How to Set Clear Expectations for Student Renters

If you own rental properties near a college campus, you likely have student renters. For many of these students, your apartment may be the first time they are living in an apartment of their own. Others may have lived in other apartments, but are still relatively new to living in their own space. In either case, it is important to set expectations for living in your space, and knowing how to set these expectations can be important for getting your message across effectively.

via Pexels

Set expectations early

It is crucial to set expectations early. These expectations may be introduced in the property listing or at the housing fair. When you welcome tenants into their apartments and sign the lease, be clear and firm about your expectations and rules. Doing so early on provides a seamless transition into their new living space and reduces the time they can potentially break the rules before they know them. Doing this early allows you to be clear that what they did in their parents’ house may not be acceptable in the apartment. This is also the time to establish how to best communicate moving forward.

In-person discussion

No matter how clear your lease agreement may be and how confident you are in your clarity in outlining any rules and expectations in the lease, it is always a good idea to talk about the expectations in person. While conversations about things like smoking and partying may be difficult to have in person, these issues must be discussed, especially since the student renters may not know the protocols for these expectations. Allow the renters time to ask any questions they may have and do not have them sign the lease until you are sure they fully understand every aspect of the lease. This way, you are sure that your expectations are more likely to be met.

Do not be overly strict

While it is important to set expectations and be firm in many instances, your apartment may be the student’s first time in their own space. They may be figuring out what works for them. Since they are students, they may not live in the apartment for the full duration of the lease agreement. Offer warnings and reminders before taking disciplinary, or even legal, action for expectations that are not followed on the first offense. If your renter is not living in the apartment for the entire lease, allow them flexible lease time as well as the opportunity to sublet. This flexibility will allow you to be viewed in a more positive light and you will be seen as a landlord who is willing to work with renters in tricky situations.

Stay engaged

When you stay engaged with your tenants and maintain a positive relationship with them, they are likely to have a more “human” view of you instead of being some distant person they do not know well. This will inspire them to be more mindful of the expectations since they know you and where you are coming from. This will also open you up to any questions and concerns they may have about what is expected. Remain engaged with them by utilizing social media as well as other forms of communication to remind them of the expectations.

Send reminders

Utilize various forms of communication, from newsletters and social media to text messages and portal messages to send reminders to your tenants. These reminders can be about rent and utility deadlines coming up or about policies. Avoid singling people out in public communication and be mindful of how you phrase things since it is difficult to interpret tone over text. If you choose a newsletter, choose a schedule that will not overwhelm your tenants’ inboxes and make reminders of general expectations that many tenants are struggling with. When sending reminders about rent and utility bill deadlines, be sure to send the reminder at least a week or two before the deadline to give your tenants a chance to get their money together. Again, avoid spamming reminders as your tenants will get agitated.

Be transparent

Your tenants will be more likely to adhere to the expectations you have if they are aware of why the rules are in place. This is not only helpful for establishing your rules and expectations, but it will help them learn for future apartments and rental properties, especially if you are their first rental space. Let them know early on why rules are there and explain your motives. This way, they will be more mindful of why they need to follow the rules for their own benefit as well as the benefit of the whole apartment community. They will understand that things are no longer all about them, but they need to be mindful of you and others around them, which is a crucial skill that will be applied throughout the rest of their lives.