How to Search Online and List with OCHA

Contents


General Information

Columbia has automated the search process on the internet with the OCHA Registry search engine. The Housing Registry is a Web-based application, which lists non-Columbia-owned, furnished and unfurnished rooms and apartments for rent. Most of the listings are located in the New York metropolitan area.

All listings are posted for three weeks or until the lister removes or directs OCHA to remove the listing, or OCHA determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing should be removed.

b2t


Access to the Housing Registry Using Your UNI & Password

In order to search the listings, you will need a UNI and password. Your Columbia-issued UNI consists of your initials plus an arbitrary number and is usually the same as the first part of your e-mail address.

For example, if your e-mail address is pkg4@columbia.edu, then your UNI is pkg4. Your password is the same as your e-mail password.

If you do not have a UNI and you are a newly accepted student, alumni or other affiliate, please fax, mail, or visit the OCHA office during business hours with your letter of acceptance, current alumni card or proof of affiliated status in order to be issued a user name and password to enable you to search the database. Proof of employment can be obtained from your department administrator. Both user name and password must be typed in lower case.

If you have your UNI and password, click here to go to Housing Registry.

For maximum security, if you are using a shared workstation, we strongly recommend that you exit or restart the browser before leaving the workstation.

b2t


Instructions for Searching for Rooms/Apartments in the Housing Registry Database

Once you are in the Housing Registry, click on HOUSING SEARCH and complete the form. Then click on “Start Search” to get your results.

If you receive a message saying "Sorry, no listings matching your search criteria were found," try broadening your search criteria. For example, enter “general” under location preference and enter your dollar maximum and “0” for your minimum under monthly rent range. In addition, leave the following questions unanswered: move-in and out dates and apartment requirements. If you are still not getting any results, try again later when more listings may match your search criteria.

The Registry will allow you to create one or more search profiles and receive e-mail notification whenever new listings match your profile. To receive e-mail notification of new listings, check the box at the bottom of the search page. Each search profile will be saved for two weeks.

OCHA accepts listings from brokers who charge commissions ranging from one month’s rent to 15% of the first year’s rent. Many of the brokers who list in the OCHA Registry offer discounted fees to Columbia affiliates. Other OCHA listers, such as landlords and management companies, often charge application fees ranging from $50-200. Any listing that entails payment of a fee should be clearly stated. You have the option of searching for units that have no fees.

Please report to OCHA any listing where the fee was not disclosed on our Web site by clicking below.

If a listing interests you, contact the lister by phone or e-mail by clicking on the INQUIRE button. Fill in the form and it will be submitted via e-mail to the lister who will respond to you. The lister’s e-mail address is kept confidential.

b2t


How to List with OCHA

Listings are displayed on the internet via our Web site. The most efficient way to submit listings is by establishing an online account with OCHA. Those who do not have access to the internet should call OCHA for assistance.

All listers must be aware that their listed apartments or rooms are offered in accordance with applicable University, city, state, and federal statutes and regulations governing equal opportunity and non-discriminatory access to housing. OCHA, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to remove or modify any listing.

Listers who charge a fee to rent their units MUST clearly disclose it along with the amount when placing the listing. Listers who charge a fee without clearly disclosing it, will have their listings cancelled and will not be allowed to list apartments or rooms with OCHA in the future.

All listings are automatically removed from the system after three weeks. Listings may be renewed, removed or modified at any time directly by listers with online accounts. Those who do not have accounts may contact OCHA to establish an account for them.

Online Listing

If you would like to list online, you must first call OCHA at 212-854-2773 to establish a listing account and to select a user name and password for login as a user. Please save your login information, as it will be valid for future use.

Once you have your login you are ready to list your property.

Click here to go to the area for listing your room or apartment and follow the instructions. Both user name and password must be typed in lower case. Your listing will appear on the internet within 24 to 48 hours of the next business day pending OCHA management review.

When you try to connect with the Columbia Web server for the first time, your browser may indicate that it is being presented with a certificate signed by an unknown authority and ask you to proceed through a set of dialog boxes before permitting you to connect to the site. Do not panic. Most browsers come with a pre-loaded list of certificates. Unfortunately, the Columbia CA certificate is not one of these. Follow the onscreen directions on how to accept Columbia's certificate. Click here for more detailed instructions.

For maximum security, if you are using a shared workstation, we strongly recommend that you exit or restart the browser before leaving the workstation.

b2t


Tips for Completing the Listing Form Online

When you list an apartment or a room with the OCHA Registry, you will have a choice of being contacted by e-mail, telephone or both by potential tenants.

Your e-mail address will be kept confidential. Potential tenants will not be able to see your e-mail address unless you write back to them.

In the field "Unit Location," please enter street coordinates instead of a street address. For example: If your apartment is at 420 W. 119th Street, Apt. 3B, you might put down "On 119th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive on the 3rd floor."

Once you have listed your room or apartment, an “Ad Posting” confirmation page will appear on the screen containing your confirmation number and the date the listing will be removed. You will also receive an e-mail with the same information. Please keep the confirmation code. You will need this code to renew, remove or modify your listing.

b2t


How to Renew, Remove or Modify a Listing

If you have listed your room or apartment through your OCHA online account, and would like to renew, remove or modify the listing, follow the instructions that were e-mailed to you when you established your online account.

Click here to view the instructions.

If you did not list your apartment online, contact the OCHA office so that we can renew, remove or modify the listing for you.

b2t


Need Help?

If you have any questions, need help, want to report any problems, or to make suggestions click here

b2t

OCHA   | UAH Home