International Student Resources
CU Denver | Anschutz International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is here to help support you in your off-campus living experience. Browse available resources below and on the ISSS website for helpful information about life in Colorado, finding housing, signing a lease, and more.
Off-Campus Living Guide
The Guide to Living Off-Campus for International Students is a comprehensive guide on housing, encompassing everything from where to search for a place and choosing compatible roommates to managing rent payments and coordinating a smooth move-in and move-out.
Housing Resources
CU Denver Campus
Anschutz Medical Campus
Roommate Resources
International Students may wish to consider living with roommates to lower their cost of living, make new friends, and feel safer.
Finding a Roommate
- Communicating with potential roommates in person or on a video call is a good idea before deciding to live together. Here are some things to consider:
- Where do you want to live?
- What kind of lifestyle do you prefer? How do you feel about guests?
- When are you arriving in Denver? How long are you staying?
- What language do you want to speak in the house?
- What is your budget?
- How do you feel about smoking in the house?
CU Denver | Anschutz has an online roommate-finding database. In addition, the CU Denver | Anschutz’s housing office has some great suggestions for living with a roommate.
Roommate Agreements
A roommate agreement is essential to define the obligations of each roommate. Completing one together may prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and uncomfortable conversations later. The Roommate Agreement is a legally binding contract among all signed parties. Roommate agreements should outline each person’s financial responsibilities, including how much they pay in rent each month and their portion of the security deposit. You can also divide other financial obligations, including internet, cable, groceries, utilities, and water expenses.
Set ground rules regarding privacy, cleaning, yard maintenance, overnight guests, social gatherings, quiet hours, early move-out, and alcohol and smoking. You can find a sample roommate agreement on Nolo Law For All’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I live on or off campus?
It is up to the individual to determine which housing option will be the best fit for their needs. Wherever you choose to live be sure to thoroughly research the location/neighborhood you are choosing to live in, as well as if it will be suitable both financially and academically.
Check out Denver Neighborhood Profiles and Crime Statistics by Area to start your research!
CU Denver does not require, but does encourage students to live on-campus.
Where should I look for Housing Options?
For students interested in off-campus housing, we provides several resources to assist you in your search. Please explore the “off-campus” housing tab on our website for specific search tips and tools.
Below are several short-term and home-stay options:
Home-stay Options*:
Short-Term Rentals*:
*The university does not endorse or recommend any specific landlord, individual property owner, property management company, or apartment/housing search tool.
What does the leasing process look like?
First you will need to select where you would like to live. No matter where you choose to live, be sure to inspect the living conditions for safety, access to public transportation, parking availability if you have a car, etc. Ensure the home you choose will be conducive to your academic success and general wellness. You can also visit CORT (furniture Rental Company) for a more comprehensive list of apartment considerations.
After you have chosen where you will be living you can begin the leasing process. The lease is a legal agreement between you and your landlord outlining the specific responsibilities for each party. It is crucial to review the lease thoroughly prior to signing the document. Please review the Guide to Living Off-Campus for International Students for more thorough information regarding the lease document.
Prior to signing a lease, potential landlord may ask you to complete an application (especially in large apartment complexes) or to allow a credit check to be done on your credit history. Here is where international students may run into an obstacle. The credit check is conducted using a social security number. International students typically do not have social security numbers. Thus, the landlord may refuse to rent the apartment to you because of concerns that you will not pay the rent. Potential solutions to this situation are:
- A guarantor. A guarantor is someone with a social security number and with a good credit history who will co-sign the lease with you. By co-signing the lease, the guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you fail to do so. If neither you nor the guarantor pay the obligations of the lease, the landlord can sue both of you. In the case of the guarantor, the landlord could garnish his wages (using his social security number) to make him pay. Thus, the guarantor must trust you to pay the rent on time.
- Paying for several months or rent in advance. The landlord may be willing to rent to you if you pay for three months (or more) in advance. For example, you intend to sign a lease starting in August that will end the following July at the rate of $800 per month. You can suggest to the landlord that you will pay three months’ rent as deposit ($800 x 3 = $2400), and pay for every month’s rent on the first of the month starting August 1 through April 1. Then, you will use the deposit to pay for the last three months of the lease (and you would not pay any additional rent for May, June, or July). Note that landlords associated with “house to share,” or “room for rent,” or with smaller apartment complexes may be more flexible than those from larger apartment complexes.
Landlords will screen your application and will determine if the application is approved. Once the application is approved, you will be able to sign the lease (the lease will tell you when your move-in date is).
In summary a typical leasing process may look like this:
- 1. Find a residence
- 2. Fill out an application (there may be fees associated with the application, you may also be asked to pay a security deposit)
- 3. If your application is approved you will be given a lease to sign (the landlord will screen the application- typically looking at credit, income, past renting history, etc.)
- 4. READ the lease and understand the terms
- 5. Once you have signed the lease you are legally bound to the terms/conditions and will be able to begin your move-in process (Don’t forget to keep a copy of your signed lease)
Need Help?
Contact International Student & Scholar Services at:
Phone: 303-315-2230
Email: isss@ucdenver.edu
Locations
CU Denver Campus: CU Denver Student Commons Building
1201 Larimer St #1119, Denver, CO 80204
Anschutz Medical Campus: 13001 East 17th Place, Ground Floor - STE. EG305, EG305A, and EG306
13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045
For additional housing questions, please call the Office of Commuter Services at 303-315-7310 or email CommuterServices@ucdenver.edu.