LMU short term leases near campus
- Ong Ogaslert
- Dec 2
- 6 min read
Introduction
Short-term housing near LMU is one of those things that sounds easy in theory—“I just need a place for a semester”—but gets complicated fast once you start contacting listings. Some landlords say “short-term” and mean “three months only at a premium.” Some mean “12 months but we’ll let you leave early with a fee.” Some mean “sublease” (which is different from a direct lease). And many options that look short-term friendly come with strict rules, unclear fees, or contracts that can trap students when plans change.
This guide is built to help you find LMU short term leases that match real student timelines: internships, study abroad, semester swaps, co-op programs, and temporary moves. You’ll learn where to look (and how to avoid scams), what questions to ask so you don’t waste time, how to compare true monthly cost, and which contract red flags are most common in short-term arrangements.
LMU short term leases: where to look (and what you’re actually finding)
Before you search, it helps to know that “short-term” near LMU usually appears in three forms:
1) Direct short-term lease from a landlord or property manager
This is the cleanest option if it exists:
You sign directly with the landlord
You get clear rent terms and move-in/move-out dates
You’re not dependent on another student’s lease
Downside: fewer of these exist, and they often cost more monthly than a 12-month lease.
2) Sublease / lease takeover from another tenant
This is the most common real-world way students do short-term:
Another tenant is leaving for summer, study abroad, internship, or graduation
You take over their room or unit for a defined period
Upside: sometimes cheaper and already furnished.Downside: you must verify permission and terms, and you may rely on the original lease structure.
3) Month-to-month or “flex” housing
Some places offer month-to-month arrangements:
More flexible
Often higher monthly cost
Sometimes requires higher deposit or stricter rules
The smartest approach is to decide which of these three you’ll accept—because each requires different questions and different risk checks.
1) Start with your timeline (and define “short-term” precisely)
A big reason students get bad deals is vague timelines. Landlords and listing posters will fill that vagueness with terms that benefit them.
Define these exact dates before you search
Move-in date range (window, not one day)
Move-out date (hard end date)
Whether you can extend if needed
Whether you can leave early if plans change
Short-term can mean:
8–12 weeks (summer)
4–6 months (one semester)
8–10 months (academic year that doesn’t match a 12-month lease)
If you’re unsure, plan for your most realistic scenario and avoid contracts that punish you heavily for being wrong.
2) Decide what “must-haves” matter more in short-term housing
When you’re renting temporarily, the decision criteria changes.
Common short-term priorities for LMU students
Furnished or semi-furnished (saves upfront cost and logistics)
Clear internet setup (you need it immediately)
Laundry access (in-unit vs on-site)
Safety and comfortable routes (especially at night)
Parking clarity (if you have a car in LA)
Simple move-in requirements (not excessive application steps)
What students often overpay for short-term
Luxury amenities you won’t actually use during a short stay
Larger space when your goal is convenience and focus
Fully upgraded units that come with higher deposits and stricter rules
Short-term is about minimizing friction: fewer surprises, less setup, and predictable costs.
3) Where to look for LMU short term leases without wasting time
Short-term options are scattered. You’ll get better results if you search with a process.
Tier 1: Listings that explicitly mention short-term
Look for phrases like:
“short-term”
“month-to-month”
“sublease”
“lease takeover”
“furnished”
“summer lease”
“semester lease”
When contacting, immediately ask:
“What lease length is available?”
“Is this a direct lease or a sublease?”
“Are precise move-in/move-out dates acceptable?”
Tier 2: Students and community networks
Short-term near LMU is often driven by student timelines. Many arrangements appear because someone:
Got an internship
Is studying abroad
Graduated early
Wants to move closer/farther
These options can be good, but your verification must be stronger (see scam prevention section).
Tier 3: Property managers with multiple units
If a manager has multiple listings, they can sometimes accommodate:
A flexible start date
A shorter term if it fills a vacancy period
A furnished unit option
When you find a manager, ask directly:
“Do you have any LMU short-term availability coming up in the next 4–8 weeks?”
4) The questions to ask (copy-paste this to save time)
Short-term deals fail when details are unclear. Use a standardized question set.
Basic deal structure
Is this a direct lease, sublease, or lease takeover?
What is the exact start and end date?
Can the lease be extended? If yes, how is rent adjusted?
What happens if I need to leave early?
Total cost and fees
What utilities are included (water, trash, gas, electricity)?
Is internet included, required through a plan, or self-setup?
Are there monthly fees besides rent?
Is parking available and what is the monthly cost?
What are one-time move-in fees and the deposit amount?
Furnishing and condition
Is it furnished? Exactly what items are included?
What condition is the furniture in?
Are there move-out cleaning requirements tied to furniture?
Rules that matter for short stays
Guest policy and overnight rules?
Noise/quiet hours?
Subletting allowed (if I need to transfer the lease)?
If someone avoids answering these, don’t chase. Short-term contracts need clarity.
5) Compare true monthly cost (short-term pricing is often misleading)
A short-term listing may look “okay” until you realize it’s priced like a hotel.
Calculate the true monthly cost
Use:True Monthly Cost = Rent + Utilities estimate + Internet + Parking + Monthly fees
Then compare that against:
The convenience you’re getting (furnished, move-in ready)
The length of stay (short stays often cost more per month)
Your alternatives (sublease vs direct lease vs dorm extension)
Watch for “discounted rent” tricks
Sometimes rent is “discounted” but:
Fees increase
Utilities are capped low
Furniture rental is added monthly
Always ask for a written breakdown.
6) Contract red flags students miss in LMU short term leases
Short-term contracts can hide expensive penalties.
Red flags to watch for
“Short-term available” but only at a huge premium without explaining why
No clear end date (month-to-month without rules)
Early termination requires paying the full remaining term
Deposits are unusually high with vague deduction rules
Cleaning fees are automatic regardless of condition
Furniture damage clauses that make you responsible for wear-and-tear
“Administration fees” that look like extra rent
Rule-heavy contracts that function like dorm policies
If it feels like you’re signing something closer to a hotel agreement than a lease, slow down and read carefully.
7) Sublease safety: how to avoid scams and bad handoffs
Subleases can be legit and affordable, but they require verification.
Verify the person and the permission
Confirm the poster is the current tenant (ID or matching name on paperwork)
Ask for the lease section about subletting
Ask for written landlord approval if required
Confirm who you pay rent to (tenant vs landlord vs manager)
Never skip the walkthrough
Even for short stays:
Tour in person if possible
If remote, request a live video walkthrough (not a pre-recorded clip)
Confirm the exact unit address and room setup
Do not send money just to “hold the place” without documentation
Legitimate arrangements can provide:
A sublease agreement
A lease assignment document
Written confirmation of terms
A receipt trail
If someone pressures you to pay fast without paperwork, treat it as high risk.
8) Lease takeover vs sublease: know the difference
Students use these terms interchangeably, but they’re different.
Sublease
Original tenant remains responsible on the main lease
You pay them or sometimes pay the landlord with sublease permission
Your rights depend on the sublease agreement and local rules
Lease takeover / assignment
You take over the lease responsibility (with landlord approval)
Cleaner long-term responsibility structure
Usually more paperwork but more clarity
If you can, a takeover can be safer than a casual sublease because responsibilities are clearer.
9) Move-in / move-out logistics for short-term
Short-term success is often about logistics.
Move-in checklist
Confirm key pickup method and timing
Confirm utilities setup (especially internet)
Document unit condition with photos/video on day one
Get the furniture list in writing (if furnished)
Move-out checklist
Confirm cleaning expectations in writing
Confirm how deposit deductions are calculated
Document the unit condition again before leaving
Return keys exactly as required to avoid fees
Short stays leave less time to fix mistakes. Being organized prevents fees.
10) Negotiation tips (yes, short-term can sometimes negotiate)
Landlords are more flexible when:
They are trying to fill a vacancy gap
Your timing matches their needs
You are prepared to move in quickly and sign
You can try asking for:
Reduced deposit
Waived admin fee
Discounted parking
Utilities included or a higher cap
Slightly lower rent for a longer short-term (e.g., 6 months instead of 3)
Be polite and simple: “I’m ready to sign if we can adjust X.”
Conclusion
The best way to find LMU short term leases near campus is to get specific and stay disciplined. Define your dates, choose which short-term structure you’ll accept (direct lease, sublease, month-to-month), and use a standardized question list so you don’t waste time on vague offers. Then protect yourself by calculating true monthly cost, reading contract penalties carefully, and verifying sublease permission before sending money.
Short-term housing should reduce stress while you focus on school, internships, or travel—not create legal and financial headaches. With the checklist approach, you can find a short-term option that’s actually student-friendly and predictable from move-in to move-out.
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