Summer Housing in Grinnell
Students who spend the summer working in Grinnell enjoy the farmers’ market and concerts in Central Park, ice cream at Dari Barn, the Fourth of July parade replete with small-town charm, and feeding themselves. Living in this community for the summer is a pleasure, but first students need to secure a place to live.
Campus housing is available, so long as students meet the application deadlines and requirements found inside the Housing & Residence Life Portal. For more information or with questions, please email Residence Life directly.
Off-campus Housing: Sublets
Students who need only summer housing may sublet from students who have off-campus housing for the following school year. Many of these leases turn over at the end of the spring semester, but sometimes some or all of the students who plan to live in the house will be elsewhere for the summer.
How to Find a Sublet: Network!
Start by telling everyone you know that you’re looking for a place to live. Your network begins with the people you spend the most time around—friends, co-workers, faculty, and staff. Don’t be shy about sharing your summer plans and your need to find a place to live.
Build on your word-of-mouth activity by reaching out through the following channels: Facebook (there are several groups local to Grinnell, which is also where you’ll find out information like dates for the summer yard sale weekend, who’s playing when in Central Park, and this year’s parade route), student email lists, and other socials where you’re active. Stop by and speak with staff/managers at places like the STEW Makerspace or in Burling Library that have summer student employees. Check the Drake Library, Saints Rest, and other in-town locations where people post flyers.
You might widen your reach by connecting with local Real Estate companies (see more below) that might represent property managers. While many of the Grinnell rentals are designated for year-long tenants, it doesn’t hurt to inquire. These professionals are clued into the area housing market and may have ideas for you.
Before You Begin
Keep cost in mind when looking for a sublet. A general budget rule is one-third of your monthly, post-tax income (Iowa paycheck calculators are available online) should go toward your rental. Make sure that another third of your monthly income will cover necessities like food and utilities. (Average monthly utility costs in Grinnell are available on Alliant Energy’s average utility use resource). The final third of your summer income will cover your savings goals, travel, and entertainment.
Use the following to be clear about what you’re looking for.
- What are your dates of intended occupancy?
- What is your budget?
- What spaces are you willing to share?
- Are you okay living in a house where there are pets?
- Do you need air conditioning? Wifi? Cable?
- Do you have transportation, or do you need to be walking distance from work and groceries?
- Is the space furnished?
- Do you need a secure place to park a bike or a car?
- Are you interested in amenities like a washer/dryer?
- Is your sister/bestie/partner planning to visit over the summer? How might that impact your housing situation?
You’ve found a place, now what?
Before signing any lease agreement, be certain to:
- Make 100 percent sure that the sublet is approved by the landlord.
- See the space (be sure to take a friend with you when you go)!
- Learn who will be living there with you and meet them.
- Discuss any guest policies or restrictions.
- Discover what security measures are in place.
- Understand specific move-in and move-out procedures including the precise day/time you can access your space and when you must leave it, the process for receiving and turning over keys, and the process for submitting a deposit and getting it refunded.
- Learn how and to whom you will pay rent.
- Find out if renter’s insurance is required.
- Understand what share of utilities you will be responsible for.
- Receive all specifics in writing.
Working with Real Estate Agents
In Grinnell real estate agents have large networks of landlords that they can refer you to. Keep in mind that landlords will typically look for tenants that are willing to sign 1 year leases as opposed to month-to-month or 3 month leases. A quick Google search will yield several local offices. When calling agents remember to keep general networking tips in mind:
- Clearly state your name, who you are, and what you are looking for in a rental (bedroom? 2 bedrooms? Ideal monthly rent?).
- Ascertain if there are any fees the agent charges for helping with rentals before you begin to work with the agent.
- Agents may give you another contact to reach out to, in which case you will need to repeat the first step.
Don’t Give Up!
Keep in mind: this may be an effortful process! Networking is very difficult and it may take a lot of energy to reach out to strangers, especially you don’t do that very often. Don’t lose hope, as that rental is just around the corner.
