Frequently Asked Questions for Staff and Faculty
- Are all staff and faculty eligible to access Community Rentals Office's listings?
- What do I need to do in order to gain access to the listings?
- When should I start looking for my housing?
- How much should I expect to spend for housing?
- Where do I start?
- Where do I find other resources?
1. Are all staff and faculty eligible to access Community Rentals Office's listings?
Faculty and staff who are paid through the UCSC's payroll system have access to the listings for no charge. Those affiliated with UCSC in other ways may pay a $10.00 user fee for 30 days access. Examples of affiliates are Shakespeare Santa Cruz employees and UC Extension faculty.
2. What do I need to do in order to gain access to the listings?
To request a password to view the listings, go to our search page, click on the link "request a password" and type in your UCSC email address. Your password will be emailed to that address. Note: If you are an eligible faculty or staff member who has not set up a UCSC email account yet, go to our search page and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page to request a temporary password. This access does not support the auto-match and emailing feature of the rental program.
3. When should I start looking for my housing?
It is a good idea to start looking about a month in advance of your move-in date or earlier, if you have special requirements. Most landlords don't know if their rental will be available until their tenant gives a 30-day notice.
4. How much should I expect to spend for housing?
Our Rental Cost Statistics page lists price ranges of everything from
rooms in shared housing to 5 or 6-bedroom houses. Also, view our Rental List to see a list of current ads in our database. On our "Post a Rental" at the top our homepage, then the blue "Post a Rental Here" button, and finally the "View Rental List" tab on the left side of the screen.
5. Where do I start?
If you are a first time renter in California take our Online Renters Workshop. Although it is designed for first-time student renters, it will give you insight about what to expect as a renter in California.
Prepare a rental application packet. It is important to make a good impression with landlords. Even in a favorable rental market, there is always competition for the best rentals. Check out the Rental Application Packet Checklist (PDF, 68KB) on the Rental Forms and Resources page, and start working on your application packet. You will impress a landlord and have a much better chance of being accepted for the house of your choice.
Look at current listings to educate yourself about the rental market—get a good idea of what you can get for your money. Determine the best location for your needs. After looking at a number of rentals, you will know what a fair value is and what you can pass up.
6. Where do I find other resources?
Investigate the Rental Forms and Resource Information page. You will find over 70 forms, resource flyers, and links relating to renting in California.