1. Register as a provider
Listing your property in the Off-Campus Housing Database is straightforward and can be self-managed. Upon registration, you will select an email and password, and with that, you will be able to list your property and make any changes as time goes on. All listings will be sent to Accommodation Operations, and a staff member will verify the information, assess and, if acceptable, approve the listing, which will then be made available to all users.
2. New listings
After registering as a provider, you can proceed to create a new listing. This will give you the opportunity to include information about your property, the type of room available, the location of your property and the type of student you will welcome as a tenant.
Some of the fields are mandatory. Include as much information as you can as this will ensure your property comes up if the students are searching using keywords. Familiarise yourself with the terminology that is commonly used to describe properties.
Be specific in your descriptions as this will ensure your listing stands out. Please note that language and tone used must adhere to anti-discrimination legislation.
3. Multiple rooms/properties
You can list multiple rooms in the same listing. You will be able to add separate details for additional bedrooms however you can only put in one rent price per week. If the rent rates are different for the different rooms, include the information in the ‘Additional details’ section. Each bedroom in the listing has to belong to the same residential address.
If you have multiple properties, you will have to create separate listings for each of them.
4. Residential tenancy agreements
The University suggests you enter into a residential tenancy agreement with your student tenant, and you will be asked whether you will be doing so during the listing application process.
Please refer to the below information and the Terms & Conditions for providers.
5. Bonds
You have the choice to ask for a rental bond from the student. If you do require a bond, by law, you will have to lodge the bond with NSW Fair Trading. Refer to information on Landlord's rights and responsibilities for details on your duties as landlord.
6. Update previous listing
You can always update your listing at any time if you need to amend the advertised information. You will need your email and password to log in to your account.
Listings expire after four weeks but you can close it before this time if you find someone to occupy the property.
All amendments will be reviewed by Accommodations Operations before being published.
6. Submit your listing
You will have to submit your listing in order for Accommodation Operations to review, assess and, if acceptable, approve it. After entering the information, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on ‘Preview’. Once you have checked all details are correct click on “Submit this listing”
Your listing will then be received by Accommodation Operations and will be reviewed. It typically takes 2 business days for a listing to be reviewed and assessed. If Accommodation Operations has any queries about the information you will be contacted via email.
7. Enquiries from students
It is likely that after you have successfully listed your property you will receive enquiries from students. We recommend that before you organise a time for viewing that you ask them questions about themselves to ensure they are a good fit. You may also wish to reiterate what you are looking for in a tenant in case they missed reading it in your listing.
It may be a good idea to have a list of questions prepared for when students call or email with enquiries. Be clear with what you are offering; this way, students know what to expect, and you won’t waste time meeting applicants who aren’t suitable.
8. Ongoing management of your listing
Once you’re successful in securing a tenant, you will have to deactivate your listing on the Off-Campus Housing Database. This can be done by going into your listing and selecting the red ‘Close now’ button to the right of the page.
After 4 weeks, all listings will expire. You will receive a reminder email informing you of the impending expiry; use this opportunity to log in to the Off-Campus Housing Database and update your listing. Don’t forget to submit the listing for assessment.
If you haven't secured a tenant after 4 weeks, you may wish to revise your listing to better appeal to potential residents.
The University of Sydney (via Study Stays) provides a free-to-advertise service for private owners who wish to rent available properties or rooms to students. The database is available to all current and future University of Sydney students, and we encourage you to use it, especially if you are located near our campuses.
You will have to register for an account before you can advertise. Registration will provide you with a username and password, details that you will require to log in to the Off-Campus Housing Database.
All current and future students will be able to access the Off-Campus Housing Database. While going through the database, they will only be able to view the name listed under ‘Contact Person’, street name and suburb, and your contact details.
If you receive an enquiry that you suspect is not from a student, please contact Accommodation Operations immediately.
The University has systems in place to ensure the integrity of the Off-Campus Housing Database. However, you should be mindful of scams and be informed on where to seek assistance.
NSW Government is a useful resource in protecting yourself against scammers. It also contains information on how to avoid and how to report scams.
Our simple tip is not to give or receive money from someone whom you have not met. Endeavour to meet potential tenants before agreeing to lease the room – there is nothing like meeting a person face-to-face to determine if they are suitable for your place.
We will not match students up with potential landlords; rather, we will direct students to the Off-Campus Housing Database, and the students themselves will contact you should they have any enquiries.
The nature of the rental market with students is a cyclical one. There will be an increase of volume during semester commencement which is March and August each year. Typically, students will start looking for accommodation a few months before the commencement of semester. There will be students looking for accommodation outside of this time but it will not be as busy as before and during semester commencement.
Students' needs vary depending on where they are from and what level of studies they are undertaking at the University. However, there are certain basic elements that are applicable across the board.
Students, like anyone else, require clean and secure premises.
Cleanliness and security are of utmost importance in attracting potential tenants. Make sure the property that you are leasing is neat and tidy.
Students also prefer accommodation that is:
Students commute to the University frequently, so location and proximity to public transport are important information to include in your listing.
The requirement for the varying types of accommodation differs depending on the student. Often, shared accommodation is preferred as it is one of the cheaper options available. Some students prefer to stay alone and to them the prospect of a 1-bedroom or a studio will be preferable. There are also international students who prefer full board or homestay options as they see it as a chance to absorb Australian culture and to improve their command of the English language. Keep these factors in mind when filling in the information required on the Off-Campus Housing Database.
Most students prefer to have their own bedroom unless they are sharing with good friends, siblings or are living as a couple. If you are advertising generically to the student body at the University, we advise that you only advertise if you have a full room to offer.
Furnished and unfurnished accommodation are equally popular. When advertising on the Off-Campus Housing Database, ensure that you mention the furnishings that are within the property.
Accommodation Operations does not recommend a minimum or maximum rental amount. We recommend that you research the surrounding areas to determine an acceptable rental amount. You may wish to refer to the Domain or other real estate sites for information on rent amounts.
Accommodation Operations does not inspect properties on the Off-Campus Housing Database. We rely on the information you provide in your advertisement.
The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence 2025 (the “Code”) imposes obligations on the University in relation to “Student Accommodation”, including accommodation provided by “Affiliated Student Accommodation Providers”. Because properties listed on the Off-Campus Housing Database may fall within the Code’s definition of an Affiliated Student Accommodation Provider, the University asks all providers to confirm whether they will be letting their property through a residential tenancy agreement between you and the student resident. The Code excludes certain rental properties leased by private landlords through residential tenancy agreements from the definition of “Student Accommodation”.
By confirming you will use a residential tenancy agreement, you help the University form the view that your listing does not constitute “Student Accommodation” for the purposes of the Code.
In New South Wales, residential tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act. For more information on your obligations as a landlord, and to download the standard form residential tenancy agreement and other required documents, refer to NSW Fair Trading.
If you indicate that you will not be letting the property through a residential tenancy agreement, the accommodation may constitute “Student Accommodation” for the purposes of the Code. In that case, if your listing is accepted, the University may be required to enter into a separate agreement with you to ensure compliance with paragraph 7.10 of the Code. This agreement will impose obligations on you under the Code that you must comply with. Accommodation Operations will contact you separately regarding any such agreement.
When you secure a tenant, you will be required to enter into a residential tenancy agreement with them. Residential tenancy agreements are in a standard form and are available from NSW Fair Trading. There are also other documents you will be required to give the student tenant and information about these and about starting a tenancy is also available from NSW Fair Trading.
The University relies on the information you provide during the listing application process. We will not independently verify the existence or terms of any residential tenancy agreement between you and your tenant. However, providing inaccurate information may result in your listing being removed from the Off-Campus Housing Database and may have consequences under the Term & Conditions for providers.
Once you submit your listing it will be reviewed by our office. It typically takes up to 48 hours for a listing to be assessed. If we have any questions about the information in your listing you will be contacted by email.