Frequently Asked Housing Questions
How can find a place to live in Austin?
Can I stay in a University residence hall on campus?
What if I want to live in an apartment?
Is temporary housing available?
Answers
How can I find a place to live in Austin?
This is the most frequently asked question and difficult to answer. Affordable
housing close to the University campus is in great demand and we recognize
that it is difficult to make a choice without looking at residences
in person. However, browsing Web sites is helpful. We suggest you follow
the three steps outlined below.
Start immediately to gather information. Research the housing options listed for up-to date information, pictures, detailed pricing, and on-line applications. Ask your study abroad coordinator for names of students who have studied at UT whom you can contact for advice and information.
Submit an application to the residence you select as soon as possible. The dormitory or co-op should then send you a contract, which must be returned, signed, with the deposit. Many residences fill up for fall semester by early May. If you apply later, you probably will be placed on a waiting list. Vacancies occur for the spring semester and exchange students coming in January will find that dorms and co-ops often know what spaces will be available for Spring semester by November or earlier.
Get a confirmation that you have a room. You do not have a reservation for a room until the specific dorm or co-op office has received your deposit and signed contract. Many co-ops and dorms now accept credit cards for payment. We realize it may be hard to get replies to your inquiries or confirmation that you have a room. If you are having problems getting a response, e-mail the UT exchange advisor as we may be able to help. Our office cannot make reservations for students, however, since a deposit is required.
Attention Fall Semester only exchange students:
You may encounter dorms that will only accept a two-semester (fall and spring) contract. However, some dorms and co-ops set aside a certain number of one-semester (fall only) spaces. It is most important to apply as early as possible if you will be at UT for the fall semester only. Be sure to indicate you are a reciprocal exchange student on your application. Spring only contracts are usually not a problem.
What exactly is a co-op?
Residents of cooperative houses (co-ops) participate in running the house, dividing duties such as cooking, cleaning, and maintenance in return for paying a lower rate for room and meals than dorms charge. Co-ops elect a house manager and fill other leadership positions from their resident members. This allows students to plan and manage their own living environment. Although the co-op living spaces may not be as well maintained as dorms, and management and standards of living, for some people, might be somewhat casual or haphazard, co-ops provide adequate and inexpensive accommodations that continue to be popular with US and exchange students.
Can I stay in a University residence hall on campus?
We strongly suggest that you do not apply to UT Housing and Food Service for a room in one of the UT residence halls, located on campus. The University now reserves 75 percent of the rooms for freshman students (18 year-olds). The remaining spaces usually are allotted by lottery to current dorm residents. Even if vacancies do occur, students may not be notified until late July, long after most off-campus residences are filled.
What if I want to live in an apartment?
Apartments in Austin can be expensive and in short supply. Living with one or more roommates will reduce costs. The internet continues to make researching and renting an apartment as well as finding roommates more and more common every semester. Nevertheless, on-line housing research is not the same as being able to view properties in person in Austin. Nor is it the same as having a trusted friend to ask for advice. Try to find out as much as you can about the location, age and condition of the apartment, as well as what services (bus line, supermarket, bank, cafes, restaurants, etc.) are nearby.
Remember, leasing an apartment over the internet is always taking a chance. Leases are legally binding and cannot be easily broken or changed. Before signing a lease to rent an apartment, consider:
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Length of lease- is it longer than you expect to stay in Austin?
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Added expenses- Many apartments are unfurnished, which means renting or acquiring furniture. Utility costs (electricity, gas, water) are often not included in the rent.
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Transportation and safety- Can you easily get to campus, especially at night and on weekends? Do city and UT shuttle buses run close by? What kinds of people live in the apartment complex? Do university students live there? What may seem like a good deal won’t be if the area is not safe or if you can’t get to the UT conveniently.
Apartment locator services represent a number of apartment owners and do not charge prospective renters for their services. Several locators that specialize in student rentals and advertise in UT’s student newspaper, The Daily Texan, can be found on our long-term housing website. Apartment locators can help you with sort through information such as apartment location, amenities, and price range. Housing listings and limited assistance will be available at the International Office in August and in January to help new students get settled after arrival.
Is temporary housing available?
Yes. Most dorms and co-ops will allow students who have contracts for the fall or spring semester to move in early before the beginning date of the contract. Check with your residence’s manager to find out about move-in dates, daily charges, if meals are served, and suggestions about how to handle late night arrival. Other temporary accommodations convenient for students can be found with our short-term housing options.