Frequently Asked Questions

When should I begin looking for housing?

We recommend you begin your search for housing as early as possible; many students will start apartment hunting as early as April or soon after they matriculate. It's best to sign a lease that starts Aug. 1 or 15 to avoid the stress of moving in during the first week of classes. Generally it is recommend to find housing by July for students starting in the Fall.

What kind of initial expenses should I expect when securing housing?

Some expenses associated with securing rental housing include, but are not limited to:

First month's and last month's rent
Security deposit (up to one month's rent)
Brokers fees for real-estate assistance
Moving van or professional movers
Storage units
Furniture (if leasing unfurnished apartment)
Temporary housing

What monthly expenses should I be budgeting for once I move in?

Additional monthly expenses typically amount to $100 - $200/person. However, please be sure to check with your landlord or realtor to confirm if any utilities or other expenses are included in the cost of monthly rent. Most students share apartments with other housemates, and these costs are generally shared equally among all housemates in these cases. Monthly expenses will likely include the following:

Utilities ($200+)
- Electricity
- Gas/Heat
- Water/Sewer
Internet ($65+)
Cable TV or Streaming Services ($10 - $100)
Individual cell phone plan ($35+)

Are there any short-term housing options for students with only one semester of study remaining?

The majority of lease agreements are 1 year in length. Thus, short term housing options present a particular challenge, as the majority of housing providers, especially with traditional housing options, strongly prefer renters that can commit to a full year lease. On rare occasions, traditional housing providers will be flexible to rent the space, usually asking for a higher per month rent. However, this is not the norm. If you are seeking a short term housing option for one semester, you may consider the following options:

If you are currently finishing a lease agreement, ask your housing provider about extending your lease for the desired amount of time you are seeking.
Inquire about short term lease agreements for existing postings (it never hurts to ask about the possibility!)
- Landowners may be more flexible as we get past mid- August and into "non-peak" housing season.
Secure a full year lease and sublet your opening when you are ready to leave
- We have several students that rent at various points of the year, and your open space can also be posted to local members of the community, but be sure to check that this will be ok with the landlord prior to signing your lease!
- Please note that while the majority of students can find a replacement, this option may does have the risk of not finding someone to take over your lease.
Additional communities that offer short term leasing, but are typically on the more expensive side include luxury apartment buildings (i.e. Longview Apartments) or rental communities like Gardencrest Apartments.

What options do I have for finding a lease that begins in the summer?

Do I need a car?

This depends on where you live. Most residents of Waltham, Newton, Porter Square (Cambridge), Davis Square (Somerville) or downtown Boston find a car either unnecessary (because of convenient public transportation) or too difficult or expensive to park. However, we strongly advise Master of Arts in Teaching students to have their own transportation for commuting to and from their off-campus teaching internships.

Am I permitted to park a car on campus?

Does the campus operate a bus or shuttle service?

Is graduate student housing available on campus?

I'd like to spend a few weeks in the area before classes start. Is short-term housing available?

There are many short-term housing options in the area. You may want to begin your search at Airbnb.com, Hostels.com or the visitors' section of the Brandeis website. It is recommended that you secure your housing prior to arriving to the area. You can usually ask your realtor or point of contact to provide a video walk through of the space you are potentially seeking to rent.

Should I purchase renters insurance?

Rent insurance is recommended — and usually is less than $15 a month! Renters insurance typically covers liability as well as damage or property losses, including damage due to fire, smoke or storms, or loss due to theft. ConsumerAffairs.com has helpful information to further educate you on the importance of rental insurance, along with reviews of leading insurance companies.