The average rents have grown in the large university centers, and the demand is expected to explode as the beginning of the academic year approaches on October 1.
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More than half of the respondents of a survey said that their rent budget exceeds the threshold of 400 euros, and among the students almost half (48%) are in the same category, most of them financially supported by parents (76%). The trends consist of the latest annual survey conducted by Storia among those in search of a housing for rent between August – October 2025.
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.
“This year's survey results 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 on a real estate agent to find a housing housing, in 2025 the percentage climbed with 8 percentage points, to almost 34%. This confirms the professionalization of the market and the orientation towards specialized services, which bring more transparency and safety in the renting process ”said Monica Dudău, representative of Storia and Olx Imobiliare.
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%.
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 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%).
