Everything you need to know before starting your housing search near UC Riverside. First-time renters, read this first.
Most UCR students live in the dorms or on-campus apartments during their first year. By sophomore year, the majority move to private off-campus rentals — usually sharing a house or ADU with other students.
The off-campus housing market near UCR is almost entirely made up of private homes rented by individual landlords. There's no single centralized listing system — which is why Highlander Housing exists.
Your group signs one lease for the entire house. You split the rent among yourselves. All roommates typically sign together, and everyone is responsible for the total rent.
Common rent: $3,000–$5,500/mo for a 4–6BR house
Some landlords rent individual rooms in a shared house, each with their own lease. You pay only for your room. You may not choose your housemates.
Common rent: $800–$1,200/mo per room
This is the thing most students get wrong. UCR housing moves faster than most people expect. If you start looking in April for a September move-in, the best listings will already be gone.
Most UCR students don't have established credit or rental history. Landlords know this — but they still need some assurance. Here's what most landlords ask for:
Usually a parent willing to be legally responsible for rent if the student doesn't pay.
Government-issued ID for each applicant.
Either from the student or the co-signer. Usually last 2–3 months of bank statements or pay stubs.
Most landlords run these. The application fee covers this cost.