Temporary Housing
TMCCC does not offer temporary housing facilities. If your housing is not ready upon your arrival, you can stay in a hotel, AirBnB, or VRBO. To ensure availability, make your reservations early.
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Hotels
Some hotels close to campus offer TMCC rates. When making your reservation, call the hotel
directly and inquire about the TMCC rate: TMCC Hotel Rates
There are many other hotels in the area to choose from as well: Hotel Search
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AirBnB & VRBO
Both AirBnB and VRBO offer short term house, apartment, or condo rentals. Use the below
search criteria when searching for temporary housing. The zip code is recommended for options
closest to campus.
• City/State: Biloxi, MS
• Zip Code: 39530
Things to Consider Before Renting
• Renting an apartment long-distance (without being physically present in the area where you
wish to rent) can be difficult. Some landlords prefer to meet the student in person before
agreeing to rent the space. Be prepared to meet your landlord and potential roommates in
person before signing the final lease agreement.
• Typically, landlords require a “deposit” equal to two months’ worth of rent (the amount may
vary and number of months may vary). The deposit is usually returned at the end of the lease if
the apartment is in good shape and there are no major damages when the contract expires.
Renters must review the rental contract carefully to understand the agreement and
responsibilities of both parties.
• Some landlords may require a U.S. social security number. If this is the case, you may contact
International Student Services, and we can explain to the landlord that most international
students do not have this number. However, it is ultimately the decision of the landlord to accept
a student without the social security number.
• Keep reviewing apartment listings on a regular basis as apartments are constantly added and
removed from the market.
• Apartments can be furnished or unfurnished, but unfurnished apartments are more common.
Renting an unfurnished apartment means you will have to buy furniture (sofa, bed, TV), kitchen
items to prepare meals (pans, pots, forks, plates, etc.) linens (bed sheets, towels) and all
cleaning supplies. Some apartments include all utilities (electricity, internet, cable, water).
• If the apartment you select does not include all or some of the utilities this is an added
expense you must pay each month. You will also need to pay for laundry service if the
apartment does not include a washer and dryer. Cleaning the apartment is the renter’s
responsibility.
To find out how close an apartment you are considering is to TMCCC, go to
https://maps.google.com/ and enter The Mississippi Community Christian College, 567 Division
St, Biloxi, MS 39530, then click on the directions link and enter the address of the housing
location you’re interested in as the starting point.
Housing Vocabulary
Navigating the off-campus housing process can be a challenge. We encourage you to
familiarize yourself with these terms before you sign a rental agreement.
• Efficiency/Studio apartment – Large, one-room apartment with bathroom and small kitchen
area. • Furnished apartment – An apartment that is rented with furniture. Usually costs more
than an unfurnished apartment and can be harder to locate.
• Unfurnished apartment – An apartment that is rented without furniture. Less expensive than
a furnished apartment, but you must buy or rent your sofa, bed, table, TV, etc.
• Landlord – The leasing agent, person, or company who owns and/or manages property that is
leased or rented to others.
• Tenant – The person who is living in the apartment.
• Manager – A person who manages the property for the Landlord and collects rent payments.
• Lease – A legally binding contract between a Landlord and Tenant that specifies the terms or
conditions for renting and living in the apartment (also known as property).
• Month‐to‐month lease – This type of lease commits the Landlord and Tenant to a 30-day
time period for use of the rental. The Tenant is free to terminate the lease as long as proper
notice has been given to the Landlord. The Landlord is free to change the terms of the lease
each month, like raising the rent or asking the Tenant to leave.
• Six‐month lease – This type of lease commits the Landlord and Tenant to a six-month time
period for use of the rental apartment. The Tenant is free to terminate the lease at the end of the
specified time period as long as proper notice has been given to the Landlord. Short-term
leases are generally more expensive.
• Yearly lease – This type of lease commits the Landlord and the Tenant to a 12-month time
period for use of the rental apartment. The Tenant can only terminate this lease at the end of
the specified time period and must give at least a 30-day notice stating Tenant's plans to move
out of the apartment.
• Occupancy regulations – Rules and restrictions that allow the maximum of a certain number
of people to live in the rental apartment during the specified time period of the lease.
• Renter insurance – Insurance that allows a Tenant to insure his or her possessions against
loss through theft or fire. Renter insurance is usually available at inexpensive rates through
major insurance companies.
• Repairs – A lease should specify whether the Tenant or Landlord is responsible for repairs on
the rental apartment. Without a provision for repairs in the lease, it may be very difficult to
persuade a Landlord to make needed repairs.
• Security deposit – The advance payment of a sum of money (usually one month's rent) to a
Landlord or Manager before renting the apartment. The deposit may or may not be refunded or
returned at the end of the specified lease period, dep ending on the policy of the Landlord or
Manager, local laws, and how well you maintain the rental apartment during your stay.
• Subletting – When a Tenant leases property that he, himself, is renting to another Tenant. A
lease should outline whether this is allowed, and if so, what the rules are. Subletting usually
requires written permission from the Landlord or Manager. Subletting without permission may
involve significant legal penalties.
• Utilities – The name given to services such as electricity, gas, and water. Some rents include
the cost of utilities, some do not. If utility costs are not included in the rent, the Tenant is
expected to arrange and pay for utility services directly with the utility companies.

