USC-Managed Buildings
What are these buildings?
USC Housing has recently entered into an agreement with Westar Housing, a private landlord, to manage 7 apartment buildings in the North University Park area, formerly owned by Conquest Housing. You may visit their website at
www.westarhousing.com. While not owned by the University, these facilities will be managed by USC Housing and residents will enjoy many of the advantages of living in University-owned housing. These buildings are:
However, as noted below, there are some important differences associated with these buildings.
Additional information for Tuscany can be found at
Tuscany-housing.com.
Additional information for the Shrine place properties can be found at
Shrine-housing.com.
Who lives in these buildings?
Residents are all USC students, primarily undergrads.
How is parking handled?
In most instances, one parking space per bedroom is included in the apartment rent. Additional parking may also be arranged at the nearby Shrine or USC parking structures on a space available basis. This parking is available at additional cost to the residents. Some parking is tandem-style, which will involve you coordinating your schedule with your apartment-mates to avoid being blocked in when you need to use your vehicle. The parking areas in these buildings are not managed by USC Transportation.
Is there security for these buildings?
These buildings are patrolled by both private security and USC's Department of Public Safety. They are not on the USC Access system. All parking garages are gated. Tuscany features 24 hr on site security guard, security cameras, and secure key FOB access to all residential areas.
How will lock-outs be handled?
Shrine Place Residents locked-out of their apartment during the Troy CSC office hours can go to the Troy CSC and check out a spare key. If they have lost their key permanently, a lock change will be issued at the resident’s expense. If they are locked out outside of the Troy CSC office hours, they should call HSM (Housing Maintenance) at 213-740-4646 and they will dispatch a technician to open their apartment for them. Tuscany residents should follow the existing procedures and continue to call the Tuscany CSC to get lock-out services from one of the on-duty security personnel.
Who will be handling maintenance?
Maintenance will now be handled by USC Housing Maintenance. All the former Conquest buildings purchased by Westar Housing have been loaded into the TMA system so residents may now call the 740-4646 maintenance number to report a problem, or go to our website (http://hsmtma.usc.edu/) and click the work order button, or contact the Tuscany or Troy CSC.
What have current residents been told?
Current residents were sent an e-mail by Conquest on January 14 notifying them
of the change in ownership/management. An e-mail from USC Housing went out
January 15 to the same residents containing most of this information. A hardcopy
was posted in the buildings on our first day of operation, January 20.
Will the change in ownership affect current residents’ leases or rents?
No; the current leasing agreements and rents are in force and will not change.
Are the leases the same length as USC Housing contracts?
No, leases are for 12 months, from early August to late July.
Can Westar Housing residents still pay rent at the drop box in their building?
Rent is due on or by the 1st of the month. Rent checks can be left in one of the drop boxes located at Chez Ronnee, Habitat Soozee and Tuscany no later than the first. Any payments made later than that must be made in person at the USC Housing office located below PSX. Alternatively, rent checks may be mailed to USC Housing, at 620 USC McCarthy Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089. Please make checks out to “USC Housing” and remember to include your apartment number on your check. USCHousing USC-Managed Properties FAQ 3 Payments received later than the 4th of each month will result in a late charge per the terms of their lease agreement.
Will there be ResEd staff in the buildings?
Since these buildings are not owned by USC, they do not have live-in Residential Life staff, special interest programs or the organized activities that can be found in University owned housing.
Where are packages for these buildings delivered?
Packages for Tuscany residents are accepted at the Tuscany CSC located in the lobby. packages for the residents of the properties located on Shrine Place and 32nd Street are delivered to the Troy CSC. Residents are notified by their USC e-mail account when a package arrives for them.
Where are the CSCs for these buildings?
There is a CSC for the Tuscany buildings on the first floor of Tuscany, staffed by a CSR (Mila Ream) and a leasing manager (Roderick Lemon). The CSC phone is (213) 743-5000; fax is (213) 743-9738. The CSC is open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Sunday.
The properties near Shrine Place will be serviced out of the Troy Customer Service Center located at 3025 Royal Street. The phone number is (213) 764-2267 and the e-mail address is MailTRH@usc.edu. The CSC hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00PM.
How were rent rates determined for 2009-2010?
When Conquest managed these buildings, rents were determined on an individual basis, so the rents for residents in the same building and apartment type could vary considerably. To make the rent payments more uniform and fair, Westar determined a single rate for each apartment type and published them prior to leasing. These rates have been e-mailed to current residents, and will be posted on the USC Housing website prior to the beginning of the general application process. This will mean that some residents who renew their leases will be paying more that last year and others will be paying less. Westar Housing regrets the inconvenience this will cause for some students, but believes that the new policy will be much fairer for all residents in the future.
What are the amenities in these buildings?
These apartments feature:
- 120 channel Dish Network including HBO and Showtime
- High Speed Ethernet internet connections (one per bedroom or one in the living room)
- Laundry rooms using coin-free smart card technology
- Fully equipped kithchens, with refrigerators, stoves and microwaves; some units have
- dishwashers.
Please note that apartments in these buildings are rented unfurnished; residents will need to provide own furniture and small appliances.
Who pays for utilities?
The following utilities: electricity, water/sewer, gas and telephone service, are not included in rent charges and are the responsibility of the residents.
How does the leasing work?
Leasing arrangements are made for the entire apartment, rather than for an individual space, as is the case with University-owned apartments. The student making the lease arrangement may bring in roommates up to the listed capacity of the building. (Please note that the monthly rents provided in the building descriptions are for the full apartments, not a space in the apartments.
How do I apply for housing in a Westar building?
All applications and leasing will be handled by Westar Housing. Leasing for next year is taking place
now. For more information
click here.
Additional information for Tuscany can be found at
tuscany-housing.com.
Additional information for Shrine place properties can be found at
shrine-housing.com