WWU OFF CAMPUS LIVING

Living off-campus introduces plenty of new choices and new responsibilities. Off Campus Living is here to help you learn about the basics of renting, your rights & responsibilities as a tenant, and accessing basic needs. We also point you to important links on safety, commuting, and getting to know the Bellingham area. This website is intended to give you an overview of what you can expect—and what is expected of you—as an official Bellingham resident….. Basically, we’re all you need to know about adulting.

Office Hours

Our Peer Advisors will be hosting open office hours so Off Campus Living can be more available to assist students in their needs. Please drop-in in Viking Union 420 with any questions you have about housing as well as any concerns you may have with your living situation off campus.

• Drop-in office hours for Fall 2025: Tuesdays 11:30am-4:30pm or by appointment

Reserve a spot with our Calendly link!

Please email us at offcampusliving@wwu.edu to schedule a meeting outside of the times above.

NOTE: Appointments are “first come, first serve” and may have require a wait time

Take the Ready, Set…Rent! Crash Course

Take this 30 minute course on CANVAS now! You can learn all you need to know about signing a lease, your rights and responsibilities as a renter, and how to find a safe and comfortable place to live. 30 minutes now will save you time, money and friendships in the future!

Want to learn more about renting and renter’s rights? Check out one of these webinars from Solid Ground!

Sign Up For Our Basic Needs Hub Newsletter!

Rental Registration and Inspection Program

The City of Bellingham’s Rental Registration & Safety Inspection Program was approved by the Bellingham City Council on March 9, 2015, after more than ten years of public involvement and proposals. RR&SIP is designed to ensure that all rental housing units comply with specific life & fire safety standards and are providing a safe place for tenants to live. All rental property owners are required to register their property every year and submit the property to inspection every three years.

Here is a link to a list of the properties that have been registered in the program. If your property is not listed, it may not be safe to live in, contact the City of Bellingham to report the issue.

If your property is on the above list but there are issues with life and fire safety standards like non-functioning windows, handrails, electrical or heating, you can report it to the City here.