FAQ- Property Managers & Landlords

1. How can I advertise my property to students?

ODU uses a property listing service company, Off-Campus Partners. Through the

website, http://blue.odu.edu/housing/off-campus.php, property managers and

landlords can post local properties that are available for rent to ODU faculty, staff,

and students. For $50 dollars, a landlord/property manager can post an individual

listing. Listing your property is easy—just click on the “Have a listing? Post it now”

button on the homepage. For apartments or property management companies with

multiple listings, contact the Off-Campus Student Life Office for more information

about posting your listings.

What is the advantage of posting my propert(ies)?

The website gets over 30,000 site visits a year and is the primary way the Off-Campus

Student Life office connects students to off-campus properties. With the creation of

the Off-Campus Student Life Office, the website is frequently promoted to students

through email and advertisements on campus and during Off-Campus Living 101

sessions (sessions for students considering living off-campus).

3. How can I create a good property profile to attract student renters on the website?

Many students are unfamiliar with the Norfolk area. Letting students know the

distance in miles and driving time, as well as whether the listing is within walking

distance, helps the students orient the property in relation to campus. If the property

is accessible by public transit, it is important to list that as well. We also recommend

adding pictures and full description of the property and its safety features.

4. When are most students looking for off-campus housing?

Most students are looking for off-campus housing from March to August to rent starting

in August (for the Fall semester). There are also students who transfer to the

University for the Spring Semester. They tend to look for housing in November or

December.

5. Can ODU guarantee my property will be rented if I post on the site?

Students review the site for properties that meet their criteria. We cannot guarantee

that a student will chose your property to rent.

Are there other ways to promote my propert(ies)?

The Off-Campus Student Life Office will hold two Off-Campus Housing Fairs in Spring

2017. For information about how to sign up for the fair, please contact

offcampuslife@odu.edu.

7. I’ve never rented to students before. How do I make sure I get good student tenants?

Student renters may be first time renters, with little understanding of the

expectations and responsibilities associated with renting. Additionally, they may not

have rental history. It is important to thoroughly assess whether the student

understands and is willing to live up to your expectations, including lease term, notice

needed to move out, payment of rent, property cleanliness and upkeep, etc. It is

always a good idea to include expectations that are important to you in your lease.

8. What are some resources available to assist me?

If your property is located within the City of Norfolk, you should take advantage of the

City of Norfolk’s Rent Ready Norfolk (RRN) program. The program offers FREE quality

assessments and educational workshops to landlords in the area. A landlord can

become Rent Ready Norfolk Certified through the program. ODU has plans to include

an explanation of the Rent Ready Norfolk Certification, and a logo beside properties

that have completed the certification, in the near future. For more information on the

program, call 757-664-RENT (7368) or email rentready@norfolk.gov.

You can also request a FREE security survey of your property with Norfolk Police

Department (NPD). During this survey, NPD will assess your property and give you a list

of recommendations to secure your property to make it less attractive to burglars. To

request additional information, call 757-664-6901.