FAQS

Individual Leases

Individual leasing means peace of mind for you. Your financial responsibility is only for your student’s space unlike many apartments or rental houses where a joint lease is signed. If a roommate transfers to another school or moves out of Spectra Southside for any reason, you do not have to worry about having to cover their portion of rent. This is just another reason why Spectra is your student’s best housing option!

On-site Professional Staff

Our maintenance staff will respond to your student’s maintenance issues quickly and professionally. Spectra Southside will be setting up a 24/7 answering service in the near future to ensure all of our resident issues are met in a diligent and timely manner.

Affordable Floor Plans

Spectra Southside offers one bedroom units. Your student’s rent includes water, sewer, trash, along with cable and phone jacks in each room for easy installation!

Resident Events to Keep Students Involved

While the main focus of your student’s college career will be about graduating and getting a fulfilling job, they also need to have fun along the way. At Spectra Southside, your student will create life-long relationships and connections that will make them even more successful. Our great staff plans monthly resident events to get them involved. These events range from pizza parties to karaoke nights, from resume building classes to gaming tournaments, as well as many holiday events throughout the year. We will also keep our residents connected to events going on at UC Berkeley, along with events happening around town so they don’t miss anything!

What does it mean to have an individual lease?

Individual leasing means that each person is only responsible for their portion of the common areas and their bedroom. If your roommate ends up not coming back for the spring semester, you’re not responsible for their payment.

What is included in the rent?

Your rent includes: utilities (water, sewer, trash pickup) extended cable and phone jacks in each room and, an onsite washer & dryer for usage.

What measurements are being taken to commit to cleanliness?

Spectra Southside cares about providing YOU with essential housing for the upcoming semester. We have taken extra measures to ensure we are doing our part to be socially responsible during these unique times. Additions we have made to protect against Covid-19 include Antimicrobial Door Handles, Non-Touch Faucets and Toilets, and routinely using disinfecting sprayers throughout the community. Other precuations we are taking involve limiting the use of the elevators, requiring facemasks in public areas, and we have new air-filtration systems being installed soon! Feel secure in knowing Spectra Southside is the essential housing you will thrive in this Fall!

When is my rent due?

Rent is always due the 1st of the month. You can pay up front (due August 1), in semester installments (due August 1 and January 1), or in twelve installments (due August 1 and on the first of the month for the next 11 consecutive months).

How do I pay my rent?

Pay with a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check. Pay with a credit card online through RentPayment.com. Service fee may apply.* Have your financial institution automatically deduct rent from your bank account each month to send in payment. Pay with check online using your resident portal free of charge!

What if I need to break my lease or don't return for the spring semester?

Spectra Southside’s lease is binding and cannot be broken. If you cannot live at Spectra after signing your lease, you will need to re-let. Please call the leasing office for information on re-letting.

What if I need maintenance in my bedroom or apartment?

If you need maintenance, simply call our front desk for assistance!

How do I receive mail and packages?

Packages can only be picked up from the front desk agent. Packages are kept in a locked package room. Instead of going to the Amazon Hub on campus, residents can pick up their packages from the Amazon Hub located here in Spectra Southside's building.

How close are you to campus?

We are less than 30 second walk away from campus, or 600 feet away.

What do I need to bring to my new apartment?

We suggest that you bring:  

• Bedding for a twin-sized bed.
• Toiletries.
• Dishes/Cookware.
• Decorations to make your new room feel like home

What kinds of events do you have at Spectra Southside?

Spectra Southside has resident events that range from pizza parties to Taco Tuesdays. Not only is there free food at events, but it’s also a great way to meet people!

What if I don't have a guarantor?

No Guarantor? No Problem, we offer Leap as an option! Leap is a quick and easy process that fills in for a guarantor or parent co-signer. Leap's application is free online and takes around 5 minutes to complete. You will get a conditional decision within 30 minutes during normal business hours. Click here to apply or contact the office for more information.

Are leases for families with children available?

Yes. Spectra Southside's policy is included here for family occupants with a child(ren) under the age of eighteen (18) who is domiciled with (i) at least one parent, legal guardian, or another person having legal custody of the child under the age of eighteen, or (ii) the designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with written permission of such parent or other person. For family households with children, all household members age eighteen (18) or older must: (A) complete an application, and (B) sign the lease as a Resident. For family households with children under the age of eighteen (18), at least two (2) people will be permitted to occupy a single bedroom. If a family household with children under the age of eighteen (18) requires additional occupancy per bedroom, additional occupants may be allowed on a case-by-case basis based on factors including, but not limited to, the size of the bedroom(s) and unit, age of the children, configuration of the unit, any physical limitations of Spectra Southside, and local occupancy codes. If the child occupant reaches eighteen (18) years of age during the term of the lease, the lease will be allowed to complete its term, but renewal will only be offered in compliance with the occupancy policy as stated. Child occupants who are under twenty-four (24) months at the time the lease is signed will not be counted under the occupancy policy for purposes of maximum occupancy but will be counted for subsequent leases if they reach the age of twenty-four (24) months during the term of the lease. The Landlord has the right to lease any empty bedroom(s). Families should contact the office directly regarding the application for family households, as this process varies from individual leasing and the required forms are not all available electronically.