Student Dorms in Austin, TX

What is an individual lease?

An individual lease provides each resident with their own separate lease agreement and responsibility for his/her rental installments and applicable utility and parking charges. By signing an individual lease, you are only taking responsibility for your rental installments and lease terms and will not be held liable for any delinquent amounts owed by your roommate(s).

Do you send me a bill every month?

No, bills are not sent to residents each month, but you may see payment reminders posted around the property.

How can I make a payment?

We accept checks, money orders and cashier’s checks in our office made payable to the community name. As an alternative payment option we also accept credit card, debit cards and ACH payments online here for your convenience. We are unable to accept cash.

What is an installment?

The typical lease term is approximately 9.5 months of occupancy which coincides with the university's academic calendar. The resident is charged a total rent amount for the contracted occupancy period. The lease agreement will reflect the total rent amount typically divided into 10 equal installments due June 1 - March 1. These installments do not represent a monthly rent amount and are not prorated.

When are the installments due?

Installments are due on the 1st of every month per the payment schedule outlined in the lease agreement.

What is included?

Your rental installments include an academic lease in a fully furnished unit, your meal plan in the full-service dining hall, all utilities (electricity, water, internet, and cable) and access to all community amenities. Garage parking is available for an additional fee.

What is a guarantor?

To mitigate the risk of delinquent or defaulting residents, we require applicants to provide someone to guarantee their housing contract.

When is a guarantor required?

All residents require a guarantor to complete the guaranty agreement.

Can I be my own guarantor?

A resident can act as their own guarantor if they can show documentation as outlined in the lease agreement that they have income greater than three times the rental installment.

What paperwork is required with a guarantor?

The guarantor will need to sign the guaranty agreement. If the resident is not of legal age to execute a contract, the guarantor will be required to sign both the lease and guaranty agreement.

Can I fill out an application online?

You can access the online application by clicking the “Apply Online” link at the top of every page.

Can I request specific roommates?

Yes! Our roommate matching program is powered by RoomSync–a roommate matching app. You will have the opportunity to create a personal profile, search, filter, chat and match with other residents who will be living in the community. You decide what matters most when narrowing down your search. Want a roommate with the same major? You got it! Prefer to live with someone who goes to bed early? No problem! Looking for a roommate who enjoys college football? No sweat! You control your search and matching criteria to find the perfect roommate. 

Do you have a roommate matching service?

Yes! You can search for and match with specific roommates in the RoomSync app. Change your mind? No problem! You can modify your matches if your preferences change up until the matching period close date. 

Am I allowed to request a specific unit?

You can list your preferences on your housing application, and we will do our best to place you in the unit that fits those requests. All requests are served on a first-come, first-served basis and are taken in order based on the date your lease was received.

Is after hours staffing and maintenance available?

Yes, after hours Community Assistants will live on site and after hours maintenance will be available in the case of a maintenance emergency.

What is S.M.A.R.T. Housing?

S.M.A.R.T. Housing is a program created by the city of Austin to assist students who are either receiving need-based financial aid or who are paying for school through student loans. It is designed to assist those who are working to cover their living expenses. Parental support (money given by parents to cover living expenses) is taken into consideration as income - it is limited and cannot be the only source of income.

How do I qualify through Financial Aid?

If you are currently receiving need-based financial aid, you may automatically qualify. You would need to look at your current Financial Aid Award Letter for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, then compare your grants/scholarships/loans to the approved need-based Financial Aid list. If you have any items that appear on the list, no matter the amount, then you automatically qualify for S.M.A.R.T. Housing.

How do I qualify through Income Verification?

If you do not qualify based on the need-based financial aid list, then you can attempt to qualify based on your annual income. Please contact our leasing office for more information on income verification.

How does the leasing process work for S.M.A.R.T. Housing?

1. Pre-qualify for S.M.A.R.T. Housing. a) If you are qualifying through Financial Aid, please bring your Financial Aid Award letter for Fall 2020/Spring 2021 into the leasing office. b) If you are qualifying through Income Verification, you will need to bring your most recent W2 and your 3 most recent pay stubs, your Financial Award letter for Fall 2020/Spring 2021, and your tuition bill into the leasing office. 2. Submit your housing application by clicking 'APPLY ONLINE', pay the applicable upfront fees, and complete the S.M.A.R.T. Housing forms. 3. Once your S.M.A.R.T. Housing paperwork is complete, you will be able to sign a Lease Agreement.

What is the cancellation policy?

Application:
If you would like to cancel your application at The Callaway House Austin please notify us in writing of your intent to cancel. If you paid a Security Deposit, this amount will be refunded to you via check within 30 days. All other fees paid during the application process are non-refundable.

Lease:
Your lease can be cancelled at The Callaway House Austin on or prior to May 1, 2021 ONLY if the applicant provides proof that they will not be attending an Austin Area College or University. All requests must be in writing or postmarked by May 1, 2021. You must include your denial letter or proof that you rejected your acceptance to an Austin Area College or University.
 
After May 1, 2021, cancellation will be allowed ONLY if the applicant is denied admission to an Austin Area College or university, and who send a certified denial letter of their non-admission within 5 business days of receiving it.
 
Application fee, administrative fee, and confirmation fee paid to date will be forfeited after May 1, 2021.
 

How have you updated the community in response to COVID-19?

We have created a Be safe. Be smart. Do your part.^TM disinfection and hygiene education program. This includes new policies, signage and daily wellness checklist for you to assess your health prior to leaving your home. You will also find disinfectant wipe stands and touchless hand sanitizing stations throughout the community to clean and disinfect touchpoints before and after use. We are continuing to evolve all our protocols, and they may vary and may also be adjusted in consideration of local practices, government requirements and guidance.  

What personal guidelines do residents need to follow?

As mandated by the City of Austin, we are requiring all residents and staff wear face coverings and practice physical distancing in public or common areas. Four people only are allowed on an elevator at the same, and there’s a 10 person maximum in the fitness center with equipment use six feet apart. 

What products are you using to keep the community sanitized?

The Be safe. Be smart. Do your part. program also includes a collaboration with RB, the makers of Lysol, to develop cleaning and disinfecting guidelines and procedures as well as training on the proper products, cleaning methods and healthy living practices. We are proud to partner with RB, as the US Environmental Protection Agency recently approved Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist as the first to test effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. Our team will be disinfecting common areas twice a day with Lysol products, and you’ll find antimicrobial products on door handles, elevator buttons and café equipment.

How have Café operations changed?

We’ve updated our café operations to be in full accordance with state and city regulations for all restaurants, including:
– No self-service options
– Individually packaged grab-n-go options
– Physical distance signage
– Staff designated “Sanitization Captains” responsible for cleaning and disinfecting tables and chairs after each student finishes eating
– No guests will be allowed to enter the café: Residents and staff only
– Use of anti-microbial self-cleaning coverings for high touchpoint areas

What are resident self-quarantine protocols?

The CDC recommends if someone in a household (unit) has symptoms or come in contact with someone known to have symptoms, the household (unit) should self-quarantine for 14 days. We ask that the resident stay in their assigned unit during this period and we will deliver food from the café to those residents who are quarantining. The quarantined students can also coordinate with the staff for trash removal. If the students have something delivered, we can escort the delivery driver to drop off the items at their front door. 
 

Is insurance coverage for my belongings included as part of my Lease Agreement?

Coverage for your personal belongings is not included as part of your Lease Agreement. Renters insurance can provide coverage for loss or damage to your personal belongings (including fire, theft, or natural causes). Renters insurance is not required but highly recommended. Please click here for more information.