Unfortunately, many students report experiencing substantial problems with these companies. 

Lease agreement issues left history and political science senior Katie Jesaitis’ roommate out of her home, looking for a place to live in the middle of the school year.

Jesaitis said she was aware her home on 243 Center St. was due for inspection and said she called CRMC offices multiple times to ensure nothing would prevent the house from passing, but Jesaitis’ home failed because her roommate's basement bedroom did not meet city regulations.

“CRMC said we had to leave the house or pay a bunch of fines,” Jesaitis said. “They really tried to make an example out of my roommates and I.”

To compensate for one of Jesaitis’ roommates getting kicked out, Jesaitis said CRMC offered the roommate a one-time $500 payment, but Jesaitis and her roommates paid CRMC $600 a month per person and the roommate already prepaid several months of rent.

“The biggest issue I had with all of them was that, yes we were all students, but they collected $60,000 over two years from us and they nickeled and dimed us every step of the way,” Jesaitis said. “They scammed students often — it was out of control.”

Jesaitis' issue might have been preventable depending on the language of her lease agreement.

“You should always carefully examine the language of a lease for what is permitted or not permitted,” housing and university relations administrator for the city of East Lansing Annette Irwin said. “Codes don’t let you use an area as a sleeping space just because there is space. It may not be safe.”

CRMC tries to ensure residents understand their lease terms, CRMC president Jeff Wells said.

“We distribute the lease prior to the lease signing so they have a couple of days to look it over,” Wells said. “We go over the portions with the residents that are complicated or could get them in trouble. The most important provisions require residents’ to sign their initials.”

CRMC might have been less inclined to negotiate with Jesaitis because of the nature of the dispute.

“Health, safety, and welfare issues are non-negotiable,” Wells said.

Environmental studies and sustainability sophomore Josh Weidenaar’s Haslett Arms apartment, owned by DTN, suffered substantial water damage to its ceiling, almost half of which had to be replaced.

“They left about a half inch of drywall dust all over our apartment, in our toaster, all over our furniture,” Weidenaar said.

The experience prompted Weidenaar to seek a report on the contents of the building’s ceilings prior to the work done in 2016.

Weidenaar said he and his roommates were offered $500 per person to sign an agreement absolving DTN of any legal responsibility for future bodily harm or property damage they suffered as a result of their time in Haslett Arms.

“It feels like they think we’re just stupid kids,” Weidenaar said.

Communication junior and DTN resident Jessica Levin said she called DTN multiple times after she repeatedly found a homeless man sleeping in her apartment hallway during winter break.

“I would leave for work at 4 a.m. and that is when he would be here, they said to call when the guy was here but who do I call at 4 a.m.?” Levin said.

When faced with rental property issues, Irwin said there are a number of resources and ways students can combat the problem.

“First let the property owner know, if that doesn’t fix the problem come to us,” Irwin said.

For rent and leasing terms disagreements, Irwin encouraged students to utilize free legal services provided by ASMSU and the MSU College of Law.

“What we want to do is ensure students are living in a safe environment,” Irwin said.

DTN did not respond to requests for comment.