Application Process

Students must first be admitted to the University of Houston before applying for housing on campus. Students are encouraged to apply for housing as soon as they are admitted, make the decision to attend UH, and receive their myUH account information. To complete the housing application, go to AccessUH and log in using your myUH or CougarNet account. Once logged in, select myHousing and follow the links to apply.

All applicants will be required to sign an Agreement and pay the application fee of $99. Students who have an admissions application fee waiver are not required to pay the application fee of $99; it is instead billed to their student account and due at a later date.

Agreements are electronically signed during the application process. Students under the age of 18 must also secure the electronic signature of their parent or legal guardian to be eligible. Room assignments will be determined according to the timing in which the application is complete and residential community qualifications. Room assignments are subject to change prior to the date of occupancy.

Returning Residents

New Residents

Spring Application Process

Students entering the residence halls for the spring term may only indicate a community preference instead of a specific room. These residents are assigned to spaces made available when students vacate their room at the end of the fall term. The application process for students who wish to enter the residence halls in the spring term typically begins during the first week of October immediately preceding the spring term. Room assignments for spring applicants will be based upon the availability of rooms when assignments are made.

Summer Application Process

Students who wish to live on campus for the summer term may only indicate a community preference instead of a specific room. Summer housing is typically available in The Quad.

Only applicants who are Spring residents of University Lofts are eligible to live in University Lofts during the summer term. Only applicants who are Spring residents of Bayou Oaks are eligible to live in Bayou Oaks during the summer term. The application process for students who wish to enter the residence halls in the summer term typically begins during the first week of March immediately preceding the summer term. Room assignments for summer applicants will be based upon the availability of rooms when assignments are made.

Cancellations

Students may cancel their agreements at any time and for any reason. Any associated cancellation fees will be assessed based on the date the cancellation was received and/or the reason for cancelling. The cancellation fee schedule is strictly based on the date the cancellation notice is received by Student Housing & Residential Life (SHRL). Students who cancel and check out before the twelfth-class day of the spring term will be charged the daily rate for each day of winter break they were checked in. Cancellation notices must be submitted in writing; SHRL will not complete cancellation via verbal communication.

Prior to the date of occupancy, students must submit their cancellation notice in one of the following ways:

• Via the myHousing portal,
• By emailing housing@uh.edu,
• Or by mailing a letter to Student Housing & Residential Life, 4373 Cougar Village Dr, Houston, TX 77204-3018.

After moving in, students must cancel their housing agreements by speaking with the Supervisor of Desk Operations and Community Services (SDOCS) for their residential community and officially checking out of their room.

Qualifying Events

To be released from the financial responsibility for the full value of the housing agreement, students must be approved to be released from charges with either a Qualifying Event (see Section 5.b. of the agreement), an approved Replacement Resident, or an approved Appeal.

Non-Qualifying Events

Replacement Resident

When a resident cancels their agreement after the date of occupancy, an additional way to be released from the cancellation fee is by finding a replacement resident. An approved replacement student will allow the current resident to be released from the cancellation charges. The current resident is responsible for finding a replacement resident and emailing the housing office with the replacement resident’s name and student ID. The replacement resident must be a student attending UH who does not currently live on campus. A student who currently lives on campus does not qualify as a replacement resident. The replacement resident will be assigned to the first available bed space in any residence hall that they qualify for. The replacement resident will not be assigned to the resident's current space.

Once both students email the SHRL Central Office (housing@uh.edu) to provide written consent, the replacement resident completes an agreement, and SHRL staff review and approve the request, the current resident will then be released from the charges of the agreement.

Appeals Process

Residents who cancel the housing agreement after moving in have the opportunity to appeal the cancellation fee (see Section 6. of the agreement). To appeal the full value cancellation fee, residents must move out and cancel the agreement with the SDOCS for their residential community. Once the agreement cancellation has been processed, students may submit the Agreement Cancellation Appeal Form online in the myHousing portal. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval to be released from the full value cancellation fee. Students have 30 calendar days from the date that charges were applied to submit the appeal.

All appeals must be submitted by the student via the myHousing portal. The student should provide a detailed statement explaining why they should be released from the cancellation fee and include documentation to support their statement.

The Housing Services Manager will review all appeals within 30 business days of when they are received. Once a decision is made, the student will receive an email with the result of their appeal. All appeals that are denied will automatically be reviewed a second time by the Appeals Committee; the decision of the Appeals Committee is final. If a student’s appeal is approved, housing staff will remove the cancellation charges within 5-7 business days. Appeal decisions are final and cannot be disputed further. If students have new information or documentation not originally provided, the student may email housing@uh.edu to request an additional review of their appeal.

To complete the appeal, follow the instructions below:

1. Log into accessuh.uh.edu
2. Click the myHousing icon
3. Click the button that reads, “Agreement Cancellation Appeal Form"
4. Complete and submit the form

Changes in Assignment

Prior to the date of occupancy, students have the opportunity to either select a different space or request a different space should they not prefer their room assignment. Once a student has completed the agreement been assigned to a room, they may attempt to change their room assignment. Students who request to change their room agree to potential changes in their rates and meal plan requirements.

Self-Selection

Standby List

Adaptive Housing

Waiting/Standby List

When SHRL no longer has space available for a specific term, a waiting list will open for students who wish to apply to live on campus. Students will get access to apply for housing from this waiting list as cancellations are received from other students. Students from the waitlist who complete the housing agreement will be assigned to the first available space for which they qualify to live.

Application and Agreement Highlights

• Students must be admitted to the University of Houston before applying for housing.
• Residents must be enrolled full-time to live on campus. Exceptions for low or non-enrollment must be submitted in writing via the Enrollment Exception Request located in myHousing portal or email to housing@uh.edu.
• Have your myUH or CougarNet account information and password available.
• Apply early!
• Read the application, agreement terms and conditions BEFORE completing the process. · This is a legally binding agreement.
• Print and retain paper copies of your completed agreement for future reference.
• A $99 non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application. All applicants that submit the application will be required to pay the application fee.
• The Academic Year Agreement includes Fall & Spring terms. We do not offer a fall only agreement.
• We do not offer temporary, emergency, or family housing options.
• Students who do not live on campus for the spring term must move out by the last date of occupancy for the fall term or they will be billed the corresponding daily rate for their room type from the last date of occupancy for the fall term to the date they properly check out of their space plus the full value of the spring portion of the agreement.
• Students who live on campus for the entire academic year agreement can remain on campus during the Winter Break period at no additional charge.
• See Section 5.a., 5.b. and 5.c. of the Residence Halls Service Agreement for full cancellation deadlines and penalties.

The residence halls do not close over winter break. Students living continuously in housing (fall to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall) are not required to move out during the

holdover periods. While the residence halls do not close during the winter break, only students who live on campus as of the twelfth-class day of the spring term are eligible to remain on campus during the winter break without additional cost.

Students who do not live on campus for the spring term must move out by the last date of occupancy for the fall term or they will be billed the daily rate for their room type for each day they occupy their bed space after the last date of occupancy for the fall term, along with any days into the spring term through the twelfth-class day.

The Residence Halls Service Agreement is a legally binding agreement and should be read completely before the student and/or parent or legal guardian signs the agreement. The agreement is valid for the specific term(s) or the remainder thereof.

Registered sex offenders and students convicted of any felony are not permitted to live in university housing.

Although reasonable precautions are taken to maintain adequate security, the university cannot guarantee the safety of and does not assume any legal obligation to pay for injury to persons, or loss or damage to items of personal property, which occurs in its buildings or on its grounds prior to, during, or subsequent to the period of the agreement. The student and their parent or legal guardian are encouraged to carry appropriate insurance to cover such losses. Refunds are not made for mechanical, heating/air conditioning, plumbing, or electrical malfunctions, or for any other reason.

Vacancies

When a roommate in a suite, room, or apartment moves, the remaining residents may request a roommate of their choice by contacting the Supervisor of Desk Operations & Community Services (SDOCS) for their residential community. Any person requested by the remaining residents must meet the eligibility requirements for occupancy in the community. Should the residents not have a preferred roommate, SHRL will assign an eligible person to the vacancy. Other residents of the apartment, suite, or room may not occupy or use, in any way, a vacant bed space or bedroom space.

Community and Room Types

Bayou Oaks

Residence Hall (Building 16)

4 Bedroom / 2 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom and shares the bathroom with one other person. The living room and kitchen are shared by all occupants of the apartment. This is the most common room type in Bayou Oaks.

2 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom and shares the bathroom with one other person. The living room and kitchen are shared by all occupants of the apartment. These room types are typically reserved for Resident Advisor staff and their roommate choice.

3 Bedroom / 2 Bath - Each resident receives a private bedroom. Two of the residents share a bathroom with one other person. One resident has a private bathroom. The living room and kitchen are shared by all occupants of the apartment. These room types are typically reserved for SHRL staff and their roommate choice.

Townhouses (Buildings 1 – 15)

2 Bed / 1 Bath Shared Townhome – Two residents share a bedroom and a bathroom. The living room, kitchen, and other common areas are shared with other residents of the townhome. Townhomes typically have 13 – 21 residents and are typically considered Greek Housing.

Cougar Place

4 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom. The living room, bathroom, and kitchenette are shared by all occupants of the suite. This is the most common room type in Cougar Place.

2 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom. The living room, bathroom, and kitchenette are shared by all occupants of the suite. These room types are extremely limited.

1 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom, living area, bathroom, and kitchenette. These room types are extremely limited.

Cougar Village I and Cougar Village II

2 Bedroom Double – Each resident shares a bedroom with one other person. A second bedroom in the suite is shared by two other residents for a total of four students per suite. The bathroom and entry to the suite are shared by the four occupants of the suite. This is the only room type available to residents of Cougar Village I and Cougar Village II.

1 Bedroom Single – Each resident receives a private bedroom and also has a private bathroom. This room type is reserved exclusively for student residential advisor staff.

Moody Towers

Double - Each resident shares the bedroom with one other person. All students in Moody Towers share and utilize a community bathroom with private shower stalls, private commode stalls, and public area sinks.

Super Single - Each resident has a private bedroom. All students in Moody Towers share and utilize a community bathroom with private shower stalls, private commode stalls, and public area sinks.

The Quad

4 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom. The living room, bathroom, and kitchenette are shared by all occupants of the suite. This is the most common room type in The Quad.

1 Bedroom / 1 Bath – Each resident receives a private bedroom. The living room, bathroom, and kitchenette are only utilized by the resident. These spaces are typically only available to student residential advisor staff.

Townhouses 1 Bed / 1 Bath Townhome – Each resident has a private bedroom, The bathroom, living room, kitchen, and other common areas are shared with other residents of the townhome. Townhomes typically have 18 residents and are reserved for Living Learning Communities.

University Lofts

Efficiency Furnished – One resident alone occupies the apartment. The resident is provided with a living space, kitchen, and bathroom. Kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator, microwave oven, and a small oven and cooktop. Living areas are provided either a daybed or full-size bed, mattress, dresser, desk, and desk chair.

1 Bed / 1 Bath Furnished - One resident alone occupies the apartment. The resident is provided with a living space, separate bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator, microwave oven, and a small oven and cooktop. Living areas are provided with a small sofa, table, and two stools. Bedrooms are provided full-size bed, mattress, dresser, desk, and desk chair.

2 Bed / 1 Bath Furnished - Two residents occupy the apartment. Each resident is provided with a private bedroom and share the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with one other person. Kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave oven, and a small oven and cooktop. Living areas are provided with a small sofa, table, and two stools. Bedrooms are provided full-size bed, mattress, dresser, desk, and desk chair.

Vacation Periods

The residence hall contract is for an academic year which includes both the fall and spring term. The residence halls do not close during the academic year. Students may remain in their rooms during fall breaks, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and other holidays.

It is important to note that while the residence halls do not close during the winter break, only students who live on campus as of the twelfth-class day of the spring term are eligible to remain on campus during the winter break without additional cost.

Students who do not live on campus for the spring term must move out by the last date of occupancy for the fall term or they will be billed the daily rate for their room type for each day they occupy their bed space after the last date of occupancy for the fall term.

Residence Hall Office Services

Housekeeping Services

Laundry Rooms

Maintenance Repairs/FixIT

Telephone Service

Mail Service

Wi-Fi

Television

Policies

All students who live on campus are subject to compliance with the Housing Resource Guide and the Student Handbook.

Check-In

Students check into their residence hall at the beginning of the fall term by reporting to the offsite check-in at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. At all other times, students check into their residence hall by reporting to the front desk of their assigned residence hall.

Check Out

Ifa student leaves prior to the end of their agreement, they should cancel in person with the Supervisor of Desk Operations & Community Services (SDOCS) for the residential community in which they live or at their assigned residential front desk. At the end of the housing agreement term, all residents must check out at the front desk. Students of Bayou Oaks, Cougar Village 1, and Moody Towers must also return their room key at check out.*

_{*Students who are transitioning from spring – summer and summer – fall will be given direct information on checking in/out.}

Rates

The cost of education is a significant investment in the future of students. SHRL is constantly reviewing services and looking for ways to keep the cost of higher education affordable. Rates must be set to cover the cost of operations, debt retirement, and plan for the continued changes in what today’s students demand in their living options.

Room rates include a range of styles from traditional halls to suites and apartments. Review our website to see current rates and don’t forget that rates include all utilities and Internet access. Residents also have access to computer labs, laundry facilities, and study rooms/ lounges. Rates can be found at http://www.uh.edu/housing/information-guide/housing-rate-sheet/

Billing

The student agrees to pay the residence hall room fees and properly billed charges at the time tuition is billed by the university.

Room charges are due and payable by the term; however, fees may also be paid by an installment plan if needed according to the terms and conditions of Student Business Services. Payments are made directly to Student Business Services in accordance with the installment payment plan in effect.

Dates of Occupancy

The residence halls do not close over winter break. Students living continuously in housing (fall to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall) are not required to move out during the holdover periods. While the residence halls do not close during the Winter Break, only students who live on campus as of the twelfth-class day of the spring term are eligible to remain on campus during the Winter Break without additional cost.

Fall 2024/Spring 2025

All residence halls

Summer 2025

The Quad

Bayou Oaks & University Lofts

Fall 2025/Spring 2026

All residence halls