Finding Rentals
Note: This is so important so I put it here first: No American can return your phone call if you use an international number - so don't try leaving messages with an international number. Getting an American phone number must be your first priority... See separate page about phones.
See below for special tips making phone calls. Also look for issues with answering questions for social security numbers and credit checking.
The rental market in Monterey can be very tough – especially in August before MIIS starts. Finding a room for less than $1,000/month is next to impossible. $1,200-$1,400 is more common, and it may be unfurnished and not include utilities and Internet. Some are lucky if they get here at just the right time as a place opens... but you never know.
If a place can work, take what it right away --. Don't wait for something better... someone else might take the first place while you are comparing it to other places.
If you're not here but find a great place, have it checked out by someone here, then consider paying to reserve it even if your not here.
------------------------
MIIS has a special Housing Guide, which lists all the property management companies. It also lists various additional websites to search. Just below (here) are suggestions as to how you might talk to property mgmt. companies about places not yet posted to their website, even before you get here. At the bottom of this page are special "Tips" to help you make calls to people who don't return your voicemail. This has made all the difference for some!
To see an evaluation of MIIS's Housing Guide / "Other Places to find Housing", go to this special page. Hopefully these notes will help a lot as you figure out where and how to search. These are for general rental site search engines. Property management companies have their own sites, but they may also post on these as well.
The school's list of Property Management websites show everything they have available (currently), with photos and a map for location. Use their map to zoom in on areas of interest. If they are too far to walk, consider before renting, do they have good bus service -- some areas do, some don't.
HERE"S A TRICK if you are not in Monterey yet: Contact property management firms 3 weeks before you get here. Ask if they have renters giving notice to leave and if they expect any openings about the time you arrive that they haven't listed yet. They may still need to fix it up before advertising it as a new rental, but they might let you know.
Security Check Fees: This is important about property management companies and applications:
When filling out applications, they want you to pay a fee. If you do this on line, you may think you need to pay it for each application. BUT YOU DON"T. You only need to do it once for each company.
Also, it's best to call them before filling it out. Make sure the place isn't already taken. . . They may not have removed the ad yet. Ask what are your chances of getting it. Also try to see it first before paying the fee -- unless you've already paid it when applying for other places with them.
================
About requests for social security numbers & credit check reports:
Property management companies always ask a fee, which is supposed to cover the cost of a credit check -- but you don't have one to check! (They probably can't check but you still have to pay.
Credit Reporting: For your sake, your credit proof is your I-20 (or similar document depending on your visa status). Show them this (email it if you're not here). Tell them the US government requires it and it proves you have the funds/support to live in the zip code area of your school.
Social Security question: They use this to check your credit history. If you fill out an online form, try leaving it blank. Or enter all 9s just to get the form through. .I've seen this work in the past,
================
Following are more ideas to help as you search for a place.
If you are not here yet, understand that many rentals in private homes will not finalize an arrangement until after you arrive and they meet you personally. Some will interview with Zoom, etc, but most want it personal.
Many students find a place ahead of time and wire a deposit.
IMPORTANT: We do not recommend making a financial commitment without having someone here see it first to say it's a good place. This could be another student, or you can ask us.
Important: The landlord wants to rent their place immediately! Be prepared to pay for it 'today' if it's something you really want. Many students do this to secure a place before someone else gets it... even if you won't be here for a couple weeks or a month. Those who do are so grateful for this tip!
Most if not all apartments and houses are unfurnished. If you find a place that says it's furnished with utilities included, it will probably be in someone's private home or an apartment with someone living in it and asking for another to share. Apartments don’t usually include those. If you get an apartment or a house, you will have to order your own utilities & Internet services. For a house, there may be additional "installation fees". Apartments may have coin-operated laundry. Rental houses will probably not have washer & dryer.
----------------------------
> Begin your search with the MIIS MIcommunity / Housing Page. This can be your best way to connect with students already here who know where good rentals are. Don't just look at what others post. Post your own ad, "Looking to share," or "I found a great place and looking for someone to share it." If you see something you like, do not leave a "Comment" because everyone will see it. Instead, contact them directly by email. If you post something, have them email or PM you. THE KEY to finding a place before others: Keep MIcommunity in a bookmark and open to browse. Look continually, a post may only be up for 15 minutes before being answered.
> Sometimes the very best way is using social media networks. Get everyone helping you. MIIS students have their own group networks and connecting with those might get others helping you as you search for a place. WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram are most popular. If you are not on at least two of these, it might be good to join them and look for other MIIS students to connect with.
> A popular search engine is monterey.craigslist.org. See the page linked above that talks about the MIIS Housing Guide for more info on using this.
MOST IMPORTANT: You must check your housing sites continuously all day because things go so fast... Don't just look morning and afternoon. **Bookmark the site(s) and refresh them often.**
The main reason students don't find anything is because: Places get posted... but in 20 minutes they are already rented. YOU MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY SEARCHING. And then take it before someone else gets it!
------------------------------
> Another Very Valuable Tip: Walk up and down the streets that are near MIIS and look for signs that say "For Rent." Call them right then if you can because they may show it to you if you are already there.
> Even more valuable, and sometimes the best: Ask everyone you meet, both students on campus and locals as you walk the streets. Locals know how hard it is for students to find places and they will help if they have an idea... if you ask. Give them your phone number and have them call you if they see anything. Even little old ladies who walk the street by their homes have many friends -- and they may have rentals.
> If you're first hope is to find a BIG house or apartment to share with friend(s), this is often not the best idea. Be careful and be flexible... and don't pressure other students to join you who may end up finding just a good room. Before you consider sharing with others, check out this page.
> REMEMBER: If you look for the ideal place -- what you hoped to find before you came -- you may not find it.
If you find something that might work but you want to find something better (maybe the first place could work but because it came up easy you think maybe there's another), you may not find anything better. BUT, the first place you looked at just a few hours earlier may be gone when you go back.
------------------
SPECIAL TIPS ON MAKING CALLS ABOUT APARTMENTS & ROOMS –
This can make all the difference... and has for many:
> Students get frustrated because they leave messages and no one returns the call -- do you return all the calls people make to you when you don't recognize the number? Also, many American phones don't show they number. Even on some cell phones, if you leave a voicemail, it's hard to see the number on the phone.
> Speak your number slowly so they have time to write it down. Americans also often leave numbers twice, repeating their name & number clearly to make sure it is understood. Be sure to tell them you are a MIIS student.
> People may not return calls. They might have 50 people calling and they think, "whoever tries the hardest will reach me." So do this trick. . . it works!
#1, If you leave messages in the morning and in the afternoon, they are probably at work.
#2, If you call in the evening, they may be out.
#3, If you don't reach them in the day or evening, call at 7:30 in the morning. They are probably having breakfast before they leave for work. On Sunday, don't call this early... maybe after 8:30. It may seem early but you have to do whatever it takes -- and this has worked for many!
Last and very important point, AGAIN: Don't think you can just check the Internet sites once or even 2 or 3 times a day. Check them all day, as much as you can. Something might get posted right after you look -- and someone else will get it before you look again. Keep looking. We here so many stories about places taken even 15 minutes after being posted.
All the best, and may you find the best place quickly.
John & Joyce
See below for special tips making phone calls. Also look for issues with answering questions for social security numbers and credit checking.
The rental market in Monterey can be very tough – especially in August before MIIS starts. Finding a room for less than $1,000/month is next to impossible. $1,200-$1,400 is more common, and it may be unfurnished and not include utilities and Internet. Some are lucky if they get here at just the right time as a place opens... but you never know.
If a place can work, take what it right away --. Don't wait for something better... someone else might take the first place while you are comparing it to other places.
If you're not here but find a great place, have it checked out by someone here, then consider paying to reserve it even if your not here.
------------------------
MIIS has a special Housing Guide, which lists all the property management companies. It also lists various additional websites to search. Just below (here) are suggestions as to how you might talk to property mgmt. companies about places not yet posted to their website, even before you get here. At the bottom of this page are special "Tips" to help you make calls to people who don't return your voicemail. This has made all the difference for some!
To see an evaluation of MIIS's Housing Guide / "Other Places to find Housing", go to this special page. Hopefully these notes will help a lot as you figure out where and how to search. These are for general rental site search engines. Property management companies have their own sites, but they may also post on these as well.
The school's list of Property Management websites show everything they have available (currently), with photos and a map for location. Use their map to zoom in on areas of interest. If they are too far to walk, consider before renting, do they have good bus service -- some areas do, some don't.
HERE"S A TRICK if you are not in Monterey yet: Contact property management firms 3 weeks before you get here. Ask if they have renters giving notice to leave and if they expect any openings about the time you arrive that they haven't listed yet. They may still need to fix it up before advertising it as a new rental, but they might let you know.
Security Check Fees: This is important about property management companies and applications:
When filling out applications, they want you to pay a fee. If you do this on line, you may think you need to pay it for each application. BUT YOU DON"T. You only need to do it once for each company.
Also, it's best to call them before filling it out. Make sure the place isn't already taken. . . They may not have removed the ad yet. Ask what are your chances of getting it. Also try to see it first before paying the fee -- unless you've already paid it when applying for other places with them.
================
About requests for social security numbers & credit check reports:
Property management companies always ask a fee, which is supposed to cover the cost of a credit check -- but you don't have one to check! (They probably can't check but you still have to pay.
Credit Reporting: For your sake, your credit proof is your I-20 (or similar document depending on your visa status). Show them this (email it if you're not here). Tell them the US government requires it and it proves you have the funds/support to live in the zip code area of your school.
Social Security question: They use this to check your credit history. If you fill out an online form, try leaving it blank. Or enter all 9s just to get the form through. .I've seen this work in the past,
================
Following are more ideas to help as you search for a place.
If you are not here yet, understand that many rentals in private homes will not finalize an arrangement until after you arrive and they meet you personally. Some will interview with Zoom, etc, but most want it personal.
Many students find a place ahead of time and wire a deposit.
IMPORTANT: We do not recommend making a financial commitment without having someone here see it first to say it's a good place. This could be another student, or you can ask us.
Important: The landlord wants to rent their place immediately! Be prepared to pay for it 'today' if it's something you really want. Many students do this to secure a place before someone else gets it... even if you won't be here for a couple weeks or a month. Those who do are so grateful for this tip!
Most if not all apartments and houses are unfurnished. If you find a place that says it's furnished with utilities included, it will probably be in someone's private home or an apartment with someone living in it and asking for another to share. Apartments don’t usually include those. If you get an apartment or a house, you will have to order your own utilities & Internet services. For a house, there may be additional "installation fees". Apartments may have coin-operated laundry. Rental houses will probably not have washer & dryer.
----------------------------
> Begin your search with the MIIS MIcommunity / Housing Page. This can be your best way to connect with students already here who know where good rentals are. Don't just look at what others post. Post your own ad, "Looking to share," or "I found a great place and looking for someone to share it." If you see something you like, do not leave a "Comment" because everyone will see it. Instead, contact them directly by email. If you post something, have them email or PM you. THE KEY to finding a place before others: Keep MIcommunity in a bookmark and open to browse. Look continually, a post may only be up for 15 minutes before being answered.
> Sometimes the very best way is using social media networks. Get everyone helping you. MIIS students have their own group networks and connecting with those might get others helping you as you search for a place. WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram are most popular. If you are not on at least two of these, it might be good to join them and look for other MIIS students to connect with.
> A popular search engine is monterey.craigslist.org. See the page linked above that talks about the MIIS Housing Guide for more info on using this.
MOST IMPORTANT: You must check your housing sites continuously all day because things go so fast... Don't just look morning and afternoon. **Bookmark the site(s) and refresh them often.**
The main reason students don't find anything is because: Places get posted... but in 20 minutes they are already rented. YOU MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY SEARCHING. And then take it before someone else gets it!
------------------------------
> Another Very Valuable Tip: Walk up and down the streets that are near MIIS and look for signs that say "For Rent." Call them right then if you can because they may show it to you if you are already there.
> Even more valuable, and sometimes the best: Ask everyone you meet, both students on campus and locals as you walk the streets. Locals know how hard it is for students to find places and they will help if they have an idea... if you ask. Give them your phone number and have them call you if they see anything. Even little old ladies who walk the street by their homes have many friends -- and they may have rentals.
> If you're first hope is to find a BIG house or apartment to share with friend(s), this is often not the best idea. Be careful and be flexible... and don't pressure other students to join you who may end up finding just a good room. Before you consider sharing with others, check out this page.
> REMEMBER: If you look for the ideal place -- what you hoped to find before you came -- you may not find it.
If you find something that might work but you want to find something better (maybe the first place could work but because it came up easy you think maybe there's another), you may not find anything better. BUT, the first place you looked at just a few hours earlier may be gone when you go back.
------------------
SPECIAL TIPS ON MAKING CALLS ABOUT APARTMENTS & ROOMS –
This can make all the difference... and has for many:
> Students get frustrated because they leave messages and no one returns the call -- do you return all the calls people make to you when you don't recognize the number? Also, many American phones don't show they number. Even on some cell phones, if you leave a voicemail, it's hard to see the number on the phone.
> Speak your number slowly so they have time to write it down. Americans also often leave numbers twice, repeating their name & number clearly to make sure it is understood. Be sure to tell them you are a MIIS student.
> People may not return calls. They might have 50 people calling and they think, "whoever tries the hardest will reach me." So do this trick. . . it works!
#1, If you leave messages in the morning and in the afternoon, they are probably at work.
#2, If you call in the evening, they may be out.
#3, If you don't reach them in the day or evening, call at 7:30 in the morning. They are probably having breakfast before they leave for work. On Sunday, don't call this early... maybe after 8:30. It may seem early but you have to do whatever it takes -- and this has worked for many!
Last and very important point, AGAIN: Don't think you can just check the Internet sites once or even 2 or 3 times a day. Check them all day, as much as you can. Something might get posted right after you look -- and someone else will get it before you look again. Keep looking. We here so many stories about places taken even 15 minutes after being posted.
All the best, and may you find the best place quickly.
John & Joyce