ANSWER
Harvard University Housing serves eligible graduate students, faculty, and employees, with about 3,000 units in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston near Harvard’s campuses. Rent includes heat, hot and cold water, electricity, gas, and air conditioning where provided, and Harvard says there’s no security deposit, application fee, or finder’s fee.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Confirm eligibility before applying.
- Create the housing application.
- If using a roommate, have each person apply individually between March 1 and May 1.
- Review your lease start date before planning key pickup.
- Check moving-day parking and permit rules in advance.
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Compare homesWho it’s for and what’s included
Harvard University Housing is for Harvard’s graduate students, faculty, and employees, and the housing portfolio has about 3,000 units ranging from studios to four bedrooms. The rent includes several utilities, and Harvard says there are zero initial fees.
- Eligible residents: graduate students, faculty, and employees.
- Utilities included: heat, hot and cold water, electricity, gas, and air conditioning where provided.
- No security deposit, application fee, or finder’s fee.
Where the housing is
Harvard’s apartments are in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, with locations described as close to Harvard’s Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood Medical Area campuses. Harvard also says some Harvard Library locations are within walking distance of all Cambridge apartments.
- Buildings are spread across Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston.
- Harvard describes the locations as convenient to its Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood Medical Area campuses.
- The Graduate Commons Program offers 200+ in-person and virtual events each year for residents.
How to apply and move in
Harvard says the first step is to create an application and review eligibility requirements. If you plan to live with a roommate, each roommate should apply individually between March 1 and May 1, and after your lease is executed and countersigned by HUH, key pickup can happen on or after the lease start date.
- Start by creating an application and checking eligibility requirements.
- Roommates should apply individually between March 1 and May 1.
- Key pickup is only after the lease is executed and countersigned, and then on or after the lease start date.
What to check before moving in
Harvard says some buildings have property management offices that handle maintenance requests, lockouts, and key replacements, and those offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with walk-ins from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, except University holidays. For moving trucks and parking, Harvard says to check parking rules in advance because on-campus visitor parking is limited and Cambridge street permits are required for moving vans.
- Property management handles maintenance requests, lockouts, and key replacements.
- Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with walk-ins from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Check parking rules before moving day because permits may be required.
Sources
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