Damages and Vandalism
Update for AY 24-25: Students are expected to leave their room and other assigned spaces in the same condition as they were provided at Check-In. A $250 supplemental cleaning fee will be assessed per resident if assigned spaces requires additional maintenance or extensive cleaning, including, but not limited to, the removal of trash or abandoned furniture and deep cleaning.
Introduction
Residents are expected to leave their contractually assigned spaces in the same condition as they were at Check-In. Damages to individual rooms and suites will be assessed based on the Room Condition Report (RCR) completed at Check-In and residents will be held financially responsible for the costs associated with furniture or facility repairs or replacements.
Damage and Vandalism Policy
Individuals are financially responsible for any damages, vandalism, missing items, or unsatisfactory conditions in their room, suite, or common areas. Sports and recreational activities that may cause damage to property as well as disruption or injury to others are not permitted in any area within the residence halls or brownstones.
Knowingly and/or recklessly damaging, destroying, defacing, and/or tampering with University, public, or private property of another person, is prohibited.
Whenever possible, repair or replacement costs will be assessed to the individual(s) responsible; when this is not possible, costs may be shared by the smallest identifiable group of the residents within a building, floor, room, or suite. (Examples of vandalism that may result in shared costs distributed within a community include, but are not limited to, bulletin boards ripped off walls, ceiling tile damage, paint in stairwell landings or in a floor lounge, etc.)
Students are encouraged to report any information regarding specific acts of vandalism to their RA or a member of the Residential Life staff.
Residents will be charged for costs including, but not limited to:
- Replacing or repairing furnishings, appliances, or fixtures that have been altered or removed without express written approval of Columbia Housing. This includes items removed from personal rooms, suite common areas, floor and building lounges, and other residence hall spaces or brownstones.
- Returning furnishings, appliances, or fixtures to their proper locations.
- Additional cleaning of individual and/or common area appliances, rugs, floors, or furnishings after check-out.
- Taking corrective action when residents do not maintain satisfactory housekeeping, sanitation, and safety standards, including improper or unsanitary usage of restroom facilities and spaces.
- Deep cleaning for improperly maintained suite or private bathrooms.
- Repairing and restoring beyond normal wear and tear.
- Replacing or restoring fire equipment or other safety devices.
- Removing or tampering with University-installed window AC units or window stops
- Removing abandoned bulk items such as furniture and other non-Columbia issued furnishings.
- Cleaning and/or removal of personal items following improper Check-Out.
The charge for repair, restoration, or corrective action will equal the costs of material and labor. The charge for items lost, stolen, or destroyed will equal the cost of replacement. The minimum common area damage charge is $10 per resident.
When the cost of damage significantly exceeds the rates listed here, Housing reserves the right to hold residents accountable for the full cost of damage.
A table showing the costs associated with repairs or replacements of certain items.
- Damaged Items
- Supplemental Cleaning*
- Cost
- $250 per person
- Damaged Items
- Mattress
- Cost
- $200
- Damaged Items
- Bed Frame
- Cost
- $225
- Damaged Items
- Room Furniture
- Cost
- $450 per item
- Damaged Items
- Suite Furniture
- Cost
- $450 per item
- Damaged Items
- Disassembled Furniture
- Cost
- $145 per item
- Damaged Items
- Sheetrock Damage (wall)
- Cost
- $200 per wall
- Damaged Items
- Plaster Damage (wall)
- Cost
- $400 per wall
- Damaged Items
- Repainting (wall/cabinet/door/etc.)
- Cost
- $300 per unit
- Damaged Items
- Locks (hard key/non-electronic)
- Cost
- $65
- Damaged Items
- Locks (electronic)
- Cost
- $500
- Damaged Items
- Broken Door
- Cost
- $950
- Damaged Items
- Carpeting (8' x 10')
- Cost
- $600
- Damaged Items
- Broken Window
- Cost
- $175
- Damaged Items
- Reinstallation of Window Stop
- Cost
- $100
- Damaged Items
- Blinds
- Cost
- $35
- Damaged Items
- Ceiling Tile
- Cost
- $50 per tile
- Damaged Items
- Light Covers
- Cost
- $40
- Damaged Items
- Broken Jacks
- Cost
- $450
- Damaged Items
- Television
- Cost
- $800
- Damaged Items
- Wireless Access Point (AP)**
- Cost
- $2,000 per AP
- Damaged Items
- Exit Sign
- Cost
- $150 per sign
- Damaged Items
- Smoke Detector
- Cost
- $75
*Applies to supplemental cleanings required for bathrooms, bedrooms, and other spaces within suites or apartments.
**If a wireless access point (AP) is damaged or missing, it will be the financial responsibility of the smallest identifiable group.
Painting Policy
Painting or drawing on any walls, ceilings, doors, floors, and furnishings in any building is prohibited. The minimum fee for repainting is $300 per wall/door/cabinet. This will be charged regardless of any attempts to repaint or cover-up. Any damage to flooring or carpet from painting will result in additional charges.