FAQ Page


MAINTENANCE:

Contact Maintenance directly here.

  • TL;DR: Use Command strips. Unpatched/unpainted damage left by screws/nails will come off the deposit.

    Technically, nothing should be mounted to the walls in any way other than damage-free hanging strips such as 3M Command strips.

    All such strips should be removed by the end of the lease according to the instructions (pull down slowly on the tab).

    In the event that anything is mounted with screws or nails, they should be removed before the end of the lease, and patched with Spackle.

    • This is also true of small push-pins, though a few tiny holes here and there are not a big deal.

    The patched holes should then be painted to match the walls. If you reach out before May 1st, we should be able to drop off the actual paint used in your apt.

    Any remaining damage will require a trip from our painting / maintenance crew, who will charge your deposit according to the lease.

    • Typically this is around $40-60/hr for a painting crew, and repairing nail holes takes an average of 1-3 hours (spackle must be left to dry, then they'll return to paint). A few small holes may cost you $40 for one room; bigger wall damage from shelves or TVs may cost $150. This is just a rough idea of the range you can expect.

  • To avoid being charged for damage that was existing when you moved in, please report all such issues to us within one week of moving in.

    You will be provided a move-in checklist with your keys. If this was not received or misplaced, please download it here.

    Anything not reported at the start of the lease will be charged when you move out from the security deposit.

  • For general maintenance requests, please text our maintenance manager Carlito at 414-750-2957.

    Include your name, address, and photos of the issue where possible.

    Any issues that have gone unaddressed for more than a few days, please text or call him again as a reminder, and/or send requests to the office via text or email.

    You can download our contact files and find out more on how to reach us on our contact page.


PEST CONTROL:

Who’s responsible and what to do:

  • ...are ultimately the responsibility of MGMT.

    Though rare, we take sightings seriously and take preventative measures such as poison/bait outside the buildings.

    There are things you can do to avoid attracting them, and to help us prevent them:

    1. Seal Entry Points: Please tell us right away about any gaps/cracks/holes you notice around windows, walls, and doors, and especially around heating/water/gas pipes, etc. We will block all gaps with specialized steel wool or caulk.

    2. Proper Food Storage: Store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs or spills immediately.

    3. Regular Cleaning: Keep your apartment clean, especially the kitchen and dining areas. Empty trash cans frequently.

    4. Eliminate Clutter: Reduce clutter where mice can hide, including piles of clothes, boxes, or papers.

    5. Inform MGMT About Leaks: By request, we will repair any leaks to avoid creating water sources that can attract mice.

    6. Dispose of Waste Properly: Use tightly sealed trash bins and remove garbage regularly.

    7. Use Deterrents: Consider using natural deterrents like peppermint oil or ultrasonic devices.

  • ...are the responsibility of TENANTS.

    We can help, but the only real way to eliminate / avoid them is to keep your space very clean, which we cannot do for you.

    1. Keep Surfaces Clean: Wipe down counters and sweep floors regularly to remove crumbs and spills.

    2. Store Food Properly: Seal food in airtight containers, especially sugary or greasy items.

    3. Dispose of Trash: Empty trash bins frequently and use tightly sealed lids.

    4. Seal Entry Points: Close gaps and cracks where ants can enter. We can help with this if you inform us of any such gaps.

    5. Fix Leaks: Eliminate moisture sources by repairing any leaks. We can help with this; please tell us about leaks.

  • ...are the responsibility of TENANTS.

    We can help, but the only real way to eliminate / avoid them is to keep your space clean, which we cannot do for you.

    • TO AVOID ATTRACTING FLIES / FRUIT FLIES:

    1. Store Produce Properly: Keep ripe fruits and vegetables in the fridge or sealed containers.

    2. Clean Up Spills: Wipe up juice / soda / alcohol spills immediately, and clean any crumbs of sugary foods.

    3. Dispose of Rotting Food: Regularly throw out overripe produce or old food, and empty trash bins.

    4. Cover Trash and Compost: Use lids on trash cans and compost bins to limit access.

    • TO ELIMINATE EXISTING FLIES / FRUIT FLIES:

    1. Set Traps:

    • Fruit Flies: Use a dish of apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap to trap them.

    • Store-bought traps are also effective (such as this for $7)

    • Another good free DIY Fruit Fly trap is poking small holes (with a ballpoint pen) in a Ziploc bag, placing overripe fruit or banana peels inside, and leaving it on the counter for a day or so. Once flies are inside, they can't crawl out fast enough, so grab the bag, seal it in another bag, and dispose of it in the dumpster outside.

      • Only use traps if fruit flies are already present, to avoid attracting new ones.

    2. Clean Drains: Pour boiling water down drains to kill eggs or larvae.

    3. Remove Breeding Sites: Discard any overripe or rotting produce and clean areas where fruit flies gather.

    4. Clean the inside / bottom of your trash cans with bleach or vinegar.

  • ...are the responsibility of TENANTS to avoid, and MGMT to eliminate.

    Sightings are rare but taken seriously.

    ***DO NOT HESITATE to report a sighting to MGMT***

    We will not charge you for mitigation if you tell us immediately. If you let the problem go unreported for a while, letting it get worse, you may be in violation of the lease's requirement to maintain the premises in a state of order and cleanliness. Please, help us help you, and let us know where and when you see a roach.

    • To avoid attracting cockroaches:

    1. Keep Surfaces Clean: Regularly clean countertops, floors, and behind appliances to remove food debris.

    2. Store Food Properly: Seal all food in airtight containers, including pet food.

    3. Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaks and dry out sinks, tubs, and other moisture-prone areas.

    4. Dispose of Trash: Use tightly sealed trash bins and take out the garbage regularly.

    5. Seal Entry Points: Close gaps around doors, windows, and pipes where cockroaches can enter. We can help with this; please let us know of any such gaps if you notice them. Photos help a lot.

    • To eliminate cockroaches (we can help with this):

    1. Use Bait Stations: Place store-bought bait traps in areas where cockroaches are seen.

    2. Apply Gel Bait: Use gel bait in cracks and crevices to target hidden cockroaches.

    3. Clean and Sanitize: Deep clean infested areas and vacuum regularly to remove roach eggs.

    4. Seal Cracks: Block entry points to prevent further infestations. Again, we can do this - please let us know where any gaps exist in walls/doors/etc.

    5. Worst case: we will call our professional pest control service: If the infestation is severe or persistent, let us know and we will contact a pest control service immediately.

  • ...are the responsibility of MGMT.

    Contact us right away if you notice squirrels entering your property through holes in the walls or roofing.

    If you hear any scratching or crawling around in the building, inform us right away, as we will need to seal their entry point.

    We will set out non-lethal traps for them, call our exterior repair guys immediately, and seal the area once they've been eliminated from the property.

  • ...are generally the responsibility of MGMT.

    • To avoid attracting centipedes, here are some things we will help with (by request):

    1. Reduce Moisture: Fix leaks and use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms. We will help with this by request.

    2. Seal Entry Points: Close gaps around doors, windows, and foundations where centipedes can enter. We will help with this by request.

    3. Eliminate Clutter: Remove piles of leaves, wood, or debris near your home’s foundation. We will help with this by request.

    4. Control Other Pests: Keep other insects under control, as centipedes feed on them. We will help with this by request.

    5. Clean Regularly: Keep your apartment clean, especially in dark, damp areas where centipedes may hide.


PAYMENTS:

Sign in to pay here.

A complete description of pre-payments/deposits is here.

  • Please visit our sign-in page here for a complete guide.

    There, you can download our Resident Center app and set up auto-pay or pay via bank / card.

    BE ADVISED: Cards charge up to 3%. Bank transfers are no additional charge, nor are checks.

  • Card vs. bank transfer vs. check

    Cards:

    • Charge up to 3% convenience fee. This goes to the payment processor, not Campus MGMT, and therefore cannot be refunded by us.

    Preferred Method:

    Bank transfer / ACH / EFT:

    • No additional fee to pay this way.

    • Before paying, make sure the account name and numbers are typed exactly how they appear through your bank, and that the account is properly funded.

    Check / Money Order:

    • Make sure they are clearly labelled: to which name / address should we apply the payment? Checks from parents can be confusing, as people may share last names with multiple tenants. Include the address and unit number in the memo, or the envelope enclosing the check.

    • Make payable to:

    Campus Management LLC

    929 N 17th St Office

    Milwaukee, WI 53233

    • Or drop off a check in the black drop-box outside that address.

  • Paying the first and last month's rent up front is common practice with apartment rentals.

    Additionally, we’re mostly college housing. Students move in and move out by the hundreds every year. We’ve been burned in the past by tenants who decide to skip their last month’s rent payment, knowing that we'll be too busy to pursue payment right away. Then, they move away, often out of state.

    While we can sue tenants for sufficient damages, this becomes difficult when they’re in another state or country after college. This problem is avoided by having the last month's rent and security deposit.

    Not that you would try this, but someone will.

    More info on deposits and last month's rent is here.

  • While security deposits are sometimes applied to small outstanding balances when leases expire, their main function is to cover damage to the property.

    The security deposit isn't always sufficient when major damage is caused (which is pretty common in such temporary housing). If we use the deposit for May rent, there’s none left over for potential damages.

    More info on deposits and last month's rent is here.

  • We’re human; we understand things happen and 3 months is a lot up front. By law, you should receive your deposit back from your prior apartment within 1 month (they have to send it to you within 21 days). That should help - let’s talk about it. If you have real concerns about paying this all before your lease, let us know. We need a plan and open communication.


LEASING / TERMS:

Details on how/when to lease an apartment/house:

  • Apply here.

    Tour with MGMT (virtual options available).

    Confirm availability, pricing and details directly with MGMT.

    MGMT will send a lease to the email you apply with.

  • Yes! We'll email you a copy of the lease, which isn't valid until all named parties sign. You can read it over fully before adding an e-signature, even if other roommates have already signed.

  • June 1st - May 21st is the standard term for a lease. Rent is charged for the 355-day lease term, split into 12 equal monthly payments.

    We need this 10-day gap between leases to allow for adequate turnover time, considering the majority of our residents are college students who move in and out every 1-3 years. Graduation is held in mid-May, meaning graduates are usually moved out by the 21st anyway.

    This also allows for a few days in either direction if an extension is needed for early move-in or late move-out. Such requests should be minimized where possible, sent no later than 40 days prior to the lease start date, and are approved in most cases. Priority is made for early requests and current tenants of ours who are transferring to another one of our apartments.

    • For context, some college towns have move-out and move-in day on the same day every year, with no gap, and it turns the neighborhood into an absolute disaster. Already, MU's move-out mess is very discouraging and extremely difficult to deal with, even with extra staff and a built-in buffer between leases.

  • TL;DR: Inflation is real, and we need to track it to stay in business. (why?)

    Our costs have been going up consistently each year in a compounding fashion, especially the last few years. Specifically, in 2024, utilities are up 7.5%, materials are up 11% and overall labor costs are up 9% - just in the past year.

    On top of that, our insurance increases alone have been 11%, 17% and 14% over the past three years, in a compounding fashion. There are zero standard insurance carriers that have any interest in insuring student housing properties. Here's a direct quote from an insurance agent we work with...  "I don't have a direct carrier that is interested in student housing" - so, we have to go to the higher risk insurance market which is three to four times more expensive than standard rate insurance.

    Considering we're a small local team rather than an out-of-state investor or large corporate owners, we need to increase our rates to reflect our costs to stay in business. We also have massive expenses to recoup - renovations, roof repairs, windows, exterior repairs, etc.

    Still, renewal offers are less than for new groups, and this year the demand has been higher and sooner than ever, meaning we could rent the apartments out for more, but we prefer and appreciate renewals.

    We also compare our rates to similar landlords in the area and find them to be competitive, often lower per square foot for comparative quality.