Application Process | Faculty & Postdocs

For Postdocs, approval is determined by their sponsoring school/department. Each school/department is allocated a specific number of spaces each year. The housing liaison of the school or program can provide information on their housing approval process. Postdocs who are not approved for housing by their school may still have the opportunity to secure housing for the academic year through the Postdoc waitlist process.

For non-tenured faculty and other eligible staff, approval is determined by inventory availability. In general priority for housing is given to full-time Officers of Instruction on tenure track, especially those moving to New York from outside the Tri-State area.   

For Tenured faculty, approval for housing is based on Columbia University’s Faculty Housing Policy as established by the Provost’s Office as well as overall housing availability.

​​​​​​1. Accessibility

• Use a computer for housing selection, as certain features on the Housing Portal aren't compatible with mobile devices.
• Faculty and postdocs can login to the Housing Portal before the appointment start time to be sure they will have access. The self-selection page should be visible and match the preview provided in the portal.

2. Important Dates

• Faculty and postdocs should consider in advance the move-in timeline that will work best for them, so they can select a unit accordingly.
• Earliest available move-in dates will vary depending on the unit.

3. Participation Guidelines

• Faculty and postdocs are encouraged to review the housing terms and conditions ahead of time. This saves time on the day of selection and ensures an informed decision.
• The "Select Unit" button will only become active on the Housing Selection page once the terms and conditions are accepted.

Columbia Residential is proud to offer a variety of housing options designed to meet the diverse needs of our faculty and postdoc community. While availability for specific buildings or unit types cannot be guaranteed, all currently available units will be displayed in the Housing Portal. 

Each unit listing provides helpful information, including:

• Building address, floor number, and unit number 
• Apartment type (e.g., studio, one bedroom, etc.)
• Floor plan (if available)
• Monthly rent
• Earliest move-in date
• Unit size and amenities
• Faculty and postdoc housing apartments are offered unfurnished 

Applicants can sort available units by address, size, or rent. They may also filter results by amenities, residence type, move-in date, rent, and unit size, making it easier to find the right fit.

Sample Apartment Photos

Columbia Residential offers a diverse housing inventory with a variety of floor plans and finishes. While photos of individual units are not always available, a gallery of sample apartment layouts and finishes can be viewed on the Accommodations page.

Once housing selection assignments are confirmed, faculty and postdocs have five days to accept an offer via the Housing Portal. Offers expire at 11:59 PM ET on the expiration date listed in the offer.

Viewing Appointments

If the assigned unit is vacant and not under construction, faculty and Postdocs may schedule a viewing appointment with the superintendent through the Housing Portal once a housing selection is confirmed. In some cases, a viewing appointment may be scheduled prior to accepting the unit, if availability allows. Please note, however, that the acceptance deadline may not always be extended to accommodate a viewing appointment.

• Viewings are available Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, excluding University holidays.
• Same-day appointments cannot be accommodated.
• A proxy may attend the viewing on behalf of the student, provided their name is listed in the appointment section of the offer screen during scheduling.

Steps to Accept the Offer:

1. Select a Move-In Date

• Move-in appointments and key pickups are available Monday–Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, excluding holidays.
• Residents should select a move-in appointment that aligns with their schedule and allows sufficient time to settle in before the start of their appointment
• Move-in cannot be scheduled before the unit’s availability date, which is determined by the completion of maintenance.
• When scheduling an appointment time, residents should account for travel time and potential delays. Residents who do not arrive by 4 p.m. will be unable to move in that day and must arrange alternative accommodation until the next business day. See Columbia University's Visitor Center for accommodations with discounted rates.

2. Pay a Security Deposit

• The security deposit (equivalent to one month's rent) is payable by credit or debit card only. The security deposit is held by the university and will be returned upon vacancy according to the terms of the lease.  

Important Note: While unlikely, the University reserves the right to modify housing assignments at any time before the execution of the rental agreement.

Changing A Move-In Date

Once a faculty or postdoc signs a housing agreement, changes to the move-in date can be accommodated on a limited basis. Columbia Residential encourages residents to plan carefully when selecting their move-in date but understands that adjustments are sometimes necessary.

Requesting an Earlier Move-In Date:

• Incoming residents must request an earlier move-in date at least one week before their desired move-in date.
• Faculty and postdocs cannot move into a unit before the "available move-in date" listed on the Housing Portal.
• If an earlier move-in date is approved, residents will be required to sign and return a new housing agreement within 48 hours to reflect the updated dates.

Requesting a Later Move-In Date:

• Residents unable to move in on their selected date may contact Columbia Residential to request a later move-in appointment.
• While efforts will be made to accommodate such requests,  we may not always be able to change the original billing start date. This date is typically based on the information provided during the housing selection process, and adjustments are not guaranteed.

Declining a Housing Offer   

If a Faculty or postdoc decline their offers – or does not make the required payment before the expiration date indicated in the offer – the offers will be voided and the unit will be added back to housing selection. If, at a later date, a Faculty or  postdoc wants University housing, they must reapply. 

After faculty and postdocs accept their offer, the housing agreement will be sent to their university email account via DocuSign. The agreement's expiration date will be clearly displayed on the DocuSign webpage.

Faculty and postdocs are encouraged to sign the agreement at least 5 days before the expiration date to avoid complications. If the agreement is not signed by the expiration deadline, the housing offer may be canceled, and Columbia Residential will assume that housing is no longer needed.

After the signed agreement is processed by Columbia Residential, a copy will be automatically sent to the resident for their records.

Agreement Duration and Renewals:

• Most faculty and postdoc housing agreements are extended for 12 months or until the end of an appointment (if shorter)
• Faculty and postdocs eligible for a renewal must have an appointment extension in place and will receive a renewal offer approximately 2-3 months before the end of their current agreement. Renewal offers will include details of any applicable rent increases, which are implemented annually on July 1.

To avoid disruptions to housing, faculty and postdocs are encouraged to review and complete their renewal agreement promptly.