The vibrant town of Starkville is home to Mississippi State University, a world-class research institution that draws students to the city. This gives rental property owners a wide tenant pool to choose from. However, students are now well past bare mattresses and working stoves.
Modern students expect more from a rental property, and if you can’t provide the amenities that fit their lifestyle, you will lose out to other rental properties. Understanding which amenities move the needle can help you gain an edge in a competitive rental market, so here are amenities you should consider adding to your rental.
Key Highlights:
- High-speed, reliable internet is the top priority for Starkville student renters, since coursework, streaming, and gaming all depend on strong bandwidth that can handle multiple devices at once.
- In-unit or same-floor laundry saves students time they would otherwise spend carrying laundry across campus or waiting for a shared machine, making it a strong differentiator for MSU renters.
- Study-friendly spaces, including a dedicated desk, good lighting, ample outlets, and noise insulation, directly support academic success and are increasingly expected, not optional.
- Transportation-related perks like covered bike storage, proximity to bus or shuttle lines, and discounted parking passes add real value, especially for students without a car near campus.
- Security features such as keyless entry, video doorbells, well-lit entrances, and individual bedroom locks reassure both students and the parents who often help pay rent, often at low added cost to landlords.
1. Fast, Reliable Internet
If you ever need to pick only one amenity to add, it would be a fast, reliable internet connection. College students need it for coursework, video lectures, research, streaming, and gaming, and they need a connection that won't buckle when multiple devices are connected.
Property that includes internet in the rent, or at least guarantees fiber or cable access with strong bandwidth, will already be a strong option for many student renters. They may even be willing to pay a premium just to access this amenity.
Consider running a speed test in every unit before listing it and include that detail in the description. If you can, work with local providers to offer bundled packages. This is a common practice among landlords with multiple rental units.
2. In-Unit Laundry
Shared laundry rooms are typically standard for multifamily properties, but students now prefer an in-unit washer and dryer, or at minimum a laundry closet on the same floor. Carrying baskets of laundry across campus or waiting in line for a communal machine eats into their limited time, and they’re trying to avoid that.
You can stack a compact washer-dryer unit to transform a small apartment into a highly desirable option. Of course, you can always opt for a shared space so you won’t have to retrofit plumbing for in-unit machines. You just need to calculate which investment will pay off the most.
3. Study-Friendly Spaces
A quiet, well-lit space to focus is not a luxury for students but a necessity. Add a dedicated desk area, ensure natural light, and provide enough electrical outlets for laptops, monitors, and chargers. This can make your rental listings more appealing, since some students prefer a shared study space.
Noise insulation between rooms and units also matters more to this demographic than many landlords initially realize, since roommates often keep different schedules and need to work or sleep at different hours.
4. Proximity and Transportation Perks
While location itself isn't exactly an "amenity" in the traditional sense, transportation-related features tied to the property absolutely are. Secure, covered bike storage is increasingly valued as more students commute by bicycle to save money and time.
Naturally, being close to a bus stop or shuttle line will earn you more points than secure bike storage. Some landlords offer discounted or included parking passes, especially in cities where parking is scarce and expensive.
5. Security Features
Safety concerns weigh heavily on students, and it’ll be hard for a parent to co-sign a lease or contribute to rent if they find the place poses risks to their children. With that in mind, you can invest in security features like keyless entry, video doorbells, well-lit entrances, and secure package rooms.
In shared housing situations, individual locks on bedroom doors are a small addition that provides meaningful peace of mind. The best part is that security features typically don’t cost as much as other property upgrades, yet they add real value and appeal to your rental property.
6. Furnished Living Spaces
Students living away from home usually prefer furnished units instead of buying and hauling furniture themselves. Moving a bed frame, desk, and couch across a country or even across town is expensive and impractical for a lease that may only last nine or twelve months.
The furnishings they need are simple enough, such as a desk suited for studying, a comfortable mattress, and basic kitchen essentials, which removes a major logistical hurdle. It doesn’t need to be luxurious, but they do expect it to be functional and easy to maintain.
FAQs
Q: What is the single most important amenity for student renters in Starkville?
A: Fast, reliable internet. It supports nearly every part of a student's daily routine, from classes to entertainment, and many students will pay a premium for guaranteed strong bandwidth.
Q: Is in-unit laundry worth the investment for landlords near Mississippi State?
A: In many cases, yes. A stacked washer-dryer unit can make a smaller apartment far more competitive, though a well-maintained shared laundry space can also work if plumbing upgrades aren't feasible.
Q: Do students really care about study spaces, or is a bedroom desk enough?
A: A dedicated desk with good lighting and outlets goes a long way, but many students also value access to a shared study area, since roommates often keep different schedules that make quiet space at home harder to find.
Securing Profitability During Off Seasons
Student housing can be very lucrative in Starkville, but you also need to plan for summer break, when fewer students are around to rent to. Preparing for potential vacancies is just as important as marketing your property to reduce vacancy periods.
With Gnome Homes Property Management, you can take this responsibility off your plate. We will advertise your vacant units to maximize occupancy year-round and maintain the premises so they're ready for the next batch of students and professionals who need housing.
Contact us to experience what it’s like to be a stress-free landlord.
More Resources:
What Starkville Landlords Should Know About Renting to Mississippi State Students
