Where to change your username

If you have a Housing Basics account, you can change your username by logging in and going to your account settings. The exact location depends on how you created your account — through the website, a mobile app, or a third-party sign-in like Google or Facebook.

Start by logging into Housing Basics with your current username and password. Once you're logged in, look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or your profile picture in the top right corner. Click or tap it, then select "Account Settings" or "Profile Settings" from the dropdown menu.

If you signed up using Google, Facebook, or another service instead of creating a Housing Basics account directly, your username may be tied to that service. In that case, you'll need to change it through that provider's settings, not through Housing Basics itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Housing Basics account and navigate to Account Settings through your profile menu to change your username.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters.
  • If you signed up using Google, Facebook, or another third-party service, you must change your username through that service's settings instead.
  • After you change your username, you'll use the new one to log in on your next visit — your password stays the same unless you change it separately.
  • If you can't find the Account Settings option, try logging out completely and logging back in, as the menu sometimes requires a full refresh to appear.

What characters and length are allowed

Housing Basics usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or other special characters like @, #, or &.

The system will not let you save a username that's already taken by another Housing Basics user. If you try to use one that exists, you'll see an error message telling you the name is unavailable. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique.

Usernames are not case-sensitive for login purposes — if your username is "JohnSmith123", you can log in as "johnsmith123" or "JOHNSMITH123" and it will work the same way. However, the display will show the version you originally created.

Steps to change your username

Once you're in Account Settings, look for a field labeled "Username" or "Display Name". Click on it to edit. The field will become active and you'll be able to type your new username.

Type your new username carefully — check the spelling and make sure it follows the character rules (letters, numbers, underscores only, no spaces). Then look for a "Save" or "Update" button near the username field and click it.

The system will check whether your new username is available. If it is, you'll see a confirmation message saying the change was successful. If it's taken, you'll get an error and can try a different name without losing your progress.

When the change takes effect

Your new username becomes active when ready after you save it. You don't need to log out and log back in for the change to work, though some users find that logging out and back in makes the new username appear everywhere on the site right away.

The next time you log in to Housing Basics, use your new username instead of the old one. Your password does not change unless you change it separately through the "Change Password" option in Account Settings.

If you were logged in when you changed your username, you'll stay logged in. You won't be forced to log out or re-enter your password.

If you can't find the Account Settings option

If the Account Settings menu doesn't appear when you click your profile picture or menu icon, try logging out completely. Go to the login page, enter your current username and password, and log back in. Sometimes the menu requires a full page refresh to load properly.

If you're using the Housing Basics mobile app, make sure you're running the latest version. Older versions sometimes have menu options in different places. Check your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play) to see if an update is available.

If you still can't locate Account Settings after logging out and back in, or if you're getting an error message when you try to save a new username, you can contact Housing Basics support through the "Help" or "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page.

Changing your username if you signed up with Google or Facebook

If you created your Housing Basics account by clicking "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Facebook", your username is controlled by that service, not by Housing Basics directly. To change it, you'll need to update it in your Google or Facebook account settings.

For Google: Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, find your name field, and edit it. For Facebook: Go to facebook.com, click your profile picture, select "Settings & privacy", then "Settings", and look for "Personal Information" to edit your name.

After you change your name in Google or Facebook, it may take a few minutes to update on Housing Basics. If it doesn't appear right away, try logging out of Housing Basics and logging back in through the same Google or Facebook account.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for another Housing Basics user to claim. You cannot revert to it or reserve it. If you think you might want to use your old username again in the future, consider choosing a new one you're less likely to want back.

Any saved links or bookmarks that included your old username in the URL will no longer work. If you shared a profile link with someone, you may want to let them know your username has changed so they can update their bookmark.

Your account history, saved articles, and all other account data remain exactly the same. Only the name you use to log in changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

No. Once you change your username, the old one is released and can be claimed by another user. If you want to use it again, you'd have to wait and hope it becomes available, which is not may provide. Choose your new username carefully.

How often can I change my username?

Housing Basics allows you to change your username as often as you want. There's no limit on how many times you can update it, though each change means your old username becomes available to others.

Will changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same when you change your username. You'll use your new username with your existing password to log in next time. If you want to change your password too, you can do that separately in Account Settings.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, "JohnSmith_2" or "JohnSmith123". The system will tell you when ready if a name is available or taken, so you can try different variations until you find one that works.

Do I need to tell anyone about my username change?

Only if you've shared your Housing Basics profile link or username with someone else. Your account data and history stay the same, so you don't need to update any settings or preferences. Just remember to use your new username the next time you log in.