• Parents

A Parent's Guide to Life at ōLiv Seattle

Choosing off-campus housing is a big step. At ōLiv Seattle, we’re obsessed with every detail of our resident experience with a hospitality-driven focus on convenience, connection, programming and proximity to campus. We’re here to make the leasing process as easy as possible for you and your student. This guide outlines what to expect at every stage, from leasing and budgeting to move-in and daily life at our community.

Lease Policies What's Included Student Success Move-In, Move-Out, and Logistics Transportation Parents FAQ
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Our individual leases make off-campus housing more accessible for your family.

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What Is a By-the-Bed Lease?

With a by-the-bed lease, your student signs for their individual bedroom, not the apartment as a whole. That means your financial responsibility as a guarantor is limited to your student’s portion of the rent. You are not on the hook for a roommate’s rent if that roommate fails to pay.

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The Guarantor Role

Most students are required to have a guarantor, typically a parent or guardian, who co-signs the lease and agrees to cover the student’s financial obligations if needed. Guarantors go through a separate approval process and are only responsible for the individual bed they have co-signed for. Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for current guarantor qualification requirements.

Academic-Year Lease Structure

Leases at ōLiv Seattle are structured around the academic calendar, which makes planning move-in, move-out, and payment timelines more predictable for families. Contact the leasing office for current lease term dates and details.

One of the most common questions from parents is exactly what comes with the apartment. Here is a breakdown of what is standard and what falls outside of rent.

Standard Apartment Features

  • Fully furnished unit with modern, custom-designed furniture
  • Bedroom: bed, walk-in closet with built-in organizer (in select units), blackout shades, and ceiling fan
  • Common areas: fully furnished with custom roller shades and a 55″ smart TV
  • Premium stainless steel appliances: range, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator
  • Quartz countertops and designer cabinetry with architectural track lighting
  • Bluetooth showerhead speaker in each bathroom
  • Independently keyed bedrooms with solid wood doors
  • Full-size washer and dryer in each apartment (in select units)
  • High-speed internet
  • Large openable windows with energy-efficient Low-E double pane glass (in select units)

VIP Upgrade Option

ōLiv Seattle offers a VIP upgrade tier for students who want a premium experience. VIP units are located on floors 22 through 24 with floor-restricted access and include:

  • Smart home technology including Amazon Echo Show and sound bar
  • Upgraded 65″ smart TV (in select units)
  • Custom tile backsplash in the kitchen
  • Upgraded cabinetry and countertops
  • Panelized built-in dishwasher
  • Upgraded lighting throughout
  • Kohler Moxie rainfall Bluetooth speaker showerhead
  • Additional shelving and vanity organizer in bathrooms

VIP upgrades are priced separately. Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for current availability and rates.

Community Amenities

  • Rooftop pool and sundeck with built-in seating
  • Outdoor lounge with BBQ area and fire pits
  • Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment
  • Yoga room
  • Spa with indoor sauna
  • Executive business area with Macs, PCs, and printers
  • Lounge space
  • Free, secured, indoor bike storage
  • Climate-controlled, access-controlled parking garage (limited assigned spots available)
  • Electric vehicle chargers

Required Monthly Fees

In addition to rent, residents are responsible for a few required fees. Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for current amounts, as fees are subject to change.

  • Application fee (one-time)
  • Conservice fee (monthly)
  • Package service fee for delivery to unit (monthly)
  • Tech fee (monthly)

Optional and Add-On Costs

  • Parking: reserved spots in the climate-controlled garage are available for an additional monthly fee. Contact the leasing office for current rates.
  • Renter’s insurance: required for all residents. Students can provide their own qualifying policy or enroll in the community’s insurance program. Contact the leasing office for current enrollment rates.
  • Personal expenses: groceries, household supplies, and personal items are not included and vary by individual.

Note: Electricity and other utility costs are not bundled into rent and are the resident’s responsibility.

Staying connected to your student’s housing situation is a reasonable goal. Here is how that works at ōLiv Seattle.

Fitness and Recreation

  • Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment
  • Yoga room
  • Spa with indoor sauna
  • Rooftop pool and sundeck

Community Programming

  • Resident events in collaboration with local brands
  • Pop-up shops and event sponsorships
  • Communal lounge space for resident use

On-Site Management and Support

  • On-site professional management team
  • On-call maintenance staff for after-hours issues
  • Controlled access and Key FOB system throughout the building

Move-in weekend is a big moment, and a little preparation goes a long way toward making a smooth transition into your new Seattle apartment.

Before Move-In Day

  • Review the lease together so both you and your student understand the financial responsibilities, policies, key dates, and what happens at move-out
  • Coordinate with roommates in advance to avoid duplicating shared items like kitchen supplies
  • Since the apartment comes fully furnished, the packing list can stay focused on personal belongings and bedroom items
  • Confirm your student’s renter’s insurance is in place before move-in

Move-In Day

  • Students will receive instructions about key pickup and arrival procedures ahead of time from the ōLiv Seattle team
  • Exploring the community early, finding the study area, fitness center, and rooftop, helps students build a daily routine
  • Welcome events at the start of the year are a low-pressure way for students to meet neighbors

Move-Out

Move-out timelines align with the academic calendar. Review the lease for specific checkout dates, key return procedures, and final account steps. The on-site team can walk students through the process when the time comes.

Live close to all the action around the University of Washington.

Campus Proximity

  • University of Washington: 0.5 miles away, about a 12-minute walk, a quick bike ride, or a short bus trip
  • The University District is walkable and bikeable, with easy access to campus routes

Getting Around

  • Free, secured, indoor bike storage available on-site for students who ride or scooter to campus
  • Limited assigned parking available in the on-site climate-controlled garage
  • Seattle’s public transit system connects the U District to the broader city, including the Link Light Rail U District Station

Privacy and Account Access

For privacy reasons, lease and account information is tied to the individual resident. Parents and guardians are not automatically listed on the lease and cannot access account details without the student’s direct involvement. If you have questions about your student’s account, your student will need to be part of that conversation with the leasing office.

How Families Can Stay Involved

  • Read through the lease with your student before signing so everyone understands the financial responsibilities, policies, and key dates
  • Encourage your student to stay current on notices, payment deadlines, and renewal timelines throughout the lease term
  • Talk through move-out expectations and the fee schedule early so there are no surprises at the end of the year

The on-site team at ōLiv Seattle is happy to answer general questions about the community.

Your burning questions, answered.

What is a guarantor and why is one often required?

A guarantor is a person, typically a parent or guardian, who co-signs the lease and agrees to cover the resident’s financial obligations if the student cannot meet them. Guarantors are often required because most students do not yet have the independent income or credit history needed to qualify for a lease on their own. Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for current guarantor qualification requirements.

What financial responsibilities does a guarantor have?

As a guarantor at ōLiv Seattle, you are responsible only for the bed you have co-signed for. Because ōLiv Seattle uses a by-the-bed lease, your obligation does not extend to your student’s roommates or their portions of the rent. If your student fulfills all financial obligations on time, a guarantor is not called upon to pay anything.

Are utilities included in rent at ōLiv Seattle?

Internet is included in rent. Electricity and other utility services are not bundled into rent and are the resident’s responsibility. Required monthly fees such as the Conservice fee, package service fee, and tech fee are separate from rent. Contact the leasing office for current fee amounts.

Is renter’s insurance required at ōLiv Seattle?

Yes. Renter’s insurance is required for all residents. Students can provide their own qualifying policy or enroll in the community’s insurance program. Contact the leasing office for current enrollment rates and qualifying policy details.

How does the roommate matching service work?

Students who do not already have a roommate can use the roommate matching process to connect with compatible residents based on factors like sleep habits, study habits, majors, and lifestyle preferences. Students who already have roommates in mind can choose to live together instead. Contact the leasing office for details on the current roommate matching process.

How are maintenance requests handled at ōLiv Seattle?

Residents can submit maintenance requests through the online resident portal, by calling the leasing office, or by visiting the front desk in person. On-call maintenance staff are available for after-hours urgent issues. Residents are expected to submit their own maintenance requests.

How does move-in work at ōLiv Seattle?

Move-in is scheduled ahead of the fall semester. Students receive information about key pickup, arrival procedures, and move-in timing from the ōLiv Seattle team in advance. The on-site staff are available throughout move-in to help with questions.

Can parents be listed on the lease or access account information?

Parents and guarantors co-sign the lease in the guarantor capacity, but they are not listed as primary leaseholders. For privacy reasons, account-specific information is tied to the individual resident. If you have questions about your student’s account, your student will need to be part of that conversation with the leasing office.

Is parking available at ōLiv Seattle?

Yes. Limited assigned parking is available in the on-site climate-controlled, access-controlled garage for an additional monthly fee. Electric vehicle chargers are also on-site. Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for current availability and rates.

Is ōLiv Seattle pet-friendly?

Contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office for the current pet policy, as policies are subject to change.

What upgrade options are available at ōLiv Seattle?

ōLiv Seattle offers a VIP upgrade tier for students who want a premium experience. VIP units are located on floors 22 through 24 and include smart home technology, upgraded appliances and finishes, floor-restricted access, and more. VIP upgrades are priced separately from standard rent. Contact the leasing office for current availability and rates.

For more information, visit olivseattle.com or contact the ōLiv Seattle leasing office at (206) 704-5403 or cora.l@leasing-corespaces.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 12 to 4 p.m.