On- and Off-Campus Housing Options
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On and Off Campus Housing Options
This page provides information about on- and off-campus housing options. Finding and reserving permanent housing takes time, so we urge you to investigate your options now. You have the choice of choosing on-campus or off-campus housing. If possible, reserve housing before your arrival.
On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing is found through the Department of Residential Programs and Services (RPS). On-campus housing is convenient, cost effective, and simple to reserve.
In order to be able to secure the kind of housing arrangements you desire, i.e. number of rooms, amenities, location, etc., you should contact RPS as soon as possible to make arrangements. If you are traveling with dependents, RPS will want to know your arrival date and the number of persons in your family. You can find more information about on-campus housing and start the application at the RPS website. All questions about on-campus housing should be emailed to RPS at housing@indiana.edu.
Although residence hall rooms are furnished, there are some supplies you will need to bring with you or purchase once you arrive in Bloomington. Click here for a list of recommended supplies from RPS.
Note to undergraduates: If you are planning to live on campus, you may want to consider one of IU’s Living-Learning Centers that have an international focus: Foster International, The Global Village, and Kelley Living Learning Center! For more information, please visit this page.
Incoming first-year undergraduates are required to live on campus. Please read the policy.
Please note: Billing for housing is done by semester. For example, students who sign contracts prior to the third Thursday in July will be electronically billed with an August 10 due date.
Off-Campus Housing
Accommodations available off-campus include furnished and unfurnished apartments, houses, townhomes, and single rooms within houses for rent. Some of the advantages to living off-campus include saving money by sharing the cost of housing, utilities, and food with roommates; having a kitchen in which to cook your own meals; and being able to stay in your apartment or house during breaks and vacations. We would suggest looking at the following websites to begin your search for housing before your arrival to Bloomington:
- OneStart ⇒ Student Tools ⇒ Classifieds ⇒ Roommates & Sublets (You will need to have your network ID set up to use this site)
- Comprehensive apartment search websites (www.apartmentsinbloomington.com, www.apartmentguide.com, www.apartments.com, www.rentalhomesplus.com, www.mynewplace.com).
- Indiana Daily Student Classified Ads
- Bloomington Herald-Times Classified Ads: The local community newspaper housing listings.
- Padmapper Apartment Search and Mapping Tool
- My Cheap Apartments.com
- Christian Student Fellowship: housing provided through CSF. Click on “APPLY TO LIVE HERE” for application and details.
- My Apartment Map: Find and compare housing across Bloomington.
- RENTcafe.com
- GRADUATE STUDENTS: Graduate & Professional Student Organization Housing Bulletin Board
- SCHOLARS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS: Dean of the Faculties Housing Page
Tips for off-campus housing:
- Shop around and compare prices.
- Do not sign a lease until you have inspected the apartment, house, or room.
- Ask questions of former/current tenants or neighbors if possible.
- Check the deposit policy to see if it is refundable.
- Check lease duration! If you are not going to be in Bloomington for 12 months, try to find a lease for shorter than 12 months. If you cannot find a shorter lease, plan to sublet (privately lease to another person) during the months you will be gone.
- Negotiate the terms of the lease if you do not agree with all items.
- Get EVERYTHING you agree upon in WRITING!
- Read the entire lease before you sign it.
- Follow all terms of the contract you sign.
- Buy Renter’s or Property insurance (optional, but recommended).
Common Housing Abbreviations:
- AC:
- air conditioning
- Avail:
- available
- BA:
- bathroom
- BR:
- bedroom
- blks:
- blocks
- DR:
- dining room
- DW:
- dishwasher
- frplc:
- fireplace
- furn:
- furnished
- gar:
- garage
- incl:
- included
- kit:
- kitchen
- lg:
- large
- /mo:
- per month
- pd:
- paid
- util:
- utilities (gas, water, electric)
- w/:
- with
- W/D:
- washer and dryer
If you have any questions about housing, please contact the Office of International Services.
