Private bed/bath most important in student housing, says survey

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Students and parents agreed that a private bedroom/bathroom is the most important feature in student apartments.

A new survey commissioned by the National Apartment Association details the features that college students and their parents deem most important in student housing. Private bedrooms and bathrooms were the most important amenity, as indicated by more than half of all respondents.

J. Turner Research conducted the survey on behalf of NAA from Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 2012. The firm collected responses from more than 11,000 students and 3,600 parents, with 62 percent of students and 40 percent of parents identifying a private bedroom/bathroom as the most important apartment amenity. An in-unit laundry facility was next (19 percent and 16 percent, respectively), followed by large bedrooms (11 percent and 8 percent).

The survey also asked what factors students and parents consider when selecting a campus apartment. Rental rates and price were the top consideration amongst students (47 percent). A number of students (19 percent) said professional leasing and management staffs were also important. Parents cited security as most important (34 percent) followed by location/proximity to campus; rental rates came in third for parents (20 percent).