University of Minnesota students want more for what they are paying in rent

Apartment Buildings in the North Loop area of Minneapolis on Feb. 25, 2024. (Eli Dahmah)

Feb. 25, 2024.

Students at the University of Minnesota said they feel their apartments leave much to be desired and are looking for lower rent prices in the future.

Many students reported looking for cheaper housing elsewhere next semester because they cannot justify what they are currently paying. One student said he had to take out a loan to be able to afford his rent for the semester after running out of money he had saved from working during the previous summer.

The most common theme among students was that they believe the amount they paid in monthly rent was simply too high, followed by issues with the buildings and management. Students reported paying between $785 to $1100 per month.

J.P. VanSloun on the University campus on Feb. 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Eli Dahmah)

20-year-old J.P. VanSloun, a Computer Science student at the University reported paying $930 a month in rent at WaHu apartments in Stadium Village. VanSloun also noted that there had been some issues related to building management's handling of a burst pipe when asked if he liked the building.

"Its okay, we had flooding from a pipe bursting on our floor, right next to our apartment," VanSloun said, "They had SERVPRO come in pretty much the next day, so I mean, they were fairly on top of it. They haven't been great about communication with some of this stuff so I guess they leave something to be desired there."

Joey Vollmers on the University campus on Feb. 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Eli Dahmah)

20-year old Joey Vollmers said he pays around $1,000 per month before utilities to live at the Fieldhouse apartment complex in Dinkytown. Vollmers said he was dissatisfied with the quality of the building.

"The build quality leaves a little to be desired sometimes," Vollmers said, "It seems like there were some corners cut in some places."

Vollmers wishes he did not sign there and wants to live somewhere cheaper next semester.

Silas Simpson outside of a fraternity house on University Avenue on Feb. 22, 2024 in Minneapolis (Eli Dahmah)

20-year-old Silas Simpson lives in Yugo Sydney Hall, an apartment complex near the University of Minnesota campus, where he pays $1100 a month for rent. Simpson said he had an issue with management taking a week to fix his air conditioning.

"At the start of the year my A.C. was out and it took them like a week to fix it and it was right in summer," Simpson said, "so that was less than ideal."

Simpson also said that he likes the building because of how close it is to campus, but does not think it is entirely worth what he is paying when asked.

"It mostly comes down to location, I just like being really close to everything," Simpson said, "I guess so, but its definitely borderline. They know what they are doing when they set the price where its at."

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