Off-Campus Housing Guide
Purpose of Housing Campaign
This campaign marks the first edition of its kind at the UC Basic Needs Center, designed to educate students on the essentials of finding off-campus housing. It will cover key topics such as preparing for renting, understanding rental agreements, budgeting and finances, and more. Our goal is to help students become informed renters, empowering them to confidently navigate the housing market and all its intricacies.
In this booklet, students can expect to learn about:
- Housing as a Systemic Issue + Realities
- Preparing Renters Before Renting
- Dissecting a Rental Agreement
- Budgeting + Finances
- Watching Out For Scams
- Maintaining Renter Behavior
History of Housing Campaign
Conceptualization of an updated housing resource for students came about in April 2024. There was a need to provide something for students that are engaging with the housing market for the first time, and the idea of an educational campaign for off-campus housing resources came to be. The greater part of the year was dedicated towards research, constructing themes that are relevant to college students looking for housing, and laying the groundwork for potential future editions of this campaign.
This project was made in collaboration with the UCI Basic Needs Center, but it would not have been possible without the voices of the UCI student body. We hope that anyone that comes across this resource can take something from this campaign, whether it be something learned or something gained. This is only the beginning of this campaign; there are still so many topics to tackle, and we are excited to continue growing from this launch.
Resources
UCI Housing Campaign Email Templates & Phone Scripts
Access Housing Campaign Template Drive here
- Example of Rental Agreement
- Email Template – Apartment Tour Inquiry
- Email Template – Housing Offer
- Email Template – Negotiating Lease Terms
- Phone Script – Apartment Tour Inquiry
- Template – Roommate Agreement
Campus Health Services
Off-Campus Housing Department
Other
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
- Budget Billing Plan (BBP)
- Federal Trade Commission – Report a Scam
- Splitwise – A free tool for friends and roommates to track bills and other shared expenses