Why You Can’t Trust Apartment Websites (And How to Read Reviews That Actually Matter)

If you’ve ever toured an apartment after falling in love with it online, you already know the feeling. The photos looked amazing. The amenities sounded perfect. The website promised a “luxury student living experience.”

Then you showed up and realized the website left out a lot.

This is especially common in student housing near U of U. Apartment websites are marketing tools, not transparency tools. That does not mean every listing is a lie, but it does mean you need to know what to ignore, what to verify, and how to read reviews that actually reflect what living there is like.

At Find My Place, we help students cut through the noise so they can make smarter housing decisions. Here’s how to do the same.

Why apartment websites are not built for honesty

Apartment websites exist for one main reason: to get you to apply. They are designed by marketing teams, not current residents. Everything on the site is curated to highlight the best possible version of the property.

Here’s what that usually means.

Photos are staged, edited, or outdated

Most apartment photos are taken:

Before anyone has lived there
Right after renovations
With professional lighting and wide-angle lenses

That model unit may not reflect the unit you will actually get. Flooring, appliances, layout, and even window size can vary significantly.

Amenities are highlighted, not availability

Websites often list amenities like:

Pools
Gyms
Study lounges
Rooftops

What they rarely explain is:

How often those amenities are closed
Whether they are overcrowded
If access is limited or requires extra fees

An amenity existing on a website does not mean it is usable or maintained.

Location descriptions are vague on purpose

Phrases like “near campus” or “minutes from the University” are intentionally unclear. That could mean a five-minute walk or a twenty-minute drive in traffic.

Websites rarely mention:

Noise levels
Construction nearby
Traffic patterns
Safety concerns at night

Pricing is rarely the full price

Many apartment websites advertise base rent only. They often leave out:

Utilities
Parking
Internet
Trash fees
Technology or amenity fees

For students on a budget, these extra charges can change affordability entirely.

Why student housing websites are especially misleading

Student housing adds another layer of complexity.

Many student apartments lease by the bed, not the unit. Websites may advertise a low monthly rate that only applies to:

A shared bedroom
A specific lease term
A limited-time promotion

They may also push roommate matching without explaining how little control you actually have over who you live with.

For first-time renters, this can create a false sense of security.

Why reviews matter more than websites

Apartment reviews are not perfect, but they are the closest thing you have to the truth.

That said, not all reviews are useful. Some are emotional. Some are fake. Some are written after one bad day.

The key is learning how to read reviews patterns, not opinions.

How to read apartment reviews that actually matter

Ignore extreme one-star and five-star reviews

Reviews that say:

“Worst place ever. Avoid at all costs.”
“Best apartment in the world. Zero problems.”

…usually lack context.

One-star reviews often come from residents who are upset about a single issue. Five-star reviews are sometimes written right after move-in or in exchange for incentives.

Neither tells you what daily life is like.

Look for repeated complaints

The most valuable information is repetition.

Pay attention if multiple reviews mention:

Slow or ignored maintenance requests
Thin walls and noise issues
Poor management communication
Unexpected fees
Security concerns
Parking problems

One complaint is an opinion. Ten similar complaints are a warning.

Pay attention to timing

Recent reviews matter more than old ones.

Management, ownership, and staff change often in student housing. A property that had issues three years ago may be completely different today, and the opposite is also true.

Focus on reviews from the last 6 to 12 months.

Notice what long-term residents say

Reviews from residents who lived there for:

A full year
Multiple lease terms

…are especially valuable.

They can tell you:

How management handles problems over time
Whether conditions improve or decline
If rent increases are reasonable
How move-out charges are handled

Short-term reviews rarely cover these issues.

Watch for management responses

How management responds to reviews matters almost as much as the review itself.

Red flags include:

Defensive or dismissive replies
Copy-paste responses
Blaming residents instead of addressing issues

Professional, specific responses suggest accountability. Silence or hostility suggests problems may not improve.

Compare reviews across platforms

Do not rely on just one review site.

Look for consistency across:

Google reviews
Student housing platforms
Student forums or campus groups

If the same issues appear everywhere, they are likely real.

What reviews usually tell you that websites never will

Good reviews reveal:

How fast maintenance actually responds
Whether management listens
How quiet or loud the building is
What move-out charges are really like
How safe residents feel at night
If roommates are screened properly

These details rarely appear on apartment websites, but they strongly affect your quality of life.

How to spot fake or misleading reviews

Some warning signs include:

Multiple reviews posted on the same day
Vague praise with no details
Reviews that read like advertisements
Brand-new reviewer accounts with no other activity

Real reviews usually mention specific experiences, problems, or staff interactions.

Why trusting websites leads to student housing regret

Students who rely only on apartment websites often:

Underestimate total monthly costs
End up farther from campus than expected
Feel stuck in long leases with poor management
Face surprise charges at move-out

This is not because students are careless. It is because apartment websites are designed to sell, not inform.

How Find My Place helps students see past the marketing

Find My Place exists because we’ve been on the wrong side of misleading listings.

We focus on:

Student-specific housing information
Real experiences and comparisons
Lease and contract transparency
Helping students avoid common housing traps

Our goal is not to make every apartment look perfect. It is to help you find one that fits your priorities and your budget.

How to use websites and reviews together

Apartment websites are still useful, just not on their own.

Use websites to:

Compare layouts
Check basic amenities
See general pricing ranges

Use reviews to:

Validate what the website claims
Understand daily living conditions
Identify deal-breakers early

When both align, you are likely making a solid choice.

Final takeaway

You can’t trust apartment websites because they are not built for honesty. They are built for conversion. Reviews, when read correctly, give you the context those websites leave out.

If you look for patterns, prioritize recent feedback, and ignore extremes, reviews can save you from expensive mistakes and stressful leases.

Smart student housing decisions start with skepticism, not excitement.