BYU Contracted Housing: 7 Steps to Find & Sign (2026)

BYU contracted housing is pretty simple once someone explains it. There are 21 off-campus apartment complexes in Provo that have a formal deal with BYU. Those complexes agree to house only enrolled BYU students. That’s the whole thing.

What trips people up is the pace. Most incoming freshmen don’t realize how fast spots disappear, or that “contracted housing” isn’t just a loose suggestion from the university. It’s a real requirement — and some of these complexes are already full by the time you’re thinking about it.

This guide walks you through all seven steps, from checking whether you’re eligible to getting your contract on record with BYU. No fluff. Just what to do and when to do it.

Key Takeaways

BYU’s contracted housing requirement applies to first-year students only — two semesters, then it’s optional.
Only admitted BYU students are eligible. The 2025 policy change removed Institute of Religion, Pathway Worldwide, and non-BYU students from the program.
You’ve got two paths: on-campus housing (contracting window March 4 through April 10, 2026) or one of 21 contracted off-campus complexes in Provo.
Off-campus properties fill on their own schedules. Several close well before BYU’s April 10 deadline.
Shared units at contracted properties typically run $499 to $559 per month. Private units typically range $570 to $869 per month.
The official approved property list lives at och.byu.edu — that’s your starting point, not a general apartment search.

Step 1: Confirm You’re Actually Required to Live in BYU Contracted Housing

Before you do anything else, make sure this requirement actually applies to you. If you’re a first-year admitted BYU student, it does. You’re required to live in contracted housing for your first two consecutive semesters — fall and winter of your freshman year.

After that, you’ve met the requirement and can live wherever you want in Provo. Some upperclassmen stick with contracted housing because they like the community or the price. Totally valid. But that’s their choice, not a university rule.

Check the current eligibility policy at reslife.byu.edu before you do anything else. Policies shift. The 2025 change caught a lot of people off guard, and you don’t want to be the one who finds out too late.

What If You’re Not a First-Year Student?

If you’ve already finished two semesters at BYU, you’re done. Live anywhere you want — contracted or not. Plenty of upperclassmen stay in contracted housing by choice. But it’s a personal call, not something BYU is making you do.

Who’s No Longer Eligible After the 2025 Policy Change

This is where a lot of confusion still lingers. Before 2025, the contracted housing program included Institute of Religion students, Pathway Worldwide participants, and some non-BYU students. That changed. The program is now limited to admitted, enrolled BYU students only.

If you fall into one of those former categories, contracted housing is no longer available to you — and it’s not a gray area. Properties that house ineligible students risk losing their BYU approval entirely. That’s a serious consequence, and reputable complexes know it.

Step 2: Decide Between On-Campus and Contracted Off-Campus BYU Housing

Both options satisfy the requirement. They’re just very different experiences.

On-campus housing is run by BYU Residence Life. You contract through housinginfo.byu.edu. The window opened March 4, 2026 and closes April 10, 2026 — 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM MST daily. Miss that window and on-campus is gone. There’s no late exception.

Contracted off-campus housing is one of 21 private complexes in Provo. Each one is run by an independent landlord who has an agreement with BYU. There’s no single university deadline for these — every property sets its own timeline.

Key Differences to Weigh Before You Choose

On-campus puts you right inside the BYU bubble. Pricing is bundled, so you’re not tracking separate utility bills. You roll out of bed and you’re already on campus. For a lot of freshmen coming from out of state, that proximity actually matters more than they expect.

Off-campus gives you more variety — in pricing, room setups, and what the social scene feels like. You’re still in Provo, still surrounded by BYU students, but you’ve got a bit more of a real-world feel. Some people need that. Some people prefer the dorms. Neither answer is wrong.

Honest take: on-campus is the better pick if you’re nervous about the transition or want the easiest possible first semester. Off-campus is worth it if you’re willing to do a little more legwork and want more control over your living situation.

A Note on Off-Campus Variety

The 21 contracted off-campus complexes aren’t all the same. Not even close. King Henry Apartments and Campus Plaza are big complexes — hundreds of residents, busy common areas, a real social scene. If you want to meet people fast, those tend to deliver. Smaller complexes are quieter and more personal. Think about what kind of environment actually helps you focus and feel at home, not just what sounds good in theory.

Step 3: Get the Official List of BYU Contracted Off-Campus Properties

Go to och.byu.edu. That’s it. That’s the only real source for the current approved list. Don’t rely on what a friend told you, what showed up on a general apartment site, or what some Facebook group said. The roster can change, and only BYU’s own directory reflects those changes in real time.

For 2025 to 2026, the 21 approved complexes include King Henry Apartments, Campus Plaza, The Colony, Centennial 1, Regency Apartments, Berkshire, The Cottages, College Place Woodland, Norma’s Apartments, University Park, Wellington II, and others. All contracts run August 2025 through August 2026.

What the OCHO Directory Tells You (and What It Doesn’t)

The directory gives you contact info, addresses, and basic unit types. That’s useful as a starting point. But it doesn’t tell you which complexes still have availability, what residents actually think of the place, or whether a $499/month listing is actually $499 once you factor in fees.

Before you start calling, read what current residents say about BYU-area complexes on Find My Place. Build a short list of three to five places before you pick up the phone. It saves time and you’ll ask better questions.

Step 4: Compare Your Options on Price, Location, and What Actually Matters

Shared units at BYU contracted properties typically run $499 to $559 per month. Private units run $570 to $869. Those are real ranges, but the number on the listing isn’t always the number you’ll pay. Some complexes bundle utilities. Others bill them separately. A unit listed at $499 with separate utilities can easily run more per month than a $530 all-inclusive unit. Do the math before you assume cheaper is cheaper.

What to Look For Beyond the BYU Checklist

Once you’ve got pricing in range, look at the stuff that actually affects your day-to-day:

Utilities included vs. billed separately — a $499/month unit with separate utilities may cost more than a $530/month all-inclusive unit
Parking — not every complex near campus makes it easy to have a car
Laundry — on-site vs. shared facilities in a separate building
Walking distance to campus vs. requiring a car or bike

If you don’t have a car, proximity to campus matters more than anything else on that list. Factor that in. Some students care a lot about who their roommates will be. Others just want a quiet place to study. Neither preference is wrong. They just point you toward different complexes.

Step 5: Contact BYU Contracted Off-Campus Properties and Ask the Right Questions

Use your short list from Step 4. Contact three to five properties. Don’t assume your first pick will have space — availability moves fast and you need real backups, not hypothetical ones.

Don’t wait until May. Some contracted complexes fill in February and March, well before BYU’s April 10 on-campus deadline. That’s not a scare tactic. It happens every year. By the time some freshmen start looking seriously, their top choices are already gone.

When you reach out, ask about fall 2026 availability first. If they’re full, move on. If they have space, get every detail in writing — pricing, fees, move-in dates, roommate matching — before you commit to anything.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

Is the August 2026 contract term still available?
What’s the total monthly cost, including any mandatory fees?
Are utilities included or billed separately?
What’s your roommate matching process?
What’s the cancellation or release policy?
Is this complex currently on BYU’s approved contracted housing list for 2025 to 2026?

That last one isn’t just a formality. Properties occasionally lose their BYU approval status. If you sign somewhere that gets removed from the list, you’re no longer in compliance with your housing requirement. Ask the question directly. Get a clear answer.

Step 6: Review and Sign Your BYU Housing Contract

Read the full contract before you sign. All of it. Not just the price and move-in date. Make sure the contract explicitly states the property is a BYU contracted facility for 2025 to 2026. Payment structures, late fees, and guest policies vary by property and have nothing to do with on-campus rules. Don’t assume anything carries over.

What the Contract Term Covers

The August-through-August contract covers fall semester, winter semester, and the stretch in between. Ask the property directly: does your room stay reserved during semester breaks, or are you expected to vacate? Is summer included or a separate add-on?

These are questions you want answered before you sign. Not after you’ve already bought a plane ticket home for Christmas and find out you need to be out by a specific date.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be skeptical of any property that can’t clearly confirm its BYU approval status. If the manager seems unsure or brushes the question off, that’s not a good sign. Same goes for contracts that don’t spell out the full cost upfront or have vague language around when you can leave. You don’t want to discover a problem the week before classes start. That’s the worst possible timing. Catch it at the contract stage.

How to Verify Your Housing Is on Record

Log into your myBYU portal and check your housing status confirmation. If something looks off or isn’t updating, contact OCHO directly through och.byu.edu. They can confirm whether your contract has been received and whether your property is still on the approved list.

Do this check a few weeks before move-in. BYU doesn’t automatically notify you if something changes. You have to check yourself. Don’t skip it.

Step 7: Confirm Your Housing Status With BYU Before Move-In

You signed the contract. You paid the deposit. You’re done, right? Not quite.

Confirm everything is showing correctly in your myBYU account before you show up in Provo with your stuff. Give yourself enough lead time to fix any issues — a few weeks, not a few days. If your housing status isn’t updating or something looks wrong, call OCHO. They’re there to help. But they can’t help you at 8 PM the night before move-in as well as they can help you three weeks out.

Frequently Asked Questions About BYU Contracted Housing

Do all BYU freshmen have to live in contracted housing?

Yes. All first-year admitted BYU students must live in contracted on-campus or off-campus housing for their first two consecutive semesters — fall and winter. After that, the requirement is done.

How many contracted off-campus apartments does BYU approve?

21 complexes are approved for 2025 to 2026, all in Provo. Check och.byu.edu for the current list. The roster can change, and the site reflects updates in real time.

Can I live in contracted housing after my freshman year?

Yes, but you don’t have to. Once you’ve completed two semesters, you’ve satisfied the requirement. Contracted housing is still available to upperclassmen who want it — plenty do — but it’s not mandatory.

What does BYU contracted housing actually cost?

Shared units typically run $499 to $559 per month. Private units range $570 to $869 per month. Always confirm the full monthly cost — including fees — before you sign. The listed price and the real price aren’t always the same number.

What happens if I sign a lease at a non-contracted apartment by mistake?

You’d be out of compliance with BYU’s housing requirement. That’s a real problem with real consequences. Always verify a property’s contracted status at och.byu.edu before you put your name on anything. If a complex can’t confirm it’s on the approved list, treat that as a no.