Rent to college students for big return or play it safe with a family and low return

**odqlesz** · 06-09-2010, 10:55 AM

I am buying a 5 bedroom 2 bath house near a local college.
Should I rent to college students and take in $2500 a month
roughly $500 a room or rent to a family and take in $1500 to maybe
$1800 a month.

Any other suggestions?

**Naperville Real Estate** · 06-10-2010, 02:10 PM

Make sure you screen college students fairly well. I have heard plenty of stories of houses getting absolutely destroyed from college students.

**florida real estate** · 06-17-2010, 09:55 PM

I would go with renting a house to a good family... As they are responsible people.. Students don't know what responsibility is.. they just keep everything messed up..

I think it is better to rent a house to a family than rent it to students..

**vijendrasnv** · 07-14-2010, 04:00 AM

You should go for the family, because they which take care of the house as their own. While the students are very much outrageous in their behavior and will destroy you property.

But before giving the property on rent, a proper screening should be beneficial for you.

**jholder73** · 07-14-2010, 09:11 AM

This depends on your threshold for pain and how your lease is setup. Some student leases hold each renter fully responsible for the entire rent and damages. Also the lease is with the parents since they are the ones funding the kids and hopefully have some control. If you can, check grades as part of your screening. A student with top grades and honors is less likely to turn your rental into Animal House. It seems as though you already understand the risks of renting to students so keep in mind that although less likely, a "family" can be just as destructive.

**TeamAguilar** · 07-18-2010, 10:47 PM

Put "damage compensation" as part of lease agreement be it college students or a family.
They both can be destructive,watch out

**expo09** · 07-20-2010, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by jholder73

If you can, check grades as part of your screening. A student with top grades and honors is less likely to turn your rental into Animal House.

That's rediculous. Why would someone who is better at school (possibly just due to natural interlligence) neccessarily be less likely to make a mess of the house? That's insulting.

I would also like to say I know plenty of families who are not responsible people. So really you should base it on meeting the people who are going to rent it to decide who would be best. Put it on the market for both students and families and see who applies.

**punita_lemon** · 07-21-2010, 12:38 AM

I would go with renting a house to a good student.You can rent it any one.But by renting it
to the student means you are helping some one to their study.who will take responsibility its totally up to the person either they are student or family.