Renting an apartment in a different country where you are studying can be nerve-wracking and equally exciting. You are excited about the experiences you will have and the kind of independence you will get to experience but you are also worried about the expenses and the burden that comes with renting an apartment.

When you book a cruise for a special occasion, it is for a temporary rush of happiness and fun but renting an apartment is a long-term commitment that you want to do right. To make things easier for you to navigate through, we have sorted out all the relevant details regarding the dos and don’ts of renting an apartment as an international student.

Things to do

Before you venture into the renting process, the following are a few factors worth cross-
checking:
Familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations – As an international
student, you might come across situations where you don’t know about your rights
as a tenant. This explains why you must be aware of the local laws and regulations.

Have a realistic budget – Just because you are an international student doesn’t
mean the accommodations would be cheaper for you. Instead, you need to focus on
finding rentals that fit your budget. Having realistic expectations is thus mandatory.

Plan ahead of time – Finding rental properties can be a tedious and long process.
You have to apply and get approved, which is quite time-consuming. So, you need to
ensure that you are planning things ahead of time.

Look for student discounts – There are some instances where a select few
property managers will offer exclusive student discounts. If you have a stringent
budget, there’s nothing wrong with you exploring those options too.

Things not to do

Now that you know about the things that you should do, let us familiarize you with the list
of things not to do:

Rush the decision-making – It makes sense for you to be desperate about finding
an apartment to stay in. But, the last thing you want to do is rush through the
process. Instead, you need to take your time and check the available rentals before
deciding.

Neglect your safety – Finding a cheaper accommodation doesn’t always mean it’s
going to be safe. So, as an international student, prioritizing your safety is vital.
Always look for rentals in safer neighourhoods.

Sign blank or incomplete documents – Lastly, the contract or lease you are
signing for the property should be elaborate and mention all the clauses that you
discussed with the landlord or the property manager. You don’t want to sign
documents that are blank or have half-written information. It can lead to
complications in the future.

The process of renting an apartment as an international student comes with a lot of
considerations. If you have been confused about how to get started, we hope these tips will
give you a base ground to prepare your checklist and make the decision from there.