Off-Campus Housing Services

Housing Seekers

The housing fairs are an open house events that take place every spring and summer in the Stamp Student Union. They serve as opportunities for students interested in living off-campus to gain information about many properties at once. The fairs bring together landlords, College Park officials, and University resources to inform students about housing options and how to successfully live off-campus. In particular, transfer and international students use the fairs to finalize their housing for the year.


OCH Database
The OCH Database, is a web-based service that provides an up-to-date database of available housing opportunities in the vicinity of the University of Maryland. The OCH Database can be searched using your own preferences. From there, you can contact potential landlords directly with any questions you may have. Even if you cannot find a suitable listing that fits your criteria, please keep checking the database every 2-3 days, as it is updated daily. If this is your first time using the OCH Database, view the OCH Database Training Video for a quick overview.

Off-Campus Living Fairs
The Off-Campus Living Fair is a one-stop shop for incoming students, faculty, and staff to research their off-campus living options. Participants will get personal assistance with the what, when, and where of off-campus living; learn how to work with landlords/property owners; learn their legal rights as tenants and being a good neighbor; learn how to link off-campus living options with area transportation; and meet other off-campus students and potential roommates.

Additional Resources
OCH Handouts: We also have a variety of handouts produced to help you with your housing search. All of our handouts are available in PDF format for your use. Likewise, we have links to various other campus and local resources.

Legal Resources: Be aware of your rights and on-campus resources when it comes to lease signing, landlord-tenant relationships, and other questions that might arise during your off-campus living experience.



Roommate Search
The OCH Database hosts a Roommate Search funtions accessible only to University of Maryland Students, Faculty and Staff. Roommate seekers can post searchable profiles of themselves that describe their living styles, including study, sleep, as well as cleaning habits. Roommate Finder can be searched using your own preferences. In addition to only returning those profiles that match your criteria, Roommate Finder also determines the percentage to which each profile matches your search criteria. University username and password are required in order to access the database.

Additional Resources
OCH Roommate Guide (pdf): This guide is designed to help you find a roommate; ask the right questions in order to make a good match; provide you with tips for communication; as well as offer strategies for dealing with conflict.



Department of Resident Life
The Department of Resident Life provides on-campus housing to University of Maryland undergraduate students.

University-Affiliated Housing
South Campus Commons and the Courtyards are University-affiliated apartments for undergraduate students, and Graduate Hills and Graduate Gardens are apartment communities for graduate students. These Public-Private Partnerhsips are located on campus land, and are University partners, but are privately managed.

Transfer and Off-Campus Student Life
Off-Campus Student Life provides services to support and enhance the educational experience of students who live off-campus.

Department of Dining Services
The Department of Dining Services provides information about dining plans such as Terrapin Express, restaurant locations, as well as additional information about eating on campus.

Department of Transportation Services
The Department of Transportation Services provides information about parking permits, Shuttle-UM, carpooling, paratransit services and much more.

Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid is available to assist you with obtaining financial aid to help you attain your academic goals and help you know if your financial aid can be applied to your off-campus housing.