Lancaster Commons
Graduate Housing Application
The priority 2 application deadline has now passed. Due to the high number of applications we received, we do not anticipate offering any assignments to applicants who have applied after May 20.
About Lancaster
Lancaster Commons, an off-campus apartment complex reserved entirely for Duke graduate and professional students, will begin accepting applications for the 2024 - 2025 academic year starting on April 1.
Assignments are for 1 year only and cannot be renewed for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Located approximately 2.6 miles from Duke’s West Campus on 2709 Western Bypass, this apartment community is ideal for first-year graduate and professional students who are new to Durham.
Featuring unfurnished 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units
- Priority applications for first-year international graduate or professional students who are new to Durham, NC.
- All appliances are included in the apartment: stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and washer/dryer.
- Complimentary parking on site
- Duke Transportation bus route direct to West Campus. Also within the Duke Vans service area.
- Pets are not allowed at Lancaster Commons, except for registered service animals.
- Lancaster Commons is only available for currently enrolled graduate and professional students and their partners/spouses/family members. (Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate postdocs or visiting scholars.)
- Elevators are present at all buildings in Lancaster North (2703, 2705, 2707, 2711, 2713).
- Elevators are not available in Lancaster South (2721, 2723, 2725, 2727), which houses only 1-bedroom apartments.
- You can view photos and floor plans of the apartments on this website. Please note that you will not be able to select which floor plan you'd like in the application.
Lancaster Commons Rates
*6-Month Rate: $8,100 (**Monthly Rate $1,350)
*6-month rate is for fall (July 1 - December 31) and spring (January 1 - June 30).
If you move in after July 1 and prior to August 1, the rate will lower based upon your move-in date. If you move in after August 1, you will be billed for August 1 - December 31 regardless of your move-in date.
**Monthly rate is for budgeting purposes ONLY. Charges will be billed to your student account 6-months at a time.
- PhD students will not receive monthly bills with their housing charges, but charges will be reflected in their Bursar's accounts. PhD students can set up payroll deduction or NelNet.
- Master's students will receive monthly bills via email to their Duke email address. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
*6-Month Rate: $5,184 (**Monthly Rate $864)
*6-month rate is for fall (July 1 - December 31) and spring (January 1 - June 30).
If you move in after July 1 and prior to August 1, the rate will lower based upon your move-in date. If you move in after August 1, you will be billed for August 1 - December 31 regardless of your move-in date.
**Monthly rate is for budgeting purposes ONLY. Charges will be billed to your student account 6-months at a time.
- PhD students will not receive monthly bills with their housing charges, but charges will be reflected in their Bursar's accounts. PhD students can set up payroll deduction or NelNet.
- Master's students will receive monthly bills via email to their Duke email address. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
*6-Month Rate: $3,888 (**Monthly Rate $648)
*6-month rate is for fall (July 1 - December 31) and spring (January 1 - June 30).
If you move in after July 1 and prior to August 1, the rate will lower based upon your move-in date. If you move in after August 1, you will be billed for August 1 - December 31 regardless of your move-in date.
**Monthly rate is for budgeting purposes ONLY. Charges will be billed to your student account 6-months at a time.
- PhD students will not receive monthly bills with their housing charges, but charges will be reflected in their Bursar's accounts. PhD students can set up payroll deduction or NelNet.
- Master's students will receive monthly bills via email to their Duke email address. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
- Assignment rates for the 2024-2025 academic year include all utilities (electricity, water, internet, trash/recycling).
- There is no application fee or security deposit.
- Payments will be billed to students’ bursar accounts on a semesterly basis. The Bursar's office has an option for monthly billing (see information about that here). PhD students who receive a monthly stipend can have their rent deducted from their stipend each month.
2024- 2025 Application
The priority 2 application deadline has now passed. Due to the high number of applications we received, we do not anticipate offering any assignments to applicants who have applied after May 20.
Application Timeline:
How to apply:
There will be 2 priority application windows:
• April 1 – 22: Priority application window 1 (ends 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time)
• April 23 – May 20: Priority application window 2 (ends 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time)
• After May 20: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applications will be reviewed together at the end of each window. Both windows offer students an equal chance at attaining housing.
Applications received during each priority window are processed at random based upon a lottery number.
Assignment Terms: Students can apply beginning April 1. Assignments are not subject to renewal; students will need to find other accommodations beyond June 30, 2025.
It is important for you to understand your commitment to the Housing License / Terms and Addendum. By agreeing to the License, you are bound to on-campus housing for the entire length of the License (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025).
Roommates: We highly recommend that you find a roommate prior to applying to live at Lancaster Commons. Many programs have Facebook Groups, GroupMe’s, or other forums in which entering students can find a roommate. If you are not coming in with a roommate, we will do our best to place you according to the lifestyle preferences you indicate in your application.
Please note: Once students receive their housing assignment via their Duke email, they will have one week to confirm or cancel their assignment. If Duke receives no communication from the student, the housing assignment will be automatically canceled.
Email housing@duke.edu regarding graduate housing applications, assignments, and move-in processes.
Email lancaster@ticonproperties.com to set up a tour.
For all other questions, email offcampus@duke.edu.