International Students Information

As an international student, you may find the Boston rental market overwhelming. We are here to help guide you through the apartment search process, lease contract signing, avoiding scams, and understanding your rights as a renter.

Visas and I-20

Contact the Office of Global Services for guidance on any forms (visa, I-20, etc.) that you may need. These are often needed to secure an apartment. Without an I-20, you may be requested to show other forms of funding documentation to be approved for an off-campus apartment (the same is true for Social Security Numbers). Visit their Youtube Page for more!

Rent and Roommates

Our Get Started page has all the information you need to understand the pricing, people, paperwork, and protection needed to live successfully off campus. Rental costs, and average neighborhood prices, will likely help you determine how many roommates you need. Most students live with 2-3 fellow students.

Review Apartment Search Tips - Understand the Boston apartment search process.

• Review our website, research Boston’s neighborhoods, and watch our off campus video series! After you know more about your budget and where you want to live, you can start finding roommates and available apartments using our Northeastern Housing Database.
• Utilize Boston transit optimally. Walking 5 minutes in the summer versus winter is very different in Boston. Learn about transit options here.
• Know the cost of living off campus. Most apartments are unfurnished and do not include all utilities. Learn more about living expenses here.
• Understand how to work with Boston area realtors. There are laws to protect you as a consumer. Be aware of applications, leases, and security deposit rules.

Know Co-signer Requirements

Many landlords/property managers will require a co-signer. A cosigner is someone with an income that agrees to cover any unpaid rent. We recommend you take the following steps:

• Let your realtor or property owner know that you are an international student. Some applications are automated and co-signing may be waived if they know you are a student with a visa.
• Learn about and use third-party co-signing companies. These services charge a fee to serve as a co-signer and may be the right choice for you.
• Discuss your application with the landlord/property manager. Most landlords/property managers know that international students may not have a co-signer and will opt to charge a fee instead.
• If there isn’t much flexibility, consider using a different realtor or property.

Scam Alerts!

International students are often the target for scammers. Visit our complete guide on scam prevention. Some quick tips:

• Make sure to request a virtual tour of the apartment. If a listing is unwilling to do this, it is most likely a scam.
• Do not wire money through Western Union. Make sure all money transfers can be tracked.
• Verify the realtor, landlord, and property through city and state resources (also on our scam prevention page).