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Stanford campus

Community Housing: Housing Resources

WARNING!  Please be aware of potential scams as you search for housing. 

A general rule is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Any landlord that wants you to send them a wire transfer or a check and does not let you see the location of the rental could very well be trying to scam you.  If you are renting sight-unseen from a private landlord, try to FaceTime with them to see the place.  Use the street view feature of Google Maps to see if the location shown in a listing matches up with what is actually there.

 

Online Resources

  • Places4Students is Stanford's online listing partner.  Listings are accessible to current and incoming Stanford affiliates only.
  • Stanford's Sublicense program within graduate student housing is a resource for non-undergraduate Stanford affiliates to find short-term housing. This is only available to Stanford affiliates after housing demand for matriculated students has been met each quarter. 
  • SU Post is an on-line bulletin board for the Stanford community, but is not managed by Stanford.  Only Stanford affiliates have the ability to post an ad.  However, anyone can read the posts.
  • Craig's List is a world-famous online community bulletin board. 
  • Padmapper and HotPads are map-based rental search engines.

University Housing Resources

Faculty/Staff Housing, 650-725-6893, Owen House, 552 Lane A
Sale of homes on campus. Open to faculty and high level staff only.

Robinson and Company, 650-854-2700
This is a property management firm that Stanford employs. They may have apartments and single family homes available for rent in Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

Welch Road Apartments, 1180 Welch Rd, Palo Alto 
Rentals open to Stanford medical non-student affiliates only, such as residents. Information is sent to medical affiliates in their contract packets, and applications are accepted through the end of April. For availability or to check eligibility, contact the Graduate Medical Education Office at (650) 723-5948.

Stanford West Apartments, and Colonnade Apartments
Rentals available to Stanford affiliates, based on eligibility priorities.  Please refer to the website for each complex to find out more about these priorities and to apply or submit your name for the interest list.

Other Resources

Driving Through Neighborhoods
Drive through the neighborhoods that interest you, and look for signs in front of apartment buildings. Most places with an apartment for rent will post a for rent sign. This is an excellent resource if you want to live in a specific neighborhood, or if there are few rentals available and you want to have an advantage over people who are only using the Community Housing listings and Craig's List. 

Google Maps - Street View
If you are not able to be in the Stanford area to search for housing, and are going to be renting sight-unseen, it is a good idea to use the street view feature of Google Maps to get a feel for the neighborhood you are considering.

Referrals from Friends
Ask friends and acquaintances if they have heard of a place that is vacant or about to be vacant.

Rental Services
You can use a rental service, but be aware that results cannot be guaranteed and that there is sometimes a fee. To locate such services, search online for "Real Estate Rental Service" or "Apartment Finding and Rental Service."

Information for Renters


If you find that any information provided here is not up-to-date, please notify Community Housing.