from the blog
student housing tips & guides
everything you need to know about finding, choosing, and living in student housing.
First and Last Month's Rent: What You Actually Pay to Move In
First and last month's rent plus a deposit can total three times your monthly rent at signing. Here's what each payment covers, the state caps, and how to protect your money.
How to Split Rent Fairly With Roommates (Unequal Rooms, Utilities & More)
Splitting rent evenly breeds resentment when rooms are unequal. Here's how to split rent fairly by square footage, perks, and income — with a worked example and FAQ.
How Much Is Renters Insurance for a Student Apartment?
Renters insurance for a student apartment usually runs $10 to $25 a month, with the national average around $23. Here's what drives the price and how to pay less.
ESA Letters and Apartments: What Student Renters Need to Know
An ESA letter from a licensed provider has long let renters keep an emotional support animal in no-pet housing without pet fees. A May 2026 HUD memo narrowed federal enforcement. Here's where students stand now.
How to Get Your Security Deposit Back as a Student Renter
Get your full deposit back by documenting the unit at move-in and move-out, cleaning thoroughly, giving proper notice, and knowing your state's return deadline. Landlords can only deduct for damage, not normal wear.
Apartment Application Fees: What's Normal and Can You Get One Back?
Application fees run $30-75 per person and are usually nonrefundable. A few states cap or ban them. Here's what's normal, when you can get one back, and how to avoid wasting money.
Roommate Agreements: What to Include (Free Student Template)
A roommate agreement covers rent, utilities, chores, guests, and move-out. It's not a lease, but a signed one holds up in small claims court. Here's how to build one, plus a free template.
How Much of Your Budget Should Go to Rent? A Student's Guide
The old benchmark is 30% of your gross income, but that breaks down fast for students. Here's how to actually budget for rent when your income is loans, a part-time job, and help from home.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent a Student Apartment?
Most landlords want a credit score between 620 and 650, but there's no legal minimum. Students with no score can still get approved with a cosigner, a guarantor service, or a bigger deposit.
9 Things to Check Before Signing an Off-Campus Lease Near UD
The most useful off-campus housing tip for UD students: read the whole lease and confirm what's included before signing. Here are nine things to check first, from per-bed pricing to the subletting clause to spotting scams.
Do You Need a Car at the University of Delaware?
No, most students don't need a car at UD. Newark is walkable, the UD shuttle is free, and UD budgets just $1,000/year for off-campus transportation. If you bring a car, off-campus students need a paid campus parking permit.
When Should You Start Looking for Off-Campus Housing at UD?
Start looking for off-campus housing at UD in January or February for a fall move-in, and lock in roommates first. The best units near Main Street get claimed as early as October, so students who wait pay more for less.