When to Start Your CU Boulder Housing Search: Complete 2026-2027 Timeline
CU Boulder students should start their off-campus housing search in January through March 2026 for fall semester move-ins, according to the university’s Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations office. February through April represents the prime leasing season when most landlords release August inventory and current tenants notify landlords they won’t renew. Signing a lease during October or November, while common among anxious students, commits you to roommates, neighborhoods, and budgets ten months before move-in. Your preferences, friend groups, and financial situation can change significantly in that time. The spring semester provides better timing for most students.
TL;DR: Quick Answer
- CU Boulder’s housing office recommends spring semester as the best time for most students to complete their apartment search.
- February through April 2026 represents prime leasing season when most Boulder landlords release August move-in inventory.
- The Spring Housing Fair on March 4, 2026 offers the best opportunity to meet landlords and explore options in person.
- Early leasing in October and November often features the highest prices of the year as landlords leverage student anxiety.
- Find My Place and Ralphie’s List provide current Boulder listings throughout the 2026-2027 search season.
Early Leasing Pressure Creates Unnecessary Anxiety for CU Students
You’ve probably heard upperclassmen say they signed their lease in October. Maybe someone mentioned all the good places disappear by November. This creates anxiety for students who feel pressured to commit before finishing their first semester.
CU’s Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations office addresses this directly. You don’t need to sign a lease that early. Yes, some premium properties on The Hill lease during fall semester. The Mansion and Parker Off Pearl advertise early. But quality rental options become available throughout spring. You’ll also have a much better idea of what you want, and who you want to live with, by then.
Early leasing prices often run higher than spring prices. Landlords know they have leverage over eager students. Waiting provides negotiating power.
September Through October 2025: Research Without Committing
What’s happening:
Some luxury apartments and high-demand properties on The Hill start accepting applications for Fall 2026. This is the early leasing period that creates anxiety. Premium properties advertise aggressively.
What you should do:
Research. Don’t commit. Start learning about different Boulder neighborhoods. Talk to upperclassmen about their experiences. Create a rough budget. Browse Ralphie’s List and Findmyplace.co to understand pricing and availability. But don’t sign anything yet.
CU’s Fall Housing Fair takes place November 19, 2025 in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom. Attend for research purposes. Meet landlords and property managers. Learn about available properties. This is an information-gathering opportunity, not a signing event.
November Through December 2025: Plan Roommates and Neighborhoods
What’s happening:
Early leasing continues for premium properties. Some students sign leases during this period. Others feel pressure watching friends commit.
What you should do:
Finalize your list of potential roommates without committing to housing yet. Have honest conversations about budget, location preferences, lifestyle habits, and living expectations. Research neighborhoods by driving through The Hill, Martin Acres, and East Aurora. Check RTD bus routes from potential areas to your classes.
January 2026: Active Searching Begins for CU Boulder Fall Housing
What’s happening:
Spring semester starts. More rental options hit the market. Landlords who didn’t fill units in the fall start actively marketing for August move-ins.
What you should do:
Set up saved searches on Ralphie’s List, Zillow, and Findmyplace.co. Start scheduling tours of properties matching your criteria. Check the Boulder County Assessor’s website to verify property ownership before touring. Attend the Winter Housing Fair on January 14, 2026 to meet additional landlords.
Some properties offer incentives to fill remaining units. Look for move-in specials like free February rent or reduced security deposits. These deals appear more frequently in January than during fall early leasing.
February 2026: Prime Leasing Season Brings Maximum Boulder Inventory
What’s happening:
This is the optimal window. Many landlords release their August 2026 inventory. Current tenants notify landlords they won’t be renewing, creating new availability. Competition is high. So is inventory.
What you should do:
Tour your top three to five properties with your roommates. Ask detailed questions about included utilities, parking situations, and recent renovations. Schedule a free lease review with Attorney Bruce Sarbaugh at 303-492-7053. Be prepared to act because good units move fast during this window.
Current residence hall students can apply for 2026-2027 campus housing through the MyCULiving Portal. Random selection outcomes post February 18. Know your on-campus backup options while searching off-campus.
March 2026: Most CU Boulder Students Sign Leases During This Month
What’s happening:
Peak leasing activity. Most students actively searching for Fall 2026 housing are touring and signing during March.
Key date:
The Spring Housing Fair takes place Wednesday, March 4, 2026. This is your best opportunity to meet landlords, ask questions, and explore options with your roommates present.
What you should do:
Attend the Spring Housing Fair with your roommates. Make your decision and sign a lease by mid-to-late March if you’ve found the right place. Ensure all roommates can attend the lease signing together. Have the lease reviewed before signing anything.
April Through May 2026: Quality Options Remain for Late Searchers
What’s happening:
Most students have secured housing by now. Quality options remain. Some landlords still have inventory. Last-minute cancellations create new opportunities.
What you should do:
Don’t panic if you haven’t signed yet. Check listings daily. Be flexible on location because you might find better deals in neighborhoods you hadn’t originally considered. Martin Acres and East Aurora often have later availability than The Hill.
Landlords with unfilled units may negotiate on rent or offer move-in incentives to avoid August vacancies. Your leverage increases as summer approaches.
June Through July 2026: Last-Minute Boulder Housing Options Exist
Options become limited but not impossible. Lease transfers, subletting opportunities, and last-minute vacancies appear. Check Findmyplace.co’s contract transfer marketplace for students looking to get out of their leases. Consider expanding your search to Longmont, Louisville, or Lafayette. All have RTD bus access to campus.
August 2026: Boulder Move-In Season Requires Documentation
Most leases start August 1 through 15. Boulder becomes busy as thousands of students move in simultaneously. Document your unit’s condition with photos and video before unpacking. Complete a move-in checklist with your landlord. Set up utilities in your name. Register your address with Off-Campus Housing for party registration, which provides free warning calls for noise complaints.
Key Dates for CU Boulder 2026-2027 Housing Search
| Date | Event or Action |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Fall Housing Fair at UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Winter Housing Fair |
| Jan-Feb 2026 | On-campus housing reapplication opens for current residents |
| Feb 18, 2026 | On-campus random selection outcomes posted |
| March 4, 2026 | Spring Housing Fair (best opportunity for finding housing) |
| Feb-April 2026 | Prime leasing season when most students sign |
| Aug 1-15, 2026 | Most leases begin and move-in season starts |
Six Steps to Complete Before Signing Any Boulder Lease
- Schedule a free lease review with Attorney Bruce Sarbaugh through OCHNR at 303-492-7053 or Student Legal Services at 303-492-6813.
- Verify the landlord through Boulder County property records and meet them at the actual property.
- Understand occupancy limits because your lease may specify maximum occupants even though Boulder repealed relationship-based limits.
- Know your lease type, particularly whether it’s joint and several liability where you’re responsible for roommates’ rent or individual liability.
- Get a signed copy of the lease before paying any money and photograph the unit’s condition at move-in.
- Budget for all costs including utilities at $100 to $150 monthly, internet at $50 monthly, parking at $100 to $200 monthly, and renter’s insurance at $15 monthly.
CU Boulder Students Have Options for Breaking Leases Early
Life changes. Study abroad programs, family emergencies, or other circumstances may require leaving your lease early. Several options exist.
Subletting allows you to find another tenant with landlord approval. Lease transfers move your entire lease to a new tenant. Findmyplace.co has a dedicated marketplace for CU students looking to sell or buy lease contracts. Early termination clauses may allow breaking the lease with a penalty, often one to two months’ rent. Check your specific lease terms.
Spring Semester Timing Works Best for Most CU Boulder Students
Boulder’s housing market is competitive. It’s not impossible. You don’t have to sign early. CU’s own housing office recommends spring semester for most students. Attend the housing fairs. They’re free and provide opportunities to meet landlords face-to-face. Use CU’s free resources including lease reviews, legal advice, and Ralphie’s List.
Be flexible. The ideal apartment on The Hill might exceed your budget. A great place in Martin Acres or East Aurora might fit perfectly. Don’t let anxiety drive decisions. A bad lease signed early is worse than waiting for the right fit.
Start your search on Findmyplace.co and Ralphie’s List. Attend the housing fairs. Give yourself permission to find the right place, not just the first available place.
