Renting in the U.S. for International Students: A Guide and Common Pitfalls | 美国留学生租房指南与常见陷阱

📚 Renting in the U.S. for International Students: A Guide and Common Pitfalls | 美国留学生租房指南与常见陷阱

Renting an apartment in the United States as an international student can be both exciting and overwhelming. Without a U.S. credit history, Social Security Number, or familiarity with local rental laws, you may encounter unique challenges. This guide walks you through the entire process—from finding the right place to signing a lease—and highlights common pitfalls to avoid.

作为国际学生在美国租房既令人兴奋又充满挑战。没有美国信用记录、社会安全号码或对当地租赁法律的了解，你可能会遇到特有的困难。本指南将带你走过租房的全过程——从寻找合适住所到签署租约——并指出应避免的常见陷阱。

1. Understanding Your Housing Options | 了解住房选择类型

International students typically choose between on-campus dormitories, off-campus apartments, shared houses, or homestays. On-campus housing offers convenience but often requires early application and may be more expensive. Off-campus apartments provide independence but come with lease obligations. Shared housing can reduce costs but requires careful roommate selection. Homestays offer cultural immersion but may limit personal freedom.

国际学生通常在校园宿舍、校外公寓、合租房或寄宿家庭之间做选择。校园宿舍方便，但通常需要尽早申请且可能更贵。校外公寓提供了独立性，但附带租约义务。合租房可以降低成本，但需要谨慎选择室友。寄宿家庭能提供文化沉浸，但可能限制个人自由。

Before deciding, consider factors such as distance to campus, public transportation, safety, and the length of your program. Many universities have off-campus housing offices that provide listings and advice tailored to international students.

做决定前，需考虑距离校园的远近、公共交通、安全性以及项目时长等因素。许多大学设有校外住宿办公室，提供针对国际学生的房源信息和咨询。

2. Budgeting for Rent and Living Costs | 租金与生活成本预算

Your monthly budget should go beyond just rent. Include utilities (electricity, water, internet), groceries, transportation, and renter’s insurance. In many U.S. cities, you’ll need to prove that your income is at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. International students often use a combination of savings, scholarships, or a guarantor’s financial statement to meet this requirement.

每月预算不应只包括租金。还需纳入水电瓦斯、网络、日用品、交通及租客保险。在许多美国城市，你需要证明收入至少是月租金的 2.5 到 3 倍。国际学生通常结合储蓄、奖学金或担保人的财务证明来满足这一要求。

Typical monthly rent for a shared apartment near a university can range from $500 to $1,500 per person depending on the city. For example, in Boston a shared room may cost $800, while in a smaller town it could be $450. Utilities often add $100–$200 per month, and internet is typically $50–$80.

大学附近合租公寓的人均月租金通常在 500 至 1500 美元之间，视城市而定。例如，在波士顿合租单间可能花费 800 美元，而在小镇可能为 450 美元。水电瓦斯等每月通常增加 100–200 美元，网费一般为 50–80 美元。

3. Where to Search for Listings | 寻找房源的渠道

Reliable rental listings can be found on university housing portals, reputable websites like Zillow, Apartments.com, and social media housing groups for your university. Always verify the legitimacy of the listing. Be cautious of ads on unmoderated platforms like Craigslist, where scams are prevalent.

可靠的租房信息可来自大学住房门户网站、Zillow、Apartments.com 等信誉良好的网站，以及你所在大学的社交媒体住房群组。务必核实房源的合法性。要警惕 Craigslist 等无审核平台上的广告，那里骗局频发。

When contacting a landlord, ask for a virtual tour if you cannot visit in person. Request a live video walk-through to confirm the property matches the photos. Never wire money or pay a deposit before signing a lease and verifying the landlord’s identity.

联系房东时，若无法实地看房，可要求虚拟导览。要求进行实时视频看房，以确认房屋与照片相符。切勿在签署租约并核实房东身份之前电汇或支付押金。

4. The Art of Viewing an Apartment | 看房的技巧与检查清单

Always inspect the apartment thoroughly. Check for signs of pests, water damage, mold, and the functionality of appliances, heating, and cooling. Test faucets, flush toilets, and ensure windows lock properly. Take photos and notes of any pre-existing damage to avoid disputes later.

务必彻底检查公寓。查看是否有虫害、水渍、霉菌迹象，以及家电、暖气和空调是否正常运作。测试水龙头，冲马桶，确认窗户锁好。对任何已有的损坏拍照记录，以避免日后纠纷。

If possible, visit the neighborhood at different times of day to assess noise levels, safety, and proximity to public transit. Ask current tenants about the landlord’s responsiveness and any recurring issues.

如有可能，在一天的不同时段走访社区，评估噪音水平、安全性以及到公共交通的距离。向现有租客询问房东的响应速度及任何常见问题。

5. Decoding the Lease Agreement | 解读租赁合同关键条款

A lease is a legally binding contract. Read every clause. Pay special attention to the lease term, renewal policy, conditions for breaking the lease, and who is responsible for maintenance and repairs. If you don’t understand something, seek help from your university’s legal services or an international student advisor.

租约是具有法律约束力的合同。阅读每一条款。特别关注租期、续约政策、提前解约的条件，以及维修责任归属。如有不懂之处，可向大学法律服务或国际学生顾问寻求帮助。

Watch out for clauses that allow automatic lease extension unless you give written notice months in advance, or penalties for subletting. Always get any promises—such as a new appliance or waived pet fee—in writing, either in the lease or as an addendum.

警惕那些规定除非提前数月书面通知否则自动续约的条款，或对转租处以罚款的条款。务必让房东的任何承诺——例如添置新电器或免除宠物费——以书面形式写入租约或补充协议。

6. Security Deposits and How to Protect Them | 押金规定与如何保护押金

Landlords typically require a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, sometimes more. By law, they must deposit it in a separate interest-bearing account in some states and return it within a set timeframe after you move out, minus deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear.

房东通常要求相当于一个月租金的押金，有时更多。在一些州法律要求将押金存入独立的计息账户，并在你搬出后特定期限内退还，扣除超出正常磨损的损坏部分。

To safeguard your deposit, take date-stamped photos when you move in and when you move out. Complete a move-in checklist and have the landlord sign it. Send a written notice of your

Published by TutorHao | Study Abroad Revision Series | aleveler.com

更多咨询请联系16621398022（同微信）