As with any move, finding a place to live can be a challenge. We hope this page will answer many of the questions you might have about relocating to the New Haven area.How do I search for off-campus housing?
Your search begins by clicking on the “Search housing listings” link on the Off-Campus Housing home page. From there, you can search according to criteria such as neighborhoods, long or short term housing, rental prices, and more. Once you click the “Search” button, entries matching your criteria will appear. By clicking on “Details” you will see additional information about what your rent includes and comments made by the landlord. Click “Contact Me,” fill out your information and click “submit.” Please note: Your message will go directly to the landlord’s email inbox if they have provided an email address. If a landlord does not have an email address, their phone number will appear after you click the “submit” button.
When should I start looking for housing?
This is a difficult question to answer, but here are some factors to consider when looking for housing:
- Since most programs start in the fall, housing options in New Haven tend to become competitive in the summer months.
- Although new listings are received year-round, we receive the majority of our listings in May, June, July and August.
- If you have a car and don’t mind commuting, consider living in one of the nearby towns surrounding New Haven. Housing options tend to be less competitive in these areas.
How long will it take me to find housing?
If you are looking for housing during the summer months, you can expect to find a place in one-two weeks. Please keep in mind however that options are greatly reduced as the fall semester approaches. If you are looking for housing during the academic year, please expect the search to take a little longer since the number of listings is typically lower than during the summer months.
What types of housing are available?
Our listings include full apartments, houses, rooms, efficiencies, condos, room shares, and sublets. Most are available for a long-term rental, while others are available for short term use (180 days or less). We have two separate databases for rentals and properties that are for sale, as well as information about the Homebuyer Program for faculty and university employees.
Where can I find roommates?
By searching for rooms or shared spaces in our listings, you can view the ads of renters or owners who have already found housing and are now looking for roommates. Unfortunately, we do not yet have the capacity to list “housing wanted” ads.
What quality of housing should I expect?
Because the quality of housing in the New Haven area varies greatly, you should never sign a lease for a place that you haven’t seen. The Off-Campus Housing Service does not inspect or endorse any of the housing listings on our web site. When viewing a prospective rental unit, be sure to ask the landlord and the current tenants if there are plumbing, insect or any other problems with the unit. If the landlord is cleaning or repairing any part of the house, the cleaning or repairs should be completed before your lease begins. If problems with your rental unit occur, notify the landlord in writing, and keep a copy of all correspondence for your records.
Can the Off-Campus Housing Office help me find an apartment?
Our office is not a realty agent or apartment locator. We provide a forum for private landlords and the Yale community to advertise and search available housing, but the rest is up to you. The search feature of our listing database allows you to find the housing option that is right to you. By including information on this web site about New Haven, tenant’s rights, and more, our hope is that you will be equipped with enough information to find a living situation that will meet your needs. However, you are more than welcome to contact us should you have additional questions.
How can I find short-term housing?
Short-term housing of 180 days or less is available through our off-campus listings. These housing options include apartments, rooms, houses, and more. If you need short-term housing for a few days, please check out our list of hotels and bed & breakfast inns under Overnight Accommodations.
What other housing options are available to graduate students?
Yale offers several housing options for graduate students. On-campus housing includes Graduate Dormnitory rooms and suites with common or private bathrooms for singles, or Graduate Apartments for singles, couples, and families. Please view the Graduate Housing web site for more information.
What should I do if I’ve been discriminated against in my search for housing?
In Connecticut, discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation is prohibited by law. Any person who feels that he or she has been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Commission on Human rights and Opportunities (CHRO) immediately after the problem has occurred. While it is not necessary to hire a lawyer to file a complaint, it may be helpful to discuss the problem with a lawyer. You can contact CHRO at www.state.ct.us/chro/ or (861) 541-3403.
Have more questions? Feel free to contact us at offcampushousing@yale.edu or (203) 432-9756.