Dorm Room Move-In Checklist

A few items on this list come with fine print — the rules almost every campus has:

• Candles, incense & open flames — banned nearly everywhere, even unlit ones at some schools.
• Halogen lamps & space heaters — fire hazards that most housing offices prohibit.
• Extension cords — many campuses only allow surge protectors with a breaker, never daisy-chained cords.
• Mini fridges & microwaves — usually allowed, but size and wattage limits vary by school, and some rooms come with a microfridge already.
• Hot plates, toasters & air fryers — open heating elements are banned in most dorm rooms (check if your hall has a shared kitchen).
• Pets — typically limited to fish in a small tank.
• Wall damage — nails and strong adhesives (including some LED strip tape) can cost you your deposit; use removable hooks.

Rules differ by campus — search "your school name + residence hall what to bring" for the official list before buying appliances.