For Landlords: How to Create an Effective Student Rental Listing

This post, "How to Create an Effective Student Rental Listing to Maximize Leads," was originally published on the Apartments.com Renterverse in 2023. 

Whether you're a seasoned landlord or a first-time property manager in a college town, creating an attractive rental listing can significantly impact your ability to maximize leads. To help you achieve this, we'll explore the key steps and strategies to make your student rental listing stand out in the competitive housing market, increasing your chances of finding the right tenants for your property.

Create an Eye-Catching Title

The title of your property is the first thing any potential tenant will see online, so make sure your title is eye-catching, especially for college students. For example, you could write, "10 minutes from XYZ campus." If you prefer to keep the title and the property's address, ensure you have the correct address.

Write a Detailed Property Description

Writing a detailed property description is essential to capture leads and ensure all potential tenants receive the correct information about the property. For college students, ensure you include how far away you are from the campus, whether it's walkable or a short drive. Include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and noteworthy features like a renovated kitchen, ample storage space, or a private balcony. If the property has more than one bedroom, be sure to include the price of each bedroom as well as the cost of an application fee. If you would like to be even more thorough, include the income requirements and if tenants can have guarantors or co-signers since some college students have their parents help pay for rent or need help meeting the income requirements. 

Specify Rental Terms

Be transparent about the rental terms and conditions. Clearly state the monthly rent, security deposit, lease duration, and any additional fees. Clarify policies related to pets, smoking, and other restrictions to help prospective tenants make informed decisions.

Include Lease Information

This could be the first time for college students to sign a lease agreement; therefore, it's essential to provide some initial lease information on the listing. According to Taylor Casey, the University Relations Manager with Off Campus Partners, nine-month leases are an excellent option for students since they could move in at the beginning of the school year and leave at the end. But if those are not options, list all the lease lengths for your property’s listing.

Provide Updated Unit Info

Most properties have model units, which are great for touring and giving potential tenants a good idea of where they would live, but having empty units available for tour can help a renter sign the lease. According to a survey 90% of renter’s believe it is important to see unit specific pricing and details.  Be sure to actively update your listing with each available unit, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and when the unit will be available.

Describe the Neighborhood

The neighborhood surrounding your property is just as important as the property itself, so describe what restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and parks are nearby. When you list on Apartments.com or an Off Campus Partners website, there will automatically be a list of shopping centers, airports, parks, military, and colleges within ten miles listed at the bottom of your listing. The list also includes how long a drive it is to each place.

Highlight Amenities

For college students, this is typically their first experience out of their parent's house or the dorms, so of course, they are excited to hear about all the amenities they can partake in. Casey recommends including "student-focused amenities: computer lab, free printing, study rooms, proximity to campus, pool, fitness center, events (especially if there's free food)."

Photos and Videos

Photos and videos are the best way to capture the interest of anyone. Take pictures and videos of all bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. It's best to take photos and videos of furnished model units, but if you don't have that, then an empty unit will be just fine. Just ensure you have good lighting and there aren't any unnecessary noises in the background of your video. It's also a good idea to take outside pictures to give potential tenants a complete picture of where they could live.

Include Contact Information

If a potential tenant decides they like a property, they'll want to contact you to inquire more. So be sure to provide your phone number and email address. Most college students prefer texting; if you are comfortable with this, write that in your description and include the same phone number. Once potential tenants contact you, they can schedule a tour and ask any questions. Be sure to follow up with them after a few days once they have toured to see if they have any more questions or would like to apply.

Update and Refresh

Once your property is live, be sure to update and refresh your property at least once a month. You can do this by adding updated units, pictures, and videos. If you don't have any units available, make sure you remove them from your advertisement, so you don't have disappointed potential tenants who call ready to see a unit.

In conclusion, creating an effective student rental listing is essential for attracting the right tenants and maximizing leads. By following these steps and presenting your property in the best possible light, you'll increase your chances of finding ideal tenants who will enjoy their college years living at your property.

Published Sep 22, 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi! I’m Helen Wells, the Content Writer here at Apartments.com. In my spare time, you can find me either reading a novel, watching the latest TV drama, or hanging out with my friends.