How to Rent an Apartment When You Are an International Student with No Proof of Income?

Being an international student has its own pros and cons (pros surely outweigh the cons!). On the one hand, you get international exposure and get to study from the world’s best faculty while also having the best time with your friends from different cultures. On the other hand, you have to lead your life away from your family in a foreign land.

If you are one among those, and have recently started a search for renting an apartment, but are taken aback due to lack of financial background, we’ve got your back.

Here are 6 smart tips that would help you in getting an accommodation even when you don’t have a financial background.

6 Smart Tips on Renting an Apartment as an International Student with No Financial Background

1. Proof of financial assistance

If you are an international student, chances are high that you might be receiving financial aid in the form of loans, scholarships or might be getting financial help from your parents to meet your college expenses and other needs.

You can use this document of assistance to your advantage while showing proof of your income.

2. Provide a high-security deposit if you don’t have any guarantor

Finding a guarantor on a foreign land is tough. To skip that, it is highly recommended to pay a higher security deposit. This usually covers up the risk associated when you don’t have any financial history in addition to not having a guarantor.

Owners usually agree to this method because they are covering up the risk involved in the event when you are unable to pay your month’s rent.

3. Using your parents/guardian’s proof of income

This is yet another best and simplest method that you can use in order to get an apartment on rent when you do not have any proof of income. This is because the owner only requires prior pay stubs from your parents, no matter which country you belong to. All they are concerned with is the surety that you will be able to cover your month’s rent.

4. Provide reference letters

You can use reference letters from your teachers, professors, and past employers. The main idea here is that if one is responsible and serious with their study and work, they are more likely to be serious about money as well.

Thus, character references serve as a good way to show that you are responsible and hardworking and would be paying the rent on time.

5. Finding a US guarantor

If any of the above-mentioned ideas seem to be working out, you can always make use of guarantor services. There are various websites like Jetty (www.jetty.com) that provide these services and help you connect with your guarantor.

6. If nothing is working out, get a co-signer

If nothing seems to work out for you, it is highly recommended to ask a close relative, or a family member to co-sign for you. This way, the person who has co-signed with you would be liable to pay your rent in case you fail to do so.

Thus, to keep your relationship smooth, you should always make a point to pay your rent on time.

Read More

• 65 Questions to Prepare for the F1 Visa Interview
• The Top 100 Best Physical Therapy Schools in the U.S.
• Top 10 Biggest Colleges in the U.S.
• F1 to Green Card: Everything You Need to Know
• Top 100 US Universities in Computer Science
• Top 15 Universities in the U.S. with Day 1 CPT

Conclusion

We hope that the above-mentioned tips would have helped you in renting an apartment even when you don’t have a financial background.

Got any queries? Write us in the comments!

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

See author's posts