UC Berkeley Off-Campus Rental Services is a department within UC Berkeley Housing that offers support for students, faculty and staff, providing guidance on the off-campus housing search, including rental listings and other resources for living in the City of Berkeley and surrounding areas. The service is free for students, faculty, and staff.
Am I required to live on campus?
It is not required that students live in campus housing. You may find housing on your own; however, especially for new students, we encourage you to consider living in campus housing for your first year at UC Berkeley and longer if possible. Continuing undergraduate students have opportunities for more independent living after their first year, such as doubles, suites, or apartments.
If you are looking at off-campus options, we recommend our UC Berkeley Off-Campus Rental Services. They provide rental listings from vetted landlords, as well as services and resources to help your search:
- Easy access to free listings and search tools in our online catalog of available apartments, houses, and shared living spaces around Berkeley.
- Message boards to find roommates, sublets, buy/sell furniture, etc.
- Roommate-matching service to help you find the perfect fit for your living situation, whether UC Berkeley student, faculty and staff, or affiliate.
- Expert tips and guidance on securing housing, understanding leases, budgeting for rent, and more.
- Personalized rental advice and guidance to help you navigate the off-campus housing process, from searching for a place to signing a lease.
Log in with your CalNet ID and password to view listings. Guest access to the site is available for other campus affiliates.
How do I reach Off-Campus Rental Services?
In addition to visiting Off-Campus Rental Services website, you may wish to consult with the experienced staff at the Off-Campus Rental Services office, who can provide advice and guidance on your search.
- Call: 510-643-6544
- Send an email: homeinfo@berkeley.edu
What off-campus meal plans are available?
A variety of meal plans by the semester are available from UC Berkeley Dining. Starting as low as $250 a semester, choose from flexible plans with the right mix of meal swipes, flex dollars (use at all UC Berkeley Dining locations, including UC Berkeley Dining pickup on Grubhub), and flex+dollars (use everywhere flex dollars do, plus Grubhub nationwide). Learn more about off-campus meal plans.
Are there other off-campus housing resources?
The following student housing options are not owned or managed by UC Berkeley Housing, and have separate policies, amenities and rate structures. To learn more about them, visit the links below.