Housing Agreements & Renewals | Students

Residents are responsible for notifying Columbia Residential as soon as there is any change to their academic status, housing eligibility, or Couple and Family eligibility. The Housing Portal operates independently from university systems such as SIS and SSOL/Vergil, so updates are not made automatically.

When a change in eligibility occurs, residents are required to move or vacate housing according to the timelines that apply to their situation:

• Change of Couple or Family Status: Residents who are no longer eligible for their current unit must transfer or vacate within 30 days. Columbia Residential staff will work directly with residents to explore alternative housing options, when available.
• Withdrawal or Leave of Absence: Residents must vacate within 30 days of the academic decision.
• Graduation: Residents must move out by the deadline associated with their degree conferral, even if the housing agreement lists a later end date. Students who graduate early should note that rent is not prorated in the final month of eligibility; the full month’s rent is due regardless of the move-out date.

Renewal offers are typically sent 1–2 months prior to the current agreement end date. Renewals are granted for a period of one year or until the end of the resident’s academic affiliation, whichever occurs first.

Important Information to Note:

• Apartment Assignment: Columbia Residential makes every effort to offer eligible residents a renewal in their current apartment; however, this cannot be guaranteed. Apartment changes may be required due to maintenance needs, building operations, or broader organizational priorities.
• Financial Standing: Residents must be up to date on rent payments and in good financial standing with the University to be eligible for renewal.
• Rent Increases: Rent generally increases 2–5% annually, effective June 1. Updated rent amounts are included in the renewal agreement to allow informed decision-making.
• Summer Housing: Students renewing beyond May 31 are responsible for summer rent. Subletting is permitted in accordance with Columbia Residential’s subletting guidelines.
• Couple and Family Housing: Residents in couple or family housing must complete the certification process to be eligible for renewal.

Choosing Not to Renew

Renewal decisions should be made carefully, as declining a renewal may result in the loss of a current housing assignment.

• Students who choose not to renew but later wish to remain in housing may not be accommodated if their unit has already been assigned to an incoming resident.
• Students with a housing allocation who decline their renewal but remain eligible and wish to return to Columbia Residential housing must submit a new housing application. All applications are subject to the standard review process, and housing approval and availability are not guaranteed.

Signing Your Renewal

Renewal agreements are sent to eligible students via DocuSign to their Columbia email. To ensure a smooth renewal process, students should keep the following in mind:

• Renewals must be signed within 14 days of receipt.
• Once processed, residents will receive a copy of their fully signed renewal agreement for their records.
• Students who do not sign by the deadline will need to vacate at the end of their current agreement.
• If a renewal offer expires unintentionally, residents should contact [email protected] right away. While a renewal cannot be guaranteed after the deadline, Columbia Residential will review available options for those who reach out promptly.

Residents who require additional time to complete their degree may request a housing extension. Requests to update the affiliation end date should be submitted through the Housing Portal under the Tenant Profile tab. 

Please note: The Anticipated End Date entered must align with the official degree conferral date:

• May Conferral: May 31
• October Conferral: August 31
• February Conferral: December 31

Submission Deadline

Affiliation review requests may be submitted at any time. However, residents with expiring eligibility must submit their request by the deadlines below to be considered for an extension. 

• Fall Deadline: October 31
• Spring Deadline: March 15

Residents who do not apply by the deadline will be required to vacate by their listed affiliation end date.

Decisions

Individual schools—not Columbia Residential—decide whether housing extensions will be approved based on program-specific needs and priorities. Students are encouraged to contact their school’s housing liaison for details.

• If approved, a housing renewal agreement must be signed to extend the stay.
• If denied, the resident will be required to vacate by the end of their current agreement.