Spring Break
Housing hunt begins early
Landlords, students frustrated off-campus lease signing comes early in school year
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 10/17/05 Section: Campus News
Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part series on student housing in Eau Claire. The series will run on Mondays.
In the middle of October, when many students are just starting to settle into their houses, the thought of renting a house for next year may seem a long way off.
But many UW-Eau Claire students have begun the searching process or have even signed a lease that won't start until June 1, 2006.
Matt McHugh of McQ Properties, 630 Water St., said it's all part of a "vicious cycle" for students and landlords alike.
"We all agree it's too early now; however, Eau Claire is unique in that students start looking very early," he said. "I don't know what it is, but ... it inherently starts concerns."
Some students have been in their houses for a little more than a month and now have to make a choice between either re-renting the house or moving elsewhere.
"It's kind of a problem, because we've only been in our house about one month," said senior Jenny Gratke, adding they also were having problems with some roommates graduating next December. "It's not enough time to realize if we want to leave or not."
Other students may have to make living decisions despite uncertainty in their plans next year, which could lead to subleasing problems.
Landlords are forced to show student housing nine months a year, creating more work on their end, McHugh said.
But the cycle continues - landlords can't afford to not show their houses early because of competition from other housing agencies, and students must look early to get the best available housing, he said.
Junior Justin Boyd agreed.
"I personally don't like it, but I think the competition naturally drives it back this early," he said. "If all the landlords force their people to decide if they stay or not so they can advertise ... there's really no choice."
For some students, situations can change and can have them looking for a subleaser - a person to take their part of the rent for the person who originally signed the lease.
In the middle of October, when many students are just starting to settle into their houses, the thought of renting a house for next year may seem a long way off.
But many UW-Eau Claire students have begun the searching process or have even signed a lease that won't start until June 1, 2006.
Matt McHugh of McQ Properties, 630 Water St., said it's all part of a "vicious cycle" for students and landlords alike.
"We all agree it's too early now; however, Eau Claire is unique in that students start looking very early," he said. "I don't know what it is, but ... it inherently starts concerns."
Some students have been in their houses for a little more than a month and now have to make a choice between either re-renting the house or moving elsewhere.
"It's kind of a problem, because we've only been in our house about one month," said senior Jenny Gratke, adding they also were having problems with some roommates graduating next December. "It's not enough time to realize if we want to leave or not."
Other students may have to make living decisions despite uncertainty in their plans next year, which could lead to subleasing problems.
Landlords are forced to show student housing nine months a year, creating more work on their end, McHugh said.
But the cycle continues - landlords can't afford to not show their houses early because of competition from other housing agencies, and students must look early to get the best available housing, he said.
Junior Justin Boyd agreed.
"I personally don't like it, but I think the competition naturally drives it back this early," he said. "If all the landlords force their people to decide if they stay or not so they can advertise ... there's really no choice."
For some students, situations can change and can have them looking for a subleaser - a person to take their part of the rent for the person who originally signed the lease.