Begins the fever of searching for a student rent. How much money I put to the beating and what expectations they have

More than half of the young people looking for rent (52%) say that their budget exceeds 400 euros, and among students almost half (48%) are in the same category, three quarters of them being financially supported by parents (76%).

The trends consist of the latest annual survey conducted by Storia, the real estate platform launched by OLX. The survey was conducted among those in search of a rental home between August – October 2025: 40% students and 60% non -students. Unlike last year, when the proportion was equal (50%-50%), this year it is observed that several non-students are interested in rent.

In just one year, the share of students willing to pay over 400 euros for rent increased from 34% in 2024 to 48% in 2025, which means an advance of 14 percentage points. This evolution shows that the increasing level of rents began to be accepted even by young people at the beginning of the road, who choose independence even at a higher cost.

For students, financial support from parents remains essential, but the share of those who benefit from this support has decreased slightly: 76% in 2025 compared to 81% in 2024, a sign that a larger part of young people are starting to assume these expenses alone.

At the same time, the data show a clear change of budget threshold: if in 2024 most budgets were between 201-300 euros (44%) and 301-400 euros (43%), in 2025 almost half (48%) of the respondents declare budgets of over 400 euros.

“The results of this year confirm some changes in tenants' behavior. We notice that more and more students prefer to live alone, even under higher costs. At the same time, an increase in confidence in professionals is outlined: if in 2024 only 26% of the students stated that they would call for a real estate, in 2025 Climbing with 8 percentage points, to almost 34%.

Almost two thirds of the respondents (66%), both students and other people in search of a rental home, mentions two -room apartments as an ideal version. The studios are preferred by 37% of the respondents, and the three -room apartments of 23%. The structure of preferences is almost similar to last year. The only more visible difference compared to the year 2024 is the increase of interest in three -room homes (from 20% in 2024 to 23% in 2025).

Analyzing how the tenants choose to live, 34% of the survey respondents say they will live alone. The trend is more visible among students, where 41% choose this variant, increasing compared to 39% in 2024. In the case of other respondents, the percentage remains constant, of almost 30%.

The reasons why the nonstudents choose to rent are diverse: 52% consider the rent a provisional solution until a home (a decrease of 54% in 2024), while 23% declare that they do not want to access a long -term bank loan. For students, the rent remains primarily associated with the idea of ​​comfort: 82% preferred it in 2024 for this reason, and in 2025 the weight remained high, at 79%. At the same time, there is a category of students (12%) who declare that they have chosen the rent not in desire, but because of the lack of an alternative, not having the possibility to live in the home. These data show that, although comfort remains the main criterion, for some of the young people the rent is rather a solution imposed by circumstances.

What do tenants want from owners and rented homes

In the relationship with the owners, the top of the expectations of all the respondents remains almost unchanged compared to last year. The correct price continues to be the most important requirement, mentioned as the main priority of 57% of the tenants, compared to 60% in 2024. The desire follows that the owners will not be intrusive, indicated by 27% of the respondents in 2025 (versus 26% last year), and on the third place there appears the need for a clear rental contract, mentioned by 12% in 20%). Basically, the criteria for transparency and fairness are maintained essential in defining a healthy tenant-owner.

For students, the ideal home is first of all a fully furnished one, a criterion detached in the first place in the top of the expectations. The following positions are found, in the order of importance, modern furniture and low maintenance costs, which are becoming more relevant to tenants. The cleaning and functionality of the space completes the ranking, while the preference for unfurnished housing or equipping with appliances and the existence of reasonable neighbors remain rather secondary criteria. Overall, students are looking for practical, ready to use, but also efficient solutions.

The budget remains the main filter when Romanians choose a home, but priorities differ

In the case of non-study respondents, the criteria for choosing a home are outlined in a well-defined top. On the first place are fully furnished homes, considered the ideal solution for immediate comfort. The second place is occupied by the preference for unfurnished homes, which gives them the freedom to arrange their space according to their own tastes.

On the third place is the modern furniture, followed on the fourth place of low maintenance costs. The cleanliness is in the fifth place, and the functionality of the space in the sixth place. Other criteria such as the existence of all the necessary appliances or the reasonable neighborhood, are mentioned less rarely, confirming that the nonstudents emphasize especially on the practical aspects and the freedom of personalization.

The budget remains the main filter when Romanians choose a home, but priorities differ between categories and, at times, compared to last year. In 2024, the students emphasized the budget (68%) and the university approach (12%). In 2025, the trend is kept: students are primarily attentive to the budget (70%), followed by proximity to the university (11%).

When it comes to how Romanians are looking for their housing, online platforms with real estate ads dominate: over 9 out of 10 respondents (91%) say they are resorting to this variant. Also, almost a third declares that they also consider the support of a real estate agent (30%), while almost a quarter prefers to rely on knowledge networks (24%). Other search variants are rarely mentioned (3%), which confirms that digitalization and professionalization of the rental market continues to be the dominant trends.

The questionnaire was published online, on Storia and Olx Imobiliare, in August 2025, and the answers were collected from 823 respondents, at national level, who stated that they are looking for a housing for rent between August – October 2025.