USF apartments for rent in Tampa: current listings and prices

Searching for USF apartments for rent in Tampa at the end of October usually means one of two things: you need a place for the spring semester, or you're getting ahead of next fall. This roundup covers five current apartment listings, and you can see the full range on the Tampa listings page.

Most of the options below are subleases, which is common at this time of year as students line up plans for January. A sublease, sometimes called a lease takeover, means you step into someone else's existing lease for part or all of the remaining term. That can be a quick way into a furnished apartment close to campus, but it comes with its own set of questions. One listing is a standard 12-month lease from an owner, so you can compare both routes side by side.

Begin your search at Off-Campus Universe, where you can browse current listings near Tampa.

Derby Unit – The Standard At Tampa is a furnished four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment listed at $1,250/month. It's a sublease, listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus. The lease timing reads 10/1/2026 and the listing is marked as available now. Since that date has passed, ask the lister what the move-in date and end date would be if you took it over today, and whether the price covers one bedroom or the full unit.

42N Apartments - 1st Floor Room; 3-Plan comes in at $959/month for a furnished one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. It's listed as a sublet, 5 to 10 minutes by car from campus, with timing listed as January to July 2027. That lines up neatly with the spring semester, so if you only need a place from January, this is one to ask about early. Find out who you'd pay each month and how the handover with the current tenant would work.

Spring Sublease at The Standard is another furnished one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, priced at $1,200/month. It's a sublease listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus, with a listed start date of 1/1/2027. Ask how long the remaining lease runs after that start date and whether you'd be able to renew directly with the property once the sublease ends.

Pickleball Paradise is the one full-year option here, at $4,000/month for an unfurnished five-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment. It was posted by the owner, runs on a 12-month year lease and is listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus. The listing is set up to rent by the room, so ask how that total is divided between bedrooms. The listed start date is 11/1/2026.

14500 N 46th St is the lowest price in this group at $879/month. It's a furnished one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment offered as a sublease, listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus, with timing of January to July 2027. If you're comparing it with the other spring options, put the prices, distances and end dates next to each other before you message anyone.

What these Tampa apartment listings tell you

Prices here run from $879/month to $4,000/month, but the spread is less dramatic than it looks. Four of the five are subleases, while the top price is a whole five-bedroom apartment set up to rent by the room. Comparing a room price with a whole-unit price is apples to oranges, so always work out what you'd personally pay each month.

Distance is a strong point across this group. Four listings are listed as under 5 minutes by car from campus and one is 5 to 10 minutes by car. Four of the five also come furnished, which suits a short spring stay where buying furniture wouldn't make sense.

Timing is where they differ most. Two listings run January to July 2027, one starts 1/1/2027, one starts 11/1/2026 and one lists a date of 10/1/2026 that has already passed. Match those dates to your own semester plans before anything else.

It also helps to know who posted each listing. Four of these were posted by students offering their current leases, and one was posted by the owner. A student lister can tell you what living there is like day to day, but they usually can't change the terms of the lease. An owner can talk through the lease itself, the deposit and renewals. Use that to decide which questions go to which person, and save yourself a round of back-and-forth.

USF apartments for rent in Tampa: subleases versus full leases

When you compare USF apartments for rent in Tampa, the first decision is usually sublease or full lease. A sublease can get you a furnished place for a single semester without a 12-month commitment. A full lease gives you a contract directly with the owner or property, which can make renewals and repairs simpler.

With any sublease, check the landlord's approval process first. Many properties require the landlord to sign off on a new tenant, and some charge a transfer fee or ask for an application. Ask the current tenant whether they've already talked to the property, and get the approval in writing before you hand over money.

With a full lease, focus on the term, the deposit and what happens if your plans change. Ask whether there's an option to sublet later yourself, and what notice you'd need to give if you decide not to renew.

Whichever route you take, build a simple side-by-side list before you reach out. Write down the monthly price, the start and end dates, the distance by car, whether it's furnished and who you'd be paying. Once you see five options on one page, the right fit for your budget and schedule tends to stand out quickly, and your messages to listers get a lot more specific. Listers also tend to reply faster to someone who asks clear, direct questions about dates and terms.

Tips for taking over an apartment lease near USF

• Ask the current tenant for a copy of the original lease so you can see the real end date, rent and any fees you'd be taking on.

• Check the landlord's approval process for subleases and lease takeovers, and don't pay anything until that approval is confirmed in writing.

• Ask whether utilities, internet and parking are included in the listed price or billed separately each month.

• Do a walkthrough, in person or over a live video call, and note any existing damage before you move in so it isn't charged to you later.

Ready to find your place? Browse all listings at Off-Campus Universe.

This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the University of South Florida.