City of Davis apartments are full and rental rates are up since last year, according to a survey commissioned by Student Housing and Dining Services at UC Davis and released today (Jan. 22).

The blended vacancy rate — including apartments leased by the unit and by the bed — is estimated to be 0.4 percent, essentially unchanged from 0.3 percent in fall 2016.

The 42nd vacancy- and rental-rate survey, designed to provide the campus and the Davis community with information, comes as UC Davis is planning the most ambitious student housing construction campaign in its history.

According to the fall survey, 13 apartments, or 0.2 percent, of 8,122 leased by unit were vacant, the same percentage as last year.

Among the 1,266 units leased by the bed, 74, or 1.6 percent, of the 4,504 beds were vacant. Last year, 1.0 percent were vacant. The number of apartments leased by the bed increased by 29 percent over last fall. 

Rental rates

All survey respondents reported static or increasing rents. The average monthly rent for unit-leased apartments of all sizes was up 6.2 percent, from $1,576 last year to $1,673. The average monthly rental rate for a bed lease was up 1.9 percent, from $875 in fall 2016 to $892.

The survey also reports on the provision of utilities, appliances, amenities, and parking as well as incentives and move-in specials.

A total of 138 apartment complexes and property management companies representing 10,188 rental units responded to the survey. Only the 9,348 market-rate units were included in the report’s calculations.

Plan raises goal for student housing

UC Davis, which guarantees housing to new freshman and transfer students, recently announced that it is raising the goal for new on-campus student housing in its Long Range Development Plan to 8,500 beds from 6,200. This increased goal would bring the number of beds from 9,818 in 2016-17 to 18,318 at full implementation.

Last fall, UC Davis opened the Tercero 4 complex of three residence halls to about 605 students. The campus has started construction on Webster Hall and is proceeding with demolition of the Old Orchard Park family housing area. Campus plans for Orchard Park now include buildings for 1,400 students, and the proposed expansion of West Village now identifies housing for 3,800 students.

Help to find housing

Student Housing and Dining Services coordinators and property managers in the city of Davis host workshops in fall and winter quarters to help students prepare to look for and secure housing. Topics covered include finding an apartment, living with a roommate, the importance of credit and finance, and leases.

The Associated Students of UC Davis hosts an annual Housing Day — this year on Feb. 1 —  to help students find housing for the following year. Representatives from many Davis apartment complexes provide information on complexes, floor plans and rental rates.