Our resources help you find off-campus accommodations, sublease or roommate options,
and assist local residents with off-campus living related issues. If you would like
additional support, please contact us to schedule a 1:1 virtual consultation.
Off-Campus Living FAQs
Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations is open Monday through Friday 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m., via email at saocss@mailbox.sc.edu or by phone at 803-777-3366. We are here to assist and support you and your off-campus
needs!
Expand all When should I start looking for housing off-campus?
OCLNR recommends taking time before you sign a lease. Although you may hear of students
searching for housing as early as Fall semester, you will have plenty of time to secure
housing. Do not feel pressured to sign a lease until you have received a lease review
from Student Legal Services and/or discussed all aspects of the roommate contract with all roommates or cosigners/guarantors.
How do I begin my search for a place to live?
You can use the Daily Gamecock's online Garnet Living housing locator. Once you have an idea of what type of place you would like to call
home, use the property search on the Garnet Living website to find places that match
your needs.
If a property is listed with Garnet Living, are they affiliated with USC?
No. Being a featured lister only means that the property has chosen to reach out to
USC students but is not affiliated with USC.
Where can I find short-term housing?
Short-term housing may be rare but is searchable on the Garnet Living website. We encourage you to contact a property directly if you have specific questions.
How do I know if an area is safe to live?
In order to make your own judgement on the safety of a neighborhood, please use the
Community Crime Map on our website.
Can you recommend the best apartment for me to live in?
The OCLNR office is not a referral service but a resource for our students. We provide
you with information to help you make the best housing decision for you. We suggest
you contact and visit multiple places to find the one that best fits your needs.
Does my financial aid cover my rent?
It may. Any financial aid that you receive must go through the Student Financial Services Office first. For more specific information, please contact Financial Aid at 803-777-8134.
How do I find a roommate?
You can find a roommate on our message board . You can log-in with your network ID and password and find another USC student that
is either looking for a place or already has a place that may fit your needs.
Why do I need to log in with my USC ID to look for roommates or vacant rooms?
As a safety and security precaution, all users must log in with their network ID and
password. This ensures that students you find on the message board are USC students.
If you need assistance, please contact OCLNR at 803-777-3366 or saocss@mailbox.sc.edu .
What if my roommate and I do not get along? Can I switch apartments?
You will need to try to work out disagreements with your roommate. Property managers
are not obligated to make arrangements for you because you can't get along with others
any longer. It is unlikely that a property manager will let you out of a lease because
of this. If you try to work things out and find that there is an escalation of the
problem, document what you tried and see if that helps your case with the property
manager.
What if I don't like the place I am living, which I found on the Garnet Living website?
Potential tenants should always visit and thoroughly inspect residential premises
that they are interested in renting. USC is not responsible or liable by the content
of advertisements or by conditions existing on the premises of advertisers.
I am having landlord problems. Where can I go for legal help?
USC students can request legal support and services in matters that relate to landlords,
tenants, housing and domestic relations. The Department of Student Life has teamed
up with Student Legal Services to offer consultations and educational programming
to fee-paying students. You can make an appointment here .
