Graduate & Family Housing - Applicant FAQ
What is Graduate & Family Housing?
Graduate & Family Housing provides apartments for students and certain others at the University of Kentucky.
Who qualifies for Graduate & Family Housing?
All full-time graduate students; full-time students with families, post doctoral students, students classified as non-traditional, visiting scholars, and certain others that are affiliated with the University of Kentucky.
Do you give priority to certain students?
Yes. Priority is given to graduate students and students with families. Non-traditional undergraduate students are next followed by post doctoral students. Visiting scholars and all others receive housing if available.
Within those groups, priority is established based on the date of application. It is important to apply as soon as you know that you have been admitted to the University of Kentucky so that you receive an earlier priority date.
How do I apply for housing?
The application can be found online. At this time, it cannot be submitted online. The application can be sent by mail, fax, or as an email attachment. The email should be sent to: ukapthousing@lsv.uky.edu.
I sent an application for housing to your office. How do I verify that you received it?
Our office should send you an email confirming that we have received and processed your housing application. This is NOT an automated response and may be delayed during peak periods. If you do not receive this email within a couple of weeks, please contact our Front Desk Associate. She can be reached by email at: probi@email.uky.edu or by telephone at: 859-257-3721.
When will I know if I get an apartment?
If an apartment becomes available, we will try to notify you via email at least 30-days before your requested move-in date. If you do not hear from us by that time, you should contact our office.
I haven’t received an apartment reservation from your office and it is now less than 30-days before my requested move in date. What should I do?
Please contact our office. The telephone number is 859-257-3722. You may contact our Reservation Associate by email at: plica0@email.uky.edu.
Do you have temporary housing that I can use if I get to Lexington earlier than my requested move-in date?
There really isn’t a definitive answer to this question, but we probably will not be able to provide temporary housing. Prior to the start of the Fall semester (August), you may be able to arrange temporary accommodations through Conference Housing in the residence halls. On rare occasions, we may be able to assign you an earlier move-in date to your apartment. Please call our office if you find that you will arrive sooner than you originally anticipated. If we cannot accommodate you on Campus, you will need to make alternate arrangements such as staying in a hotel or with a friend.
Are the apartments furnished?
Generally, apartments contain a stove, refrigerator, dining table and chairs, sofa, beds, end table, lamp, and desk. Specific furniture details and policies can be viewed on this Web site by clicking "Policies".
We will not remove individual pieces of furniture other than the bed(s). We can remove all University furniture except as noted. NOTE: We cannot remove the platform beds in Commonwealth Village efficiencies. If you plan to use your own furniture all or just the bed(s), please let us know when you apply. You must let us know a minimum of 5-days in advance of your confirmed move-in date. If your request is made less than 5-days in advance of your confirmed move-in date OR anytime after moving into an apartment, there will be a minimum (up to 1/2-hour labor) $25.00 charge.
Can I use my own furniture?
At your request, we can remove all of the furniture from the apartment so that you can use your own. If you want to use your own bed(s), we will remove our beds at your request. We will not remove individual pieces of furniture other than the bed(s). NOTE: We cannot remove the platform beds in Commonwealth Village efficiencies.
If you plan to use your own furniture all or just the bed(s), please let us know when you apply. You must let us know a minimum of 5 days in advance of your confirmed move-in date. If your request is made less than 5-days in advance of your confirmed move-in date OR anytime after moving into an apartment, there will be a minimum (up to 1/2-hour labor) $25.00 charge.
Can I use my washer and dryer or dishwasher in the apartment?
No. We do not allow additional appliances in the apartments. Laundry facilities are available for your use. You will not be able to use freezers, dishwashers, or other "major" appliances.
What laundry facilities are available?
Cooperstown and Shawneetown have laundry rooms in every building. There is one central laundry facility in Commonwealth Village and in Greg Page. Residents in Rose Lane may choose to use a Cooperstown laundry room. All laundry rooms use a card operated system. The card is purchased and value added to the card to use the laundry equipment.
Are the washing machines and dryers coin operated?
No. In Graduate and Family laundry rooms, you will have to purchase a card. The card costs $3.00. You then add dollar value to the card before using it in the washing machines and dryers. The cash-to-card (value adder) machines are located as follows: one in Cooperstown, Building "C" just outside the office, one in the Commonwealth Village laundry room, and one in the "D" Building laundry room in Shawneetown.
How much will I pay?
A $150.00 USD security deposit must be paid when you sign your Lease Agreement.
The rent rates vary according to the size of the apartment. All rates can be viewed on this Web site by clicking "Rates". Rent is due on the first day of every month. If you have not paid by the 10th of the month, you will be charged a late fee.
Your rent will be pro-rated if you move in after the first day of the month. (Monthly rent/number of days in the month X number of days you live in the apartment.)
You will not pay the security deposit or rent until you sign your Leave Agreement and other paperwork.
Do I have to pay utilities?
No, all utilities (except telephone) are included in your monthly rent. Your monthly rent also includes basic cable and internet connectivity. (NOTE: A Link blue (formerly u-connect) ID must be issued by the University before you can access the Internet.)
What do I need to do to get my telephone service?
You will need to purchase a telephone. Telephone equipment is not provided by Graduate and Family Housing.
A telephone number is assigned to your apartment. When you sign your Lease Agreement, we will give you this telephone number along with instructions that will guide you through establishing service. You will be responsible for paying your monthly telephone charges (basic service, long distance, and/or repair charges).
How will I pay?
Cash is NOT accepted.
Payment can be made on-line using a Visa or MasterCard (credit or debit cards). This payment option is accessed from our Web page: www.uky.edu/housing. You will click the "graduate and family" tab then you will choose the sidebar option "online payment".
Payment can be made in the Graduate and Family Housing office during regular business hours. We do not accept cash. Payment can be made using your Visa or MasterCard (credit or debit cards), personal check, traveler’s check, or money order. NOTE: We cannot return change when your payment exceeds the amount of charge on your account. Any excess payment will be applied as a credit on your account.
What should I bring with me?
You will need to bring all items that you need for a home such as dishes, cooking utensils, pots and pans, linens, blankets, towels, wash cloths and so. If you are coming into the United States from another country, you may wait to purchase many of these items until after you move into the apartment. You will also have to supply your own telephone, computer, a television, stereo and other personal appliances. You will need cleaning tools (mop, broom, vacuum) and cleaning supplies.
You will need a CAT-5 cable. This is the cable that connects your computer to the modem. It is not provided by Graduate and Family Housing.
What should I do if I do not arrive during your office hours?
We can send one door key to our 24-hour Call Center—the FIXIT office. Their Dispatchers are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Complete directions will be provided to you upon confirmation of your move-in date. You will have to provide picture identification when you pick up the key.
When will I sign my paperwork?
You will sign your paperwork when you come to the office to pickup your apartment key(s). If you arrive after-hours, you will sign your paperwork on the first business day following your move in. Please bring all apartment occupants that are 18-years of age or older. They will all have to sign the Lease Agreement.
Do I have to move out of the apartment in the summer or at the end of the semester?
No. As long as you are going to be a full-time student for the next semester, you can stay in your apartment. Graduate & Family Housing is open year-round. Additionally, you must vacate your apartment when you finish your studies or are no longer affiliated with the University.
Will I have a roommate?
Graduate and Family Housing does NOT assign roommates. Single graduate students may elect to have a roommate of their choosing. The roommate must meet our eligibility requirements. Both of your will sign a Lease Agreement and other housing paperwork that makes you "jointly and severally" responsible for the apartment.
Can my domestic partner live in the apartment with me?
Kentucky law does not recognize domestic partnerships. Therefore, we cannot allow unmarried partners to live in Graduate and Family Housing.
Same or opposite gender individuals may resident in a single apartment as roommates provided that they both meet eligibility requirements as defined on this Web site, in the "Applicant Handbook" or the "Resident Handbook".
I will have an automobile. Is parking available? How much does it cost?
All of our communities have their own designated parking area. Parking lots are maintained and operated by the Parking Department. Their Web site address is: http://www.uky.edu/Parking/. Residents can apply for their parking hangtag on-line. Your hangtag will only allow you to park in your community. All information about parking at the University (including rates) can be found on this Web site. Short term guests and/or guest residents must go to the Parking Department to obtain a temporary parking permit.