Top 10 House-Hunting Tips

UC Berkeley Off-Campus Rental Services is the University’s housing counseling and rental listing service. If you are a UC Berkeley student or a newcomer to the Bay Area and have never looked for rental housing locally before, these tips will be helpful.

• Most housing options are advertised for immediate occupancy. Your search should begin about four to six weeks prior to your targeted move-in date. It is likely you will secure housing well within a month, but you may want to build in a little extra time to search if you are new to this process. In some cases, you can start your search a month or two in advance, depending on how early the landlords post their listings.
• Shared housing is the most affordable option and the easiest to secure. Shared housing is when you have your own room in a shared apartment or house (usually with other students). If you’re on an especially tight budget, consider a Work Exchange, which is usually a room rental in exchange for approximately 10 to15 hours a week of work such as child care, gardening, cleaning, etc. Also, check out the Berkeley Student Cooperative.
• Rentals with three or more bedrooms are harder to find. If you have your heart set on finding a rental that has three or more bedrooms, be aware that local rental housing consists primarily of small units with two bedrooms or fewer. Be prepared for a longer search and consider communities outside of Berkeley if you can. It may be helpful to enlist the help of parents or guardians for the search process, especially if parents or guardians will pay all or part of your rent.
• Understand the area. Although all of our listings are pinpointed on an online map, it’s a good idea to view the whole area within three to five miles of campus just to have a general idea of where places are located, and what characteristics each neighborhood has.
• Be accessible by phone. A prospective landlord may need to reach you over a phone call, so be sure you are available to take it.
• Have a professional manner when speaking to property managers and leasing agents over the phone. If they are not available to take your call, repeat your name and phone number clearly and express an eagerness to see the rental.
• Show up on time for your housing appointments and dress neatly. You don’t need to wear a suit, but dress well. When you rent, you are entering into a business contract with your landlord, so you want to look responsible. If you can’t show up for your appointment, call the landlord and explain your situation.
• Look for safety features, such as working smoke detectors and deadbolt locks on exterior doors, and do not rent a place if you feel it is unsafe. However, cosmetic defects or minor problems (such as a stain on the carpet) are best left for discussion with the landlord after you have signed a rental agreement. Requests for repairs should always be dated and in writing, and be sure to keep record of any correspondence with your landlord.
• Prepare a tenant resume. This will demonstrate to a landlord where your income is coming from and how you will be responsible for the rent. Make several copies and bring them with you when touring potential rentals.
• If you are having difficulty in your search, consult with a UC Berkeley Off-Campus Rental Services counselor by calling 510-643-6544 or emailing homeinfo@berkeley.edu. Sometimes a minor adjustment to your search is all that you need to find the right place for you.