How StayXchange Works: Booking Student Housing in Buenos Aires (2026 Guide)

StayXchange was founded by former exchange students who experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to find quality housing in Buenos Aires from abroad. The platform exists to make that process simpler, faster, and more reliable — connecting incoming exchange students and international interns with carefully selected accommodation and compatible roommates before they arrive.

The result is a platform where exchange students access carefully selected apartments, compatible roommates, and on-the-ground support — all in one place, before they arrive.

This guide gives you a clear overview of how the process works — from first contact to confirmed apartment. Everything here is based on real experience working with students from universities including Torcuato Di Tella University (UTDT), ITBA, UBA, UADE, and Universidad de San Andrés.

For a dedicated guide on roommate matching specifically, read: How Roommate Matching Works for Exchange Students in Buenos Aires.

StayXchange — present in Buenos Aires, every semester.

What StayXchange Is — and Why It Was Built for Exchange Students

StayXchange is a student housing platform built specifically for exchange students and international interns coming to Buenos Aires — with carefully selected furnished apartments, personal roommate matching, and support from first inquiry through to the end of your stay.

Every apartment on the platform has been selected based on accumulated knowledge of what works for exchange students — in terms of location, price, amenities, and quality. Properties span the neighborhoods exchange students choose most — primarily Palermo and Belgrano, with options across other central Buenos Aires neighborhoods as well. Before any property appears on StayXchange, we establish direct contact with the property representative and build a working relationship.

The properties on StayXchange are listed on a semester basis — which is exactly the rental period exchange students need. Because we work with property representatives on an ongoing basis across multiple semesters, the terms students access through StayXchange reflect a relationship built on trust and continuity — not a short-term or one-off arrangement. For students, this means accessing semester rentals that are structured around their actual needs and budget rather than adapted from longer-term or tourist-oriented contracts.

StayXchange does not own any apartments. All financial transactions — reservation fees, monthly rent, and security deposits — are made exclusively between the student and the property representative. For more details on how the platform operates, read our Terms and Conditions.

Browse available apartments on StayXchange.

The Process — From First Contact to Confirmed Apartment

Step 1 — Browse the Listings

Start on the StayXchange listings page. Each property card shows the key details: price, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, neighborhood, amenities, and a profile photo. Clicking any card takes you to a full property page with complete information.

The number of bedrooms indicates the group size — one private bedroom per person is the standard. Listings include both shared student apartments — where each student has a private bedroom — and other configurations suited to different group sizes and budgets.

Browse all available listings on StayXchange.

Step 2 — Fill Out the Matching Form

Once you have a sense of what you are looking for, fill out our matching form. It covers your dates, budget, neighborhood preferences, lifestyle, and the apartments you are interested in. The more specific you are, the better we can match you.

Fill out the StayXchange matching form here.

Step 3 — Roommate Matching

If you are arriving alone, we match you with compatible students based on your form responses. Group size is determined by the apartment's number of bedrooms.

Timing depends on when you contact us — during peak periods, when universities send acceptance letters, matching moves quickly. Outside peak periods it may take a little longer.

If you are arriving as a pre-formed group, we skip matching entirely and focus on finding the right apartment for your group.

For the full guide to how matching works, read: How Roommate Matching Works for Exchange Students in Buenos Aires.

If you are a student at Torcuato Di Tella University specifically, read our dedicated guide: UTDT Exchange Student Housing Guide.

Step 4 — Apartment Confirmation

Once a group is ready, we bring everyone together, walk through the process and apartment details, and give the group time to decide. There is no commitment at this stage — you confirm only when you are genuinely happy with both the apartment and the group.

Step 5 — Contract and Reservation Fee

Once the group confirms, a contract is prepared by the property representative and signed individually by each student. The contract is solely between the students and the property representative — StayXchange is not a legal party to the contract and does not provide legal advice. We guide students through the process and share key points to be aware of before signing.

A reservation fee is typically paid directly to the property representative to secure the apartment — this is deducted from the first month's rent.

Read everything carefully before signing. If you have questions, ask us before you commit.

For full details, read our Terms and Conditions.

Step 6 — Arrival and Payments

Upon arrival, you complete the first month's rent and pay the security deposit as established in the contract. Monthly rent and security deposit are paid directly to the property representative throughout your stay.

Know your payment method before you arrive. Payment terms vary per property — some require cash, others accept bank transfers or digital payments. Check your contract or ask us in advance. Arriving unprepared on payment day is one of the most common and avoidable sources of stress for incoming students.

A Practical Note on Cash and Payments in Buenos Aires

Rents for international students in Buenos Aires are generally priced in USD — or in specific cases EUR. This is standard practice in the local rental market and works in the student's favor, providing stability for the duration of the stay.

Payment methods vary per property and are specified in the listing or the contract. If your rent requires cash payment, it is worth knowing that accessing foreign currency in Buenos Aires works differently than in most countries students are coming from. Students coming from Europe or North America in particular often find that Buenos Aires requires more advance planning around cash access than cities they are used to — building this into pre-departure preparation makes a meaningful difference.

Our practical suggestion: if cash payment applies to your apartment, come prepared. It makes for a significantly smoother arrival.

How Long Does the Process Take?

From first contact to signed contract, the process typically takes two to four weeks — depending on when you contact us and how responsive you and your group are at each stage.

The students who move through the process fastest are consistently the ones who start early and respond quickly. During peak periods especially, the best apartments go fast and responsiveness is the difference between securing your first choice and having to consider alternatives.

Three Ways Exchange Students Book Through StayXchange

Arriving alone with specific apartments in mind: Browse listings, fill out the form, get matched with compatible roommates. Most common scenario.

Arriving alone without a specific apartment in mind: Fill out the form with your preferences and trust us to match you with both compatible roommates and a suitable apartment.

Arriving as a pre-formed group: You already have your roommates. We focus directly on finding the right apartment for your group.

In all three scenarios the contract, payment, and arrival process work identically.

What to Keep in Mind Before Signing

Read the contract carefully. It contains everything — payment method, payment dates, deposit amount, and exact start and end dates. Missing these details causes avoidable problems on arrival.

Know your payment method. Whether cash or digital transfer — confirm this before you land, not after.

Start early. The best apartments during peak periods go fast. The moment you receive your acceptance letter or confirm your internship is the right time to start.

Be responsive. During peak periods groups form quickly. Delays in responding can mean missing an apartment or a group you would have liked.

Frequently Asked Questions: How StayXchange Works

Does StayXchange own the apartments on the platform?

No. StayXchange selects and lists properties from independent landlords and property representatives. All financial transactions are made exclusively between the student and the property representative. StayXchange does not hold or handle these funds.

Is StayXchange only for UTDT students?

No. StayXchange works with exchange students from universities across Buenos Aires — including UTDT, ITBA, UBA, UADE, and Universidad de San Andrés — as well as international interns coming for short-term stays. The process and service are identical regardless of your university.

How do I get started?

Reach out via WhatsApp, email or contact form, browse the listings and fill out the matching form on the website. We respond within hours — maximum 24 hours.

Do I need roommates before contacting StayXchange?

No. Most students come to us alone and we match them as part of the process. Pre-formed groups skip matching and go directly to apartment selection.

How long does the process take?

Typically one to four weeks from first contact to signed contract. Starting early and being responsive are the biggest factors within your control.

What payment methods are accepted?

This varies per property — some require cash, others accept bank transfers or digital payments. Always confirm before arriving.

What is StayXchange's role in the contract?

The contract is solely between the property representative and the students. StayXchange is not a legal party and does not provide legal advice. We guide students through the process and share key points — but legal responsibility lies with the signing parties.

What happens to my deposit at the end of my stay?

The deposit amount and return conditions are defined in the contract you sign before arrival. We always recommend students review these terms carefully before signing so there are no surprises at the end of the stay.

For more answers about student housing in Buenos Aires, visit our full FAQ page.

Final Thoughts: Built for Exchange Students, By Former Exchange Students

StayXchange exists because we lived this experience ourselves. We know what it means to search for housing from abroad, in a city you have never lived in, in a rental market you do not know. The platform we built is the resource we wish had existed when we were exchange students in Buenos Aires.

Carefully selected apartments. Semester-based rentals structured around your actual needs. Personal roommate matching. On-the-ground support from first inquiry to final day. That is what StayXchange brings to every student who comes to us.

If you are ready to start, browse our listings or fill out our matching form and we will be in touch.