Five leasing companies in University District differ on rent and rules

University District. Ohio State University students preparing to lease off-campus housing face distinct differences in property availability, utility coverage, and pet policies among the area's major landlords. Five prominent leasing companies manage homes in the district, but their operational standards vary widely.

First, the number of properties and their bedroom configurations differ by company. OSU Properties, also known as George Kanellopoulos Properties, lists homes with up to seven bedrooms, with more than half of its inventory falling into the five-to-seven bedroom range. Hometeam Properties manages nearly 1,000 properties, mostly studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, though it also lists houses with up to eleven bedrooms. Buckeye Real Estate lists studios through eight-bedroom houses, while North Steppe Realty lists studios through eight-bedroom homes. Inn Town Homes and Apartments lists one-bedroom units up to a ten-bedroom home, with most listings featuring three to five or more bedrooms.

Second, the geographic location of managed properties varies across the district. OSU Properties concentrates most of its homes in the northern section, with addresses on Oakland, Northwood, Norwich, and Maynard avenues, and a few as far south as Pennsylvania and Ninth Avenues. Hometeam Properties places most of its inventory in the central and southern areas, with some listings scattered throughout. Buckeye Real Estate distributes its properties evenly across the northern, central, and southern sections. North Steppe Realty focuses on the central district, generally east of the Ohio State campus. Inn Town Homes and Apartments has a high concentration of properties on Norwich and 12th Avenues, with other listings spread across the district.

Third, rules regarding utilities and pets are not uniform. OSU Properties does not include utilities in rent, requiring tenants to set up accounts with approved companies before moving in, and its sample lease prohibits pets. Hometeam Properties includes water and gas in rent but excludes electricity, cable, and internet; it allows pets that have been registered through a company form. Buckeye Real Estate did not disclose utility information on its website but permits pets with prior written consent. North Steppe Realty states that tenants must put utilities in their own name before moving in and remove them at the end of the lease, with specific policies varying by property. Inn Town Homes and Apartments includes water and exterior maintenance in rent, while residents arrange all other utilities; it identifies pet-friendly properties and outlines a process for adding pets to a lease.