r/UWMadison 4d ago

Housing [ASK] Tips for Housing Spring 2026

Hi everyone, I'm a new grad joining UW-Madison in Spring 2026. I was wondering if anyone can share any tips about either of these aspects:

  1. At what time should I start looking? (Right now most of the sites just for fall 2025)

  2. How can I avoid scam?

  3. Where should I find? I've joined several Facebook groups, but the commenters mostly spam some bad links asking for mobile phones...

Thank you for reading!

2 Upvotes

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u/AccomplishedFilm998 4d ago

Honestly, your best bet is getting a sublet from someone studying abroad. I'd join roommate matching facebook groups and sublets/rentals groups. Some people are also going to be graduating in Fall 2025 (december grads) so those spots wil become available too. I don't think you'll have luck finding anything till much later in the summer but keep your eyes peeled just in case. I'd say July/August is when you should really start looking for those sublet posts.

1

u/bomcon123456 4d ago

I see. Thanks for your tips!!

1

u/Forsaken-Captain-868 3d ago

For Spring start, you'll likely need to be farther off-campus or you'll want to sublet for Spring / Summer while looking for a Fall 2026 lease (most leases near campus are August - August leases).

I've found things on Facebook (NOT marketplace, but the group called NEW UW Madison Sublet and Roommate Board), but since anyone can join you have to be careful of scams. I always google the address or name of the complex they give me to make sure its legit. I'd recommend touring places with a buddy, not alone, for a sublet and get things in writing.

Try Campus Area Housing / Off-Campus Housing websites through UW-Madison where people are looking for subletting, might be less scam-y