Student Renter's Guide

An interactive checklist to make sure you're on track for success!

Budgeting

One of the most important things to establish before renting is your budget. Make sure you include not just rent in your budget, but other additional expenses such as key utilities that are not included with the rent cost of the property.

Budgeting
Amenities

Before you begin searching for rental properties, it is a good idea to create a list of amenities you would like. Some common amenities to look for are available parking, in unit washer and dryer, dishwasher, etc.

Roommates

Finding the right roommate is crucial for a successful and enjoyable living experience as a studnet renter. EDUrain allows you to not only find housing, but also hosts a feature to match to potential roomates. By using the roommate matching feature on EDUrain.org, you can find a compatible roommate based on your lifestyle and habits that can then be matched to someone who shares similar characteristics! You can get ahead of preventing potential conflicts between roomates by matching with someone with similar lifestyles and traits. By using this feature, you can increase the likelihood of a positive living environment.

Renter's Insurance

Necessary for the student, renter's insurance helps with the unexpected. Policies typically cover personal property against theft, damage, and the unpredictable fees. Lemonade will help provide you the fastest and easiest support in protecting yourself from whatever is thrown your way.

Security Deposit Alternative

As a student renter, you may be familiar with the frustration of having to pay a large security deposit upfront when you are signing a lease. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if you are paying tuition and living expenses on top of that. There is a solution to this problem, which is the Surety and Fidelity Association of America’s security deposit alternative program. The program serves as a free security deposit alternative for eligible renters. Instead of paying a large upfront deposit, you can enroll in the program and pay a smaller fee each month. This will help release some of the financial burden you might face during your rental process.

Scholarships

One critical part of finding housing is determining your budget. Your budget relies on many factors. Typically, one of these factors is your school's tuition cost. In order to allow yourself more room in your budget, try applying for scholarships to ease your financial burden. You can apply for a wide variety of scholarships tailored to you and your needs. Scholarships that cover the cost of tuition will allow you more room in your budget to find your perfect housing situation.

Housing Search

Finding housing can be stressful. Luckily, at EDUrain, we offer a wide variety of rental spaces that can be tailored to your needs. We offer a variety of resources and tools to help you find housing that fits your needs and budget. You can search for available rentals in your desired location, filter in your needs, and even find a roommate interested in a specific listing! EDUrain allows you to spend less time and energy to search for the perfect housing situation, allowing you to focus on your student related priorities. Another benefit of using EDUrain is having the peace of mind that every listing is provided on the pretense of it being safe, and meeting high standards. By utilizing the sources at EDUrain.org, you can ensure a safe and simpler process to finding your perfect housing.

Electricity

One of the biggest expenses for many renters is electricity, which can add up quickly if you are not careful. You can use companies such as Ameren, which is a highly reputably company that provides energy services to renters in several states across the U.S. Ameren also offers a variety of electricity plans and services that are designed to help you save money and stretch your student budget further.

Water

An important, but frequently overlooked service is water services. As a renter it is extremely important you have access to clean and reliable water services. American water is a water utility company that provides water and wastewater services to renters across the U.S. The team provides support and allows you to track your water usage through its platform. It also provides competitive rates that adhere to a variety of budgets.

Trash

You might not always have waste management on your mind as a student renter, but it is a topic that affects everyone. WasteCycling.org is an organization dedicated to promoting waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability. You can follow their tips and tricks to reduce waste at your place of residence, and stay informed about your consumption habits to contribute to a better living environment.