<p>12-month leases are pretty much the standard in college towns, at least here (Colorado). And like edad said, in the long run, I believe it ends up being a blessing because it gives you a place to store your stuff and you aren’t forced to immediately move things out of a place upon the end of the term. I guess I hardly find it a ripoff. Truth is - in a college town, the landlords pretty much call the shots. If you want to live near campus, you’ll have to accept the lease length they offer.</p>