Off-Campus Housing

If you are looking for off-campus housing, check out offcampushousing.unt.edu, where you can find or post ads for apartments and homes for lease or rent. A roommate and sub-lease search application is also available through this website. If you are looking for family-style housing instead of student housing and unable to find what you are looking for on offcampushousing.unt.edu, select "Contact Us" in the top menu bar and complete the contact form. Off-Campus Housing Source will reach out and help you directly. 

Searching for a place to live and need some help? Check out Off-Campus Housing 101, a presentation that includes information on OCSS Services (0:54), how to search for off-campus housing in the Denton area (9:45), and legal perspectives in the housing process (36:45). This presentation is brought to you by OCSS, Off-Campus Housing Source, and UNT Student Legal Services. 

For additional assistance, contact Off-Campus Student Services at (940) 565-3807 or stop by our office Union 345.

Roommates and Sub-Leases - New Create a Profile and Roommate/Sublease Search Feature!

Roommate Searching

Our new and improved Off-Campus Housing Source website allows you to create a profile to find potential roommates, or have potential roommates find you! If you are a current UNT student looking for a roommate, follow the instructions listed below. 

To Start Your Roommate Search:

• Go to the UNT Off-Campus Housing Source website: Offcampushousing.unt.edu
• If creating a new profile, click "Sign Up", and Enter your EUID and password to log in
• Enter your information when prompted. Note that you can control your roommate preferences, privacy settings or hide/delete your account at any time
• Once your profile is completed, you will be able to conduct a roommate search and/or people will be able to find you. Then you can connect to determine if you are right for each other

Once you have found a roommate, please email OCSS@unt.edu to have your name removed from the list. 

Finding a Good Fit

It is the student’s responsibility to contact potential roommates, communicate their desires and needs, and determine if the potential roommate is a good fit for them. It is likewise the potential roommate’s responsibility to determine if the fit is good fit for themselves.

No matter what, trust your gut and err on the side of safety when making decisions for yourself. 

Tips 

• Create “interview” questions (see below for examples, but also do an internet search for some)
• Create “expectations” to discuss (e.g., is it okay to eat each other’s food, what time of night would you like it to be quiet by so you can go to bed)
• Meet in a public place
• Always tell someone where you’re going and how long you plan on being there

When speaking with a potential roommate, you may want to consider or ask about, but not limited to, the following:

• Are you a morning or evening person?    
• Do you have a job? How do you pay your bills?
• What time do you typically go to bed and wake up?
• What’s your typical schedule?
• Have you ever had a problem with roommates before?
• How often do you clean?
• What’s your monthly budget for everything related to housing (e.g., rent, utilities, cable)?
• If we had a disagreement, how would you prefer to resolve it?
• How often do you have guests over? Will you have overnight guests? Do you host social events?
• What utilities will be included in the rent?
• Will you have to sign a joint-lease?
• What amenities and services do you need or prefer (e.g., laundry, parking, pool, trash pick-up, fitness center, etc.)?
• What are your preferred security preferences or services?
• How close to campus do you prefer to be?
• Will the place be furnished? Do you have furniture?

Sub-Leasing

Life has all kinds of unexpected turns, and you have to adjust your plan. This can mean you no longer need to keep renting your place, but you can't get out of your lease! This is where subleases can help. Subleases are when another person takes over someone else's lease and continues full or partial payment (whichever is negotiated as allowed by the property owner). The Off-Campus Housing Source is a good place for you to post your sublease or find a sublease if you want a short-term living arrangement.

To Start Your Sublease Search/Post:

• Go to the UNT Off-Campus Housing Source website: Offcampushousing.unt.edu
• If creating a new profile, click "Sign Up", and Enter your EUID and password to log in
• Enter your information when prompted. Note that you can control your roommate/sublease preferences, privacy settings or hide/delete your account at any time
• Once your profile is completed, you will be able to conduct a sublease search or post your sublease. Then you can connect to determine if you are right for each other

Finding a Good Fit

It is the student’s responsibility to contact potential sub-lessors/lessees, communicate their desires and needs, and determine if the situation is a good fit for them. It is likewise the potential sub-lessor/lessee’s responsibility to determine if the fit is a good fit for themselves.

No matter what, trust your gut and err on the side of safety when making decisions for yourself. 

Tips

• Create “interview” questions (see below for examples, but also do an internet search for some)
• Do an internet search for subletting tips (e.g., type the address into Google Earth to look at a picture of the property to make sure it’s legit) and scams 
• Meet in a public place
• Always tell someone where you’re going and how long you plan on being there
• Note that if something seems too good to be true (e.g., rent is significantly lower than it should be), it probably is
• If you find a match as a sub-lessor/lessee, ensure the completion of a sub-lease agreement

When speaking with a potential sub-lessee or sub-lessor, you may want to consider or ask about, but not limited to, the following:

• Does the apartment or landlord allow for subleases? It should say in the leasing agreement.
• What is the living arrangement? Will there be roommates? Is it a house or an apartment?
• What are the rules and conditions for the sublease?
• What is the duration of the sublease?
• How are the rent payments to be made?
• What utilities will be included (or not included) in the rent? If not, how are payments made?
• Can the sublease be voided at any time?
• When is it available for move-in? When would I need to move out?
• Is there a security deposit?
• Is the property furnished?

Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program

As part of the latest Coronavirus Relief Bill, $1.3 billion dollars has been appropriated for Emergency Rental [and Utility] Assistance for Texas residents who are experiencing severe financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The application filing period begins February 15, 2021 at 8am Central Time. There are strict requirements and documentation of hardship and cooperation with the applicants' landlords will be required. This program is not in any way administered by the University of North Texas. For more information on eligibility and application requirements, visit TexasRentRelief.com or call (833) 989-7368.

CORT Furniture Rental

Purchasing, storing, moving, disposing, or selling furniture can be a hassle, especially if you change your housing often. Therefore, you may consider renting furniture to reduce the hassle of managing your furniture every year. CORT provides furniture rental packages for students living off-campus. Additionally, they offer furniture for sale and relocation services.