Send in the item that you are wanting to advertise, and the office will review it to see if it can be posted in the newsletter.
Moving Out
Question: I want to move out. What do I need to do?
Answer: Please stop by our office to submit a 60-Day Notice.
While you’re here, we’ll schedule a pre-assessment to assess paint, flooring, and countertops in your unit; we’ll also schedule your Check-Out appointment and provide information on how to best prepare for your check-out.