College students face the decision of whether to seek housing on their college campus, or hunt for an apartment off campus. Below you will find information on renting an apartment, as well as college residential housing options, including which colleges have housing that stay open during school breaks (winter break, spring break, summer break).

The Apartment Hunt
The best way to find a new home is to look in the classifieds ads of the newspaper, search online classified ads or walk around the neighborhood you want to live in and look for "For Rent" signs on buildings. Online newspaper classified ads are usually updated daily, therefore, if you have consistent access to the Internet, it is best to look up listings online.

Start early
Give yourself about two months to find the apartment for you, since it can take a while. This is especially true in college areas due to high student populations. Your apartment search should begin two months prior to your desired move-in date. Landlords and managers will be getting back to you by phone. If they can't reach you the first time, they may move on to the next person on their list.

What to look for outside
Become familiar with the area that you are looking. Notice things like parking, is it near your school, does it make sense, and make sure you are comfortable with the neighborhood. You may want to see where the closest bus stop and grocery stores are. If you can drive to the neighborhood after dark, see what the lighting is like around the residence and on the street. Would you feel comfortable walking to the store or bus stop if you had to?

What to look for inside
Once inside the unit or house, check the door locks to make sure they're strongly in place. Is there a smoke alarm? Have the walls been recently painted? Turn on the faucets to see what the water pressure is like. See if there are heating sources (like gas vents or baseboards) in all the main rooms. Are the windows secure? Put your hand by any that look thin or loose. Is there a breeze of air by it? It could indicate that window is easily breakable or that it leaks heat from the inside.

What to ask
Ask what an average heat bill costs to keep the place comfortable. Find out how long the previous tenant lived there. If they lived there for only a few months, you may want to ask why they left in case it's a building or neighborhood related reason versus personal circumstances. Ask what the minimum lease time allowed is...do you have to sign a year lease or one that is month-to-month? Ask what the average rent increase is and how often it goes up. Find out how close the manager lives or how accessible he/she is in case something goes wrong.

Preparing for the application
Applications ask a lot of personal information. Be prepared to provide this information when you visit the residence in case there are other interested applicants but it's just the place you're looking for. The landlord will likely want to know your previous addresses, how much rent you paid there, if any. You will be asked about your monthly income, the location of your job, if you have a bank account, and any other information that may be important regarding the residence.

Shared Housing
Renting your own room in a shared house is usually the easiest way to secure and the most affordable housing. If you have your heart set on finding your own apartment or a house, be prepared for a longer search and set your rent limit higher. Before you sign a lease with your roommate, be sure to discuss how you will:
" Divide rent and utilities
" Share cleaning responsibilities
" Pay for food and store food
" Handle parties and overnight guests

Breaking a lease
If you sign a lease for one year but move out after six months, you are legally liable to still pay the landlord the remaining six months rent. If you must leave early, contact the manager or landlord as soon as possible and try to work it out so you don't have to pay all the remaining months rent. Try to find someone to take the unit as soon as you leave.

4-Year Colleges With Residential Housing Not Open Year Round:

Gonzaga University (open during summer, closed winter break)
Pacific Lutheran University (summer apartments only for juniors and seniors)
Puget Sound Christian College
University of Puget Sound
University of Washington (residence halls open summer, closed winter break)
Whitman College (closed during summer)
Whitworth College
Seattle Pacific University (closed during winter break)

4-Year Colleges with Pre Freshmen Year Residential Housing:

Central Washington University (don't need to be enrolled)
University of Washington (if enrolled)
Eastern Washington University (if enrolled)
Washington State University (if enrolled)

4-Year Colleges Without Residential Housing:

Antioch University
Cornish College of the Arts
Heritage College
Northwest College (no housing for incoming freshman)

Community Colleges With Residential Housing (Mostly Year Round):

Green River Community College
Skagit Valley College
Yakima Valley Community College
Big Bend Community College

ALL OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES DO NOT HAVE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING