Housing Information
How to find housing
Finding housing in the U.S. may feel daunting at first, but we have plenty of resources to guide you through the process. Get started below with an overview of the steps you should take from researching potential neighborhoods to moving out, and take a look at tips from prior participants who have already completed their housing search.
1 Research
Finding suitable accommodation will take some research, so you should begin before you arrive in the U.S. Talk to your U.S. host employer or any friends or family in the area to get recommendations on potential neighborhoods. Your housing should be within a reasonable distance of your office and in an area with regular, safe, and affordable transportation options.
Be cautious if you see an ad that seems too good to be true or that requires you to wire money. It is never safe to wire money to someone you don’t know, so you should wait until you have arrived in the U.S. to see the place in-person. This is the best way to confirm the legitimacy of the landlord and the property.
Take a look at these resources as you begin:
2 Tour
Once you identify potential apartments, schedule viewings before signing anything. We recommend staying in temporary accommodation like a hotel or Airbnb when you first arrive in the U.S. so that you can tour apartments in-person. You can use our Housing Checklist when visiting properties to ensure they meet your needs.
Questions to ask while you’re touring places include:
- What is the cost of the housing per week or per month?
- What is the cost of the deposit and under what conditions is it refundable?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there?
- How many people total will be living in the housing, and how many people per room?
- Are male/females living in the same accommodation?
- Do tenants have a lease?
- Are utilities included?
- Is the neighborhood safe? (Use websites like City-Data for information on crime statistics and other factors)
- What are the transportation options in the neighborhood and the average cost? Will you need a bike or car or are most things within walking distance?
- Has the building experienced problems with bed bugs recently?
- What are the lease terms?
- Often, a one- or two-year lease is required when renting an apartment, but depending on your selected housing arrangement, you may be able to negotiate a shorter lease or a month-by-month lease. This is important in case you need to leave the U.S. early — there may be a fee for leaving before your lease ends, so be sure to discuss this before signing a lease or housing agreement.
3 Apply
4 Lease & Deposit
If you are approved for an apartment, you’ll need to sign a lease, which is a contract between you (the tenant) and your landlord. Read the lease thoroughly, make sure you understand all of the terms before you sign it, and make sure the landlord has signed it. A lease protects your rights as a tenant, so make sure to keep a copy for your records. If your landlord does not require a lease, you should request one.
Your landlord may also request a refundable security deposit usually equal to one month’s rent. The deposit and first month’s rent are typically due when you sign your lease. Information regarding the deposit should be clearly outlined in the lease and should include information about the return procedure, including when and how it will be returned. Be sure to budget for these initial costs.
5 Move-In
Upon move-in, you should take note of any pre-existing damages and send an email to your landlord with the details. Be sure to also take pictures and/or videos of the damage and condition of the housing. Make sure you understand who to contact if you have any issues with your housing during your stay.
6 Paying Rent & Respecting Your Housing
Make sure you know when your rent is due to avoid late fees. No matter how you pay, whether it is via cash, credit card, or check, you should always get a receipt upon payment. Save the receipt for your records.
Don’t forget you are leasing your housing, you do not own it. It is extremely important that you treat it with care to ensure the return of your security deposit. Be respectful of your neighbors, and keep noise to a minimum to avoid any fines.
7 Move-Out
Your lease should outline the move-out procedures (ie. how much notice you must give). Note that if you move-out before the agreed upon date in your lease, you may forfeit your security deposit or be required to pay for the remaining months on your lease.
We recommend taking pictures and/or videos again upon move-out. You may also want to consider arranging a walkthrough with your landlord so that the two of you can view the condition of the housing together.
8 Return of Deposit
If your housing was left in good condition, you should receive your deposit back. If outlined in your lease, a portion of your deposit may be nonrefundable. Talk to your landlord before you depart the U.S. about when and how the deposit will be returned.
NOTE: This list is not exhaustive and is only meant to summarize the rental process.
