Housing

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING IN DURHAM              

CONGRATULATIONS! On behalf of the Office of Student Affairs, welcome to Duke and Durham, North Carolina. As your new home, Durham is a vibrant community with a lot to enjoy. To begin your housing search, we’ve listed below some tips, resource links, and suggestions for you. We hope you find this helpful!

WHERE CAN I BEGIN MY HOUSING SEARCH?

• A useful Duke housing search engine, https://neardukeguide.com/pratt is managed by The Chronicle.
• DukeList (Duke netID required for login) allows Duke community members to post ads for both housing and roommates, as well as items for sale and services.
• Duke Housing & Residence Life has limited, on-campus apartments available for rent for graduate and professional students. Please direct inquiries to housing@duke.edu.  

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFETY OF LOCAL HOUSING OPTIONS?

• Review the Durham Crime Statistics & Community Crime Map in advance of selecting a neighborhood, complex, or house. 
• Browse apartment or neighborhood reviews (google reviews, apartmentratings.com, or connect with current Duke student residents through your program, department, or school).
• Ask the apartment management or landlord about safety protocols they have in-place for their residents. Ex: Is your apartment community gated? Do you utilize cameras in exterior locations? What type of crime preventative measures is your apartment complex taking?
• Consider affordability. Setting a realistic budget for your expenses and housing is important. Be forewarned, the least expensive options may have downsides associated with safety, noise, or lack of amenities.
• Review Duke’s emergency notification system, Duke’s safety mobile app (LiveSafe), and tips from Duke Police for personal safety.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER?

• Transportation: If you have a car, your off-campus housing search can include places in the broader Durham area. If you won’t have a car, consider living close to campus and understand your options for getting around:
  • Duke bus routes – free to all students
  • Duke Vans – late evening, free rides from campus to nearby apartment complexes
  • Durham & Triangle area bus routes – free with GoPass
  • Uber / Lyft – reliable ride-share in the area
  • Bicycles, Scooters, and Walking
  • Personal Property: Consider protecting your personal belongings with Renter’s Insurance.
  • Amenities: Complexes in the area will offer a range of services (gated entrance, gym, computer workstations with printers, cable TV, Amazon locker pick-up, etc). Understand what is included in your monthly rent.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A TENANT?

• Know your rights as a tenant and the responsibilities of a landlord.
• The Durham NC Tenant Training Manual provides detailed information about local Landlord and Tenant responsibilities.
• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development also provides information about tenant protections.

Disclaimer: This guide is intended for general informational purposes only.
Duke University does not recommend or endorse any landlords, tenants, or rental facilities.