+ HOW MUCH IS THE RENT?
Monthly rental rates per resident for 12-month leases are shown here. Rental rates depend on the type of apartment, whether there is a bedroom window, and whether a resident is sharing a bedroom. Shorter-term leases at higher rental rates may be available. Please contact us for availability.
+ WHAT UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN RENT?
All of our rental rates include electricity, heat, air conditioning, water, sewer, trash removal, and wi-fi. Residents have the option to add cable and telephone services through Comcast.
+ HOW BIG ARE THE APARTMENTS?
Most apartment floor plans include three bedrooms and a kitchen. Each 3-bedroom apartment typically houses three to four residents. The average room size is 140 square feet. Some apartments have different configurations and fewer bedrooms. See floor plans here.
+ WHAT’S IN THE APARTMENTS?
Our kitchens come fully-equipped with a full-size refrigerator, range, sink, cabinets, and a table with two benches. Private bedrooms are furnished with a twin bed, mattress, three-drawer dresser, wall-mounted clothing rack, and a desk and chair. Shared bedrooms are furnished with bunk-able twin beds, mattresses, 2 three-drawer dressers, two wall-mounted clothing racks, and two desks with chairs.
+ WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
A checklist may be found here. We encourage you to decorate your bedroom walls without penalty by hanging appropriate decorations with push-pins and tacks. Note that many roommates coordinate bringing a microwave.
+ ARE BUILDING TOURS AVAILABLE?
Yes, we encourage you to visit throughout the year. Please contact us to speak to our Director of Housing and schedule a time convenient for you.
+ IS THERE SECURITY?
Our residents have the peace of mind that comes with secured electronic key access, apartment suites with locking door handles, bedrooms with locking door handles, a video surveillance system with more than 25 security cameras, and 24/7 staffing at the security desk checking ID cards at the only entrance.
+ WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT ROOMMATE MATCHING?
If you have a friend you want to live with, let us know before you move in and we will do our best to accommodate you. However, most of our residents don’t know each other before they arrive. We have over 20 years of experience in matching roommates and want our residents to have good experiences. If conflicts arise and cannot be resolved, we work hard to accommodate requests for changes.
+ WHAT HAPPENS IF MY ROOMMATES DON’T PAY THEIR RENT?
Each of our residents signs an individual lease. You will never be financially responsible for a roommate making payments.
+ ARE THERE RULES AND REGULATIONS?
We have common-sense policies and regulations for safety, legality, and promoting respect for others. Residents may sponsor overnight guests on a limited basis with advance approval from Penn Commons and roommates. Note that Penn Commons is a smoke-free facility.
+ MAY I BRING A PET?
At the sole discretion of Penn Commons, we usually allow residents to register and keep certain pets. Dogs, snakes, and rats are among the pets not allowed. Please contact us to learn more.
+ WHERE WILL I DO MY LAUNDRY, BUY GROCERIES, ETC.?
We have a pay-to-use laundry room on site. See a full list of the area's grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and coffee shops here.
+ WHO WILL SIGN THE LEASE?
The student/resident will sign the lease, generally with a cosigner (usually a parent), before or on move-in day.
+ HOW DO I APPLY AND START THE PROCESS?
We encourage you to apply early and rank your preferences for room types. We collect a $50 non-refundable application fee to run a background check and process your application. After you are accepted, we encourage you to submit a $250 refundable housing/security deposit early to improve your chances of getting your room preference for your entire stay.
+ WHAT IF I AM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMING TO STUDY IN PITTSBURGH?
We are proud to have international study-abroad students join in our Penn Commons community. We have found that many study-abroad students have enjoyed living in Downtown Pittsburgh for at least part of their time here. We are required to have a separate application and approval process, which you may find and start here.
+ MAY I COME AND TOUR THE BUILDING?
Yes, we encourage you to bring a parent or two and visit us. Please contact us and our Director of Housing will schedule a time convenient for you.
+ WHERE WILL I STUDY?
Most residents choose to study in their suites, but there is a study room on the second floor and spots available on the lower level.
+ IS THERE A FITNESS ROOM?
Our second floor fitness room contains arc trainers, treadmills, stationary bikes, Cybex machines, dumbbells, medicine balls, exercise balls, and more! There is no extra charge for residents.
+ WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
We encourage you to contact us with any questions.