Apartment Leasing

Rates

Rental charges for the University Apartments are assessed via students' bursar accounts through MU Central.  These are billed by the semester - just like tuition, student fees, residence hall charges, meal plans, etc.

Rental charges for an apartment are split evenly amongst all roommates on a lease for each term.  Exceptions are for The Marq - where leases are on an individual basis - and for the summer portion of a lease - where individual leasing may be possible.

Rental charges for an entire term (summer, fall, spring) are each due in full prior to the start of the corresponding term.  Charges are typically assessed to student accounts 4-6 weeks prior to the start of a particular term (e.g. fall semester billing for mid- to late-August is usually assessed in early- to mid-July).

Billing periods through MU Central typically cover the following dates:

Depending upon the dates of your lease, rental payments for each particular term / semester equate to these durations of time.

Questions on due dates, methods of payment, or financial aid eligibility should be addressed to MU Central.

*Leases at The Marq typically begin on August 1st.  Therefore, academic year leases will include a partial summer billing charge.

Rental Rates

• Rates for the 2025-2026 leasing period (effective June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026)

Additional Fees

In addition to rent, students are typically responsible for the electricity bill for their apartment.  These payments are typically made on a monthly basis.  Please see the Utilities page for more information.

Individual vs. Joint Leasing

There are two types of leases in the on-campus apartments:

Joint Leases

Joint leases are the most prevalent type of lease, and are the lease that renters will most commonly see in off-campus properties.  A joint lease is one in which all roommates in a particular apartment sign the same lease.  This means everyone is equally responsible for for all rules and regulations of the lease (including rent payments), and that any one tenant is responsible for the actions (or inactions) of all the others.

Therefore, it is important to make leasing plans with all of your roommates in mind.  For example:

• If you want to sign for the academic year, but your roommate only wants to sign for the fall semester, you would be responsible for the full apartment (including rental payments) for the spring semester.
• If you plan to sublet your apartment to another student, all roommates involved must agree to it (since everyone is jointly responsible for the overall lease).
• If you have 4 roommates sharing a 3-bedroom (possible in Frenn and parts of Campus Town), everyone is billed equally for rent - even if some people are sharing a bedroom while others are not.

Individual Leases

Individual leases are a bit less common, but offer different flexibility for renters.  An individual lease means that you alone are renting a space (or bedroom) within a larger apartment. Nevertheless, these leases also require advance planning on behalf of you and your roommates:

• You are not beholden to your roommates' leasing plans.
• You do not have to pay for empty spaces (bedrooms) if you alone book a larger apartment.
• If a roommate chooses to sublet their room in your apartment, they may do so on their own.
• You may end up with random roommates in your apartment, since you are only leasing your space - not the entire apartment.

While leases in Campus Town, Frenn, and McCabe are joint leases, they are treated as individual leases during the summer term.  Please see the Summer Leasing Page for more information.

By default, single-occupancy (one-person capacity) apartments are individual leases:

• All studio apartments (Gilman, McCabe, Campus Town East, The Marq)
• Some one-bedroom apartments (Gilman, Campus Town East Addition, The Marq)

Summary

While you cannot choose the lease type for any apartment, it is good to consider the features of each in order to find the best apartment community/building for your situation. 

Flexible Leasing

The University Apartments Office recognize both the academic and career opportunities that students seek out during the college years, along with the transitional nature of housing and apartment living as they proceed from home, to campus, and eventually from campus.

Therefore, the University Apartments offer flexible leasing in a number of different forms. These options vary by building, by students' situations, and by apartment type. This guide will help students navigate these ins-and-outs, but students and parents can always contact our office for information on specific situations.

Please remember, changes in academic plans do not provide an exemption to fulfilling the legal obligations of the lease.  We encourage students to proactively make their leasing plans to fit their academic pursuits. If changes are needed after a lease is signed, subletting is typically the best option.

Flexible-Length Leasing

We encourage students to sign only for the amount of time that they are certain they will be leasing.  Extending a lease is typically possible after the fact; shortening a lease is only possible via subletting.

Flexible length leasing is available in every apartment, but varies by building:

We recognize that there is much lower demand for apartment living during the summer months, which is why the above leasing options are possible.

The overall leasing period runs from June to May - with the highest demand for the fall semester, since this most closely aligns with the academic calendar.  For any student planning on making an apartment booking during the Apartment Selection Process, we required them, at the minimum, to sign for the fall semester.  Moreover, we encourage students to talk with their roommates about their leasing terms, in order to ensure that everyone understand the implications of one another's leasing plans.

Finally, lease length is determined at the time of lease signing - not during the online booking process.

Extending a semester lease

While most students choose and Academic Year lease and move in during the fall semester, we encourage students only to sign a lease for the terms of which they are certain they need housing.

While the fall semester is the minimum lease length required for flexible leases, students can typically extend their lease at a later date:

• A summer lease (preceding the fall semester for which a student is already renting) can typically be added as late as April.
• A spring lease (following the fall semester for which a student is are already renting) can typically be added as late as October.

Summer / Spring Leasing

Summer

• As the standard leasing period runs from June to May, summer leasing is available to students during the summer preceding the regular academic year / fall semester.
• Any student wishing to extend a lease from spring through the following summer may be allowed to do so, pending eligibility and availability.
• The University Apartments do not offer summer-only leases.

Spring

Students interested in a spring-only lease in the University Apartments can apply online.  Spring availability is typically determined during October and November.

Subletting

Students sometimes need to find somebody to take their place on a lease for a variety of reasons, such as study abroad, co-op and internship opportunities. We provide a number of flexible leasing options to help students align their academic and leasing plans, but sublets may still be necessary and are available in all University Apartments.

Please remember, changes in academic plans do not provide an exemption to fulfilling the legal obligations of the lease. This includes studying abroad, co-ops, clinicals, or withdrawing from the university. We encourage students to proactively make their leasing plans to fit their academic pursuits.

While our office can assist a student resident with finding a sublettor, it is ultimately the leaseholder's responsibility to find an individual to take his or her place on the lease. A student should proceed through the following steps in order to properly execute a sublet:

1. Find an individual to sublet to. Many students list sublet availability on Rent College Pads. Please remember that sublettors must be enrolled as a Marquette student in order to sublease in University-owned properties. Furthermore, if the apartment has other roommates, only same-gender sublets are allowed.
2. Inform your roommates (if applicable) that you intend to sublet. Depending on your type of lease, they may be required to sign the subletting paperwork as well. Regardless, it is courteous to inform them of the changes you plan to make!
3. Contact the University Apartments office with your and your sublettors information. This includes names, MUIDs and specific dates you wish to sublet. The University Apartments office will prepare the subletting paperwork. Every sublet must be approved - in advance - by your landlord.
4. Sign the subletting paperwork. You, your sublettor, and your roommates (if applicable) must all sign.

It is your responsibility to inform your sublettor of their legal obligations by taking over your lease. The University Apartments office can help clarify these obligations, and a blank copy of the lease is always available for reference.

Rental billing changes will be made once the subletting paperwork is complete. The University Apartments office cannot make any billing adjustments outside what is outlined in the lease.

Once again, please contact the University Apartments office with questions or to initiate a sublease.

Summer Leasing

We understand that the summer term differs greatly from the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters); our office therefore provides additional flexibility for leasing for the summer term.

While most students choose to start their leases for the fall semester*, summer leases are available to any student renting in the University Apartments for the summer preceding their academic year / fall semester lease.

At the time of the initial leasing signing, students can choose to start their lease in June to secure a spot for the summer term. Alternatively, they can initially choose to start their lease in August, then add on the preceding summer term at a later date.

*Flexible leasing availability may vary by building.

Summer Leasing Transition

Summer leases typically begin in mid-June, since spring leases end on May 31st; this intermediary period allows our staff time to prepare apartments for new move-ins. 

• Continuing Residents: For residents who are already living in the University apartments and are staying in their same apartment / bedspace, the summer start date is adjusted back to June 1st; there will be no gap between leases.
• Transferring Residents: For residents who are switching units / bedspaces within the University Apartment system, we always attempt to extend the current lease (from May into June) to accommodate a period of overlap to move from one apartment to the other. This information will be communicated to residents shortly prior to the start of the new leasing term. As a general rule, residents should be prepared to move within the few weeks leading up to or following their new lease start date.
• New Residents / Early Move-Ins: As mentioned, leases traditionally end on May 31st. Therefore, summer move-ins prior to the mid-June date are typically not possible. However, after signing their lease, students may simply submit an early move-in request via email. Earlier move-ins to the apartments are accommodated when possible. (Early move-ins do not apply for transferring residents; our office will provide specific moving dates for you).
• Temporary Housing: For students moving into the University Apartments from the residence halls or off campus, temporary residence hall accommodations typically become available during finals week in May, and can be utilized for any amount of time over the summer. This temporary option can be used to bridge the gap prior to apartment move-in during mid-June.

Individual Summer Leasing

While the flexible-length leases in the University Apartments are joint leases, the summer term - and summer term alone - is treated as an individual lease. This grants additional flexibility to students whose summer plans may differ from those of their roommates.

During the summer, students in Campus Town, Frenn, and McCabe pay a rental rate equivalent to what they will be paying during the fall semester, regardless of any roommates' plans during the summer. For example:

• Two students are renting a two-bedroom for the academic year (August to May). One roommate would like to rent for the summer. They pays just their half of the rent for the summer.
• Five students are renting a three-bedroom for the fall semester (August to December). Only two need to rent for the summer. They each pay just 2/5 of the total apartment rent during the summer.

Extending into the Summer

Since most students graduate in May, our leasing period is set to align with this time during which most graduating students depart campus; each year's leasing period starts in June and ends the following May. Therefore, summer leasing priority is given to the residents who will be occupying the apartment the following fall semester.

However, if a student is living in an apartment during the spring and wishes to continue past the lease end date of May 31st and into the summer - either for a few days or for several weeks - it may be possible if the future tenants are not planning on leasing the apartment. Individuals must also remain eligible (i.e. continue to be enrolled at the University) for the summer in question. An approved extension may incur additional rental costs.

Towards the end of each spring semester, residents are asked for their move-out plans at the conclusion of their lease. It is at this time that residents can express their interest in extending a lease for the summer. Extension requests are reviewed and notice is communicated in early- to mid-May.

Summer Storage

The summer storage program provides flexibility for returning renters who may have plans outside of Milwaukee during the summer term. In select apartments, and for a reduced fee*, students may leave belongings in their apartment over the summer without fully renting or living in the apartment unit.

Students must be renting the exact same apartment from one year to the next. For example:

• A student rents a McCabe studio for their junior year.
• During that time, they re-book their apartment for just the academic terms (fall and spring) of their senior year.
• They move out of the apartment (including returning their keys) during May of their junior year, leaving any belongings in the apartment over the summer.
• They returns to the same apartment in the fall semester of their senior year.

Summer storage is therefore not available to first time renters.

Please contact our office for more information on summer storage.

To enroll in summer storage, you must: have a booking for an eligible University apartment and have signed your lease to begin in August. After signing your lease, please contact our office to procure the storage paperwork.

Leasing only for the Summer

The University Apartments do not offer summer-only leases. However, there are a number of options for students who are looking for short-term housing over the summer:

• Temporary Housing through the Office of Residence Life - beginning shortly after the end of finals in May and running just before the start of classes in August, temporary accommodations are available in the Residence Halls on campus. Space can typically be booked for any length of time during this window. To apply, please visit the Housing portal in CheckMarq and proceed to the application through the Summer Housing link.
• Guest Apartments through Conference Services - the department of Conference Services works with students and non-students during the summer months to lease out empty spaces on campus. This is typically ideal for students or visitors who may be spending an entire summer in Milwaukee or on campus (for research projects, internships, etc.).
• Apartment Sublets through Rent College Pads - this external website provides listings specifically tailored to the Marquette neighborhood, and allows students to connect with one another regarding sublet possibilities.

Neighborhood Leasing Timeline

The Office of University Apartments and Off-campus Student Services exists to provide resources and information to students as they search for housing. It is true that when students arrive back on campus for their sophomore year, many begin their junior year housing search right way.

The University Apartments office stresses that there is no need to begin the process immediately, but many students choose to sign leases anyway. There are a number of reasons why students should wait to sign a lease:

• Signing a lease too early can complicate a student’s ability to take advantage of academic opportunities that may take them away from the Marquette campus during junior year, such as study abroad opportunities, co-op positions, and internships.
  
  
• Landlords don’t always know for certain if their current residents are returning until October or November, and so may not be able to give an applicant a definite assignment until after current residents recommit. We advise students never to sign a lease for an apartment or house they have not seen, and to insist on seeing the actual unit they will be renting before they sign the lease.
  
  
• While large groups living together can work out, sometimes it doesn’t. Friends change. We see a number of groups each year struggling in their living situations because they are locked into a lease and no longer get along with one another. Signing a lease with one or a few friends might be a better option in the long term.

The University Apartment selection process is placed during the month of November very intentionally. This alleviates the panic that students feel when they return for their sophomore year, and helps prevent students from being forced into leases that they may later need to terminate for the reasons listed above.

Neighborhood Leasing Timeline Phases

The neighborhood leasing timeline generally occurs in three phases:

• Houses and a few larger complexes (Renee Row, Marquette I, Kensington): It is true that houses go quickly. Groups of students who are looking for large-capacity dwellings, such as houses and 4+ bedroom apartments will start looking right away, and landlords are happy to oblige because large groups like that will diminish in size over time due to the factors listed above. If they don’t sign them early, landlords fear not being able to fill their larger apartments and houses.
• University Apartments: After the initial rush, students begin to look at the University Apartments process. Deposit collection to enter into the random selection process begins in late October, and apartment selection happens in early November (see exact timeline below). The University Apartments try to get as many leases signed as possible prior to the Winter Break, in order to move quickly to the waiting list so students are not left “in limbo” any longer than necessary. Over the past five years, trends have shown that the University Apartments have enough capacity to accommodate every student who applies. However, because students have the freedom to choose their own roommates and because students often want their own bedroom, not every bed space is filled. If students were open to sharing a bedroom, that would both drive down their rent costs and allow more students to assign into the apartments.
• Spring semester process: Following the University Apartment selection process and throughout the spring semester, the University Apartments office prepares a list of privately-owned properties that are still available in the neighborhood, so that students who are still looking have a starting point for their apartment search. Past trends have shown that neighborhood landlords will still have studios through 4 bedroom apartments available in June - just 2 months preceding the start of the academic year.

Other services our office provides to students:

• A comprehensive website of good information that is useful to students before, during, and after their tenancy.
• Mediation services to students who find themselves in conflict with their roommates or with their landlord.
• Relationships and communication with the area landlords, in order to effectively advocate for students when things go wrong. It is important to note two things here: 1) students have not only rights as renters, but also responsibilities to uphold; 2) the University Apartments cannot coerce a landlord into doing anything they do not wish to do or are not required by law to do. The University Apartments office opens lines of communication, can attempt to facilitate solutions that are amenable to everyone, and can also refer students to appropriate city agencies if a landlord is not being responsive.

There is plenty of privately-owned housing in the off-campus neighborhood to accommodate students.  While the process is by no means simple or stress-free, the University Apartments office seeks to provide guidance to students so that they can learn these important skills, be smart consumers, and grow in the process. The role of this office is not only functional, but educational. Parents are important partners in this process.

University Apartments Assignment Process

The university apartment selection process begins midway through the fall semester each year. As we approach that time, information for students and parents will become available on our website.

Leasing Quiz

The Leasing Quiz is designed to test your knowledge on some of the more common rental questions that you will encounter during your tenancy - whether that is on-campus in the University Apartments, off-campus with a neighborhood landlord, or in the future as you move away to other locations.

Answers to these questions can be found throughout our website, via various on-campus resources (such as MUSG, MUPD, Student Development, or Sustainability), and through common knowledge and cursory research.

During the Apartment Selection Process, this quiz may be made available as a waiver to the $300 deposit to take part in the process.  In other words, passing the quiz may allow you to book a University Apartment without submitting the housing deposit.  Every individual interested in taking part of in the Apartment Selection process must pay a deposit and/or pass the leasing quiz.  Individuals who pass the leasing quiz may receive priority selection times. Regardless, apartment availability is never guaranteed.

Lease Signing

Recognizing that a college apartment is likely the first time that most students have ever signed a lease or completed a lengthy legal contract, our office strives to proactively provide educational guidance on leasing matters that will be useful to students even after they move on from Marquette.

The single most important thing that any renter should do is to thoroughly read and understand all paperwork that they will be signing (physically or digitally).

Granted, leases are complicated documents. But they are so in the interest of thoroughly describing the rights and responsibilities of - and the protections for - both the renter and the landlord. Many leases attempt to address any issue that might be encountered during a renter's tenancy; understanding all rules, regulations, provisions, and clauses of a lease will prepare you for a smooth and successful tenancy, and will reduce the odds of any unfortunate issues or consequences.

It is also important to discuss your leasing plans - with roommates, parents, and with our office. Once again, having everyone on the same page in advance of signing your lease will help ensure the best possible living experience!

Leasing Documents

The university provides a number of documents that are always available for review:

• Apartment Condition Report - this serves as a record of apartment condition and cleanliness at the time of move in. Many landlords spend a lot of time and resources preparing apartments for new occupants; at the end of your tenancy, the expectation is to return the apartment in the condition in which you received it (clean, orderly, etc.).
• Housing Checklist - there is a lot to consider when choosing an apartment or house to rent! A housing checklist can help you consider different factors and make comparisons between properties.
  
  
• Lease - once again, thoroughly reviewing a lease is paramount step in renting an apartment. Blank copies of the current and future University Apartment leases are available on our website.

Understanding a Lease

Remember: you are agreeing to everything in a lease once you've signed it - whether you have read it or not! Taking the time to review the lease and ask questions will help you learn and understand leasing protocols, and will make you a more educated renter going forward.

Have a question on your lease? Let us know! We would be happy to offer more clarity on any provision or regulation of the lease.

Other resources that can be helpful in improving your leasing acumen are as follows:

• Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic
• State of Wisconsin Landlord/Tenant Guide
• Tenant Resource Center

Signing a University Apartment Lease

Step-by-step instructions for lease signing are available here.