So, you are living your dream: you got accepted to the University you always wanted to go to. And the best part is that it’s overseas, in that beautiful country the culture and history of which you simply adore.
However, unless your college is taking care of your housing situation, you are in for a big surprise: it is not easy to find a room for rent in a city thousands of miles away from where you are right now.
There are things to take into account and important stuff you do not want to miss out on. And in this article, we will guide you through this process step by step so that you pick the best apartment available and won’t get into any trouble.
How to find a place for rent for an international student
1. Search the web.
The first thing you need to start with is gathering all the available information. Reading forums, asking questions, and trying to find students who have been in the same position as you will help you realize what exactly you are looking for.
Search the market to understand what prices are normal and which ones are seriously overestimated. Locate the neighborhood you want to live in the most. You need to find a place that is fairly safe and is not too far away from your campus.
Besides, use online services to build routes for you and tell you how much time it will take you to go to classes or visit a private tutor from the neighborhood, and how well the public transportation is there.
2. Make a list.
What things do you want to have in your apartment? Do you want to live alone or share a room? This most likely will depend on your financial situation. But you need to understand all the options you have.
Some students, or most likely their parents, decide to buy an apartment. But it is better to do it once you get to the place to prevent any fraud and not to buy a cat in a sack.
Another thing you need to make is a list of electrical devices and other things you use in your daily life that do not typically come with the apartment. It is usually cheaper to bring such things from home. Or be ready to pay some extra cash for apartments that come with this “luxury”.
3. Go Online.
You should go online to see the options to come prepared. Some good options might be booked before you even get there, so might want to check that out first. Depending on the country you are going to, search for a reliable website to find good online offers of rentals. See if those apartments have positive reviews and check brokers’ ratings not to get yourself into trouble.
And also, consider contacting some of the landlords if the apartment they offer is exactly what you are looking for.
4. Start searching once you Arrive.
Finally, as you arrive, the real apartment hunting starts. We recommend you going to the Housing or Accommodation department. They should have all the information you need and maybe even contacts of trusted letting agents or landlords. After all, they are locals. And they know where to start searching for things like this.
When going through the apartments, take your local friends with you. International students are more likely to become victims of fraud, as they are believed to be quite defenseless.
But when you walk around with a local, the attitude toward changes, and you will be taken seriously.
5. Ask Questions.
Don’t shy away from asking questions that bother you. Besides, you can and should negotiate the price. Some brokers raise the asking price for international students.
Ask about gas safety, fire alarms, and how safe the apartment is. Are there any special locks or other things that will ensure your property won’t be stolen?
There are things every landlord is required to provide a tenant with. And if he does not do that on time, you can go to the court. But before you go that far, start everything from the beginning.
6. Prepare the documents.
Do your homework and get all the documents ready. You might need bank statements, tax returns, a credit score report, and paychecks proving that you have a stable financial situation. Do this earlier to save some hassle in the end.
Finding a perfect place to live in can be a tough call if you come from a different country or have no connections. But it is possible. Students did it before you. And you can do it too!
Simply use our tips. And let us know how your search was, deal? Waiting for your answers and good luck!
BIO: Betty Moore is a content writer and a career specialist for college students. She is a content marketer, sharing experience on writing, education, and self-development in her publications. Connect with her on Facebook.
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