Important takeouts:
You can rent an apartment as a US international student, but you may need a co-signer or guarantor. Collect necessary documents such as passports, visas, and registration certificates as soon as possible. Create budgets to cover rent, utilities, food, transportation and personal expenses. Before signing, research your neighborhood, get a sense of your tenant’s rights and read your lease carefully.
Starting a search for off-campus housing is a thrilling adventure for any university student, but for international students, renting in the US for the first time is particularly intimidating. Luckily, the excited glow you have played sports from your acceptance letter doesn’t have to be dulled by nerves.
There are so many great universities in the US that you can search for apartments anywhere between New York, New York and San Francisco, California. From knowing the documents you need to know, to understanding the rental process, to finding the perfect apartment near your new campus, this Redfin Real Estate Guide will help you rent an apartment as an international student.
In this article:
Can I rent an apartment as an international student?
Yes, you can rent an apartment as an international student, but you may encounter more challenges along the way. Many students travelling internationally have chosen to live with campus and with their host families.
These options may provide more structure and support from the school’s international student programs. However, if living off campus on your own is a critical part of your university experience, we will explain the most important steps along the way and the most important steps to keep in mind.
How to rent an apartment as an international student
While first-time apartment tenants have many great tips, moving internationally requires more planning and attention to detail throughout the process. The steps below provide an overview of the basic essentials of renting as an international student.
1. Decide on your budget
Creating a realistic budget is an essential step in searching in any household, and is especially important for university students. As an international student, you need to consider how currency exchange rates affect your cost of living. Find out your prepaid Forex (Forex) card or open a local bank account to manage your changes.
When budgeting for your living expenses, be sure to include the following:
Monthly Rent and Utilities: Some apartments include the utility costs of the total monthly rent. Ask if the utility is included to ensure it stays within the planned rent budget. Internet Connection: Don’t forget to add internet costs to your budget as you will likely need to access coursework from home. Transportation: If your campus does not provide a transport pass or you live fare enough to commute, be aware of the local fares or costs of parking permits. Grocery and Meals: Consider prices for local stores and how often you want to drink late-night research coffee when building your food budget. Personal expenses: Tuition and textbooks should be done first on a learning aviation budget, but make sure you have fun money to support your local culture experience.
2. Prepare the documents in advance
All your documents are organized and ready to go first. If you are renting as an international student, here are the things you need to show your landlord:
Proof of Identity: Usually, you will need to display your passport or government-issued photo ID to rent an apartment in the United States. Proof of Registration: School documents such as official class schedules, transcripts, student ID cards, and registration confirmations can serve as proof of registration. Valid Student Visa: You must obtain a student visa to study in the United States and show evidence of legal existence regarding your rental application. The school’s international student program will help you learn more about the visa application process. Proof of income or assets: Most apartments have income requirements for renters. This ratio is often set at 2-3 times the monthly rent. This can be a challenging hurdle for many future tenants, especially university students. Obtaining a co-signer or guarantor will help make your application more attractive to the landlord.
3. Obtain a co-signer or guarantor
Don’t worry if you don’t have a stable income or American credit. There are still ways to rent an apartment as an international student. In fact, most students who just start out with off-campus housing use co-signers or guarantors. Both provide financial security to the landlord and assume the responsibility to pay rent if they are unable to pay themselves.
Co-signers will also sign the lease and will be identified as tenants with the same legal rights as you. They can be roommates or personal contacts, but they must meet basic requirements, from good credit to good credit and proof of employment with a stable income. While some employers may accept co-signers like parents and other families living abroad, it is important to request certain requirements ahead of time before going too far in the process.
Guarantors, on the other hand, are usually third-party services. They only intervene if they have no access to the apartment and defaults on rent. Those you know and trust can be guarantors, but financial requirements are much higher than those of co-signers. First, ask your landlord about their specific guarantor requirements. Some landlords will not accept guarantors or will only work with certain third-party companies.
4. Investigating your neighborhood and property
Whether your school is near a classic university town or a major city, it is essential to study the nearest neighborhood. If you’re tied to Harvard, you might want to know what to do in Boston, but you should also be prepared for a competitive market. Although technically not necessary, the help of a broker or rental agent is extremely beneficial in a particular city, in order to quickly find the right apartment, avoid scam lists, and get a considerable amount of rent costs. If you are using a rental agent, budget for broker fees.
No matter where you are looking, it is always a good idea to take a direct tour of your neighborhood and property. If you can combine campus visits with apartment searches, we will request a video tour from our listing agents and landlords. Once you move, take all your photos and record the current state of your apartment. This will help you recover the costs of your deposit when you are ready to go out.
5. Understand your rights as a tenant
All tenants have the right to protect them at the local, state and federal levels. When you know where to rent, get used to both the rights of federal tenants and local tenants. Protecting you and knowing that you are permitted as a landlord will help you set your expectations and provide peace of mind during your home search and lease.
6. Please check your lease agreement thoroughly
Your lease agreement should outline all information about the residence you rent, including:
The address and terms of property in the names of your landlord, your co-signer or guarantor, and all tenants, the lease term, its start date, and renewal policy have agreed on rent and utility rules and policies, including quiet times, pets and parking maintenance and repair policies.
Before signing a lease, check each section thoroughly to make sure everything matches what you expect. If you have any questions, please talk to your landlord to make sure you are on the same page before proceeding.
Where to find off-campus homes
Your university is the perfect place to start an off-campus housing search. Many schools have resource pages for international students traveling to the US to help with documentation, roommate searches, and housing searches.
When you’re ready to search for your list, use national rental websites such as Redfin, ApartmentGuide, and Rent.com. Local social media pages and neighborhood message boards can also be great sources for your local listings, but be especially careful of rental scams.
Housing FAQ for International Students
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in the US?
The average monthly rent in the US is $1,789, but costs vary widely depending on multiple factors, such as location and place of residence. Research your neighborhood near campus to better understand the average local rent costs.
What documents do you need to show to your landlord?
Your landlord should see evidence of identity, registration, legal residence and income. Your university must provide registration documents and may even be able to instruct you on how to obtain a student visa.
Do I need a Social Security number to rent in the US?
No, you don’t need a Social Security number to rent in the US, as you can provide proof of other identity. However, you must provide evidence of legal residence that your student visa indicates.
What if I don’t have a local credit history?
If you do not have a local credit history, use a co-signer or guarantor. Whether you’re alone or at the company, having a third party to back up your rent provides your landlord with the financial security you need to accept your application.
Do my co-signer or guarantor need to live in the United States?
Whether co-signers or guarantors need to be local depends heavily on the landlord’s policy. Many landlords require them to be local, so ask them in advance about these details to save time and prepare correctly.
Should I live on a campus or homestay instead?
Renting as an international student can be a complicated process, but that is not an impossible feat. While homes and homestays on campus offer a unique level of convenience and support, you can find great apartments near campus, as well as great apartments to explore new cities. Ultimately, deciding where and how to move for the university is a very personal choice. It’s up to you to decide what the best option is for your situation.
International travel can be stressful, but you can do this
Housing for international students requires a little more planning and research, but it certainly is feasible if renting an off-campus apartment on your university experience list. Whether you’re looking for a home in Redfin with your roommate or embarking on a solo journey, you’re ready to rent with the steps above.
