Family Housing
Assignment & Cancellation Policies
Family Housing is currently comprised of over 630 apartments in 6 complexes. All University apartments are located within one mile of the Washington State University campus. Convenient bus service, with access to both Washington State University and the Pullman community, is provided by Pullman Transit free to students. Residents of Columbia and Yakama have a 4 to 5 block walk to the nearest transit stop. All other complexes are within 2 blocks of the transit stop. Some important factors that you should consider are:
- You must provide documentation with your application to show eligibility to live in Family Housing (see assignment policy). Occupancy of the apartment is limited to the student resident, legal spouse, or legal dependent(s), or in the case of a single parent/guardian with legal dependents, one additional unrelated adult. Residents must be enrolled for 10 credits each semester to maintain eligibility. Engaged couples may apply but must show proof of marriage prior to occupying an apartment.
- Apartments are rented unfurnished; however, all apartments include a stove, refrigerator, draperies, and shower curtains. Carpeted units include: Steptoe, Columbia, Valley Crest, and Yakama.
- Dryers are not allowed in individual apartments, with the exception of Yakama which have washer/dryer hook-ups. However, each complex is equipped with coin-operated washers and dryers conveniently located in laundry rooms.
- Tenants are responsible for phone, TV cable, and electrical usage. Water, sewer and garbage collection are included in the rental price. Heat is also included in all complexes except Columbia, and Yakama.
- Water to the housing areas is supplied by WSU and is fluoridated.
- No pets (with the exception of fish) are allowed.
- No weapons are allowed in the apartments but may be stored at the WSU police station.
- Furniture is available for rent on a monthly basis. Furniture rental information will be sent to those individuals expressing interest on the enclosed application.
- Rental Agreements run from July 1-June 30 and must be renewed each year. Residents may terminate the agreement by providing notice a minimum of 30 days prior to departure. Rent charges begin on the day a resident picks up a key and end on the day the keys are returned.
Smoking/Non-smoking apartments:
Housing Services has designated smoke-free units. Residents who are assigned to those apartments will sign rental agreement that states: "Residents who are assigned to a non-smoking apartment will not smoke or allow any guest, friend, or family member to smoke in their apartment, balcony and porch."
When filling out your application, please remember to indicate
your preference of apartment: smoke-free, smoking, or no-preference.
We will assign your apartment on the basis of the box you have checked.
Application/Cancellation Information
- Each application must be accompanied by a $150 application deposit. (Make checks payable to: Housing and Dining Services.) This deposit does not guarantee housing.
- Apartments are assigned on a "first-come, first-served" basis. It is to your advantage to submit your application at least a semester prior to your arrival date. If you have not been confirmed but expect to within the next month, we will hold your check until a WSU ID# has been issued. If you have not been confirmed and do not expect within the next month, please submit your application without the deposit. Upon receipt of the deposit, you will be placed on the waiting list as of the date we received your application.
- Applicants receiving a Housing Assignment must return the Confirmation with a confirmation payment of $175. The rent for the month you move in be pro-rated on a daily basis from the date the key is issued. If the $175 confirmation payment is not adequate to cover the pro-rated rent for the month, you will be expected to cover the remaining balance due at the time keys are issued. If the confirmation payment is more than the pro-rated rent for the month, the difference will be credited towards your next month's rent. A last month's rent is not required. Resident's are billed rent on a monthly basis and may pay by the month or a semester in advance.
- Applications canceled before an assignment is made will receive a full refund. Cancellations after an assignment has been made will be subject to a full refund, less a $10.00 administrative fee. Cancellations of an accepted offer submitted at least two weeks prior to the move-in date will receive a refund of the $175 confirmation payment and will forfeit the $150 Security Deposit. Cancellations of an accepted offer submitted less than two weeks prior to the move-in date that you indicated on your confirmation will forfeit both the $150 security deposit and the $175 confirmation payment.
Assignment Policy
- All individuals will be assigned housing based upon the date that the complete application and $150 security deposit is received. Legal documentation for all family members living in your unit must be provided prior to assignment. This includes copies of marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children. If you are a foreign student, you must submit copies of passports and visas for parents/siblings who will be residing in your apartment. If you are engaged, you must list your anticipated wedding date on the application and provide a copy of the marriage certificate prior to occupancy. If you are a single parent/guardian with legal dependents who wishes to have one additional unrelated adult living with you, you must include their name and date of birth on the application. Should you have difficulty securing these documents and wish to have an earlier application date for assignment purposes, you may submit your completed application and deposit. However, you will not be assigned an apartment until they have been received.
- For those applicants applying for Fall semester and arriving in July or August, we begin making assignments in mid-May and continue through the summer as apartments become available. For spring and summer term, assignments will be mailed approximately 3 weeks prior to your anticipated arrival date.
Placement guidelines
Assignments are made under the following guidelines (in order of date received):
- 3 bedrooms are assigned first in the following order (No more
than 7 family members per unit.):
- a. families with 3 or more children, 1 child and additional family members (parents or siblings), children of the opposite sex who are of school age;
- b. families with 2 children of the same sex who have significant age difference.
- c. Families with only one child and no additional family members and couples with no children will not be placed in 3 bedrooms.
- 2 bedrooms are assigned next in the following order. (No
more than 5 family members per unit.):
- a. families with 1 or more children, or couples with additional family members (parents or siblings);
- b. couples. Due to demand, couples without children are not assigned Terrace and Kamiak 2 bedroom apartments.
- 1 bedrooms are assigned last in the following order. (No
more than 3 family members per unit)
- a. couples, or families with 1 child;
- b. unmarried graduate students and under-graduate students over the age of 30.
Wheelchair Accessible Units
Washington State University provides units for those families with special needs. Wheelchair accessible units are located in Kamiak Apartments, Nez Perce Village, and Yakama Village. Handicapped parking is located near each of these units. For more information, please contact the Housing Reservations Office at (509) 335-4577.