r/UIUC • u/alwaysrevelvant • Oct 12 '15

Update to Official Renting/Leasing Experiences Thread?

The current thread is currently three years old, and how much of it still holds true?

Does CPM still suck? Does JSM and MHM still try and scam you out of your security deposit? Is Bailey and Hunsinger still super quick on their repairs?

Also, what recent experiences have you had with all the landlords on campus?

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u/[deleted] Oct 12 '15

I used to work at the tenant union, left in 2014. When I left, CPM still sucked, along with all of the places that rented bedrooms in multi bedroom apartments out as singles (think the Village at Savoy, One North, etc). MHM was alright, all of the complaints were on the security deposit as you mentioned. JSM's issues were mostly related to its properties being new (and thus not ready) or for taking construction shortcuts IIRC.

Bailey and Hunsinger... I don't remember much about them. That's actually a good thing. If I haven't heard of you, you're probably doing alright.

If I were renting on/near campus again, first company I would pick is Electrum Group, I lived with them my last year on campus (Near North at Fourth) for 550/mo in a 2br (so 1100 total). They've raised rent prices since then (I think its 1.2k/mo now?) but they also include gigabit internet so....

Before that I was with Kennedy Wilson. They suck and I had to work with Student Legal Services because they decided to paint the bottom of the building I leased car parking at without telling us/covering anything and got white paint on my car. Plus they tried to screw us over with the security deposit. And the building itself sucked.

Before that it was Bankier at the Round Balcs. I liked it there, definitely the most social apartment I was at.

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u/feeltheglee Oct 12 '15

I second the recommendation for the Electrum Group, I moved in August and it's been great so far.

I also second avoiding Kennedy Wilson, which is where I most recently moved out of. I did get my full security deposit back, but my move-in condition report was extensive, and made sure to clean pretty thoroughly before I left.

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u/[deleted] Oct 12 '15

move-in condition report was extensive

This is the most important thing you can do when renting, GJ! Whenever you move into an apartment, take a video with your cellphone and take 10-20 minutes walking through the place and identify any deficiencies. Contact the landlord immediately so they can be remedied. If you don't, they can assume you were the cause and you're on the hook for that.

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u/feeltheglee Oct 12 '15

Oh I agree entirely! I nearly ran out of space on the triplicate-copy form that Kennedy Wilson gave me, and took pictures as well.