Frequently Asked Questions

CASA is more than leasing. When you rent through CASA, you get a graduate focused off campus experience with support that helps you settle faster and feel connected throughout the year.

Graduate Focused Living

Live with other graduate residents in a community designed around compatibility and shared routines.

Roommate Matching Support

Skip the roommate scramble. Share preferences and we help you find a fit within the CASA resident network.

Community and Programming

Meet peers through CASA gatherings, cultural moments, and city experiences that make a new place feel familiar.

Concierge Level Support

Get practical help with move in logistics and day to day needs through trusted partners and service options.

Resident Perks

Access partner offers across food, wellness, retail, travel, and essentials designed for graduate life.

Resident Portal

Manage key details in one place from updates and resources to community touchpoints.

CASA housing and concierge services are exclusively for full and part-time graduate students enrolled in higher education institutions in the surrounding area of Boston, MA.

CASA homes aren't gender-specific by default. If you'd like to request roommates who share a particular gender identity, you can note that preference during intake and we'll do our best to accommodate it, subject to availability. All roommate preferences are optional and handled with care.

CASA housing is designed for enrolled graduate students. Applicants must be 21 or older to live with CASA.

Yes. If you have accessibility needs or accommodation requests, share them during intake and our team will work with you and our licensed partners to explore available options.

Because inventory and building features vary, accommodations are subject to availability and confirmation based on the specific request. We aim to make the process as supportive and straightforward as possible, and we'll communicate clearly about what can be accommodated.

Yes. Couples can live with CASA in a private unit where the full apartment is reserved for them.

In shared apartments, we do not allow two people to share one bedroom or for couples to share a room while living with other roommates. Shared housing is one resident per bedroom to maintain comfort and privacy.

Pets depend on the specific home and landlord policy. If you're considering bringing a pet, note it in your intake and we'll share options where pets may be permitted.

For shared apartments, roommate agreement is also required to ensure the home works for everyone.

If you have a service animal, share the details during intake and we'll work to support appropriate placement based on the home's process and requirements.

No. Smoking of any kind is not permitted inside CASA homes or indoor shared spaces.

If a building has designated outdoor smoking areas, residents may use them in accordance with building rules and local regulations.

Yes. Residents agree to a code of conduct that sets shared expectations for living together, including guest etiquette, noise, and shared spaces. There is no curfew or sign-in requirement and residents are free to come and go.

If issues come up, we encourage direct communication first. If needed, our team can help facilitate next steps and share conflict-resolution resources to support a respectful living environment.

Guests are allowed, subject to your lease and house rules.

In shared apartments, coordinate with roommates in advance. Visit length limits vary by unit and lease, so always follow the terms for your specific home.

We narrow your search based on your budget, preferences, and campus, then present a clear menu of options in neighborhoods that support graduate life, close to transit and everyday essentials.

Options are sourced through trusted licensed partners and professionally managed properties. Neighborhood conditions and building features vary, so we share the details you need to compare confidently, and our team offers practical, first hand guidance on what it's like to live in different areas.

CASA's off campus housing and resident community are currently live in the Greater Boston area.

If you're moving elsewhere, we can still support select parts of the journey. The full CASA resident ecosystem, including in person community programming, is Boston only for now as we expand to additional cities over time.

Lease terms vary by home, but many options in Boston are 12 months, often aligned with a September 1 start. Depending on availability, shorter terms or different start dates may be possible, including supplemental housing options for students who need to arrive early for orientation.

In many cases, subletting may be permitted under your lease, but it must follow the terms and any required approvals.
You are responsible for finding a qualified subletter and completing the required paperwork. We can share best practices and, when possible, connect you to prospective matches from the CASA community who may be looking to take over, subject to availability and lease approval.

Click Join CASA in the navigation bar to get started. You'll share a few details, and our team will follow up to confirm your needs, share a curated set of options, answer questions, and outline next steps.

Screening requirements vary by home and leasing partner, but typically include identity and enrollment verification and may include a credit check or equivalent review.

If you don't have U.S. credit history, alternative documentation may be accepted depending on the property, such as proof of enrollment or admission, passport, visa documentation, or financial documentation related to funding.

Rent inclusions vary by home. Some options include utilities like heat, hot water, or water, while others have separately metered utilities.

When you receive your curated options, we'll clearly outline what's included for each home so you can compare confidently.

Costs vary by home, but in Boston it's common to budget for move in charges such as first month's rent, last month's rent, and a security deposit, often up to one month.

Utilities may be billed separately depending on the building. As a rough rule of thumb, they can total up to about 20% of your monthly rent, though they vary widely by unit, season, and what's included.

All listings shared through CASA include a broker fee, typically up to one month's rent. This fee covers the licensed leasing support behind your placement, coordinating showings, guiding your application, communicating with the landlord or listing side, and managing the paperwork, so you have an advocate working for you, representing your best interests, and helping you navigate a fast moving rental market with more clarity and less stress.

In many cases, yes. Renters insurance may be required by the lease or building and is strongly recommended to protect your belongings.

CASA partners with trusted insurance providers so students can explore student friendly plans and choose what fits best.

Payment methods for rent and additional costs like utilities vary by landlord and building. Many accept ACH or e check, and some also accept debit or credit cards, which may include processing fees. Rent and utility payments are made directly to the landlord or property manager and are not collected or managed by CASA.

CASA membership is paid separately through a secure online checkout.

CASA membership is $249 per year and comes with every CASA housing option. It's part of the resident experience when you lease through CASA.

It includes year round support and access to the CASA resident experience, including regular curated opportunities throughout the year to meet other residents and explore your new city, exclusive resident perks from local businesses and select national brands, and the resident portal to keep resources, events, and offers in one place.

Furnishing varies by home. Some options are fully furnished, while others are partially furnished or unfurnished.

If you want a move in ready setup, ask about furnishing add ons and packages when you complete your intake.

Cleaning for shared building areas depends on the building. For personal rooms or units, professional cleaning can be added on request.

CASA residents have access to trusted local providers, and some offers include resident-only pricing.

Yes. Optional arrival transportation is available for airport, train, or bus arrivals, including help getting you and your belongings to your new home.

You can request this in advance or closer to your arrival, based on availability. Some services include resident-only pricing.

Not yet, in most cases. CASA's full experience is built around residents who live with CASA.

If you already have housing, you can still join our interest list for future community-only access. This helps us shape offerings like events, perks, and services for students living elsewhere, and we'll notify you as options become available.

CASA offers optional add-ons to help you personalize move in and simplify day to day life. Common requests include furnishing and linen setup, move in help, cleaning, laundry pickup and delivery, grocery and essentials setup, and tech support like SIM and Wi-Fi.

Availability, pricing, and terms vary by provider and home. You can request add-ons when you click Join CASA and share your preferences.

Laundry setups vary by home. Some options include in unit laundry, while others offer shared on site laundry at cost.

For added convenience, residents can access optional pickup and delivery laundry and dry cleaning services, and some offers include resident only pricing.

Yes. CASA connects residents to trusted partners for essentials like local banking and phone setup and plans, including SIM options.

Some partnerships include resident only offers, and available options may vary based on where you are coming from.

Amenities vary by building. Once you receive your curated options, we'll outline what each home includes, such as laundry setup, common areas, fitness spaces, coworking areas, or outdoor access, depending on the property.

CASA residents may also receive access to partner perks related to wellness, co-working spaces and more where available.

Parking varies by home. Some locations offer street parking, which may be free or permit based, and some buildings offer paid off street or garage parking.

If parking is a priority, note it during intake and we'll prioritize options that include it when available.

Options vary by neighborhood. We prioritize locations with convenient access to grocery and dining, including international markets where available.

Residents also receive curated neighborhood recommendations and local partner perks through the resident portal.