January 2004

Briefly speaking: Tips for the housing search

	Bob Smiggen is director of student housing. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

The holiday break may have just ended, but it's now time for your student to start thinking about living arrangements for the next school year.

Davis' historically low apartment vacancy rate has generally meant early hunting and relatively high rental rates. This year should be a little different because new apartment complexes have opened in Davis.

According to a survey conducted by the student housing office, the vacancy rate now sits at 1.7 percent. That's an improvement over last year's 0.2 percent, but still well below the 5 percent considered to be the ideal for both renters and tenants.

"The market is still very tight, but it's a little bit softer than it was last year," says Bob Smiggen, director of student housing.

So how much should you expect your student's rent to be? An unfurnished two-bedroom apartment in Davis averages about $1,032 a month; rent for a room in a house runs about $350 to $500 a month.

In recent years, high prices and low availability have sent some students looking for a better deal in communities like Woodland, Sacramento and Dixon. But that means the expense of commuting and the cost of a parking permit, which is currently $121 per quarter.

Search tips

To provide students with a head start in the search for housing, the housing office has some helpful suggestions:

• Start the search early. Most students secure a place for the following school year by the end of the spring quarter.
• Ask around for a reputable property management company.
• Encourage your student to take part in "Housing Day." This Associated Students event -- from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in Freeborn Hall -- provides an opportunity for students to meet with representatives of local apartment complexes.
• Visit the student housing Web site for links to listings.
• Check out the student-run Community Housing Listing. It's another great resource available online.
• Read any rental agreement carefully before signing it.

Top of page

Return to previous page