Off Campus Housing

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Finding Off-Campus Housing

I'm looking for a place to live. What should I do?
Housing Outreach Services has a variety of resources available to assist those who are looking for a place to live. Most of our services are restricted to UCI students, currently enrolled students at other colleges and universities, faculty or staff of UCI, and active members of the UCI Alumni Association. Individuals who do not fit these categories may pick up some of the general information in the office.

Resources available include:
- Listings of available housing in the community (must have valid ID from one of the categories above)
- Listings of individuals who are looking for a place to live
- Living Around UC Irvine (a booklet published by the Housing Office)
- FOR RENT Magazine
- Information for first-time renters
- Information about the Irvine Apartment Communities Roommate Center
- Information and advising on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities
- Information about on-campus housing at UCI
- Other resources
I live too far away/I work during business hours/I have school and can’t make it during business hours. What can I do?
We offer a service called "Personalized Listings." We strongly suggest a visit to our office to look through the listings yourself, since you may often see ads for places you may not have otherwise considered. However, if you cannot come to the office, we can do a personalized listing in which we search our listings based on criteria you provide, then send the results to you. There is a $15.00 service charge, and you must send proof that you are a student or will be enrolled at UCI. We will process your request as soon as it is received. Students are encouraged to evaluate rentals in person, as the University is unable to inspect each listing.
Click here for more information about Personalized Listings.
When is the best time to start looking for off-campus housing?
We always have listings available, so if you’re looking for housing, there’s a good chance there are ads that meet your needs at any time of the year. If you are looking for housing in Newport Beach, on Balboa Island, or in University Town Center, the best time to start looking is in late March or early April for the following school year. We suggest you begin your housing search about a month to a month and half in advance for any other locations, or if you are looking for a place with roommates.

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Questions About On-Campus Housing

Do you offer campus housing over the summer?
Yes, some campus housing is available over the summer. Arroyo Vista offers housing for summer school students. Campus Village offers summer housing for year-round contract holders and some subleases. Sublease information can be obtained through Campus Village at (949) 824-7491 or the Housing Office at (949) 824-7247. Verano Place Housing offers some subleases, contact (949) 824-5964 for additional information. Availability is subject to deadlines.

Click here for more information about summer housing.
Do the residence halls rent rooms for the weekends or week visits?
During the school year, the residence halls are occupied by students and are not available for rental. Campus Village offers a guest facility during the summer months for people affiliated with UCI. Call (949) 824-7247 for additional information. Residence hall space can be booked by organizations or conferences during the summer months. Call Scheduling and Conference Services at (949) 824-5252 for availability and additional information.

Click here to visit the Scheduling and Conference Services website.

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Questions about Off-Campus Housing Listings

What types of listings are available?
Roommates Wanted is a listing of people (generally students) who already have a house or apartment and are looking for roommates. People listing in this category are generally looking for other people to share equally in costs for utilities and responsibilities for cleaning. Rooms may be single or shared, as may bathrooms. There are separate listings for people looking for female roommates and people looking for male roommates. Both contain listings that welcome either gender.

Rooms in Private Homes is a listing of single rooms available in houses. These are usually with a family, or a single, working, non-student. Amenities provided vary greatly. Many offer all house privileges. Others offer limited kitchen access or other restrictions. Some provide meals. Occasionally, there may be listings for free room in exchange for housecleaning, childcare, or other responsibilities.

Houses, Apartments, & Condos is a listing of completely empty places for rent. Many are fully furnished. Most listings are 2 bedrooms or larger, although sometimes there are listings for one bedroom/one bathroom or studio apartments.

Subleases is a listing of apartments or homes with a current lease which cannot be fulfilled by the current lessee. They are generally looking for someone to take over the rest of their lease. These listings may be with or without roommates.

Roommates Available is a listing of students who don't have a house, apartment or condo and are looking for a place to live. You usually need to provide your own bedroom furniture and may need things for the kitchen or living room.

Temporary Housing is a listing of individuals in apartments, condos, or homes who are willing to provide temporary housing for one day to six months.
All listings are updated daily.
I don't have my student ID. Can I still look at the listings?
As a general rule, you must have a valid ID. If you are a UCI undergraduate student, we can look you up on a computer to see if you are currently enrolled. If the computer system is not accessible, you may be sent to the Registrar's office for proof of enrollment. However, you still must have a photo ID to leave at the desk while you look at the listings. (If you are a UCI graduate student, you will still need to bring in your student ID.)
I'm not a UCI student, but I need housing. Can I still look through your listings?
In order to look through the housing listings, you MUST be one of the following: Current or incoming UCI student (with valid student ID or letter of acceptance and a photo ID) or a student currently enrolled at another college or university (current school ID with picture is required), UCI Faculty or Staff (with a valid ID), or a Member of UCI Alumni Association (with a valid ID). If you do not fall into the above categories, there are still some resources available on apartments and the surrounding communities which may assist you.
How do I go about placing a listing?
You must fill out a listing card to place an advertisement. The quickest way to place your listing is to stop by Housing Outreach Services, located on the 4th floor of the Student Center (G465). If it is more convenient, we can mail a card to you. Please call our office at (949) 824-7247 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Your ad will be placed the day we receive your ad and listing fee. Your ad will run for 30 days from the original listing date. If you wish to change or cancel your ad during that time, please call our office. If you wish to extend your ad, an additional listing fee will be required.
What are the listing fees?

Fees are waived for current UCI students, students currently enrolled in another college or university, UCI staff or faculty, and active members of the UCI Alumni Association. You must present a valid ID at the time the ad is placed. If there is no photo on the ID, a photo ID will also be required.

Fees for all other individuals are based on the type of listing as follows:

Roommates Wanted	$10
Rooms in Private Homes	$15
Houses, Apartments, and Condos	$30
Subleases	$10
Temporary Housing	Free
Roommates Available (for students, UCI Staff, Faculty, and Alumni only)	Free

Fees may be paid by cash or by checks made payable to Regents-UC. Payment cannot be made by credit card.

When are the best times to place an ad?
There are always people looking for housing, and new ads are placed daily. However, there are peak periods when the number of people looking for housing increases. Students begin looking for summer housing and housing for the next school year from mid-April through June. Late July through September is another very good time to place an ad.
Do you take ads over the phone or by fax?
If you are a student, UCI Staff, Faculty, or Alumni we can accept your ad by fax along with a copy of a valid student, faculty, staff, or alumni ID. Please call (949) 824-7247 for additional information.
I only want a graduate student/faculty member/staff member (or other preferences). Can I fill out my listing to indicate my preference?
We do not allow limiting the population to a specific segment of the community. If you would like an older student, we suggest putting something such as "mature student preferred" in the additional information section of the listing card. Our cards are designed so that preferences such as pets and smoking are included. Our office supports UCI's policies on non-discrimination. If you are only interested in renting to a faculty/staff member, contact the Faculty/ Staff Housing Office (Las Lomas) at (949) 824-6254.
I want to host an international student only. Should I place an ad with the Housing Office?
There are a few companies which look for people willing to host international students. We often refer interested people to W.I.S.E. (World-Wide Student Exchange) at (949) 206-0496. You may also want to contact the English as a Second Language department at (949) 824-5991, and the International Center at (949) 824-7249.

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