How Do I Rent an Apartment as a Student?

Dorm life isn’t for everyone. Especially once the novelty of freshman year fades and you’re ready to make your world-famous omelet in a full-size kitchen—or you’re just over sharing a room with anyone but your latest music obsession.

But let’s be real, renting as a student is challenging. Chances are, you don’t have a credit history, you may not have a co-signer, or heck, even a steady income. (Insert crying emoji). That’s where we come in.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to finding (and landing) a student apartment. Plus, we sprinkled it with all the smart rental tips to help you compare, budget, and confidently sign your first lease.

1. Finding an Apartment 101

According to data from the American Association of Community Colleges, approximately 16% of all undergraduate community college students reside on campus, meaning a whopping 84% live off campus. That’s a lot of student renters looking for housing!

With other students competing for the same housing as you, you’ll have to be prepared. Here’s how to get started.

What to Consider in Your Student Rental:

• How much monthly rent can you afford
• The distance from the apartment to your school
• Public transport or car costs
• Whether the apartment accepts student renters
• Whether you’ll live with roommates (how many rooms)

Step One: Research, Research, Research

Before moving, narrow down the best locations and student rental options near your college or university. Other students living off campus are a great primary resource, and they likely know a few apartment complexes where other students have/or do rent.

Neighborhood Guides: Use neighborhood guides from Apartment List to find the best areas for student-friendly housing. Typically, student neighborhoods are located closer to the university and may offer additional benefits, such as excellent public transportation or overall affordability.

Timing: Timing is a big factor in securing a lease, particularly in busy college towns like Boston, where you may need to sign a lease eight months in advance. In contrast, other cities like New York City often offer rentals on short notice.

Online Forums: Join online groups or forums to find student apartments. This may vary by city or college, but often includes platforms like Reddit, Facebook groups (city-specific or university-specific), social groups at the school, or bulletin boards in coffee shops or local libraries for hyper-local listings.

Step Two: Know What You Can Afford

Living on your own can be expensive, and knowing what you can afford, and specifically how much you can spend on rent each month, will help you budget successfully. Generally, most financial experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your monthly income on rent.

We understand that this can be challenging for students who aren’t working full-time or who have limited resources. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, just 40% of full-time students have jobs during the academic year.

Don’t have a steady income? Show landlords:

• Student loan or financial aid documents
• Proof of scholarships or stipends
• A co-signer or guarantor (like a parent)

Step Three: Find a Roommate

Roommates may be a bigger asset than you realize. And depending on where you go to university or college, the savings can rack up to almost 50%. Your roommate selection is important, though.

Before agreeing to be roomies with anyone, ask important questions like:

• What are your normal wake/sleep hours?
• Do you want to host parties?
• What does clean (in terms of housing) mean to you?

Find out if you’re on the same page about how you want to live and what the environment will be like.

Step Four: Start Apartment Hunting

Now that you know what type of student apartment you’re looking for, you can begin your search. On Apartment List, you can save endless hours of doomscrolling through listings and get matched with apartments that fit your requirements.

Use the filters or take the personalized quiz, which you can finish in 90 seconds. The world is your oyster!

2. Fill Out Rental Applications

Ah, paperwork. The true sign of adulthood. Once you’ve narrowed down the apartment search to a few lucky candidates, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and gather all the documents you’ll need for rental applications (and a bit of cash).

Here’s what you’ll need to complete most rental applications:

• Social Security number
• Contact information (name, email address, phone number, current address)
• Rental history (if applicable)
• Proof of income or student status
• Employment history or financial aid documents
• References
• Photo ID
• Cover letter

Alongside these materials, you may also need to pay a rental application fee, which is legal in many areas but prohibited in others, such as Boston.

Proof of income may also come from scholarships, stipends, or other forms of financial gain. In some situations, you can also show them what is in your bank account (e.g., funds from scholarships). Rental companies that rent to students will likely have experience with this.

References can be previous landlords, but they can also come from other trusted individuals, such as a manager at work or a coworker. These references can attest to your trustworthiness.

Cover letters serve a dual purpose; they show the landlord who you are, and potentially encourage them to rent to you. Particularly in areas where competition is fierce, a cover letter can help you stand out.

3. What You Should Know Before Signing a Lease

You’ve received approval, and now you can sign the lease. But first, there are a few things you should know.

Understand the Lease Terms Before Signing

Lease terms differ from one apartment to another. That means you’ll need to read the lease and ensure it contains the normal things, and hopefully avoids any cost gouging.

What to confirm on the lease:

• Monthly rent price and due date
• Amount for security deposit
• Start and end date of the lease
• “Right to entry” (when landlords can legally enter your property)
• Additional fees
• Common areas that are free to use
• How long guests can stay, or other occupancy rules
• Times for quiet hours
• Penalties for disturbances or noise disturbance
• Reasons for eviction
• Maintenance and repair responsibilities

Apartment Fees

When moving into a new apartment, you can expect to rack up some fees. There are a few guaranteed apartment fees that will pop up. Some may not be required, and others you may be able to negotiate with your landlord or rental management team.

These may include:

• Security deposit (one to two months' rent)
• First and last month's rent (required in many cities)
• Application fee
• Administration fee
• Pet deposit
• Renters insurance

4. Prepare for Move-In Day

It’s move-in day! If you can’t afford professional movers, you’ll want to plan your move-in day carefully. Enlist the help of friends and family to do the heavy lifting and move all your belongings to your new student rental.

A packing list goes a long way. Create a packing list of all your essential apartment items, including a mattress, sheets, pillows, towels, a broom, and sponges. We recommend starting with the basics, and then you can pick up anything else as needed.

Final Tip

Don’t let apartment hunting overwhelm or discourage you! Renting as a student can be hard, but with the right tools (Yes, we definitely mean Apartment List’s matching tool that saves your thumbs from all that doomscrolling), you can find your next home that suits your lifestyle and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting an Apartment as a Student

How can I afford rent as a student?

Most students afford rent by living with roommates and using money from student loans, working while studying, or receiving financial assistance from their families.

First, determine how much rent you can afford based on the financial assistance or income currently available to you. Budgeting tools such as the 30% rule can help you determine how much rent you can afford. The 30% rule states that you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your income on housing costs. If you’re earning $3,000 per month, then you can afford $1,000 of rent.

Do apartments offer student discounts?

Yes, many apartments offer discounts to college or university students on rent. These discounts may include a specific monthly savings or a promotion, such as a move-in discount or savings on the first few months of rent. If you’re moving to a college town, check for these types of promotions before signing a lease.

Can I use FAFSA to pay rent?

Yes, you can use money from student loans obtained through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to pay for housing costs. After covering the cost of tuition or other school-related expenses, the remaining money can be used on living expenses, including housing.

How can I get rent assistance as a student?

Check with local city and state rental assistance programs that support individuals with low incomes, including students. Other options include exploring rental assistance through your financial aid office to see if they offer grants or scholarships for housing. You may also be eligible for assistance through government rental programs such as Section 8 housing.

Can a full-time student rent an apartment?

Yes, full-time students can rent apartments by submitting proof of income from financial aid or pay stubs, or with the help of a cosigner or guarantor.

Can I rent an apartment if I have student loans?

Yes, you can rent an apartment even if you have student loans. In some situations, student loans may impact your credit score, which can hurt your chances of getting an apartment.

Do you need a credit score to rent student apartments?

Maybe. Some landlords may not require student renters to have a credit score, while others do and conduct a credit check. It largely depends on the type of apartment you’re trying to rent. Those renting student apartments are generally more flexible.

What qualifies you for student housing?

To qualify for student housing, you must be in good academic standing and be enrolled full-time at an accredited educational institution.

Are student apartments cheaper than regular apartments?

Sometimes. There are many student apartments that offer low rental prices, but the price of a student apartment compared to a regular apartment depends on the city and location. We recommend comparing rental prices before signing a lease.