Housing, Food & ID Card Services
For general information about housing, meal plan & ID card services provided by Syracuse University, click HERE.
When you arrive in Syracuse to look for off-campus housing or before you can move into your University residence, you may need short-term accommodations. Vist our Area Lodging & Directions page for options.
Graduate Student Housing
Housing is available both on and off-campus for graduate students. Please contact the Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Services at Syracuse University at (315) 443-2721 or (315) 443-2723 or email at HOUSING@SUADMIN.SYR.EDU for more information about on-campus graduate student housing.
Off-Campus Housing
Housing is generally easy to find and ranges in price according to location and accommodations. You can expect to pay a minimum of $350/month for a one-bedroom apartment and a minimum of $200/month for a room in a shared apartment. Information on off-campus housing is available through the ESF Student Portal Message Board (including the roommate information exchange) which is currently only accessible via computers on the ESF or Syracuse University campuses.
Excellent resources for finding off-campus housing are listed and linked on the Off-campus Housing page of the ESF Housing web site.
Signing a Lease
Do not rely on a verbal agreement. Most housing is rented on a contract or lease basis, which means you agree to live in there for a specific period of time which may be as short as one semester, but usually 12 months. When you sign this contract, you become a tenant and are legally responsible for all rent payments for that apartment -- whether you live there or not, unless you make explicit arrangements in writing with the person who owns the building (landlord). Some landlords allow tenants to sublet, which means that the person who signed the contract may rent the space to another person.
Most contracts or apartment leases require the tenant to provide a deposit which is usually equal to one or two month's rent. This amount will be required in addition to the first month's rent before you will be allowed to move into the apartment. The deposit is kept by the landlord until you move out of the apartment and after the landlord has inspected the apartment for any damages. The deposit is returned to the tenant after the end of the lease. Make sure you inspect the apartment with the landlord before you sign the lease. You and the landlord should agree upon the condition of the apartment before you sign the contract to prevent any disagreements. Take pictures and make note of any problems before you move in.
Before you sign a lease or any legal contract, read it carefully and understand all of its obligations. If you have questions, ask the person who is in charge of the building before you sign. Keep a signed copy of the contract or lease for your own records. Make sure you have a copy of everything in writing with the date of the agreement. Once you have signed the contract, you are responsible for all its terms.
