Affordability and supply constraints are the most common concerns among young tenants

Find local findings in Germany, Spain and Italy in the German, Spanish and Italian versions of this press release.

2025 Young tenants' challenges and preferences

November 25, 2025 – The European student rental platform HousingAnywhere reports that high rental prices and a lack of available properties are the most common obstacles for young tenants in Europe. Confirming the importance of affordability, a reasonable rent is the most common preference for young tenants, followed by proximity to study and work centers, and public transport. This is according to a survey conducted by HousingAnywhere of people aged 18 to 34 years old looking for a rental, or who recently secured a rental, in seven countries in Europe.

High rent prices are perceived as an obstacle in the rental search for 58% of young tenants in Europe. Lack of available properties (31%) and high competition (29%) are the second and third most shared concerns among young renters. Too demanding rental requirements and unclear property details in listings are seen as challenges by 22% and 20% of young tenants, respectively.

Only in the Netherlands is affordability not the primary concern. Reflecting the country’s significant supply struggles, high competition when applying for a rental (55%) and a lack of available properties (48%) surpass high rents (46%). On the other hand, Portugal is where the highest share of tenants sees high prices as an obstacle in their rental search. Up to 72% of young renters in Portugal marked high rents as a blocker.

Concerns regarding the lack of clarity in property details in listings vary widely by market. Spain reports the highest level of this concern, as 28% marked it as an obstacle in their rental search, while this concern in the Netherlands drops to just 10%.

Affordability is, predictably, the top preference for young people seeking a rental. When asked about their preferences, 55% of young tenants chose an affordable rent. Proximity to university, school, or work was marked by 33%, and a good connection to public transport by 32%. Having the bills included in the monthly cost (29%) and furnished properties (27%) were the next preferences, highlighting a desire for fixed, predictable monthly rent costs.

About these figures

In June 2025, HousingAnywhere surveyed 3,190 young people who had rented accommodation via its platform in the past six months or were actively looking for a rental in Europe. The users were aged between 18 and 34 years: 18% were 18-20 years old, 36% were 21-24, 30% were 25-29, and 15% were 30-34. Of the respondents, 63% had already found their rental, and 37% were still looking. Respondents were primarily interested in rentals in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, with smaller representations from Belgium, France, Portugal, and other European countries.

This survey includes a breakdown per country based on the country where tenants wanted to find a rental or had recently found one. The tenants’ nationality does not necessarily match the country where they were looking for a rental, as the tenants can be both internationals and nationals.

About HousingAnywhere

HousingAnywhere is Europe’s largest mid-term rental marketplace, enabling people to rent wherever they choose thanks to a convenient and secure booking experience. It connects tenants with verified landlords, allowing tenants to book their new home entirely online. HousingAnywhere operates in over 125 cities in Europe and the U.S. and primarily serves students and young professionals aged 18 to 35 who rent accommodation abroad for six to twelve months.

Together with the Dutch platform Kamernet and French Studapart, HousingAnywhere represents three fast-growing brands. The HousingAnywhere and Studapart marketplaces generated 60,000 bookings in 2024, while Kamernet had 80,000 paying subscribers in the same year. Headquartered in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the company employs 250 professionals.

Press contact

For more information, please contact press@housinganywhere.com. For more reports, go to the press page.