HOUSING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Frequently asked questions.
If you are coming for less than three work weeks (< 17 days), do NOT fill out the Housing Questionnaire form. Visitors coming for less than three work weeks are expected to arrange for a hotel or motel for their visit. Information about hotels frequently used by KITP visitors can be found here. The KITP Housing Coordinator does not make hotel or motel reservations for visitors.
*Note* that it is usually best to call the local (805) number for these hotels, rather than use an (800) number or a reservation website. Calling the local number will enable you to get more accurate information about UCSB/KITP discounts, and about availability for your dates.
If you are a speaker coming for a short visit and require information about placing a reservation, please contact speakers.
Housing Questionnaire Form
The Housing Questionnaire form is provided for your use in requesting housing assistance. If your program appears on the list, then please complete the form and submit via the website to the KITP Housing Coordinator, Monica Curry. If you do not need housing assistance, please complete the contact information portion of the form and note in the 'Comments' section at the bottom of the form that you have arranged your own housing. If possible, please include the address and phone number of the housing you arranged, so we can put that information onto our emergency contact list.
If the name of your program does not appear as a choice on the program drop list, then your program is probably a 'conference' or 'miniprogram.' In this case, you should contact the staff conference Coordinator, currently Jocelyn Quick, or the staff miniprogram Coordinator, currently Willie Dawson.
Please provide electronic mail, FAX, and regular mail addresses for your home institution, as well as for any location you plan to visit prior to your arrival here. If your plans change after you respond, please provide updated information. This is essential because good housing accommodations can be lost if you cannot be contacted in time to act on an opportunity. Please understand that the Housing Coordinator may not be able to respond to your housing questionnaire immediately. You should receive an electronic acknowledgement when you submit the form. If you do not receive further information within 2 to 3 weeks after submitting the form, please contact Timber Kelley.
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Location of Available Housing
The location of the UCSB campus is such that there is very little housing available that is within walking distance of campus. There is housing, however, that is accessible by bike and/or bus.
KITP does have the use of a small number of university-owned apartments for use by families, especially families with young children. However, it is not always possible to provide one of these, since there are only very few of these units.
Within bicycling distance (3 - 4 miles) there is an assortment of rooms in private homes that have been used by many KITP visitors coming alone. Most offer use of the kitchen and laundry, sometimes a private bathroom and sometimes use of a bicycle. Rarely, there is a room available in Isla Vista, the student community adjacent to campus. With few exceptions, 'room' rentals are not suitable for visits by spouses. Visitors who expect a short visit by a spouse (e.g., for a weekend) should consider using a 'room' rental and using a hotel or motel for the visit by a spouse.
Other housing inventory consists of privately-owned houses, condominiums, and "guest" apartments, and also hotels or motels, scattered 4 - 12 miles from campus. The rentals are all fully furnished. Some houses and condominiums (or apartments) are offered regularly to KITP visitors, usually those staying 1 to 6 months. Others are offered by people going on sabbatical or vacation for periods of 2 to 12 months. It is not always possible to find such a specific type of rental for the exact time period of an KITP visitor's term. "Guest" apartments and cottages are often available for visits as short as one month, but many offer only limited cooking facilities, and they do not always have private phones. Another housing option is a motel or hotel, some of which offer transportation to campus. Some do offer kitchenettes. Consult the KITP website for detailed information about hotels.
Some, but not all, rentals offer internet access. It is not possible to guarantee use of a rental with internet access.
Length of Visits
The minimum rental period for most furnished apartments is one to two months. Visits of less than thirty days are usually accommodated in rooms in private homes or motels. A variety of housing opportunities has been developed by Ms. Curry, and she makes a serious effort to offer you a pleasant and comfortable environment.
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Guests
Private furnished rentals are not like long-term unfurnished rentals. Providers of private furnished rentals expect to be informed about all occupants of the rental in advance. It is not allowed to rent something for a single person and to invite friends or family members to sleep over on the floor or couch. Even in rentals with extra beds it is not allowed to invite overnight guests to stay (even spouses!) without the express permission of the provider. There is usually a surcharge for guests.
Mail and Storage
Visitors may not use their rental address to receive mail. Rental providers will not forward mail to visitors after their departure. Because our visitors stay for short periods and a provider may host several visitors in a year, we do not ask providers to deal with visitors' mail. Please consult the KITP website for information about mail:
http://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/visitors/info/mso/genlinfo.php
Also, be aware that private rentals do not allow storage of personal items and furniture for visitors in lieu of renting a storage facility. Visitors may bring clothing and personal items for use only.
Rental Payment and Deposits
Many rentals in this area require a deposit of money to hold the reservation, and the standard practice is for rent to be paid in advance. Normally you will be required to pay the first month's rent and a cleaning/security/telephone deposit before you move in. Keep in mind that private rental providers are not equipped to accept credit cards. Rent monies must be in U.S. funds: international money orders or cashier's or traveler's checks drawn on a U.S. bank or one of its overseas affiliates. It is not acceptable to arrive at a rental and tell the provider that you cannot pay the initial rent and/or deposit until later! A rental provider may decline to accept a renter who arrives unprepared to pay rent and deposit.
If you will be here for one month or less, you will receive only one reimbursement check, and that will be toward the end of your visit.You must plan to bring funds for rent and living expenses. KITP cannot provide a rental for visitors who will pay at the end, not the beginnning of their visit. You cannot plan to use KITP funds for this, since KITP provides reimbursement for funds spent, not funds in advance.
Please note that, even if you leave your rental in very good condition, the owner or manager may retain part of the deposit for carpet cleaning or other cleaning services. Be sure to discuss with the owner or manager their policy for deposit refund in advance!
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Smoking
Most rentals in Santa Barbara do not allow smoking anywhere on the property, either indoors or out, and only a few allow smoking outside the unit. If you move into a non-smoking rental then you smoke, even outside, you may be asked to move immediately. Often a hotel or motel is the only option for a smoker.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in any of the furnished apartment complexes in the community, nor in any campus housing. If you must bring your pet, you will need to utilize a commercial rental agency to arrange housing.
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Now that you have read this information, please complete the housing questionnaire.
Find an error? Please email Deborah.
last modified 2/14/08. me
