Send us a text

Rental Tips

COLLEGE STUDENTS AS RENTERS

Narragansett Properties specializes in high-end student rentals near the University of Rhode Island, a vibrant campus of more than 18,000 students. With hundreds of summer vacation homes available during the off-season, the area provides an ideal setting for premium student housing.

Over the years, we have rented hundreds of homes to thousands of college students. Many of our renters are living in a house for the first time and have little experience maintaining one. This has challenged us to develop innovative systems and practical solutions that keep both students and property owners happy.

Below is a collection of lessons we’ve learned—sometimes the hard way. The list is in no particular order and continues to grow as we refine our approach.

Practical Tips for Student Rentals

Trash & Recycling
  • Renters often forget to bring trash to the curb. Consider in-yard pickup for trash and recyclables.
  • Use trash cans with attached flip-top lids.
Furniture & Interior Finishes
  • Avoid wood beds and box springs; they break easily. Use metal platform beds with foam mattresses.
  • Use semi-gloss paint throughout the home. It’s not the most decorative finish, but it cleans easily and resists peeling.
  • Avoid pedestal tables; someone will inevitably sit on the edge and break them.
  • Do not use lawn furniture with glass components.
  • Skip patio umbrellas—they don’t last.
  • Mount televisions on walls rather than placing them on tables.
Doors & Windows
  • Remove storm doors during the winter if possible. Strong winds can rip them off and damage frames and fixtures. Consider retractable screen doors instead.
  • Do not install nonconforming handles on sliding glass doors; excess pressure can shatter the glass.
Bathrooms & Plumbing
  • Use mildewcide paint (or additive) in bathrooms and damp areas.
  • Wire bathroom fans to operate with the light switch to ensure regular use.
  • If water appears below a bathroom, check tub and shower caulking before assuming a plumbing leak.
  • If you replace a refrigerator, avoid models with ice makers—they frequently fail.
  • For lower-level toilets with ejector pumps, use at least a one-horsepower motor.
  • If you have a garbage disposal, instruct tenants to run dish detergent through it regularly to prevent grease buildup.
  • Know where the main water shutoff is—and make sure tenants know too.
  • If pipes freeze and are repaired, ensure insulation or added heat is installed before the next freeze.
  • If your home uses hot water heating pipes, add antifreeze every few years.
Maintenance Philosophy
  • Do not leave repairs unaddressed. Deferred maintenance signals that damage is acceptable.
  • Schedule heating system inspections every fall.
  • Replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries annually.
  • Replace smoke and CO detectors every five years.
  • Make sure breaker panels and water shutoffs are accessible—not behind locked doors.
Cleaning & Supplies
  • Leave a generous supply of cleaning products, brooms, shovels, sidewalk salt, and a vacuum. They likely won’t purchase these themselves.
  • Include a lease clause allowing cleaning at the renter’s expense if the property is not maintained.
  • After move-out, inventory the kitchen. Expect to replace cookware and dishware periodically.
Outdoor Areas
  • Install simple corral fencing if renters or guests drive or park on the lawn.
  • Attach a permanent deck sign stating maximum occupancy and “Use at your own risk.”
  • Ensure decks are structurally sound: secure handrails, proper baluster spacing (less than 4 inches), wide steps, and lag bolts anchoring the deck to the home.
Keys & Security
  • Install a lockbox with a backup key for lockouts.
  • Keep spare bedroom keys inside the home.
  • Allow bedroom locks; unfortunately, theft by guests is not uncommon.
Communication
  • Post clear “Do’s and Don’ts” near the main entrance.
  • Label important items (e.g., water shutoff location, toilet overflow instructions, thermostat guidance).
  • Communicate frequently with students—and copy parents on important messages. It reinforces expectations.
Lease Protection
  • Include a strict no-party clause. (There is nothing quite like discovering a rented bounce house in your yard.)

Student rentals can be both rewarding and challenging. With thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and proactive maintenance, they can also be consistently successful.

Menu