Renter guide

When to start looking

Most student housing near campus fills months before the term starts. For a fall lease, start looking in the winter or early spring. Mid-year and summer moves are easier, and you will usually have more choice and more time to compare. Check the school’s own housing office for dates that apply to you, such as deadlines for leaving campus housing.

Work out a realistic budget

• Rent is only part of the cost. Ask about utilities, internet, parking, trash, pet fees and any required renters insurance.
• Move-in costs are often a security deposit plus the first month’s rent. Some places add application or admin fees. Ask for the full list in writing.
• Shared housing: for a room in a shared home, rent is per room. For a whole unit, find out whether the rent is for the unit or per person.
• A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at around a third of your income, or less if you can. Your own situation may differ.

Searching on StudentRent

• Pick your school first. The map and distances are measured from campus. Distances come from map data and are estimates.
• Use the filters for rent, bedrooms, type, distance and amenities such as pets, parking, laundry and accessibility. Save the places you like, then compare up to four of them side by side on the Saved page.
• Some listings are rooms in a home where the owner lives. Others are a whole unit or an apartment building with several floor plans. The card tells you which.
• Look at every photo and read the whole description. If something looks off, use Report this listing on the listing page.

Tour it and ask the right questions

See the place in person, or on a live video call, before you commit. Then ask:

• What is the total monthly cost, and what is included?
• When is it available, and how long is the lease? Can it be shortened, extended or sublet?
• How much are the deposit and any fees, and when is the deposit returned?
• Who handles repairs, and how do I report a problem after hours?
• Are pets allowed, and what are the rules and fees?
• What are the rules on guests, parking and quiet hours?
• Is the unit accessible, and are there features such as step-free entry or an accessible bathroom? Ask for specifics.

Avoid rental scams

• Be wary of rent that is far below similar places, an owner who is “out of the country,” or pressure to decide today.
• Do not share your Social Security number, bank details or ID photos before you have toured and have a lease in hand.
• Check that the person offering the place is the owner or the manager. Ask for the address and look it up.
• Prefer paying by a traceable method and always get a receipt.
• Report anything suspicious using Report this listing.

Read the lease before you sign

• Check names, address, rent, due date, late fees, deposit terms, term dates and renewal rules.
• Look for what you are responsible for (utilities, yard, repairs) and what happens if you need to leave early.
• If a roommate leaves, find out whether everyone on the lease is responsible for the full rent.
• Anything promised verbally, such as a repair or a pet, should be added to the lease.
• Rules on deposits, notice and tenant rights differ by state and city. Your school’s student legal services office or a local tenant organization can explain the rules where you live.

Moving in

• Photograph every room, including any damage, on the day you get the keys, and send the photos to the landlord by email so there is a dated record.
• Fill in the move-in condition checklist if there is one, and keep a copy.
• Set up utilities and internet ahead of time, and arrange renters insurance if it is required.
• Save the manager’s contact details and the way to report urgent repairs.

Move-in checklist

Work through this as you get your keys and settle in. Ticks are saved in this browser, so you can come back to it.

Move-in inspection

The inspection records what condition the place is in on the day you arrive, so existing damage is not charged to you later. Do it before you move your things in.

1. Go room by room and mark each item OK, Issue or N/A.
2. Take dated photos or a short video of everything, including anything already damaged or worn. Close-ups help.
3. Write down every issue, however small, and give a copy to the landlord or manager as soon as you can. Check your lease for a deadline.
4. Keep your own copy of the form and the photos until you have moved out and your deposit is returned.

First Home Essentials

A typical list for getting set up in your first place. Tick what you already have, or what a roommate is bringing. Items tagged Need right away are the ones you will want in your first few days.

Sizes, styles and prices vary, so check each product page before you order. We do not show prices because they change often.

Fair housing

Everyone is entitled to look for housing free from discrimination. If you believe you were treated unfairly, contact your local fair housing organization or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can also tell us about a listing through the Report this listing link.