Press "Enter" to skip to content

A guide to choosing the right off-campus rental company:

There are a number of both rental companies and private owners around campus from which students can rent from. Re/Max real estate agent Jackie Lynch said she advises students to look at multiple options before settling on one company or landlord. Here’s a short list of a few companies around campus:

 

Cambridge

Properties: St. James apartments.

Average price:  1 bedrooms range from $560-590, 2 bedrooms range from $345-495 per person, 3 bedrooms range from $345-445 per person,  4 bedrooms range from $365-415 per person.

Includes: Water, Internet (wired and wireless), phone and cable. Apartments are also furnished.

“St. James is Bradley owned and specific to Bradley students,” said managing broker Jason Kesler. “It’s a gated community, a short walk to Bradley and has close proximity to Meinen Field. [Plus, it also includes] on-site parking, on-site maintenance and on-call emergency maintenance.”

Junior advertising major Thanand Kachentawa said St. James is the best place for her.

“There are perks in living here like having the dishwasher, couches and full size beds,” she said. “And if you live in a four room apartment, the rent with utilities is less than $400 [per month]. I also love being able to cook, and I’m sure you can do that in a house. But if anything breaks, there’s someone here to fix it for you.”

 

Ideal Rentals

Properties located on: Barker Avenue, Callender Avenue, Columbia Terrance, Cooper Street, Elmwood Avenue, Fredonia Avenue, Main Street, Rebecca Place, Underhill Street, University Street.

Average price: $300-375 per month per person depending on the neighborhood.

Includes: Some utilities and internet in apartments; houses don’t include utilities.

“We’re a family-owned business, which means that we own all of our properties too,” said operational manager Josh Hafliger. “We manage our own properties, so it’s easier to get things done. Also, it means that our houses are better maintained.”

Students said the rent is justifiable from Ideal Rentals.

“I like my property management because I think the rent they charge is fair, seeing that water and internet are free, which is a big plus,” said junior psychology major Emily Frye.  “They always are quick to resolve any problems that come up with the apartment.”

 

SRH Properties

Properties: Underhill Street Apartments.

Average price: $495 per month for a 1 bedroom, $650 per month for a 2 bedroom, $885 per month for a 3 bedroom.

Includes: Heat, water and garbage.

“I know all the tenants by name and quite a few rent from me after graduation,” said manager Scott Hooste. “We have a wonderful maintenance staff that is available on call. We keep the properties in excellent condition. The units are very large and all have balconies. We have security cameras on site which add to the overall safety of the property.”

Some students have mixed feelings about SRH Properties.

“Our landlord has fixed nothing since we moved in and there’s a long list of broken things,” said a current resident who wishes to remain anonymous. “The fire station being so close makes the area noisy. But on the upside, it’s so conveniently located, and it is relatively safe.”

 

University Properties

Properties: Barker Avenue, Bradley Avenue, Cooper Street, Fredonia Avenue, Glenwood Avenue, Laura Avenue, Main Street, Rebecca Place, Underhill Street, University Street.

Average price: $300-360 per person per month.

Includes: Sewer; all student houses also have free laundry facilities.

Advantages: “[My husband Perry and I] graduated from Bradley in the early ‘80s with degrees in business,” said manager Leslie Tate. “We currently own over 50 properties, all within walking distance of Bradley’s campus. This is our full-time business, not a sideline.  Our family business has also recently expanded to include our 8th grade daughter who bakes and delivers cupcakes ordered by our tenants’ parents to surprise their students on their birthday or during finals.”

Junior sports communication major Lee Pikelny said Tate has been helpful to him and his roommates.

“Our landlord has actually been really responsive to our problems,” he said. “There were quite a few issues when we first moved in, and they were all answered pretty quickly. It’s nice to know we were cared about enough.”

 

Copyright © 2023, The Scout, Bradley University. All rights reserved.
The Scout is published by members of the student body of Bradley University. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the University.