What Student Renters Want in an Apartment

How can you best position your apartments to appeal to students — and their parents? Check out the nine features that student renters are looking for.

1. Affordability

Price is key, especially in the tight rental markets of college towns. Price is one of the top considerations when selecting an apartment for 75 percent of student renters, according to a recent survey by Apartments.com, which included about 1,400 renters who are currently students.

To offer more transparency about your pricing, take advantage of the new Rent Estimate tool. This new functionality lets you offer a useful personalized breakdown of costs from move-in fees to required or optional fees such as utilities and parking. This additional information helps educate renters about costs and lets you attract renters who are the best fit for your property.

2. Location

For students, campus is the place to be. Your property’s proximity to campus is a key factor for student renters. Over half of student renters chose “Close to work or school” as one of their top three considerations, according to the recent Apartments.com survey.

In cities and towns where the university campus is out of the way, being close to a downtown area is also a perk. Make sure to highlight neighborhood amenities, like any grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, bookstores, or nightlife venues within walking, biking, or driving distance of your property. One in seven student renters ranked an apartment’s proximity to local parks, stores, and other points of interest as one of the top three factors influencing their rental search.

3. Remote-friendly advertising

One-third of renters of all ages are likely to lease an apartment sight unseen, according to the latest survey by Apartments.com. For student renters, who often live out of town and are competing for a limited supply of apartments, this number is even higher. In fact, nearly 41 percent of student renters between ages 25 and 34 consider themselves moderately or extremely likely to sign a lease from afar.

Make sure your property shows well online. Include high-quality photos and videos, and offer virtual touring options, such as 3D tours or guided tours via smartphone.

Include detailed descriptions of your property and area, and be clear about your fees, policies, and eligibility requirements. For many students, this may be their first time renting, and if their parents are homeowners, they may be unfamiliar with the latest rental policies and processes. Spell everything out clearly.

And remember: Creating a detailed listing isn’t just for the benefit of student renters. By offering more information about your apartments, you’re helping renters narrow down their choices, and thus driving the most serious renters to apply.

4. Student-friendly leasing options

Compared to traditional renters, student renters are likely to be interested in certain specific leasing conditions. Since most students rent with roommates, individual leasing options for roommates are helpful, such as by-the-bed leasing. Flexible leasing terms, or terms structured around the school year, are also popular.

5. Safety and security

For young adults venturing out on their own — or the parents worried about them — safety is often a top priority. And they’re not alone. Concern about safety topped the list for rental considerations in the nationwide survey, second only to price. Over 51 percent of students in the survey selected safety and security as a top consideration when selecting an apartment.

To allay safety concerns, highlight your property’s safety features, such as:

• Rekeying before move-in
• Reinforcements on doors and windows
• Smart locks for entry
• Security cameras
• Alarm systems
• Low neighborhood crime ratings
• Gated entrance
• Onsite security

Compared to the general population, student renters are particularly interested in smart locks for entry. Nearly one in five student renters consider this amenity to be essential, which is nearly a quarter more than the overall renter population.

6. High-speed internet

From doing online research for assignments to connecting to remote lectures, students rely heavily on internet access. And don’t forget that most young adults watch their favorite shows and media exclusively online.

But unlike traditional renters who often live in an apartment for at least a full year, students bound by the school year are less likely to want to commit to a contract with an internet service provider.

So if your property comes with internet as a bundled amenity, highlight this fact in your advertising.

Besides internet access, make sure to call out any other study-friendly features your apartments might offer, like ample outlets and space for multiple desks.

7. Responsive maintenance

Does the smoke detector need to be replaced? Has the water heater sprung a leak? Responsive management is especially important to student renters. For many, this may be the first time they’ve lived without their parents or outside a dorm, so knowing that property management offers a clear and prompt process to resolve common maintenance issue will help put their minds at ease.

8. Furniture

Unlike established renters who typically have their own furniture, it can be a challenge for student renters to gather the essentials to fill a room or apartment. These renters are much more likely to appreciate apartments that come partially or fully furnished. Essential items include beds, desks, and chairs.

9. Transit

Students are more likely to rely on public transit to get to class and around town. Is your property near a local bus stop or within reach of a campus shuttle? Highlight the transit options within a short walk, bike ride, or drive from your apartments.

Looking to reach more students?

Access the biggest pool of student renters through Apartments.com Campus Network. Reach 4 million monthly student visitors across Apartments.com, ForRentUniversity.com, and 150+ exclusive university off-campus housing sites.