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YES! Read this very by Smirk_UW to learn about places to look and a Facebook group for UW students looking for housing, roommates, sublease, etc.Ìý

There’s a variety of housing options available off-campus and you can find one that suits you. Students who prefer to live alone often choose studio apartments or one bedroom apartments. Students who prefer to live with friends or with roommates often rent a house or live in larger apartments.

Studio

One bedroom (1B1B)

Two bedroom (2B1B or 2B2B)

Three bedroom (3B)

Four bedroom (4B)

House

The most important factors in finding an off-campus apartment are and safety and access to transportation. BEFORE you sign a lease:

• Make sure the apartment/housing is near a bus station or Link light rail station that allows you to get to campus, grocery store, and other areas safe and easy.Ìý
• Check out the security system of your apartment/house, and avoid buildings where anyone can walk-in the main gate.Ìý
• Google reviews and students who previously lived in the apartments are also good resources to find out the safety of the area and building.Ìý  
• Also check if the apartment/house has a safe package storage room. Apartments without package storage rooms cause residents to lose their mails and packages.Ìý

• Some off-campus housing options are furnished, while others are unfurnished. Make sure to check the housing details carefully before signing a lease.
• If you need to buy furniture, consider ordering it before you arrive and scheduling delivery for your move-in date or after you have arrived.
  • offers delivery options, including doorstep delivery and in-home delivery for apartments.

CIRCLE Shopping Guide

• Seattle and the U-District area rent varies from $800-$3,000 a month. Generally, apartments are around $1,300-2,000 per person.
• Check out the amenities of the apartment/house. Does it have any in-unit or on-site laundry? Does it have a study room or fitness room? Does it have a storage room or bike room? Does it have any lounges or roof top areas?
• Depending where you live, your rent may or may not cover utility bills. Some common utility bills are garbage, electricity, water, sewer, and internet. Make sure you take these bills into account when signing the lease.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 
• Some apartments & houses may require you to buy renter’s insurance.Ìý

• Most standard leases are 12-month agreements. You may also encounter a month-to-month, 3-month, or 9-month lease. Make sure you carefully read the lease before you sign it.
• When signing the lease, you will have to provide some documents proving your identity and financial ability (passport, visa, I-20, bank statements etc).
• Typically, when signing a lease, you will be asked to pay these fees:
  • Application fee: around $30-80 one-time non-refundable fee
  • Deposit: $500-$1,000. The fee should be returned to you when you move out, unless extra cleaning fees or damage occur.
  • Last month of rent 

• In the U-District, avoid street-level (1st floor) units.
• Don’t rush into a decision — especially when it comes to signing the lease. Make sure you tour several places before signing.Ìý
• Avoid dangerous areas just because they are cheap, especially if you are living alone. Safety is the top priority.Ìý
• If you have to leave the apartment before the lease ends, do NOT sublease it to other people under the table. Go through the leasing company’s official sublease process.
• If you have disputes with the leasing company, take a free consultation with UW’s very own to get help for resolutions.
• If you read Mandarin, we recommend this CIRCLE Wechat post on for more specific tips.