Last-minute housing limited off campus

Sometimes, the housing application process leaves students scrambling for last-minute options.

Of the 2,525 students who signed up for on-campus housing last year, only 2,119 actually took on-campus rooms, according to Business Services. However, by the time the on-campus housing process concludes in mid-March, options for off-campus housing are limited.

The Radian Apartments “usually doesn’t have anything left over by March,” said Leasing Consultant Cory Tower.

Campus Apartments has approximately 200 units left by mid-March, from studio to three-bedroom apartments, according to Campus Apartments Regional Property Manager Jason Cohen.

Another large off-campus landlord, University City Housing, begins leasing its properties between 42nd and 46th streets in early March, although those properties are predominately graduate housing, Bill Groves of University City Housing said in an email.

“By March 15 in a typical year we would expect to have a limited number of studio, one- or two-bedroom listings on the 3900 or 4000 blocks of Locust, Spruce or Pine, rarely larger units,” he added.
UCH adds a few Hamilton Court listings in mid-March, usually two- or three-bedroom apartments.

University Enterprises should be filled by mid-March, said UE owner Steve Herman.

If students get a room late, prices might be higher than if they signed early.

UCH evaluates rental rates in November, mid to late February and mid-May.

“Based on last season’s experience, residents who signed new leases before late February would have avoided a mid-season adjustment,” Groves said.

Campus Apartments sets market rates in late September and “reserves the right to raise or lower … market rates,” Cohen said. Last season, the market rates remained the same since September.

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