Do you want to join an existing apartment through a roommate finder?
Do you want to live in a furnished residence? Otherwise, it is important to note that you will have to purchase your own furniture.
Do you want to gather classmates to share an apartment and sign a lease?
The Basics: What every New Yorker needs to know about finding an apartment: https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/apartment-hunting/the-basics/
New York City Rent Guidelines Board Website - An excellent resource for online housing providers, guidelines to be aware of, and pointers for signing a lease: https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/
Apartment Hunting Tips – https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/apartment-hunting/
NYC Housing Terminology and Commonly Used Words – What is a guarantor? What is a “walk-up?” Learn commonly used words in NYC housing. https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/glossary-of-rent-regulation-terms/
Checklist Before You Sign a Lease – https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/apartment-hunting/before-signing-a-lease/
Learn about Tenant’s Rights and Resources – https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/tenants-rights-and-responsibilities.page and https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/
Read Reviews – Use Yelp and other user review sites to read feedback on apartment brokers and leasing companies.
Decide Which Neighborhood is Right for You -- Read past students' reviews of neighborhoods and their advice on living in NYC.
Compare the Cost You are Paying with the Median Prices in the Neighborhood -- Use this map to see the median rent prices along the subway lines.
Guarantor
Lease
Lessee
Lessor
Tenant
Term
When verifying your eligibility to rent an apartment, U.S. landlords may ask for a number of different documents. Some of these may be:
Proof of income (yours or your parents')
Passport information
Your university acceptance letter
It is common for international students to pay up to three months’ rent as a deposit if you do not have a guarantor.
A guarantor is a financial term describing an individual who promises to pay a borrower's debt if the borrower defaults on their loan obligation. Guarantors pledge their own assets as collateral against the loans.
Take some time to read the whole contract -- do not let them rush you. Review the checklist before you sign a lease.