Offices and Resources

Harvard Housing Office

One of the most complete resources for apartments is the Harvard Housing Office at 7 Holyoke Street on the ground level of Holyoke Center. This office manages almost 2000 apartments, rented only to Harvard affiliates, and maintains a thorough collection of off-campus listings as well. Access is limited to those who hold a Harvard ID, so be sure to bring your ID card or letter of acceptance when you come in. The tight access restrictions exist because some landlords who list at the Harvard Housing Office prefer to rent only to Harvard affiliates. Once inside the Office, you can peruse the many bulletin boards filled with apartment listings arranged according to location and size. The listings can also be searched via computer in the office.

In addition to non-Harvard apartments and roommate listings, the Housing Office has a number of other resources. These include lists of houses and condominiums for sale; opportunities to work in exchange for rent; local real estate agents' names and telephone numbers; local short-term accommodations, such as bed-and-breakfasts; the Harvard Off-Campus Housing Guide; rentals in the US and worldwide; Cambridge maps; and public transportation information for Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Internet Resources
There are many resources on the Internet to help find apartments and roommates. The Harvard Internet news group harvard.marketplace is a good place to advertise and find available space in apartments. The group mit.bboard provides the same service for MIT. The newsgroup ne.housing provides the same for New England, with a heavy concentration on the Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville areas.

There is also a number of places on the web that list apartments and roommates. Craigslist is arguably the most popular resource. The Boston Globe puts its classified ads online, while The Cambridge Chronicle and other neighborhood papers have lists.

Newspaper Classifieds
Several area newspapers have comprehensive lists of available apartments. The Boston Globe (particularly the Saturday and Sunday editions) and Boston Phoenix have listings throughout the entire Boston area, while the Cambridge Chronicle has a more local focus. The Harvard Crimson puts out a Housing Supplement in April.

Real Estate Agents
If you do not have a lot of time to look for your own housing and you do not mind paying the high fees (generally the equivalent of one month's rent), you may want to contact a local real estate agent. They can sometimes help you find just what you are looking for in your price range fast, which can mean savings every month in the long run anyway. While some agents have poor reputations, there are good ones in the area. A list of several Real Estate agents in the local Cambridge and Somerville area is available from GSAS Housing Services and the Harvard Housing Office.

Roommates
Several offices provide roommate lists, for those in and seeking apartments. Two good sources for such lists are GSAS Housing Services and the Harvard Housing Office. A number of area companies also match roommates for a fee. Among these are the Roommate Connection (1-800-APT-SHARE) and the Boston Phoenix roommate listing.

Be sure you get to know any potential roommates as well as you can and trust your instincts. If something about the potential or current situation feels strange or awkward, take that into consideration before making a commitment. Ask questions! If you may have to live with this person (even though you do not have to be close friends), you should at least feel comfortable getting to know a little about him/her.

Harvard Affiliated Housing
Harvard Planning and Real Estate manages several apartment complexes in the campus area which are available exclusively to Harvard affiliates. In addition to convenience and resources, another advantage of Affiliated Housing is that a security deposit and last month's rent are not required. Since all tenants are already affiliated with Harvard, such means for guaranteeing responsibility are not necessary.

The complexes are available through a waiting list procedure, with new waiting lists being generated each fall and spring. A limited number of apartments are also made available on a first-come, first-served basis through immediate and future occupancy lists at the Harvard Housing Office. Apartments range from studios to 3 bedrooms, with almost 2000 units available. Rents vary significantly, depending upon location, age of complex, amenities, etc. To apply for affiliated housing, one must meet the tenant eligibility requirements for the complex or be a legally declared family member of an eligible Harvard affiliate.

Live for Free?
Off campus, there are opportunities for free room and board in exchange for 15-20 hours per week of household services such as child care, cooking, companionship for the elderly, or light housekeeping. These situations are found through listings or through The Housing Exchange at GSAS Housing Services (495-5060).