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Living Expenses and other Resources

WorcesterIf you do not have confirmed housing, you may want to arrive two to four weeks before your UMass Chan appointment or graduate studies begin in order to locate suitable accommodations. Families generally need more time to locate housing.

Housing costs vary widely depending on neighborhood, condition of the dwelling and amenities included. It is a good rule to go see an apartment or house yourself before you rent it. Rent usually does not include costs for heat, electricity, hot water, gas for cooking, telephone charges, parking fees or furniture. Most apartments are unfurnished and very few are air-conditioned. Always ask the landlord or realtor to clarify what is included in the monthly rent.

  • Leases: A lease is a legal contract between landlord (property owner) and tenant (person renting). Do not sign any lease until you have read it thoroughly and understand all of its provisions. Almost all property owners require the tenant to sign a lease for one year, committing the tenant to 12 months' rent unless a subtenant acceptable to the owner can be found. Leases usually start on the first of the month.
  • Rental Costs: Most owners require one month's rent in advance. You should be prepared to pay up to three or four months' rent before occupying an apartment (first month in advance, last month in advance, a refundable security deposit, and possibly a realtor's fee). Please note that you should have the ability to pay for these initial expenses immediately. Rent is typically due on the first of each month.
  • Rent: A one-bedroom apartment ranges from $1,000 to $1,400 per month or more depending on the condition and location of the unit. The cost of a two-bedroom apartment varies anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 per month or more. Utilities, such as heat, hot water, gas and electricity will vary. In some cases, one or more of the utilities may be included in the rental cost.  These numbers reflect costs as of January 2019.  Updated figures can be found on RentCafe.com

Finding Housing

Below is a list of resources to help you find housing in the UMass Chan area. Individuals must make their own rental arrangements. There is no on-campus housing available at UMass Chan and the University does not have an office dedicated to assist individuals with finding housing.  If you prefer to wait until your arrival to find housing, private apartments for rent and houses and condos for sale are often posted on the bulletin boards near the Student Lounge in the Medical School, across from the cafeteria, and throughout the Medical Center.

Click the highlighted links below to learn more.