Off-Campus Housing FAQs for Graduate and Professional Students
Just beginning your housing search in Boston or seeking tips on signing a lease? Explore some frequently asked questions below about searching for housing in Boston as a BU graduate or professional student.
Finding an Apartment
How do I choose the right neighborhood?
We encourage students to start by researching Boston’s neighborhoods to determine what will fit your individual needs. The Graduate Education Website’s Neighborhood Guide allows you to compare and contrast the neighborhoods based on location, proximity to BU’s campuses, public transit options, and more. When choosing a neighborhood, it’s important to consider how you plan to travel to BU’s campuses; for many of our graduate and professional students, that means looking into what public transportation options are available nearby.
To learn more about what makes each neighborhood unique, BU Today has an online guide to Boston’s neighborhoods, with helpful lists of where to eat, shop, and hang.
Do I have access to BU Off-Campus Services?
BU students, faculty, staff, and alumni have access to the resources available on BU Off-Campus Services. Register here to start your apartment search, save and compare your favorite listings, and post or search for roommates.
When should I begin my housing search?
Generally, the earlier you start your apartment search, the better selection you will find. You should start the housing search process as early as four months prior to your move-in date.
If you plan to have roommates, you should have that confirmed before beginning your search. BU Off-Campus Services has a roommate finder tool, available to BU students. You can also connect with fellow incoming graduate and professional students in your school or college for potential roommates.
What are some helpful terms when searching for an apartment?
Should I travel to Boston to look for housing?
It is always advisable to view any property before signing a lease. However, this may not be possible for many students, especially while the coronavirus limits travel and in-person interactions. That being said, you should still utilize all technological and video resources available to view properties.
The BU Off-Campus Services website recently enhanced its site features to include virtual tour options. Property owners now have the opportunity of providing virtual tours of available properties, right on their website. For those properties that lack a virtual tour on the Off-Campus Services website, you can still connect with the property owner/lessor to set up a video tour of the property. You can set up video calls through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or other video-conferencing platforms. Exercise your best judgment during this process.
Where can I find short-term housing?
Signing a Lease
What do I need when applying for an apartment?
When applying for an apartment, you will need:
- Checkbook
- Photo ID, including birth date
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- University enrollment verification, letter of acceptance
- Current and former landlords’ contact information
- Current and former employers’ contact information
- Guarantor/co-signer – a US citizen or permanent resident must provide either a bank statement or pay stub
As an international student, you will need:
- Copy of passport/visa
- I-20
- Social Security Number (SSN), if you have one
- Proof of good credit through a current bank statement or a letter from your banker
- Letter of acceptance to BU
- Former landlord letter, if possible
- Guarantor/co-signer – a US citizen or permanent resident must provide either a bank statement or pay stub
What should I know before signing a lease?
Moving In
How do I set up internet and cable in my new apartment?
While living off-campus, is there any coronavirus-related information I should be aware of?
Most graduate and professional students live off campus and are part of communities other than BU. These communities may have their own COVID-19 guidelines in place. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with your community’s protocols, which will be important for everyday activities like grocery shopping and getting take–out, and also for staying informed of COVID-19 cases in your local area.
How do I travel to BU's campuses?
As a city that is at once big and small, Boston can be quite easy to get around (though one should always allow extra time when navigating through the labyrinthine streets of downtown). We encourage you to visit the Transportation section of the Graduate Education Website to learn more about the options available.
Most graduate and professional students travel to campus via MBTA (the T), Boston’s public transportation system. The T is taking extra precautions and necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of its riders. We encourage you to visit the MBTA’s COVID-19 website for the latest updates regarding cleaning, schedules, service interruptions, and fare information. This information is subject to change.
