Over 200 students found their way into the University North and South rooms of the Pioneer Student Center last week to meet with local landlords and look into off-campus housing.

UW-Platteville held its first Housing Fair Nov. 11 to help students locate rental housing off campus for the upcoming year. The Housing Fair was sponsored by Rental Resources, which was established on campus in May 2009.

Eleven landlords from the Platteville area attended the Housing Fair, giving information and showing pictures of their units to prospective renters. Some handed out pamphlets and offered to make appointments for viewing of their rental properties.

Both landlords and staff from Rental Resources helped advise students of the many factors to consider when looking to rent. Students need to know how many bedrooms and bathrooms they are willing to pay for, because rent usually increases with the number of rooms. The terms of the lease need to be discussed in great detail. The lease provides specific items that are addressed to renters such as when rent is due, locations for parking, disposal of garbage, lawn care and snow removal.

Jim Sherry rents out Pioneer Apartments, an assortment of apartment buildings located in Platteville. His apartment complexes include Pioneer Ridge, Pioneer Court, Pioneer Bluff and Pioneer Point. Sherry said one thing he does with his apartments to attract tenants is furnish them and provide internet.

Sherry called the event a great success. By 8 p.m. about 30 students had made appointments to view his apartments.

Lonnie Holze, another landlord who attended the event, has been renting houses to college students for 18 years. As a UW-P alumnus, Holze says he knows what students are looking for in off-campus student housing. Most of Holze’s rental houses are within walking distance of campus, a perk for most students. He was also pleased with the amount of interest he received from students at the Housing Fair.

“If I knew what was available, I’d have everything rented within two days,” Holze said. “There was an excellent turnout.”

For more information on possible places to rent in Platteville, tips and guidelines for renting and additional resources for prospective renters, students can visit the Office of Rental Resources, located in the Pioneer Involvement Center at the PSC. You can also e-mail rent@uwplatt.edu if you have further questions.