Student Housing Management
Specialize in managing rental properties near colleges and universities
Overview
Student housing managers charge 10-15% of rent plus placement fees.
Managing 30-100 student housing units generates $120,000-$500,000 annually with 55-70% margins.
In 2025, property owners near universities need specialized management understanding student tenants, parent guarantors, and academic year leasing cycles.
Services include marketing to students and parents, coordinating showings during peak leasing season (Nov-March), parent guarantor and roommate applications, academic year and summer leases, student tenant communication, roommate conflict mediation, security deposit handling (wear and tear vs.
damage), summer turnover coordination, and parent/owner communication.
Successful student housing managers understand university academic calendars, market effectively to students (Instagram, university housing boards), handle parent relationships professionally, manage high turnover efficiently, coordinate turnover between May-August, and maintain properties for student living.
Most leasing happens November-March for following academic year.
Summer sublet management can add revenue.
Can specialize in single university market.
Properties typically near campus.
Marketing through university housing boards, parent networks, and student social media.
Required Skills
- Student Marketing
- Parent Relations
- University Knowledge
- Roommate Management
- Turnover Coordination
- Lease Administration
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Niche specialization with less competition
- Consistent demand near universities
- Can become known expert in university market
- Properties stay full with student demand
- Higher management fees for specialized service
Cons
- High turnover annually (every August)
- Properties often sustain more wear and tear
- Dealing with inexperienced young tenants
- Seasonal leasing cycle creates revenue peaks
- Parent dynamics add complexity
How to Get Started
- Choose university market with strong rental demand
- Understand academic calendar and leasing cycles
- Build student marketing strategy (Instagram, housing boards)
- Land first 10-30 units near campus
- Develop systems for turnover and roommate management
- Market during peak season (November-March)
- Scale to 30-100+ units in student housing niche
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