What You Should Know About University Commons
Your student is looking at University Commons for next year near the University of Minnesota. Here is the straightforward information most parents ask us for, before anyone signs anything.
The essentials, before you ask your student a hundred questions.
- Apartments come fully furnished, with in-unit washer and dryer and internet included in rent
- Each resident signs an individual lease, by the bed, so your student is only responsible for their own rent
- Several ways to qualify, including self-qualifying, a guarantor, or a guarantor waiver program
- Managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate, with a leasing team on site to answer questions directly
A Practical Choice Near UMN
A few of the reasons this property tends to come up in your student's search.
What's In Place at the Community
No community can promise or guarantee safety, but here is what University Commons has in place, and how maintenance issues get handled.
Limited-Access Entry
The community uses limited-access entry, meaning access to the building is restricted to residents and authorized visitors.
On-Site Maintenance
Maintenance requests are submitted through the resident portal and handled by the on-site team. Ask the leasing team about current response times.
What the Monthly Rate Includes
A clear look at what's bundled into rent and what's billed separately, so there are no surprises after move-in.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Included, apartments come fully furnished |
| Internet | Included in rent |
| In-unit washer & dryer | Included, no shared laundry room or extra fee |
| Fitness center, lounge, Academic Success Center | Included, no separate amenity fee |
| Utilities beyond internet (electric, gas, water) | Ask the leasing team for the current billing structure |
| Parking, pet fees, and any other add-ons | Ask the leasing team, these vary and are confirmed at application |
For current rent amounts, application fees, and any additional charges, contact the leasing team directly. Pricing depends on floor plan and current availability.
How Qualifying Works
Many students need a parent or guardian involved in some part of the application. Here are the qualification paths University Commons offers, so you know what to expect.
Self-Qualify
A resident can qualify on their own by showing documented income greater than three times the monthly rental installment.
Guarantor
A parent or guardian can act as guarantor, taking on financial responsibility for the lease. Guarantors must reside in the United States and provide a valid Social Security number.
Guarantor Waiver Program
If your student does not have a guarantor, this option provides instant approval based on student status, for a monthly fee and no up-front cost. Ask the leasing team for current program details.
Lease Terms Worth Reviewing Together
A few terms we would suggest reading closely with your student before they sign.
| Individual lease | Each resident is liable only for their own rent and their own portion of shared utilities, not a roommate's share |
| Guarantor agreement | If a parent or guardian signs as guarantor, they are agreeing to be financially responsible for the lease. Read the guaranty agreement in full before signing |
| Lease term and proration | Confirmed at application, ask the leasing team for the current term dates and any proration details |
| Subletting or lease reassignment | Covered in the lease agreement, ask the leasing team for the current policy before assuming your student can sublet |
| Renters insurance | Ask the leasing team whether a policy is required and what coverage minimums apply |
| Unit transfers and roommate changes | Covered in the lease agreement, ask the leasing team how a transfer or roommate change is handled |
Questions Parents Ask Us
Do I need to be a co-signer or guarantor?
Not necessarily. Your student can qualify on their own if they show documented income at least three times the monthly rent. If they cannot qualify independently, a parent or guardian can act as guarantor, or your student can use the guarantor waiver program instead. Contact the leasing team to talk through which path fits your situation.
What is a guarantor actually responsible for?
A guarantor agrees to be financially responsible for the lease if the resident does not pay. Guarantors must reside in the United States and provide a valid Social Security number, and are required to sign the guaranty agreement alongside the lease. Read the guaranty agreement closely before signing, since it outlines exactly what you are agreeing to.
Is my student's apartment furnished?
Yes, apartments at University Commons come fully furnished, and internet and an in-unit washer and dryer are included as well. That generally means fewer move-in purchases to budget for compared to an unfurnished apartment.
What if my student and their roommate do not get along?
Because leases are individual and by the bed, your student's financial responsibility is not tied to their roommate's. Roommate matching is available if your student needs a new placement, and the leasing team can walk you through how a roommate change or unit transfer works.
How do maintenance requests get handled?
Maintenance requests go through the resident portal and are handled by the on-site maintenance team. Ask the leasing team about current typical response times for routine versus urgent requests.
Does my student need a car?
University Commons is near the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus, which can make walking or biking to class realistic for many residents. Contact the leasing team for current details on parking availability and cost if your student plans to bring a car.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
The University Commons leasing team is available Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm at (651) 386-2775. They can walk through the lease, the qualification process, or anything else before your student signs.
Have More Questions?
Our leasing team is happy to talk through the lease, the qualification process, or anything else on your mind before your student signs.
Call (651) 386-2775 View Floor Plans