Let us guess: you were sitting on your couch and watching a TV series when you received a letter that changed your life: a letter that congratulates you on being accepted to a university you applied for.
So now, you are looking at your blue screen and are trying to find an affordable but comfy apartment in New York City to finally enjoy and live the dream.
At some point, you realize that renting an apartment won’t be accessible at all since you are an international student without citizenship, a recurring paycheck, or any other document.
Panic, anxiety, depression… But let us stop you there!
We know how difficult it is to be an international student, especially when moving to an entirely new country, to one of the biggest cities with over 8 million people.
Yup, quite demanding!
But here’s good news: we will help you rent an apartment in NYC without any problem!
Simple guide for students to rent in NYC
Even though you might feel confused in this big city, it’s still possible to find good deals and even rent a place with other students.
So, let’s give you some tips on achieving this successfully.
1. Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork!
Suppose you’re an international student who wants to find a cozy place.
But, first, you need to prepare all the documents that your landlord will require.
The problem is that the landlord needs to be sure that you’re not another rogue customer who lies to their face.
For this, you need to have certain documents. These usually include the acceptance letter from your university, an official document to verify your identity, which is most probably your passport, and anything that will prove that your income is 30 times the rent per month for the apartment.
So, if you want to be that perfect tenant who is both mentally and financially ready to live in New York City, the folder with the required papers should always be in hand!
P.S. If the landlord doesn’t ask you to provide these documents, you’re most probably dealing with a scammer.
So, be careful while looking for an apartment: even this industry is fraught with danger.
2. Have a Plan B
We understand that most students, after arriving in the United States, don’t have a job or a stable income.
And obviously, this shouldn’t be an issue, especially if you made all the possible efforts to study abroad and get the education you genuinely deserve.
This is why students immediately start looking for a person who will take full responsibility for you if you, for some reason, don’t pay the rent or suddenly disappear. These people are also called guarantors, who, by the way, also have to meet some requirements.
While you, as an international student, ideally need to have a document proving that your annual income is 30 times the monthly rent, guarantors need to provide something else.
If their salary is not 75-85 times the rent you pay every month, the landlord will refuse the offer.
Besides, the guarantor needs to live in a tri-state area of three states: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
3. Pretty tough, huh?
Of course, renting an apartment online is more convenient as you can prepare everything before you come to New York.
However, it is always better to meet the landlord for various reasons.
First of all, if the landlord does not ask you to meet in person in the first place, the chances are high that you have contacted a scammer who wants to get the money and “suddenly” disappear.
Besides, images of the apartment and the reality are not always the same.
If you don’t want to live in a place with a strange odor or bad atmosphere, it’s always best to see it first with your own eyes!
Want to do the same?
Then pack your things, take the student visa and come to the US!
Usually, you are allowed to arrive 30 days before the studies begin, which means that you can use the 30 days to look for the apartment of your dreams.
In the hunt for a comfy place, you can either stay in a hotel or look for short term rentals in NYC in advance.
4. Extra Fact For You, Internationals!
We know that looking for an apartment in New York is highly stressful.
However, in any case, the odds are in your favor!
Why?
Say thanks to the pandemic! Now is the perfect time to look for an apartment because, as a result of the COVID-19, many landlords were left without renters.
Some people who were working or studying in foreign countries and renting apartments, now they came back to their native countries and are working/studying remotely and don’t have to rent an apartment.
So, the chance of finding an apartment in good condition has been increased as many apartments are accessible.
And there is a chance that considering that fact caused by COVID-19, many landlords may suggest price discounts.
As you can see, they are desperately looking for a tenant, and who knows, maybe it’s you they are waiting for.
Conclusion
By summarizing all those mentioned above, you should consider that finding an apartment in NYC is not easy.
However, if you’re equipped with the knowledge and use the tips provided in the article, you will be just fine.
Just be ready for some difficulties concerning the renting procedure and collect all the necessary papers with patience. The new situation that COVID-19 has caused has changed, and the renting sphere is not an exception.
So, you can only get benefits from that, and other advantages mentioned to find a perfect apartment for you.
Good luck!
