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There are many websites to search for off-campus housing options, including and .

CIRCLE has partnered with , a leasing company that provides housing to many UW students. They have also provided a helpful .

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.

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 of the property/company. 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 

Many rental properties do not allow pets, but it is possible to find places that do! You can filter your rental search by properties that are pet-friendly, and you should always double-check with the landlord or leasing company. If you find a pet-friendly apartment, you may be charged a pet damage deposit or an additional monthly fee in pet rent.

If you have a service animal, there are no pet restrictions on any property.

• 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.

• Deposit: Sometimes called a “security deposit,” this is a specified amount of money that the tenant agrees to pay before moving into the property. The landlord holds this money to pay for any damage the tenant may cause. When you move out, you may get some or all of your deposit back.
• Landlord: The owner of a property (such as a house or apartment) that is leased or rented to another person.
• Lease/rental agreement: This is the contract that defines the terms of your rental. It typically includes important information such as the amount of rent charged, when it’s due, deposits and fees, damage policies and parking provisions.
• Rent: Rent refers to the amount of money paid regularly (usually once per month) by a tenant to a landlord.
• Renter’s insurance: Insurance policy that covers your personal property (in case of theft, fire, etc.), liability (in case someone is injured in your rental), and may provide additional living expenses if your rental becomes unlivable.
• Studio: An open-layout style of apartment that typically has a living room, a sleeping area for one bed and a kitchen, usually all in one single space.
• Sublet/sublease: Renting a room or unit from a tenant for a period of time rather than the whole lease.
  • Tip: During summer, some UW students sublease out their room or apartment if they plan to be away. Subleasing from someone else can be a great way to get to know an area without having to commit to a year-long lease. However, before you sublet a room or apartment, make sure to confirm that the landlord is aware of and approves this arrangement.
• Tenant: A person who rents property (such as a house or apartment) from a landlord.
• Unfurnished: This means a house or apartment does not include beds, tables, sofas, chairs, lamps, small appliances or other furniture. Most unfurnished housing still includes large appliances like a stove, oven and refrigerator. It is very common in the U.S. for rental housing to come unfurnished.
• Utilities: This usually refers to water, electricity, gas, garbage removal and sometimes internet. Sometimes utilities are included as part of the rent payment, and sometimes they are paid through a separate bill. Your lease typically will mention how utilities are to be paid.