Yale Graduate Housing is committed to maintaining safe, welcoming, and well-maintained residential communities for all residents. The policies below outline important expectations and responsibilities for living in Yale Housing.
Housing Responsibilities
Residents must sign their License Agreement within 48 hours of selecting a housing assignment. Assignments without a signed agreement will be canceled and returned to available inventory.
Housing assignments are made for the full academic year. Yale Housing does not offer semester-only housing agreements.
Personal Property Insurance (Renter’s Insurance): All residents living in Yale Graduate Housing are required to carry personal property insurance to protect their belongings against loss or damage.
Policy Fees & Automatic Enrollment
- Automatic Enrollment: For your convenience, a personal property insurance policy will be automatically purchased on your behalf at the start of the academic year.
- The Fee: A non-refundable fee of $152 will be applied directly to your Yale Pay account to cover this coverage.
- How to Opt Out: If you already have your own personal renter’s insurance coverage, you may opt out of the university-provided plan. You must submit your notification alongside official proof of alternative insurance by September 1st of each year.
How to File a Insurance Claim
If you experience property loss or damage inside your unit and need to report a claim under the university-provided policy, utilize the official portal below:
Submit a Personal Property Insurance Claim
When filling out your claim form online, ensure you have the following administrative and contact details completely ready to prevent processing delays:
- Policy Number: Policy No. 4-500-1-0000
- Sponsor Name: Yale Graduate Housing
- Incident Details: The exact date, location, and a brief description of the claim event.
- Your Contact Details: Your primary email address, mobile number, and any relevant business, residential, or fax numbers.
Residents are expected to maintain their room or apartment in a clean, safe, and orderly condition.
This includes:
- Proper disposal of trash and recycling
- Maintaining sanitary living conditions
- Keeping common areas reasonably clean
- Preventing conditions that may attract pests
Housing staff conduct periodic inspections to identify maintenance concerns, safety issues, and housing conditions. Charges may be assessed for damages, excessive cleaning, or policy violations.
Certain appliances and items are prohibited for safety reasons.
These include:
- Personal washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Freezer units
- Space heaters
- Unauthorized air-conditioning units
- Other prohibited items identified by Yale Housing
Residents with a special need should contact Yale Housing to discuss possible accommodations.
Unauthorized appliances may result in removal, fines, and additional disciplinary action.
Residents may not alter, modify, install, remove, or otherwise change any part of a housing unit without prior approval from Yale Housing.
Requests must be reviewed and approved in advance. Approved work will be coordinated through authorized University personnel.
Unauthorized alterations may result in repair charges, fines, or termination of the housing agreement.
Residents are responsible for arranging the packing, storage, and shipment of their personal belongings.
Items left behind after move-out may result in storage, removal, disposal, or cleaning charges.
Resident Conduct
The consumption of alcohol is permitted at Graduate Housing events for residents of legal drinking age. The following guidelines apply whenever alcohol is purchased with Housing funds and/or served in Graduate Housing community spaces during a Housing-sponsored event.
General & Funding Guidelines
- Approved Use: Alcohol purchased with Housing funds must be served only at housing-sponsored, community-wide events. Housing funds cannot be used for private parties or exclusive events.
- Approved Beverages: Only beer and wine may be served.
Compliance & Bartender Requirements
- Age Verification: In accordance with Connecticut state law, alcohol may only be served to individuals 21 years of age or older, and may not be served to any intoxicated person. Event coordinators may check IDs to verify age.
- Certified Bartenders: Alcohol purchased with Housing funds must be served by a TIPS-certified (or equivalent) bartender who:
- Has provided certification documentation to the Graduate Housing Manager.
- Remains on duty at the event for the entire time alcohol is served.
- Secures and puts away all alcohol at the conclusion of the event.
Event Logistics
- Duration: Events must have reasonable, predefined start and end times.
- Food & Nonalcoholic Drinks: Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be provided in quantities equal to or greater than the alcohol provided, and must be easily accessible in the same location.
Residents who host or sponsor gatherings where alcohol is consumed—whether in a private room, community space, or outdoor courtyard—assume full responsibility for the event and their guests.
Host Responsibilities Include:
- Safety: Ensuring no intoxicated person drives while under the influence.
- Medical Care: Seeking immediate medical assistance if anyone shows signs of alcohol poisoning.
- Damages: Covering the cost of any property damage or cleaning charges resulting from the gathering
Yale Graduate Housing is smoke-free.
Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls, apartments, and housing facilities. Residents who choose to smoke must remain at least 30 feet (10 meters) from Yale Housing properties.
Repeated violations may result in disciplinary action or termination of the housing agreement.
Pets are not permitted in Yale Graduate Housing.
Students seeking accommodations for service animals or emotional support animals should work with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and follow the University’s approval process.
Unauthorized pets may result in fines and termination of the housing agreement.
Subletting is not permitted in Yale Graduate Housing.
Residents may not assign, transfer, or rent their housing assignment to another individual.
Access & Security
Residents should report lost keys to Yale Housing immediately.
Apartment residents who are locked out should contact Yale Security.
Dormitory residents may access temporary keys through their building’s Key Watch system or contact their Community Fellow for assistance.
For security reasons, lost or stolen keys may require lock replacement. Applicable charges may apply.
Parking availability varies by location.
- Residence halls do not offer on-site resident parking.
- Select apartment communities offer limited parking.
- Parking is generally limited to one registered vehicle per housing unit where available.
Residents must comply with all parking regulations, vehicle registration requirements, snow removal procedures, and posted restrictions.
Please refer to your building page for parking availability and specific requirements.
Contract & Assignment Changes
Residents are responsible for the full term of their License Agreement.
Students who choose to terminate their housing assignment before the end of the agreement remain responsible for applicable housing charges and cancellation fees.
Students on approved medical or authorized leaves of absence may be eligible for release from future housing charges. Applicable cancellation fees may still apply.
Visit the Forms & Requests page for a link to the appropriate form and instructions on how to submit.
Transfer requests for the following academic year must be submitted during the designated Housing Intent period.
Residents in furnished housing may request a room change during the academic year by submitting a Room Change Request form. Requests are subject to availability.
Approved room changes and transfers are subject to applicable fees.
Visit the Forms & Requests page for a link to the appropriate form and instructions on how to submit.
Residents must vacate their housing assignment by the end date of their License Agreement unless prior written approval has been granted.
Unauthorized late departures may result in additional charges and fees.
Before moving out, residents are responsible for:
- Removing all personal belongings
- Cleaning their room or apartment
- Returning all keys
- Following Yale Housing move-out instructions