Preparing to Occupy Your New Home

A-Z Reference for Services, Utilities and On-Campus Assistance

Cable Television

InMyArea.com: www.inmyarea.com/tv/cable - find plans available in the area
RCN: (800) 746-4726 • www.rcn.com/lehigh-valley
Service Electric: (610) 865-9100 • www.sectv.com
Verizon Fios : (855) 859-0406 • www.verizon.com/local/pennsylvania
Xfinity: www.xfinity.com

Contact the local cable television company for installation and connection of services you would like. Installation charges vary by company.

Cleaning Services

Some students want their off campus residences professionally cleaned prior to move in. Check the phone book for additional resources or contact one of the following companies:

House Maids: (610) 266-8256
Merry Maids: (610) 866-8428
Service Master: (610) 837-8721

Consumer Protection Agencies

Pennsylvania State Bureau of Consumer Protection
(215) 560-2494 Philadelphia Region
Accepts written complaints against businesses and landlords. The Bureau will attempt to mediate the problem by bringing the consumer and the business together.

Pennsylvania State Public Utilities Commission
(800) 692-7380 Hotline
Hears complaints against utility companies.

Lehigh Valley Better Business Bureau
(610) 866-8780 • www.bbb.org
Associations of businesses which set standards of practice for their members. The Bureau will attempt to mediate complaints against their members.

Fire & Emergencies

Find the telephone number of the local fire and police departments and emergency numbers. Post these numbers by the telephone.

Have at least one fire extinguisher handy, preferably in the kitchen. Know how to operate the extinguisher. Pennsylvania law requires that the landlord supply a working smoke alarm. If the detector fails and it is not a dead battery, the tenant is to report the failure to the landlord.

Immigration

International students and visitors requiring specialized legal assistance with immigration should contact the Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI) at 610-606-4666 ext. 3596 or inclusion@cedarcrest.edu. The CDI is located in the Allen House on campus.

Internet

Contact a local internet provider for installation and connection.

Exede: (855) 894-5665 • www.exede.com
HughesNet: (877) 813-0547 • www.hughesnetinternet.net
InMyArea.com: www.inmyarea.com/internet - find every internet provider in the area
RCN: (800) 746-4726 • www.rcn.com/lehigh-valley
Service Electric: (610) 865-9100 • www.sectv.com
Verizon: (877) 502-2876 • www.verizon.com
Xfinity: www.xfinity.com

Parking in the City of Allentown

Depending on where you live, you may be eligible to purchase a Residential Parking Permit (RPP) to park in the area. The RPP allows residents to park in their zone without feeding the parking meters, or in areas where there is a 2 or 3 hour time limit, they may park in excess of the time limit.

More information can be found on the Allentown Parking Authority website at allentownparking.com.

Parking on Campus

All faculty, staff, students and contract employees must register their vehicle(s) at the Campus Police office within 24 hours of entering campus. Campus Police is located in the Safety & Facilities Building (#20 on the campus map) and is open 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

To register, students, staff and faculty will need to show their vehicle registration, proof of insurance, current driver’s license and Cedar Crest College photo ID to obtain their decals.
Detailed parking information and maps can be found on the Campus Police webpage: cedarcrest.edu/security/parking.shtm.

Pest Control

Pest control services should be provided by landlords.

In the event that the service is not provided, renters can consult the phonebook or contact one of the following companies:

Rid-Et Pest Control: (610) 759-0839
Orkin Pest Control: (610) 882-1255
Quest Pest: (610) 867-7378
Terminix: (610) 628-1120

Pets

Dogs and cats, three (3) months and older, MUST be vaccinated against rabies. Dogs MUST also be licensed by Lehigh County. All dog licenses are valid for the year in which they were issued, with the exception of a Lifetime License, that is only available at the Lehigh County office.

If you would like to obtain a dog license, you will need the following information:

• Owners name, address, and telephone number
• Dogs name, age, breed, sex and color
• A veterinarian's proof of neutering or spaying is required to take advantage of lower fees

Do not abandon dogs and cats at the end of the semester and over vacations. Please find the animal a home before leaving.

Postal Service

Be sure to update your address with the US Postal Service: www.usps.com. All faculty, staff, and students are able to utilize the Cedar Crest College Mailroom.

Property Care

The area of the sidewalk in front of the house you are renting is your responsibility as a resident. This includes snow/ice removal and removing overgrown grass and weeds.

Police issue citations for unshoveled sidewalks (after 24 hours, fine up to $300). Agree with your landlord before it snows as to who is responsible for sidewalk maintenance. If you have any grassy areas on the property, you (or your landlord) are responsible for keeping it cut and maintained. Check your lease to determine responsibility.

Recycling

Recycling is mandatory for all Allentown residents. FREE Green and Blue recycling bins are supplied by the City and must be used for curbside collection. Speak to your landlord or visit the Allentown, PA website at www.allentownpa.gov/Public-Works/Solid-waste-recycling for information about what to recycle and pickups days/times.

Renter’s Insurance

Consider investing in insurance. Check if your parent's homeowners’ insurance policy will cover your personal property. If not, seriously consider obtaining a policy of your own for the following reasons:

• Fires or water leaks.
• Premiums on renter's insurance are usually low.
• Most renters’ policies are homeowner's insurance modified to fit the needs of tenants.
• Landlords do not carry insurance on the tenant's belongings, only on the dwelling.

Make sure all your valuables are marked with your driver's license number or other identifying mark to aid in identification and return of stolen items.

Satellite Internet & Television

Exede: (855) 894-5665 • www.exede.com
HughesNet: (877) 813-0547 • www.hughesnetinternet.net
Direct TV: (888) 777-2454 • directv.com
Dish Network: (888) 321-7209 • www.dish.com

Student Directory Database

Update your new address and phone number in your student file by contacting the Registrar’s Office at 610-740-3765 or registrar@cedarcrest.edu.

Student Services

Whether residing on or off campus, Cedar Crest College traditional students have access to all college services. The offices of the Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, Academic Services, and Health & Counseling Services are available to students who may need assistance.

Telephone

RCN: (800) 746-4726 • www.rcn.com/lehigh-valley
Service Electric: (610) 865-9100 • www.sectv.com
Verizon: (877) 502-2876 • www.verizon.com
Xfinity: www.xfinity.com

Information needed for your order:

• Complete street address with apartment number/floor
• Appearance of listing for the directory
• Information concerning previous telephone service
• Credit information, including employment

Contact the telephone company for installation and connection of services you would like.

A deposit may be required if you have never had telephone service established in your name. If a deposit is requested for residential service, a written explanation will be provided stating the interest to be paid, and the terms and conditions for return of the deposit.

Trash Collection

Allentown provides curbside trash, recycling and yard waste collection for residents who live in homes and most apartment buildings with fewer than 26 units.

Place your trash, recyclables and yard waste out after 5:00 p.m. and before 10:00 p.m. on your collection nights.

• Trash & bins must be placed in front of your property for collection.
• NO loose or messy trash. Trash must be in bags or cans and within the limits.
• NO trash in boxes. Boxes must be recycled.
• NO tires, liquid paint or hazardous wastes.

You must reach an understanding with your landlord about who arranges for collection. Legally, your landlord is responsible to see that the garbage is collected.

Utilities

Contact a local utility company for installation and connection.

PPL Electric: (800) 342-5775 • www.pplelectric.com
UGI Natural Gas / Electric: (800) 276-2722 • www.ugi.com

Name, address, and date for service needed. A security deposit may be required.

Water Service

Lehigh County Authority: 610-437-7515 • lehighcountyauthority.org

The property owner must call to request water service.