Preventing Property Damage from College Student Tenants

By Sara Mallory on January 26, 2025

If you own property in a college town, chances are your tenants will be students. Renting to college students can be a great source of income. Your property will always be in demand as there will always be a revolving group of students in need of off-campus housing. On the other hand, many students are first-time renters. Their inexperience can be tricky to navigate. Combine this inexperience with high turnover rates (due to the academic year), and property damage is a risk.

You don’t want your property to fall into disrepair because of the notorious college parties you remember from your youth. You also don’t want to constantly worry that you can’t trust your tenants to be safe, clean, and responsible.

Don’t worry. The college student stereotypes don’t have to be true. There are preventative measures you can take to stop property damage from occurring.

via Pexels

Require a Cosigner

Before you sign a lease, you want to ensure your tenant will be responsible. A responsible tenant pays rent on time. Traditional ways of verifying a tenant’s ability to afford rent involve pay stubs, bank statements, and credit history. However, it is very likely that a young student does not have a consistent income or savings. They may not even have a credit score, let alone a history.

This doesn’t mean you should rule out students as irresponsible. A person’s financial and renting history needs to start somewhere! Instead of relying solely on a young student’s personal finances, you can request that a cosigner be added to the tenant’s lease.

A cosigner signs a lease in order to guarantee that regular payments are made. For college students, a cosigner is often a guardian or family member. Cosigners are legally responsible for ensuring rent is paid in full and on time. It is essential to screen them for proof of income documentation, just like you would for any tenant.

Communicate Expectations

It’s always important for landlords to have an open line of communication with their tenants. For inexperienced college students, a professional and respectful landlord-tenant relationship becomes even more significant. Students renting for the first time may have questions about the renting process. They will likely look to their landlord for answers.

To guide these tenants through the process, schedule a meeting dedicated to reviewing their lease. Read each clause with them, explain their responsibilities, and answer their questions. You can even discuss neighborhood rules, like quiet hours. By stating your expectations upfront, you are establishing a respectful line of communication and eliminating the possibility that damages will result from misunderstandings.

Document Everything

In some places, like New York City, landlords are required to offer annual inspections. This is not only in the tenant’s best interest, but the landlord’s as well. It is a good idea to inspect your property in between each tenant. To conduct an inspection, go through each room of the house, noting the condition of the property, including any existing damages. To make this process efficient, you can create a checklist of important areas (walls, carpets, appliances). For thorough documentation, include pictures.

Once you survey the property, put your checklist, photos, and documentation into a written agreement. You, your tenant, and any third parties will sign the document so it can be used as evidence should a dispute later occur. Proper documentation establishes accountability for both parties to maintain the property.

Ask for a Security Deposit

Additionally, a security deposit creates an incentive for your tenant to take proper care of the property. A security deposit is an initial payment that is eventually returned to the tenant after they move out, as long as no property damage has occurred. If damages do occur, the landlord should provide their tenant with an itemized list of how the money will be spent on repairs.

Be sure to check your state’s specific rules and regulations. For example, some states require security deposits to be held in a designated savings account. Others limit how much money a security deposit can be (i.e., no more than one month of rent).

Understand that Some Wear and Tear is Natural

Security deposits do not cover normal “wear and tear,” which the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines as “normal costs of turning over an apartment after a tenant vacates.” Normal wear and tear might be cracking paint, nail holes, or loose grout.

One final preventative method is to set up a system for filing maintenance requests. In case of emergencies, you want your tenant to get your attention quickly and easily. Your maintenance request system might be a 3rd party platform or a short form that can be emailed directly to your phone. Use whatever process works best for you and your tenants.

Prioritizing efficient maintenance requests will prevent damage. For example, if a tenant reports a leaky faucet, you can respond before any water damage occurs. Fast responses keep your tenants happy and your property cared for.

College students don’t have to be a risk to your property. If you set up the right systems, it is possible to keep a courteous landlord-tenant relationship while maintaining your property.

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