Office of Student Life
Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement

Off-Campus Housing Network Commitments

The Ohio State Off Campus Housing Network

The Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network is a partnership across our community that will support an iconic off-campus residential experience. Property owners/managers that participate in the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network will commit to pre-determined criteria and be considered in- network. Those property owners in-network will be the only entities to access the Ohio State Off- Campus Housing Network benefits. In addition, students and families will have access to information about in-network property owners and will be able to make informed decisions about living off campus.


Property owners/managers must complete the information below and agree to the commitments to be considered in-network within the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network. In-network property owners will have the opportunity to have their properties featured within the Off-Campus Housing Network Housing Search as well as the opportunity to participate in the Off-Campus Living Expo and other department advertising opportunities.

Commitments

Property owners in-network with the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network commit to fulfill the following. 

  • Have leases that abide by city, state, and federal law.
    • Including following the renter's choice legislation.
  • Lease all properties that meet applicable local municipal housing codes.
    • Safety inspections with all network members will be completed for up to 5% of the company's portfolio, conducted by city/community stakeholders.
  • Register all properties with Franklin County and any applicable local municipality (including the City of Columbus) when required. 
  • Provide and maintain exterior lighting at the rear and front of all properties. 
  • Provide carbon monoxide detectors in all applicable properties – every home with at least one fuel-burning appliance/heater, attached garage or fireplace. 
  • Provide an after-hours contact phone number (to tenants and Ohio State) where OSU can talk to someone to ensure late night/weekend issues can be reported by University and/or safety entities in a timely fashion. 
  • Respond to all reports on the property of noise, hazards, trash, unsafe behaviors, etc. 
  • Provide tenant names and addresses in emergency situations. 
  • Meet individually with Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement (OCCSE) staff at least twice annually. 
  • Meet with OCCSE staff and relevant stakeholders when requested (which may include municipal code enforcement, safety agencies, tenants, or community partners depending on the situation).  
  • Engage regularly with OCCSE to maintain open lines of communications, to provide feedback, and discuss challenges and trends. This could include participating in surveys, focus groups, or other feedback opportunities. 
  • Attend at minimum 50% of Community Roundtables annually. 

Community Survey

Property owners in-network with the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network self-disclosed how they address the following business practices. Responses are shared for informational purposes only and are not intended to indicate that any particular answer is preferable to another. The goal is to provide students and their supporters with additional information to help them make informed decisions about where they want to live and from whom they want to rent. Students and their supporters are able to see property owner responses in the Off-Campus Housing Network Housing Search.

  • How often do you conduct exterior inspections of property to monitor Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)?
  • How often do you conduct exterior inspections of property to monitor litter?
  • How often do you conduct exterior inspections of property to monitor problematic and/or illegal structures and/or signage?
  • What frequency do you conduct furnace and dryer inspections?
  • How do you follow the new renter’s choice legislation?
  • Does your lease include a provision outlining the specific utilities for the given rental unit, including gas, electric, water/sewer, internet, cable, any security system, etc.? This provision cannot be a generic lease provision used in all leases, unless it pertains to the utilities of ALL your units.
  • Does your lease include which utilities are the tenant’s responsibility to pay?
  • Does your lease include which utility accounts will be in the tenant’s name and which are in the landlord’s name?
  • If the utilities are the tenant’s responsibility, does the lease include if the tenant is required to pay the provider directly or pay the landlord?
  • Does your lease specify that tenants are not charged more than the residential rate for utilities?
  • Does your lease have clear terms regarding parking specific to the given rental unit (e.g. how many parking spaces are provided for the unit, the cost of parking, whether the guaranteed space or first come first serve, and any other pertinent details regarding parking)? This provision cannot be a generic lease provision used in all leases, unless it pertains to the parking at of ALL your units.
  • Do you provide all tenants and cosigners/guarantors with an electronic copy of the signed lease which is signed by all parties including landlord/lessor?