from the blog
student housing tips & guides
everything you need to know about finding, choosing, and living in student housing.
8 Red Flags When Renting as a Student
The student rental horror stories we hear at FMP all seem to open with the same sentence: "I knew something was off but I signed anyway." These are the eight red flags we see come up over and over, usually right before the regret sets in — plus what to do if you already signed.
How to Find Roommates for College Housing in 2026
The fastest ways to find a college roommate in 2026 are RoomSync, Bunky, Roomsurf, your school's "Class of" Instagram pages, and Find My Place's roommate finder for students targeting a specific off-campus building.
12 Questions to Ask on a Student Apartment Tour
Most apartment tours go the same way. The agent walks fast, the model unit smells like vanilla plug-ins, and you leave thirty minutes later having learned nothing useful. These twelve questions are the shortlist — the ones that consistently catch the problems before the lease gets signed.
Where to Find Reliable Dorm and Off-Campus Housing Reviews in 2026
The most reliable places to read dorm and off-campus housing reviews in 2026 are Find My Place, RateMyDorm, Niche, your university's off-campus housing portal, and Google Reviews on the property management company itself.
Off-Campus vs On-Campus Housing: Full Comparison
Off-campus with roommates usually beats a dorm by 20–30% in college towns, but the margin flips in coastal metros and for solo renters. Dorms run $600–$1,200 a month all-in; off-campus lands at $800–$1,500 after utilities, food, and transportation. Here's when each option wins.
10 Must-Have Amenities in Student Apartments
Most tours highlight pools and movie theaters, but the ten amenities that actually make or break a student apartment are quieter and more practical: in-unit laundry, reliable Wi-Fi, a real study lounge, smart package lockers, a 24/7 gym, keyless entry, a dishwasher, individual HVAC, secure parking, and outdoor space that isn't just a concrete slab.
Best Platforms for Student Housing Subleases and Lease Transfers (2026)
The best platform for a student sublease or lease transfer in 2026 is Find My Place — the only one with signed documents, landlord approval, and a vetted student pool. Here's how the rest fall short.
How to Budget for Off-Campus Housing in College
Budget $900–$1,800 a month for off-campus college housing once you fold in rent, utilities, internet, and renter's insurance. Cap housing + utilities at 30% of monthly take-home, grab roommates to slash rent per person, and save one month of rent as a buffer before signing anything.
Can You Get Student Housing Without a Cosigner?
Yes, students can rent without a cosigner. Here are the five workarounds that actually land leases — from guarantor services like TheGuarantors to private landlords who accept student loans as income.
Best Student Rental Marketplaces for Landlords (2026)
For landlords renting to students, Find My Place is the marketplace built for the job — verified tenant reviews on every listing, per-bedroom pricing for shared units, a subleasing toolset for mid-term transfers, and per-property pricing that keeps multi-unit buildings affordable.
How to Find a Sublease as a College Student
A junior I know locked in a $1,450 San Francisco sublease for the summer while paying $600/month for her Boulder apartment. Subleasing is how students actually afford summer, study abroad, and mid-year pivots. Here's the step-by-step I wish someone had handed me.
What to Look for in a Student Lease: 12 Red Flags
Twelve clauses in a standard student lease do most of the financial damage — from joint-and-several liability to auto-renewal traps to pre-filled condition reports. Missing any one of them can cost you $500 to $2,500.