Generally, student apartments have a specific check-in time and check-out time, most of which are 3-5 days before the school starts. Some apartments offer flexible check-in time during the summer vacation, or early check-in for some rooms. The check-out time is generally May 31, July 31, August 31, etc. of the following year.

Please bring your passport, I-20, payment receipt, credit card, check, etc. Please note that the property does not accept cash.

According to the school's local house-hunting habits, market supply, and individual needs, the time to start house-hunting varies for each school. And the start time is different for new students and returning students. For new students, they usually start to pay attention to renting houses after obtaining the school admission notice or confirmation to study in the local area, usually in April and May. We suggest that students formally apply for and sign for an apartment after receiving the I20 form. There are also a lot of new students who will come to the United States in advance and decide to sign up after seeing the apartment on site. Old students, that is returning students, the time they look for housing is more spread across the year. Old students in some schools usually start to sign for a house for the next academic year in the first semester (fall), but most of the old students usually start looking for houses in the spring semester.

Generally speaking, once the lease is signed, it will take effect immediately, and neither party to the lease can terminate the contract in advance. According to the relevant laws of the United States, if the tenant has signed a long-term lease, he/she shall bear the rent for the whole lease term. Even if he/she is forced to move out, the landlord still has the right to require the tenant to pay all the rent.

Try not to. It is best to move in directly after arriving in the United States. Then, the closer the school starts, the higher the rent, and there is no good housing left around the school. Therefore, students, please decide the time you sign according to your actual situation.

There are many options for renting in Contra Costa County, and the prices vary depending on the house you choose. If you apply for an apartment, you can usually pay $1400 to $1600 for a one-room apartment, including all the expenses. If you apply for a multi-bedroom apartment and share it with other students, your fee can be controlled at $700 to $900, while your roommate will pay a little more.