<p>We just received a postcard yesterday from RPS regarding sign up for housing for Fall 2008, FALL 2008! I called my son who informs me that he thinks he wants to rent a house with some friends. </p>
<p>Fast forward about an hour. A student calls on behalf of the IU Foundation. As long as I have him on the phone I figure I'll pick his brain a little regarding upperclass housing. He confirms what my son says about the dorms being mainly freshman housing and that he himself rents a house over by the stadium. He also said that most leases for August 2008 will be signed in December/January.</p>
<p>To any students or parents who have been through the rental process, how do you begin your search? Are there any property management companies that have a good reputation? Are there any one should definitely avoid? Do kids really worry about finding a place for next fall when they should be concentrating on their December finals? How hard will it be to find a place within walking distance of campus? </p>
<p>Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.</p>
<p>Don't you dare sign with Elkins. Many friends have had bad experiences with that company and their security deposit/condition of the house. I don't know about any good companies but everyone I have known who has had experience with Elkins has nothing but bad things to say about them.</p>
<p>I'm not a parent of a current student and haven't rented something as a student in years, but am a B-Ton resident. I don't know about specific property management companies (there are many) and their reputations but can offer some advice. </p>
<p>The first warning is to know that Bloomington has tenant-landlord codes in place. For your son and his friends it's important to know that rentals must have a rental permit. These permits allow a certain number of students to live in a house. Most common is 3 unrelated adults. There are some places with older permits that are grandfathered in for more than 3, but he needs to be sure to ask about it if he's living with more than a couple of roommates. I'm sure you would hate for a neighbor to turn the landlord in and suddenly the boys need to find a new place because they have one too many roommates. </p>
<p>There are lots of rentals in B-ton. Even in August students are renting new places. Unless they are set on a very specific house, I wouldn't worry about it until after the semester break. I know the dorms usually don't open until a few days before the new semester begins, but if possible have him return a bit early with his friends and do the search then. From what I understand most students try to secure a place prior to Spring Break. </p>
<p>He might also do what I did more years ago than I care to remember: walk through the areas he's interested in living, noting "for rent" signs. Many of them are already starting to pop up for next year.</p>
<p>My wife did the selection with my son for his place. She suggests that you go to the "10th & College" management office. They have nice places in great locations, which will, if your son, is going to share with others, be at a fair price.</p>
<p>Another one to check out is "Covenanter by Renaissance Rentals" which is south of the Campus Mall (which is SE of the campus itself). They have 1, 2, or 4 bedroom apartments (no 3 bedrooms ones, I believe).</p>
<p>We rented from the first company above, and my wife really liked the apartments both from them and the second company listed above also.
(Came down to a choice between the two).</p>
<p>She also suggests that you look around April (spring break or right afterwards), not December to get the best selection. </p>
<p>Most of the best apartments are on the west side, the SE side (near the Mall) and the SW side. The apartments near the stadium (far NW) tend to be the worst of the possibilities (they are not on a bus route, either, I believe). The major complaint against them is they are mainly motel conversions--and the people that did the "conversions" tried to save as much money as possible in doing so. (and it shows). In addition to the companies mentioned above, some of the apartments offered through RPS aren't too bad--and are cheaper--but they are mostly campus classroom conversions--so they have linoleum for flooring, not carpeting--and tend to seem a bit older (but like I said, actually pretty nice--and definitely the closest option).</p>
<p>Lastly, she said there are two things to consider--(1) your son probably won't want to be in an apartment complex with lots of young families and their young kids, and (2) being somewhere close to where he can get to a market and on a bus route will make life much easier.</p>
<p>Calcruzer-- Thanks for the lead on the 10th & College development. They look very nice, close enough to campus, and especially to Kelley. He won't have a car so locationwise, it looks very promising. I really like that most utilities are included in the rent. Also, please thank your wife for her excellent advice. : )</p>
<p>rrah-- Thanks to you to for your hometown advice, especially the occupancy permit info. Good to know!</p>
<p>A2-- We will avoid Elkins. Thanks! Are you on campus this year? If you don't mind me asking, how did you decide what to do for housing as a sophomore?</p>
<p>Thanks A2. I can understand the desire for more space and to save money.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the oncampus apartments? Are there any advantages to them as opposed to living off campus? Are they hard to get into?</p>
<p>My son has begun the search for off campus housing for next year. Initially, he planned to rent a 7 bedroom house but one roommate fell through. I also thought it was a ton of money without much searching for alternatives... $595 pp plus utilities. There are now 6 guys (or possibly 3 + 3) looking for house or apartment alternatives. This tenth and college option looks good--do you have any idea of price if each person wants their own bedroom. (I could find lots of layouts but no cost info). Does anyone have some good price/value/location guidelines?</p>
<p>jcarol-I'm going to guess the house is within a couple of blocks of campus. That price is on the higher end of the things. My best guess is that the landlord is charging a premium because it is a seven BR, very rare. There are a couple of newer high rise style buildings down that charge similar rents pp. I found this website for 10th and College--it seems to be a similar rate. Most of the downtown places (Tenth and College included) are some of the priciest student rentals available. </p>
<p>I work in the real estate industry so try to keep up with average rent prices, etc. I think students can realistically expect to pay $350/pp and up. For places within a couple of blocks of downtown and campus (NW of the university) costs are a bit higher overall. (Imagine an area defined by 10th, 3rd, Walnut, and campus. I'm guessing the 7 BR house is in this area.) North of 10th can be a bit lower, but the closer it is to campus the higher it will be. South of 3rd St would also be a bit lower because it's farther from downtown, but if it's within a few blocks of campus, it's more. East of campus is probably the most reasonable area as it is the farthest from downtown. In general my observations are about houses. Apartment complexes will follow similar pricing, but there are exceptions. </p>
<p>Some students do live near the mall and east of the bypass. These are probably the most reasonable and buses are available nearby in these complexes. </p>
<p>There is one additional thing to keep in mind, and this answers ILMom's question a bit. Most off campus properties require a 12 month lease. I don't believe the on campus apts do. </p>
<p>To further answer ILMom's question: Many of these apts are rented by grad students with families. One must be an upperclassman, grad student, faculty or staff to rent them. They are not the place most typical 19 and 20 years olds want to live. Many don't have air conditioning.</p>