As you think about where you want to live on campus, you may want to learn more about the communities, room types, and residence halls at the University of Oregon as well as the costs, which are determined by the type of room and meal plan you select.

Living on campus is a great way to make friends and get involved. Not only are you making friends and memories that will last a lifetime, you are creating a foundation for success, connecting with faculty, and transitioning to college life.

First-Year Students

Once you have been admitted to the UO, you can register for housing. First-year students at the UO live in the residence halls. Students living on campus their first year have higher GPAs, higher retention rates, higher graduation rates, and faster graduation times.

International students also live on campus for their first year at the university. Students who want to continue living on campus in the fall need to register for housing by June 30. After this date, students will be placed on an wait list. Those placed on the residence hall room assignment wait list will be notified of their status by August 15. When notified, students on the list could be offered a residence hall room assignment space or offered the opportunity to remain on the list when space becomes available.

On-Campus Housing

Students are responsible for finding their own housing off-campus. The UO has an off-campus housing website to help you with your housing search and provides resources including an off-campus living instagram social page, resource guide, roommate search guide, rental basics and information as well as basic needs information.

Off-Campus Housing Website

Be Aware

We recommend to NOT rent anything without seeing it with the owner or property manager first. Look at listings online and get an idea of quality, location, and price but don’t sign a long-term lease and then not like the location, or the rental itself. You greatly reduce being a victim of a rental scam by dealing in person with the owner or property manager.

Landlords look for verifiable rental history from a third-party landlord, proof of good credit, and documented monthly income sufficient to pay the rent and living expenses. Most refuse to rent to anyone who has not viewed the inside of a rental in person.

International students usually will not have verifiable rental or credit history in the U.S. You must show a landlord that you are a good tenant and capable to pay the rent on time. You must come up with proof of funds and trustworthiness and at the same time exercise caution to avoid a bad rental situation. Ways to achieve this include:

• Provide a copy of your admission to the UO and full UO funding (GE, scholarship)
• Provide a copy of your passport
• Provide the Rental Support Letter to prospective landlords
• Provide a copy of your J-1 or F-1 visa. Most landlords do not know the significance of this visa. Inform them that without proof of sufficient funds, a student would not be granted a visa by a U.S. Embassy. Let a landlord know that a person granted a visa had to show adequate resources to demonstrate ability to pay for all educational costs and living expenses while in the U.S. 
• Open a bank account after arrival and place a substantial amount of money in it to demonstrate proof of funds. (Some ways to bring money into the country are through PayPal, international money order, or wire transfer)
• Offer to pay the maximum deposit allowable by law (amount equal to two months rent for an unfurnished rental or three months rent for a furnished rental). 
• Provide an “Income Certificate” or “Certification of Deposit Balance” from your country. 
• Get a parent or guardian to be a co-signer on the loan.
• Show evidence of credit card accounts
• Skype or Zoom with the landlord or manager before your arrival

Also, be sure to read and understand Oregon Tenant Rights.

Questions To Ask A Potential Landlord

• What utilities are included in the rent (water, gas, electricity)?
• What is the cost of gas and electricity per month?
• When will the apartment be available?
• How much is the security deposit?
• What is the parking availability?Are there laundry facilities located on site?

Review The Lease

Carefully review all of the conditions before you sign a lease. Your lease or rental agreement may contain a provision that you find unacceptable -- for example, restrictions on guests, pets, or design alterations.

Get Everything In Writing

To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing. Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with an email or letter. For example, if you ask your landlord to make repairs, put your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself.

Protect Your Privacy Rights

Sometimes misunderstandings arise over the landlord's right to enter a rental unit and a tenant's right to be left alone. If you understand your privacy rights (for example, the amount of notice your landlord must provide before entering), it will be easier to protect them.

Demand Repairs

Know your rights to live in a habitable rental unit. The majority of landlords are required to offer their tenants livable premises, including adequate weatherproofing; heat, water, and electricity; and clean, sanitary, and structurally safe premises. If your rental unit is not kept in good repair, you may have some options, ranging from withholding a portion of the rent, to paying for repairs and deducting the cost from your rent, to calling the building inspector (who may order the landlord to make repairs), to moving out without liability.

Talk To Your Landlord

Keep communication open with your landlord. If there's a problem – for example, if the landlord is slow to make repairs -- talk it over to see if the issue can be resolved before making demands.

Purchase Renters Insurance

Your landlord's insurance policy will not cover your losses due to theft or damage. Renters' insurance may also cover you if you're sued by someone who claims to have been injured in your rental due to your carelessness.

Protect Your Security Deposit

To avoid any misunderstandings, make sure your lease or rental agreement is clear on the use and refund of security deposits. When you move in, walk through the premises with the landlord to record existing damage. If you take good care of your place, you will most likely get your entire security deposit back when you move out.

Utilities are the basic services your home or apartment needs to keep it comfortable and functioning. Common utilities include water, sewer, electric, gas, trash, and recycling. Technology subscriptions like cable TV, internet, security, and phone service can also be considered utilities.

Common Apartment Utilities

You should inquire about what utilities may be included in your rent because it’s common for property owners to cover one or more in your monthly payment. Common utilities include:

Water & Sewage

Essential for flushing the toilet, washing dishes, and showering. This type of utility is typically managed by your landlord, but you may receive a water bill for your individual unit, or it may be split among all tenants in your building.

Electricity

Your electric bill is based on your energy usage and will likely be your most expensive bill. Inefficient appliances, an A/C unit that’s constantly running, lights left on, and devices left in “sleep” mode quickly drive up the cost of your energy bill.

Natural Gas

Natural gas might heat your apartment and fuel gas appliances like stovetops and ovens. Depending on your apartment, you might not have a gas bill at all — many buildings use electricity instead. If your apartment uses natural gas, you will be billed based on your usage.

Trash

Your landlord should have a contract with your city’s waste management company to collect tenants’ trash and recycling. Often, this cost is handled by the property owner, but you may have to pay a monthly fee. Check your lease to verify who covers waste disposal.

Security

Security is a less common utility, but your apartment complex may include a gated entry or a professionally monitored security system. This could require an additional charge but is likely included in your rent. However, if you want to install your own home alarm system, you are responsible for the cost and should check with the landlord first.

Cable & Internet

You are responsible for acquiring and paying for your own cable and internet. There will typically be hook-ups in the unit, but it will not be set up when you move in.

Cost-Saving Tips