Feedback from Student Renters

The following findings and opinions come from the more than 200 UM and COT student renters surveyed by the Renter Center in December 2002 and March 2004. As more comments come in, they will be posted.

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About one-third of the students surveyed in 2004 admitted they had, at some time, housed a pet that was forbidden by their lease or rental agreement.

About 43% of those reported they had been at an off-campus party when a Missoula Police officer had appeared at the door.

About 42% of those said they understand that some off-campus behavior could draw sanctions through the UM's Code of Conduct.

Only five students questioned in 2004 said they had been evicted from a Missoula rental; one explained that the eviction occurred because the residence had been condemned due to code violations.

About 36% said they had, at some time, been unfairly denied a full or partial refund of their rental security deposit.

Only 15% questioned in 2004 reported ever having used a written, signed Roommate Agreement, but nearly 50% said they believe Roommate Agreements are helpful.

One student answered "no" about having used a Roommate Agreement, and then added, "I should have, though."

FYI: A model Roommate Agreement is available at the MontPIRG office or at the ASUM Off-Campus Renter Center in UC Suite 105.

Who oversees these off-campus rental properties? Among the students questioned in 2004, about 50% reported their current rentals were managed by professional property managers; about 30% said their rentals are managed by the property's owner (sometimes professionally trained, often not), and about 15% lived in multi-unit complexes managed by an on-site management office.

Following are more comments from students:

“…Good maintenance, but bad hidden charges.”– B.R. 12/02

“The house is 110 years old and falling apart. It’s cold, leaks, has electrical problems, and the rent just got raised $35.” – M.B. 12/02

“It’s a little pricey but very nice. We can have dogs.” – N.G. 12/02

“No problems so far, except the owner left a lot of stuff remaining in the house (on North Avenue E.) – kind of annoying.” –B.L. 12/02

NOTE: Four students were paying market rate for a three-bedroom house, but they were getting the use of only one legal ground-floor bedroom, and were locked out of the other ground-floor bedroom, which was being used for the owner’s storage. In the basement, one student was sleeping in a “bedroom” with no legally-required egress window, and another was sleeping in the “bonus room,” which was merely an unfinished open area, also lacking a legally-required egress window.

“The house (on Elm Street) is overpriced and under-fixed. We’ve had a broken window and dishwasher ever since we moved in. We are cold and unhappy.” –M.Z. 12/02

“The landlord (private homeowner) takes a while to respond to requests, but is very nice and approachable. Great house! – K.G. 12/02

“…(Property owner) should be avoided at any cost.” – Name Withheld 12/02

“…(Different property owner) is a slum lord and the reason I moved out of one house.” – Name withheld. 12/02

“Good landlord, scary house (on 300 block of Easy Street).” – C.H. 12/02

“The landlord is hard to get hold of and takes a long time to fix problems.” – D.N., 12/02

"They (a property management firm) take a long time to respond. We were out of hot water for three days, and I had a huge hole in my ceiling for one month due to a roof leak that broke through paneling.” –C.B.

“The home (on Cooper Street) is great, safe and cheap to rent! --G.N. 12/02

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“The place (on Arbor Street) is safe, but my landlady comes into the apartment without permission.” – S.D. 12/02

“The managers (at Birchwood Meadows complex) are really great; they always repair things the next day.” – K.R. 12/02

“The managers (Adea Property Mgt.) give really great service and take care of problems quickly.” ----A.K., 12/02

“Nice house but not well insulated.” –S.R. 12/02

“The property manager hinted that the firm had in the past accepted extra renters (more renters than there were bedrooms and more than were planning to move in.) --Name, address withheld.

“The management (Hawkinson & Whitsell Enterprises) is very friendly and helpful.” – R.C. 12/02

“Have lived at same address three years -- really like it and the management (Adea Property Mgt.).” --D.W., 12/02

“They (Bitterroot Property Mgt.) were a little slow on repairs, but otherwise good.” -- C.Y. 12/02

“We love Garden City Property Mgt. They are the best we have ever dealt with – really fair.” –C.V. 12/02

“They (J. and M. Gillett) are very good landlords – fix things immediately.” –S.P. 12/02

“The owner is great, but the home could use a little more insulation.” – T.A. 12/02

“I think we don’t have enough insulation (on 500 block, 5th Street W.), and I think there is asbestos in the attic.” – K.M. 12/02

“I’m not talking -- I’d rather not give them (property management firm) one more thing to complain about.” –A.G.

“The home is awesome but very old. Many needed repairs haven’t been done. The management sucks.” – D.K. 12/02

“The house (in the 800 block of Evans) is old and cold.” –J.R. 12/02

“The management is great to deal with, but the house (on S. First Street W.) is unsafe.” – D.C. 12/02

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