Frequently Asked Questions

The Off Campus Housing Locator is a one stop location for you to explore your off-campus living options. Filter options based on price, number of rooms, number of bathrooms, lease length, distance from campus and more.

All off-campus housing is privately owned and operated and not affiliated with the University of Florida. It is important to remember when signing a lease, you are signing a lease with a private entity that is not affiliated with UF in any way.

The Off Campus Housing Locator has a roommate section that will match you to a roommate based on your user profile and living style.

Most complexes provide roommate matching and will help to connect you with roommates. When touring apartments ask how they match roommates and make sure that is a process you are comfortable with. 

The Gator Guide to Off Campus Life is Off Campus Life's annual publication that is packed full of information.  You can pick up a physical copy from multiple on-campus locations including our office located at 1304 Diamond Road. 

A sublease is when you take over a lease from another person or find someone to take over your lease. For example, if you have an internship in the Spring and you have a 12-month lease, then subleasing to another student will allow you to find someone to replace you in the lease and you will no longer be financially responsible for the remainder of the lease.  If you are an international student or will graduate early and need a short-term lease, you can sublease an apartment from another student.

Remember, when subleasing from another student do not just make a verbal agreement or give money to someone you do not know. Sign the lease directly with the apartment complex or landlord and only pay the apartment complex or landlord.

Subleases can be added to the Housing Locator. On the “Add a Listing” tab, you can create an account and post available units. This service is free to UF students, but you must utlize your ufl.edu email when creating your sublease listing. For additional questions about posting on the Housing Locator, please contact our friends at Off Campus Partners, 1-877-895-1234.

Below are some sublease steps to help this process go smoothly.

1. Check with your apartment complex management to ensure it is ok for you to sublease your apartment.
2. Ask the management about the protocol and cost associated with subleasing. Some apartment complexes do charge a sublease fee and that fee should be listed in your current lease.
3. After posting your sublease make sure you respond to all email and phone call contacts about the sublease. This will increase the likelihood of finding someone to take over your lease.
4. Do not accept any money or rent from potential people who want to sublease your apartment. Instead bring, or connect, the potential sublease person to meet the apartment complex staff and make sure they are aware that this person is taking over your lease.  They will then sign a lease with the apartment complex and you won’t be responsible for taking any rent money.
5. Make sure you pay any sublease fees and get the proper paperwork from the apartment complex releasing you from your lease. You typically will get this paperwork after the person has signed the sublease paperwork.

Off Campus Life does not provide lease reviews, but you can schedule an appointment with UF Student Legal Services. Student Legal Services is a free resource (for fee-paying students) that offers legal services including lease reviews.

Off Campus Life does not recommend specific apartments over another. Each apartment is different, and every student has different needs, it is vital that you take time with your search and be as thorough as possible to find the apartment that is the right fit for you.

Download the Off Campus Roommate Contract and complete this with your roommate when you move in to avoid conflict. Another great resource is Off Campus Life's Chore Chart which will help you to figure out the cleaning responsibilities for your new home. You can also schedule an appointment with a member of our team for additional support.

Undergraduate students who live off-campus will typically qualify for the Park and Ride decal.  Graduate, Phd, and professional degree studnets will typically qualify for the Commuter decal. For more information about the location and costs, please visit the Transporation and Parkign Services website also know as TAPS.

Please note, if you are living off-campus you cannot park your car overnight on campus in the Park and Ride lot, Commuter log, or any lot on campus.

Overnight parking is available at most apartment complexes and rental houses. If your property can no longer provide you with parking, there is parking available in the City of Gainesville garages. Click here to learn more about City of Gainesville parking options including costs, locations and online permit purchasing.

There are multiple options available for students who do not have a car or do not want to drive their car to campus. The Regional Transit System (RTS) is a free-resource (for fee-paying students) to ride all over campus and the city of Gainesville.

Students can also use a bicycle (UFPD provides free bike helmets), electronic scooters, and moped/scooters.

Please remember to wear a helmet and secure you bikes, scooters and mopeds when not in use.

University of Florida Police Department – police.ufl.edu – 352 - 392-1111

Gainesville Police Department – gainesvillepd.org – Non-Emergency: 352- 955-1818

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office – acso.us – Non-Emergency: 352- 955-1818

As always, in the event of an emergency please dial, 911.

The University of Florida Police Department offers a variety of classes ranging from self-defense to personal safety and property security.  Please visit their website for an updates class list and additional information.

Hurricane season is from June 1 – November 30. UF Alerts will send messages to all UF students with updates and information regarding weather threats.  For additional information on Hurricane Tracking, please visit UF Emergency Management.

There is a hotel on campus, the Reitz Union Hotel. You can also look for other hotels by clicking Place to Stay on the Visit Gainesville website. Airbnb is another great option for short term housing.