Finding proper student accommodation is often the first real step towards independence for a young person. Along with the excitement of starting university studies, moving to a new city and beginning student life, there are also several practical decisions to make: which area offers the best value, how much rent the family budget can realistically afford, whether a furnished apartment is worth the extra cost and, most importantly, what should be on the student’s check list, before signing a tenancy agreement.
MyStudentFlat, the first specialized digital Student Housing Platform in Greece and Cyprus, has identified, through its daily interaction with students and families, several key factors that can make the search for suitable student housing easier and, above all, hassle-free!
Compared to the past, the process of finding a decent student flat has become considerably more demanding. Rents have increased, demand for smaller apartments is high, and the best options can disappear from the market within just a few days. This is why the search should begin with a clear plan rather than with rushed phone calls in response to every listing that initially appears attractive.
Student accommodation, after all, is not — and should not be treated as — simply “four walls and a low rent”. It is the place where students will organize much of their daily life over the next few years. It is where they will study, rest, socialize and largely learn to live independently. Making the right choice can therefore save money, time and a considerable amount of inconvenience.
Choose the Area First, Then the Apartment
One of the most common mistakes made by first-year students and their families is to begin their search, based exclusively on property rental prices. They see an apartment at a relatively low price, become interested, and only afterwards consider where exactly it is located and how easy it is to reach the university.
The correct approach is the opposite. The first step should be to identify the areas that genuinely support the student’s daily routine, and only then begin searching for a suitable property.
A cheaper apartment may, for example, be so far from the university that it requires two or three changes of public transport every day and a significant amount of time spent commuting. In contrast, a slightly more expensive apartment close to the university or with direct access to a metro or bus line may ultimately prove more cost-efficient and significantly more practical once transportation costs and the hours saved from commuting each week, are taken into account.
Distance from the university should therefore not be measured only in kilometers. The actual commuting time during peak hours, the frequency of public transport services, the availability of night public transportation and whether the neighborhood is convenient for someone living alone for the first time, should all be considered.
It is equally important to have supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs and other everyday services within a reasonable (preferably walking) distance. Ideally, the area should also have a strong student character and a sizeable student population.
Do Not Leave the Search for mid-September
The student housing market has one of the most predictable peak-demand periods in the rental sector. From late August and particularly throughout September, thousands of young people simultaneously search for small apartments in major university cities.
As the number of prospective tenants increases, their negotiating power decreases. A landlord who may have been willing to negotiate the rent or certain terms of the agreement earlier in summer, will often have several potential tenants to choose from, during the peak period.
The search should therefore begin as soon as the university and city of study have been confirmed. Starting early means a greater number of available options and, more importantly, gives the student and their family the opportunity to compare properties properly and make a concise decision rather than being forced to choose quickly from whatever remains available.
Furnished or Unfurnished?
Another issue that should be considered is whether choosing a fully furnished apartment makes financial sense. A lower monthly rent may initially appear more attractive, but if the property requires furniture, electrical appliances, household equipment and other essential items, the actual cost of moving in can rise significantly over the estimated budget.
This is particularly important for students moving from another city or coming from abroad. In such cases, a move-in-ready home can reduce both the initial financial cost and the practical inconveniences associated with relocation.
For the same reason, different options should not be compared solely on the basis of the advertised rent. Families need to understand the full monthly cost, including communal expenses, electricity, water, internet and any other recurring charges. Only then is a meaningful comparison possible.
Take Care Before Signing
The pressure to secure an apartment quickly should never come at the expense of proper due diligence. Students and their parents should know exactly who they are entering into an agreement with, which property they are renting, the duration of the tenancy, the amount of the security deposit, which expenses are included in the rent and what the obligations of each party are.
It is equally important to confirm that the property genuinely corresponds to the photographs and description provided. Particularly when the search is being carried out remotely, verified information, detailed photo material and virtual tours become even more important.
Technology Is Changing the Search for Student Housing
Technology is now significantly changing this process as well. This is particularly important for students who will be studying away from their permanent residence, and even more so for those relocating from abroad.
MyStudentFlat currently offers multiple accommodation options close to popular universities in Greece and Cyprus, with a market presence spanning from Nicosia to Limassol, Athens and Patras. All apartments are fully furnished and equipped, ready for immediate move-in.
Through our platform, the entire search and rental process can be completed online in just a few minutes, from selecting the apartment to signing the tenancy agreement, and paying security deposit & rent, thus eliminating the need for property search in multiple listing portals, for numerous viewings and for dealing with time-consuming bureaucratic procedures.
Choosing appropriate student housing is an important financial and personal decision. The objective, therefore, is not simply to find an apartment quickly, but to find the right apartment, in the right area, at a cost that the family can realistically support and under terms that are clear from day one. With an early start of property research, proper preparation and careful due diligence, these first steps of independence in a young person’s life, can begin with far less stress and much greater confidence.
By Elena Orfanidou & Dimitris Economou Co-Founders of MyStudentFlat
