What Do Student Renters Want in an Apartment?

How can you best position your apartments to appeal to students — and their parents? A recent survey by Apartments.com revealed what students are looking for. Conducted in January this year, the survey featured over 1,100 student renters. Check out nine important features that matter to student renters.

1. Affordability

How much is rent? For students, this question is key, especially in the tight rental markets of college towns. Price is one of the top considerations when selecting an apartment for 86 percent of student renters in the survey.

To help your property stand out from the competition, offer clear and transparent pricing. When possible, list a total price rather than base rent, and if you have any add-on fees, display your full fee schedule. You can also take advantage of Apartments.com’s Rent Estimate calculator. This interactive tool offers a personalized breakdown of costs, from move-in fees to additional costs for utilities and parking.

When you give detailed pricing information upfront, it’s easier to attract qualified renters who are a good fit.

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 in the survey (52 percent) said they only consider places that are close to school.

But that’s not the only factor when students choose where to rent. For these renters, being close to a grocery store is also important. In fact, 58 percent of students wouldn’t choose a place without a grocery store nearby. And for 55 percent, being close to work is a requirement.

When marketing your property, 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.

3. Remote-friendly advertising

Did you know that students are much more likely than the average renter to lease an apartment sight unseen? In fact, 42 percent of students describe themselves as likely to rent a place without visiting in person. For students who live out of town, visiting in person might not even be an option.

Make sure your property shows well online. Include high-quality photos and videos, and offer virtual touring options, such as Matterport 3D tours and guided virtual tours with a leasing agent.

Students also want to talk to your leasing team via texting (46 percent) and chat/instant messaging (42 percent).

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 typical 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 — and 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 half — 54 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

Consider adding these features to your online listing and referencing them in tours when the issue of safety comes up.

6. High-speed internet

Whether it’s doing online research for a paper or tuning into a remote lecture, students rely heavily on internet access. And don’t forget that most young adults watch their favorite shows and media exclusively online. A whopping 80 percent of students in the survey said they only watch TV through streaming video platforms.

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 useful features your apartments might offer for students, 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 issues will help put their minds at ease.

8. The right amenities

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.

Other top amenities include in-unit laundry, which 78 percent of students consider essential, and a dishwasher, sought by over 54 percent of students. In fact, compared to all other renter groups, students are the demographic most likely to consider a dishwasher a must-have.

9. Transit

Students are more likely than the general population to rely on public transit to get to class and around town. For 35 percent of student renters, living near public transit is a requirement.

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.