General
UCSD Affiliates (Students, Staff,
and Faculty)
Renter Questions
Moving In
The Lease
Deduct & Repair Remedy
Evictions
Warrant of Habitability
Security Deposits
Small Claims Court
General
Who can access the rental listings?
All UCSD affiliates (students, staff, faculty, and visiting scholars) can access the listings.
How do I post a listing?
There are a couple of ways to post a listing. While visiting our website click on the link “Post a Listing”, choose the type of rental you have available and fill out the appropriate form. You can also submit a rental form via fax, postal mail, or by dropping off the form at our office. All listings will be posted free of charge and will remain on the website for thirty days. If you rent out your unit within that time, please contact us immediately so we may remove your listing.
How do I change something on my listing?
To edit a listing, contact our office for any modifications you would like to make. Please have your listing ID number ready when calling.
I am visiting for a short time, is housing available at UCSD?
The university does not currently offer temporary housing. Affiliates may search through the short term rental listings to find a place during their stay at UCSD. If you do not find a rental for the time you are here, please contact our office so we may assist you in your search.
I am interning with a local company, is there housing available at UCSD for me? Our rental listings are available to UCSD affiliates only. We do have resources to many San Diego online rental services. From our home page, please click on the link “Additional Listings” to access the classified ads and more.
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UCSD Affiliates
How can I get access to the rental listings if I’m a recently admitted student?
For all recently admitted undergraduate and graduate students, you will need to use your PID located on your acceptance letter. Click on the link “Search Listings” and then click on the UCSD Student Login. Enter in your PID number and last name to search through our current rental listings.
What do I do if my PID number is not working?
You must be a current registered UCSD student to access the online rental listings. If you have not turned in your Statement of Intent to Register, your PID number may not be activated in our database yet. Please make sure to capitalize the first letter of your PID number and just the first letter of your last name. If you have further problems logging into our database, please contact our office.
When should I start my search for housing?
It is recommended to start searching at least 4-6 weeks before the date you would like to move in. We receive rental listings when landlords know their current tenants will be vacating, which can be anywhere between 30-60 days. Leaving yourself at least 4-6 weeks will give you ample time to find a place to live. This time frame may not be applicable to many of the larger apartment complexes. If you are interested in living in the larger apartment complexes, we suggest contacting those places directly.
Can I post a listing if I’m a student?
Yes, you can post a listing if you have a room for rent or even a fully vacant apartment or house that located off campus for rent. You can also post yourself as an available roommate if you are looking for a place to live.
Who do I contact if I’m having problems with my landlord/roommates?
You can contact a representative at our office for basic questions about landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. If the situation involves a legal matter, all UCSD students can contact the Student Legal Services.
I am unfamiliar with San Diego, which communities are the closest to campus?
La Jolla is about 1 mile south of campus, University City and UTC are about 2 miles southeast of campus, and Clairemont Mesa is about 5 miles south of campus. Students can ride the free City Shuttle to get from campus to the UTC/University area. Another transportation alternative is the transit bus system. UCSD students can ride the bus for free from La Jolla to the northern end of Clairemont Mesa. In 2006 the free bus zone has recently expanded into Pacific Beach, Mira Mesa, and beyond.
How do I access the listings if I am a staff or faculty member?
If you are a staff or faculty member, online access to our listings is available through UCSD’s Single Sign-On system. The same username and password used for most of the core business services on campus such as Financial Link and My Services will also be used to access the listings. To establish a Single Sign-On, visit Blink’s Single Sign-On Registration. If for some reason this does not work, please e-mail us at with proof of acceptance or affiliation to UCSD. For faculty and staff, this can be a faxed copy of your ID card or an e-mail from your UCSD e-mail account with your ID number in the body of the e-mail. We will then go ahead and create an account for you to use.
How do I access the listings if I am a visiting scholar?
Please fax or e-mail a formal letter from UCSD to verify your affiliation with the university. Once your affiliation is verified, we will set you up with a temporary password and ID to access our listings online. Also, please remember if you fax your letter(s), include your e-mail address so that we may give you a reply.
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Renter Questions
Moving
In
What questions do I need to ask before moving into a unit?
- Who is paying for utilities, e.g. gas, electricity, water, cable, and trash?
- Does this complex have elevators and washer/dryers?
- Are there fees for parking? What kind of parking is available to guests?
- Is security available and/or an emergency maintenance contact on the premises?
- Are there any applicable rules and regulations that govern the use of the facilities?
- Are there any pet requirements? Is there any maintenance that is provided against insects and/or rodents?
- What type of public transportation, major highways, schools, and shopping areas are accessible to the unit?
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The
Lease
What Should I Look For Before I Sign the Agreement?
- The correct rent amount (with any discounts), deposits (if any), length of occupancy, and landlord's name and address.
- The day rent is due, who to send it to, any grace period, and additional costs for late payments.
- The responsibilities of both parties for repairs and conditions that allow the landlord to enter the unit.
- Information regarding early release of the agreement, roommates or subletting, and remedies to rectify the situation.
- Other documents: Renter's Checklist, Pet Agreement, Use of Facilities, etc.
- Make sure the lease indicates how much notice is needed before moving out (30-60 days) and who to notify.
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Deduct
and Repair Remedy
What can I do if my unit needs repairs and my landlord doesn't listen?
Send the landlord a letter requesting repairs to be made under "Warrant of Inhabitability" by a "reasonable" date. Make sure the letter is sent by certified mail, return-receipt requested, and include pictures, if possible.
Repair and Deduct Method (California Civil Code Section 1942a)
- The tenant pays for the repairs and "deducts" the amount from the monthly rent.
- The total costs cannot exceed one month's rent and can be used in any twelve-month period.
- The landlord cannot sue you for unpaid rent or retaliate by other methods, e.g. no eviction for six months.
- The tenant is responsible for the quality and any damages resulting from repairs made.
Abandonment: You may leave your unit - without penalty - if damages make your living conditions uninhabitable and repairs will cost more than one month's rent. Your landlord is liable for your "moving out" damages.
Withholding rent (Green v. Superior Court, 1974): By law, a tenant can withhold rent if a landlord has not fixed repairs covered under the implied warranty of habitability. Rent should be placed in a "rent trust account" with a written notice to your landlord.
Examples of this violation are as follows:
- collapsed and non-repair of the ceiling
- insect or rodent infestation
- plumbing is blocked
- exposed and faulty wiring
- no heat in the unit
- illegally installed and dangerous equipment
If the tenant erroneously used any of the mentioned repair methods, liability may result!
What remedies can a landlord impose on a tenant
Three-Day Notice of Eviction: The eviction must originate from the tenant breaking the rental contract, NOT because the landlord wishes it.
A landlord can legally give you a three-day notice if:
- rent has not been paid
- the unit was used illegally, e.g. drugs
- you have materially violated the lease/rental agreement
Unlawful Detainee (Lawsuits): A landlord can file a lawsuit against a tenant if:
- notice to leave the unit was properly given and
- the period stated in the notice has elapsed and
- the tenant remains in possession
If the landlord succeeds, the tenant is liable for any damages (e.g. rent arrearages), court costs, and attorney fees. If you are served, contact Student Legal Services immediately!
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Evictions
Can I Be Evicted At Any Time?
A landlord must have a legitimate reason for an eviction. You cannot be evicted because of the following:
Improper Reasons:
- Retaliation from using the "deduct and repair" remedy.
- There is no "just cause" for the eviction.
- The reason for termination is false.
- Discrimination.
Improper Methods:
- Locking you out and disconnecting utilities.
- Forcing you out through harassment.
Who is responsible for repairs?
According to California Civil Code Section 1941, a "warrant of habitability" is provided to a tenant during the occupancy of a leased or rented unit. This means that the landlord is responsible for maintenance and repairs that would otherwise make the unit uninhabitable. This section also outlines other responsibilities of the landlord, and situations that prevent a landlord from punishing the tenant for non-repairs when the landlord is at fault. If you find a need for repairs in your unit, notify you landlord - both verbally and in writing - as soon as possible for quicker repairs and minimize your liability.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE LANDLORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS. A tenant must keep the rental unit as clean and undamaged as possible. Any damage caused by the tenant and/or guest(s) is the tenant's responsibility. Look over the agreement to see what kind of repairs each side is responsible for.
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Warrant
Of Habitability
What are the terms under ‘The Warranty of Habitability’?
- Electrical wiring and equipment are operational and safe.
- Hot and cold water is available.
- Gas and heating equipment are working properly.
- Sewer and plumbing systems are operating correctly.
- Floors, stairways, and railings are safe and clean.
- There are no infestations - insects or rodents.
- Roofs or walls are not leaking.
- Doors, windows, and security locks are working properly.
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Security
Deposits
What is a Security Deposit, what is it used for?
A Security Deposit is a payment, other than the first month's rent, that the tenant pays to provide the landlord an extra margin of security should a tenant leave early without proper notice, damage, or failure to clean the unit. The amount cannot exceed two month's rent (three months for a furnished unit), and any remaining monies (after the deduction of repairs, rent, etc.) must be returned to the tenant after 21 days of vacancy. If you do not receive all of your money back, make sure you ask your landlord for a detailed list of deductions.
Uses for a security deposit:
- cleaning the unit to a level equal to when the tenant moved in
- repairing other than normal wear and tear
- restoring or replacing furniture and other property (unless previously agreed upon and in the agreement)
- unpaid rent
A landlord CANNOT use security deposits for:
- repairing related to wear and tear
- repairing defects that existed before the tenant moved in
- cleaning a unit that was as clean as when the tenant moved in
Can a landlord increase my Security Deposit?
Your landlord may increase your Security Deposit only if your lease or rental agreement allows it or if you only made a partial payment of your deposit. The total amount cannot be more than two month's rent and your landlord must give you enough notice (thirty days if you pay rent monthly).
Can I get my Security Deposit back and how?
Contact your landlord after twenty-one days. Ask for your deposit and a letter itemizing any repairs made. If you believe that your landlord did not use the deposit properly, you may use Small Claims Court, mediation, or arbitration for a resolution. CC 1950.5 provides up to a $600 penalty for "willful bad faith withholding".
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Small
Claims Court
What are mediation and arbitration? Are they as effectiveas Small Claims Court?
Mediation and arbitration are often used to resolve disputed cases regarding landlord/tenant issues. Mediators facilitate talks between the two parties and help form a compromise that is agreed upon by both sides. An arbitrator is an objective third party that listens to both sides of the argument and makes a decision based on the evidence provided. San Diego Mediation Center provides mediation services free of charge to UCSD students. Contact Student Legal Services for a referral.
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