Finding accommodation

Graz is the second largest city in Austria with around 290,000 inhabitants. Approximately 60,000 students of universities and universities of applied sciences call Graz their home.

General information

There is no on-campus housing, but numerous student dorms are located very close to the university's main campus. There are also a great number of private offers available, from shared or single apartments to family-sized homes.

You can find a list of useful websites for finding accommodation below.

For exchange students of the ISEP programme, Hendrix and High Point University, the International Office arranges accommodation in a student dorm and covers the rental costs. There is a limited number of single rooms, which are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. You will need to pay the security deposit yourself.

Student dorms

Note that dorms are not centrally organized by one office but you have to contact each dorm you're interested in individually.

  • Rental period: Minimum rental period is generally one semester! For details on rental periods contact the relevant dorm directly. In case you arrive prior to the start of your rental period, you have to arrange accommodation in a hotel or youth hostel yourself. 
  • Rental costs: variable, depending on the individual room and residence, starting around 250 euros per month
     
  • Security deposit: 2 months’ rent
    This will be returned at the end of your stay, providing you leave the room as you found it (minus a cleaning fee, in the case of OeAD accommodation).
     
  • Registration deadlines for student dorms are published on the relevant website for each one. Please note that all student residences in Graz accommodate both male and female students.
     
  • Dorms have apartment-like setups (shared facilities, such as kitchen and bathroom), which are generally co-ed.
Student dorms in Graz

Long-term rentals

If you stay in Graz longer, it can be helpful to read through the most important terms and local conditions for finding accommodation explained.

unmöbliert = unfurnished
Long-term apartments are usually rented without furniture, except for the kitchen and bathroom furniture. Some owners may offer furniture for rent, if so, it should be mentioned in the offer and agreement.
 

Ablöse = lump sum for furniture
Occasionally renters want to sell furniture when they move out. If you want to buy furniture from them and rent the apartment, you can agree on a lump sum to take over the furniture. This is an agreement between the previous and new renter.
 

Strom = electricity
When renting an apartment from the owner, electricity is usually not included in the monthly rental costs and you can select an electricity provider of your choice. Compare prices on e.g. www.durchblicker.at 
When sharing an apartment with other people, it's recommendable to ask if electricity's included in the rental costs for the room.
 

Betriebskosten = utilities
Include costs that occur for the property, i.e. water, waste collection, elevator costs, property management fees and so on. Ensure you know what's included in the utilities before signing a contract.
 

Heizkosten = heating costs
Heating costs can be included in the utilities or not. There are different heating types (gas, district heating, electricity,...) available, the monthly costs depend on the type and usage of heating and on the size of the apartment.
 

Provision = (broker's) commission
If an apartment is advertised by a broker, the renter has to pay a broker's commission of 1-2 monthly rents unless stated otherwise.
 

Kaution = deposit
It is common to pay a deposit of 2-3 monthly rents to the owner. If you return the apartment in good condition and regularly pay the rent, you get the deposit back when you move out.
 

Mietvertrag = rental agreement
You can rent an apartment/room for a limited time (temporary contract) or an indefinite period of time (indefinite contract). It is usually possible to end the lease before the originally agreed end date, please read the exact provisions on e.g. the website of the Tenants' Association: www.mietervereinigung.at and in your contract.
Example: you have signed a lease for 3 years, in general you are allowed to cancel the contract after 1 year with a notice period of 3 months.

Useful websites

Here you can find a selection of websites here where rooms/apartments are advertised: