The United States is recognized as a leader in higher education around the world thanks to its exceptional academic institutions and wide range of educational opportunities. The nation currently hosts a startling number of over 1 million international students with active study visas. Boston is one of the most popular U.S. cities for international students to pursue their education, thanks in no small part to the large number of renowned universities in the Greater Boston area.
If you are a landlord, you may be considering renting to international students, especially as we approach September 1. International students are often unaware or unable to look for apartments months in advance- so if your apartment is still on the market, you are probably seeing numerous requests from international students interested in your property. The screening process to make sure an international College Student is qualified for an apartment in Boston can be slightly different than our local counterparts. However, it is important to note renting to International students in Boston can be highly rewarding and worth examining. We thought it would be a fantastic idea to break down the step-by-step process of how to rent your apartment to international students so you can expand your renter pool and fill any upcoming availabilities and/or vacancies you may be experiencing.
The Application Process
If an international student is interested in your rental property, you need to ensure you receive documentation that proves they are qualified and can afford to rent your property. However, due to not being from the U.S., they most likely won’t have a credit score or relevant rental history to provide. The main document you will want to take a look at is called an I20.
The I-20
An I-20 document serves as a certification of a student’s eligibility for studying in the country on an F-1 visa, which is specifically designated for full-time academic pursuits. This document outlines essential…