Pre-Leasing for Fall 2026
has begun!
HOW PRE-LEASING WORKS
CHECK OUR WEBSITE
Pre-leasing means you apply and get approved for a rental now, but your lease doesn't actually start until later in the year. This is great for students who want to secure housing for next school year before heading out of town for spring or summer vacation.
Beginning in March 2026, we will start adding rental units available for pre-lease to our website.
On our website, you will be able to view property photos (some also have video tours), as well as read the property description, amenities, and how to apply.
If you don't see a property that fits your needs right off the bat, keep checking back! Our website is updated multiple times a day during winter and spring quarter as properties become available for pre-lease.
STEP 2
SCHEDULE SHOWINGS
See something you like? Click the "Contact Us" button from the listing page to request a showing.
We do not rent sight-unseen. This means touring the unit in-person with a Hammer Properties representative is required before we will consider your application. If you have several roommates, we require the majority of your roommate group to attend the showing together - which means you can't just send one representative for your group to tour the property.
We do not allow photos or videos to be taken during showings. This is to protect the privacy of any current tenants living in the unit, as the majority of our units are currently occupied.
We do not schedule same-day showings - usually. Most showings will require 24-48 hours notice, as there are often still tenants living in the properties, and we need to give them appropriate notice before entering their unit. If you request a showing for a unit that is currently vacant, a same-day showing may be accommodated, as long as it fits within the property manager's schedule.
We do not schedule showings via phone call. Any calls to our office requesting showings will be directed back to our website, where you can click the "Contact Us" button from the listing page to request a showing.
To minimize disruption for current tenants, we schedule group showings whenever possible. This means multiple prospective renters may tour the unit at the same time. If you’d like to know whether a unit already has a group showing scheduled, please check our Showing Schedule
for details!
STEP 3
APPLY
WHO NEEDS TO APPLY?
Each tenant and co-signer must submit an individual application. There is a $50 application fee per person, including co-signers, although a $45 refund is possible if your application isn't processed.
DO NOT APPLY if you are a current Hammer Properties NW tenant or co-signer. Instead, reach out to your property manager and let them know you are interested in moving into a different HPNW unit once your current lease ends. They are typically able to transfer your previous application to the new property, which could save you the $50 application fee.
APPLY ONLINE
We only accept online applications through our website. Click the 'Apply Now' button on the property you are applying for to begin the process.
If you are unable to apply online and need assistance due to accessibility issues or lack of internet access, please don't hesitate to contact us!
APPLICATION QUALIFICATIONS
When processing applications, we review your credit, income, background (criminal history), and prior rental history.
STEP 4
SIGNING YOUR LEASE
Once your application has been approved, we will prepare a lease for all tenants to sign. The lease should be signed right away, even if your move-in date is several months away. Failure to sign your lease in a timely manner may result in losing the unit.
All signings are done digitally. If you need an alternative accommodation, please let us know.
Co-signers do not sign the lease, as they will not be occupants of the property. If co-signers want to review the lease ahead of time, please let us know and we can provide a copy.
MOVE IN COSTS
Upon signing your lease, you will be charged for your first month's rent.
Your security deposit and any other fees will be due before you move in.
Example: a lease is signed March 20th, with a move in date of September 1st. First month's rent is due on March 20th, while the security deposit is due sometime before September 1st.
Pre-Leasing FAQs
What does 'pre-leasing' mean?
Pre-leasing is a common practice for rental housing. It allows someone to secure housing for a future move-in date, often several months before their lease begins.
For example, students can find off-campus housing and secure their lease as early as March/April, with a move-in date for Fall Quarter.
What is a co-signer? Do I need one?
APPLICANT CRITERIAIf you are a college student, it's highly likely that you'll need a co-signer! To qualify for a lease, an applicant needs (among other things) good credit. Most college students are simply too young to have an established credit history, and therefore require a co-signer.
A co-signer is someone who will not be moving into the property with you, but they are willing accept the financial responsibility of your lease, should you fail to make monthly payments.
Oftentimes, parents, guardians, or grandparents will co-sign for students. But your co-signer does not need to be related to you at all, as long as they meet the requirements.
Can I reserve a property while my application is being processed?
HOLDING FEESYes! Applicants can 'reserve' a property by paying a holding fee. This will ensure that no one else can apply for the same property while your application is being processed.
Do current Hammer Properties NW tenants need to apply?
No! If you are already a current tenant of Hammer Properties NW, and you would like to move into a different Hammer Properties rental for your next lease, you do not need to reapply or pay a new application fee.
Contact your property manager for more information.
Can I switch my application to a different property?
Yes, once you apply with Hammer Properties NW, that application can be used to apply for any of our properties. You do not have to pay additional application fees. However, once you sign a lease for a property, you can not switch properties, unless you find a group to take over your lease.
Can I add a new roommate after I've signed a lease?
Maybe. You'll need to contact your Property Manager to confirm whether or not that is allowed for your specific property.
If so, the new tenant(s) will have to apply and be approved, just like the original tenants did. Once approved, your Property Manager will prepare paperwork to add the new tenant(s) to your existing lease. All tenants must sign a lease assignment document (prepared by your Property Manager), agreeing that the new tenant is being added.
Adding an additional tenant to your existing lease could increase your monthly rent. Ask your property manager to find out if this will apply to you.
