Unfortunately, UAB does not provide on campus housing for international scholars. It is reserved for the students that will enroll in classes and are pursuing a degree at UAB. You will be responsible to find a place to rent. Below are information, resources and tips to help you in your research.
Planning
We advise you to book a temporary housing for your first month at UAB. It will give you some time to visit the area and select a place that fits your budget and your needs. Please know that you have the possibility to rent furniture. See the links to resources below.
Terminology:
Here are few terms to know when renting a house or an apartment in the US:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Lease | Rental Agreement |
| Landlord | Owner of the apartment or manager of the apartment |
| Tenant | You |
| Rent | Amount that you pay every month |
| Security Deposit | Amount that the landlord will hold until the end of the lease for repairs in the event you damage the apartment. Usually 1 month of rent. |
| Utilities | Water, electricity, gas, phone, cable/satellite TV, internet etc. Sometimes the rent include some utilities |
| Pet deposit | In some case pet are not allowed, or allowed but you have to pay an extra fee |
Resources:
Facebook – there are several groups than can help:
Off-Campus Student Guide - Off-Campus Student Guide is addressed to students, but it contains a lot of helpful information about finding housing near UAB. Once you have created your Blazer ID, you can also visit the Off-Campus Housing Service and log in to search for available properties and roommates.
Other websites
- www.philbostanyrealty.com (Redmont Realty Group)
- www.birmingham-apartment.com (J.H. Berry & Gilbert, Inc.)
- www.rent.com
- www.selectmyspace.com
- www.theplaceapts.com (University Place Apartments)
- http://uhbirmingham.com/ (University House)
- www.universityflats.net
- www.zillow.com/birmingham-al/apartments/
If you need any more suggestions or have questions, email
Tips
Some leases are month-to-month (meaning you can leave after any given month, with no obligation to keep renting a particular dwelling for any specific length of time), some are for 6 or 9 months, and some are for a year or two. Consider how long you want to live in a certain place before signing a longer lease.
Some rental companies will also allow you to move in or out only in certain months. Since this is a university campus, many will want you to start your lease in August or early September and move out the following July.
When visiting an apartment complex or rental house, ask the agent the following questions so that you can make the best decision on where to live, and for how long.
- How much is the monthly rent, and on what day is it due?
- Can I pay rent online, or do I need to bring a check?
- Does the monthly rent include any utilities (e.g., water, electricity, gas, phone (if you want a landline), cable/satellite TV, internet)? If so, which ones?
- Do you require a security deposit? If so, is the security deposit refundable at the end of the lease?
- How long are your rental terms (month-to-month, 6 months, one year)?
- What will I owe if I have to break my lease before the end of the agreement?
- Does the lease renew automatically? If so, when will I be notified of any increase in rent?
- How much notice do you require if I plan to move out when the lease ends?
- Can I sublet (find another, temporary tenant whose name is not on the lease) the apartment/house if I leave the area for a brief period or the summer? If yes, what is the procedure?
- Are there laundry facilities? If not, where is the nearest laundromat (a public/community laundry facility)?
- Do you offer furnished apartments?
- Where is the nearest grocery store?
- Can I hang wall decorations with nails? (Some landlords do not allow this, or will deduct a certain amount from your security deposit to repair nail holes.)
- If parking is available, is it in a garage, parking lot, or street? Is the parking area secured?
- Is parking covered in the rent, or is there an extra charge?
- Are there an assigned number of parking spaces per unit?
- Are pets allowed? Is there a maximum size? Weight? Height? Type?
- Is there a pet deposit? How much is it? Is it refundable?
- Do you have childcare facilities? If so, what does it cost?
- Where is the nearest school or daycare?
- Where is the nearest playground or park?
Make sure you subscribe a renter’s insurance to protect you and your belongings. Renter’s insurance is mandatory