Top Services That Attract Student Renters: How Property Managers Can Enhance Student Housing with Essential Amenities
How Operators Can Improve Experience, Preserve Asset Quality, and Drive Revenue
Student renters aren't just out for comparing prices of the properties, but more than that. They are comparing the experience of each property and making a decision based on that. As Gen Z becomes the dominant force in student housing, property managers need to do more than offer a clean room near campus.
They must deliver a consistent, service-based living that makes student life easier.
What Gen Z Wants in Student Housing?
A recent survey conducted by RentCafe of Gen Z renters revealed “What Does Gen Z Wants in Student Housing?”
Price is the major factor when it comes to families selecting housing for their children. But since that box is checked, amenities and services play a crucial role in determining whether the student will rent your apartment or not.
Gen Z expects more from where they live: convenience, support, and digital access to everything.
Key SERVICES That Attract Student Renters (and Help Property Teams Win)
1. Recurring Housekeeping Helps Keep Units in Good Shape
Students often find themselves managing a very busy life schedule, balancing academics, part-time jobs, and their living standards. Providing students with regular housekeeping and cleaning services would make their lives a lot easier and would boost the property demand and value.
Maintains finish quality and prolongs the lifespan of furniture and flooring
Reduces roommate disputes around chores
Protects units from long-term damage caused by neglect
Smart Move: Property managers can bundle this cost and pass it through to parents, who appreciate the assurance of a clean, healthy space for their student.
2. Food and Grocery Delivery Offers Daily Convenience
Students value time and convenience more than anything, and being able to get food and groceries on demand is a big factor that would influence their decision to rent a place.
Operators reduce stress and complaints around meal planning
Parents feel reassured that their student can stay fed without risky late-night runs
The property gains a reputation for being student-friendly and modern
Implementation Tip: Partner with platforms like Amenify to manage on-demand food and grocery delivery.
3. On-Demand Maintenance and Handyman Services Reduce Turnover Costs
Whether it’s a dripping faucet, a broken drawer, a broken Window, or a hole in drywall! Getting these issues fixed as soon as possible is the best way to deal with students without getting escalated to parents. Resolving such issues when the students are attending classes is the best way, as by the time they return back their issues have been resolved.
Boosts satisfaction and lease renewals
Prevents minor issues from becoming costly damages
Eases pressure on your core maintenance staff
According to Amenify’s Survey data conducted for 75,000 residents, properties that offer proactive maintenance report up to 15% longer average tenant stays in student housing.
4. Laundry and Chores Assistance During Peak Periods
Is it the finals or midterms? The last thing that students want is to worry about laundry or cleaning. Partnering with Amenify provides the students with the much-needed amenity of laundry service that will make their lives a lot easier without worrying about their laundry during exam time or even during normal days.
Reduces stress and increases satisfaction
Offers real value for parents looking to support their students’ success
Makes your property stand out from traditional housing stock
Amenify’s student clients saw a 40% increase in service bookings during exam periods—proof that timing matters.
Why Services Make Sense for Operators Too?
While considering the point of view of operators and property managers, these services will do more than just make their student residents and their parents happy.
Partnering with Amenify and providing various amenities to students will increase the property value, its demand in the market as it will stand out from the competition, and unlock a new ancillary revenue stream for property managers.
Benefits to Student Property Management Teams:
Lower turnover costs through cleaner, better-maintained units
Higher NOI via bundled, pass-through service fees
Fewer complaints and faster resolutions, keeping staff focused on core operations
Better reviews, improving digital curb appeal, and lease-up velocity
And the big one: services like these create real differentiation in a crowded, price-sensitive market.
Amenify as a Scalable Operations Partner!
Amenify works behind the scenes to take care of all the amenities that property managers want their student residents to have.
Amenify platform can be seamlessly integrated into the existing platform of the Property Managers with an API to enable student tenants to book services easily from the existing platform.
Vetted service providers handle cleaning, maintenance, chores, and delivery
A centralized app allows residents (and even parents) to book and manage services
Integrations with property systems make operations smoother and trackable
And the results are measurable: Amenify-partnered properties see an average 10–15% NOI boost from higher occupancy, fewer damages, and added revenue from service programs.
SERVICES Drive Student Retention, Satisfaction, and Profit
Gen Z student renters want more than just affordability, they want functionality, convenience, and a frictionless home that saves their time. Offering housekeeping, cleaning, food and grocery delivery, and maintenance services isn’t a luxury, it’s a competitive necessity.
For property managers and student housing companies, these offerings:
Attract more qualified residents
Encourage longer stays and better reviews
Offer new ways to increase revenue with minimal operational lift
By aligning with how students live and how their families support them, you’re creating an environment that supports academic success, protects your assets, and grows your returns.
Looking to implement service-driven student living at your properties?
Make sure your amenities aren’t just pretty—they’re practical, profitable, and exactly what Gen Z is already searching for.
FAQs
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Top student accommodation websites include HousingAnywhere, Unilodgers, Student.com, and AmberStudent. These platforms offer a wide range of verified listings for easy and secure booking.
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American Campus Communities is the largest owner and operator of student housing in the United States. They manage thousands of properties across major college towns.
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Living off campus can often be cheaper depending on location and lease terms, but on-campus housing includes utilities and amenities which can balance costs. It varies by city and university.
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No, room and board fees typically apply only to on-campus residents. Off-campus students usually pay rent and utilities separately.
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Choosing on-campus living offers convenience and community, while off-campus housing can provide more privacy and affordability. The best choice depends on personal preferences and budget.
