University of New England

Residency Requirement

The University has a three-year residency requirement. Students eligible to live off campus must be living with a legal relative or have earned 90+ credit hours. Students 22 years of age and older may petition for exemption through the Office of Housing and Residence Life. A request for off campus approval must be made through the Housing Office.

Getting Ready for Life Off Campus

Living off campus requires planning ahead and identifying priorities in the search for the right place that will fit within your budget and provide a place to call home during your studies at UNE. We recommend you start a budget. Make a list of the expenses associated with living in an apartment. Expenses would likely include: Rent, heat, electricity, telephone, internet connection, cable, groceries, laundry, transportation (parking), entertainment, rental insurance, and other expenses.

1. Decide how close to campus you would like to be.
2. Roommates? How many? Decide if roommates would fit with your lifestyle. Sharing the expense works best for some.
3. Start your search of ads, then hit the streets. The local newspapers' classifieds are available online for the greater Portland area.
4. After you find your ideal rental, read the lease thoroughly. Ask lots of questions.
5. Inspect and document the condition of the apartment on move in.
6. Keep detailed rental records.

Web based tenant law resources are available from the Maine Attorney General's Office and the Maine State Housing Authority.

Rental Listings

The Southern Maine and the greater Portland area provides a number of rental options. However, finding the right property will take time and research on your part. The local newspapers' classifieds are excellent place to begin the search. The rental listings found in the Portland Press Herald as well as other area newspapers are available online, click here.

The unique coastal communities in Maine produce a number of seasonal properties that are only used in the summer months by the owner. This allows the owner to advertise to our students who seek housing for during the academic year. Additionally, local property owners contact us about listing local rental properties available in Southern Maine and greater Portland area. This service provided by the University is an informational service only. The University does not find off-campus housing for students.

Available Properites Listings

If you are a property owner and you would like to post a listing/rental for the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach or Kennebunk area please read the letter and complete the application form from the Office of Housing and Residence Life on the University Campus. 

Off Campus Listing Letter
Off-Campus Listing Application 

If you are a property owner and your listing/rental has been rented, please notify the Housing Office at 207-602-2272 or via email, so that we may update and keep the housing list current. 

For local listings in the Portland area please contact the Office of Residence Life on the Westbrook College Campus to request the list. To request a copy please contact Joel Pelletier at 207-221-4212. These listings are available in hard copy or email format.

The Off-Campus Housing List at the University of New England is maintained by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. It is provided as a convenience to students and landlords/rental agencies. Be aware that UNE provides this strictly as an informational service. UNE has not inspected or approved any of the listings for fire, heat and/or safety conditions and makes no warranties or representations concerning these items. In addition, UNE does not in any way recommend or discourage certain proprietors or facilities. The tenant assumes full responsibility for location, condition, and contractual terms of the off-campus rental.

UNE operates under the assumption that landlords/rental agencies conduct business within the guidelines of the law and all contractual agreements are between students and the landlords or agents. The University expects that landlords/rental agencies comply with all non-discriminating housing laws according to the Maine Human Rights Commission and reserves the right to refuse a listing that is not in compliance. Please note that because this service is informational only, the University makes no guarantees that students will find rental property through this service.

To assist students with general information regarding legal rights for tenants and renters in Maine, the Maine Bar Association provides a free Public Resource Guide entitled On Your Own. This helpful guide provides information related to the following topic areas; Discrimination, Safe and Decent Housing, Repairs, Security Deposits, Privacy, Common Areas-Electrical Use, Late Rent Payments, Rent Increases, Moving, Evictions, and Mobile Home Parks-Your Rights as a Tenant.

Part-Time Housing Options

Graduate students in the MSNA Program or other graduate programs that bring them to campus one to three days a week may be interested in locating part-time accommodations in the greater Portland area. The WCC Office of Housing and Residence Life has worked to identify reasonable accommodations within the greater Portland area. The list of commercially available establishments is intended to be resource to help you find a place to stay in the area while you attend classes during a portion of the week. Please contact the respective establishment directly to ascertain accurate rate information and availability.

Extended Stay America Portland - Scarborough
2 Ashley Dr.
Scarborough, ME 04074
Telephone: (207) 883-0554
http://www.extendedstay.com/

Bayview Villa Convent
187 Bayview Road
Saco, ME 04072
Telephone: (207) 286-8762
Single rooms available. Special rate available for UNE students. Breakfast included. Contact Sister Theresa for further details.

Motel 6
One Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103
Telephone: (207) 775-0111
http://www.motel6.com/

Super 8 Motel-Portland/Westbrook
208 Larrabee Rd
Westbrook , Maine 04092
Telephone: (207) 854-1881
Http://www.super8.com

Some students in the past have had success in negotiating a lower rate at other local motels. As a customer looking for housing one to three days a week for an extended period of time, it has provided a negotiating advantage in securing a reasonable rate.

Roommate Service

The offices of Housing and Residence Life has Roommate Questionnaire forms available for students seeking someone to share an apartment with or someone seeking someone with a space available in an apartment. Again, the University does not match roommates, but will collect information and distribute it to all interested parties so they can make contact with one another. Listings are not posted on the web. Please contact either office for available listings.

The collected questionnaires are available for viewing on the Westbrook College Campus in 119 Hersey Hall, WCC Office of Student Affairs. On the University Campus questionnaires are available at the Housing and Residence Life Office in East Hall.

Contact Information

For students entering into the Physician Assistant Program, mailings about housing options and roommates are sent automatically in the Spring through the program office. All other students desiring information on off-campus housing or roommate availability should contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (207) 602-2272, Westbrook College Campus: (207) 221-4212, or via email.