Apartment rental companies don’t always have the most sterling reputations. However, there are good ones out there. Fear not, future apartment dweller, there’s a place for you that has good pricing and will not screw you out of your security deposit for an extra buck.
Why go through the heartache of dealing with a terrible landlord that does not get back to you about fixing issues? Why rent from an owner that cares more about getting someone new in than taking care of his or her current tenants? There are a lot of people out there that have gone through the heartaches already, and their experiences can help guide you.
What time is it at Indiana’s campus? Time to find an apartment that doesn’t rip you off. (Flickr)
We sifted through landlords with multiple reviews online and found the most consistently high rated apartments and houses to rent near the Indiana University-Bloomington campus.
Here are the top Bloomington, Indiana rentals, and rental companies:
Abodes has been around for quite a while and earns almost exclusively positive reviews online. They have apartments for rent near campus and have developed a sterling reputation with students. Abodes has over 30 years of leasing experience in Bloomington and currently manages over 170 houses and apartments in Bloomington.
On top of having great experience in Bloomington, Abodes also dedicates themselves to being a more sustainable business by implementing their “Green Initiative.” Abodes has gone so far as to share with all their residents their “Green Initiative” and develop an organic community garden for residents.
Our favorite Google review:
“I’ve lived in the Woods complex for a year and I love it! I’m a grad student at IU and the apartment is very convenient to campus but still feels removed enough from the business of campus. It’s right on 2 major bus lines and near several major grocery stores. The apartment itself is very spacious and has many large windows. My place faces the woods and has a nice patio for working outside. The property is pet friendly and my cat loves lounging by the window watching all the animals coming out of the woods. Highly recommend!”
The dedicated team over at Olympus Properties aspire to provide IU college students the best of the best when if comes to off-campus housing! Their properties and floor plans vary and many are conveniently located within walking distance to everything that you’re going to want-campus, shops, and restaurants. You can be rest assured that you’re in good hands with a team will go above and beyond for their tenants. Choosing a rental from Olympus will help give you the college life you’ve always dreamed of!
Our favorite Google review:
“During the stressful rush of finding off campus housing for my son and his friends, Jennifer and all the people at Olympus Properties made it easy. Despite our busy schedules and limited times to look at houses, they were extremely accommodating. I could tell their properties are well maintained, pricing is very fair and leases are thorough and reasonable. They answered all our questions and are extremely organized. I highly recommend Olympus Properties.”
When you hear convenient and affordable, you probably don’t expect to have the quality, but Elkins Apartments provides IU students you the best of both worlds! Elkins Apartments prices are on point for student renters and more importantly you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. They offer a over a hundred different apartments and houses ranging from studios to large houses for you and all your friends.
Our favorite Google review:
“Fantastic apartment landlords! Elkins Apartments (specifically Hillside Dr.) were the best apartment that we’ve lived out so far. From Japan to Maryland to Indiana, Elkins always went out of their way to assist us!”
OMEGA Properties is another family owned business in Bloomington. They’ve been around for a long time and have always rented to college students. The Friedman’s have worked hard to maintain a good reputation in the community and have done a lot to improve their properties over the years.
With almost 40 separate locations, including houses and apartment buildings, OMEGA has options to fit just about every student’s needs and wants.
Our favorite Google review:
“I’ve lived in an Omega apartment for a semester now and have had nothing but a positive experience. My apartment is probably the nicest place I’ll be living in until I’m 30, with a huge living room and a full kitchen. The staff is very kind and understanding – my microwave broke within my first week here and not only did they replace it within the day, but also at no charge. In the interim they even loaned me the one the use in the office. I highly recommend leasing from Omega Properties, this is the best deal in town for the price I’m paying.”
The Park on Morton is luxury student housing property located in an ideal spot just off College Avenue. It’s not all too common to have the location walking distance to campus, but The Park on Morton is right there!
The Park on Morton also features a private park for their residents. After our student survey, we realized how much good WIFI means to you as a college student. Well, The Park also offers its residents high-speed WIFI for FREE. Included in your rent is all of your high-speed internet access throughout the whole place. So don’t go wasting your time on hold with the cable company for hours, go check out The Park on Morton.
Also, just in case you happen to like beer (and are old enough to drink it!), The Park on Morton is only ONE BLOCK from Bloomington’s craft brewery, Upland Brewery. That’d be a game changer for us … just saying.
Our favorite Google review:
“I’m going on my third year here living at the Park on Morton, and there’s a reason I haven’t left! Management has gotten better since Coastal Ridge took over, and we rarely (if ever) have any serious problems. This is as low-maintanence as college living can get, since for one flat fee you get rent, furniture, internet, water, trash, and cable. Parking and electric are paid on your own, but this is as good as it gets when looking for a convenient college-kid-friendly complex to live in. Gym is small, but effective when I don’t feel like driving to the campus gym. Pool is always clean and busy, and the surrounding grounds are well-kept. Maintenance can be slow, but gets things taken care of when it’s an urgent issue. I recommend POM to all my friends, especially for the price. If you want everything to be perfect, go live somewhere with $1000+/month rent.”
Cedarview Management has been in the student housing biz for over 45 years now so you can trust them to set you up with a sick pad at a great price! Choose from one of their many apartments or houses just steps from the IU campus or set your sights on an abode downtown. With amazing amenities like a heated swimming pool, fitness center, and all-night study rooms and a welcoming, attentive staff, renting from Cedarview is a no-brainer!
Our favorite Google review:
“Cedarview Management is an amazing rental agency with the nicest staff and very clean buildings. I have lived at Tenth and College for three years and have loved it enough to re-sign each year. The building has great amenities that are well kept and a terrific location. The leasing agents are amazing and go out of their way to help you and are extremely thoughtful. PJ at the front desk is one of my favorite people ever!“
Over the last 40 years, Pavilion Properties has risen to be one of Bloomington’s top student housing development and management companies! Pavilion manages over 300 rental units throughout the Bloomington area, many of which are just a stone’s throw from campus. They get the life of a college student so you can expect quality housing at reasonable prices. Residents have said that the folks at Pavilion that they often go above address any concerns and are quick to respond!
Our favorite Google review:
“The hardest working management company serving Indiana University students!
The staff at Pav is excellent as they are always helpful and friendly. The great maintenance and management team are committed to serve and provide you with an outstanding living experience. They are attentive and answer quickly to maintenance calls.”
Tempo Properties, locally owned and operated by property management power team Dave and Sara Thornbury, has been in the business for 20 years now and for good reason! With many houses and apartments surrounding Indiana University at affordable prices any student is sure to find a great place to call home. Besides a cool new pad, their team is dedicated to their tenants and will help make your college years some of the best!
Our favorite Google review:
“Rented through Tempo for 2 years. Entire staff is incredibly courteous and professional from the top down. Were always very fair when it came to security deposits and maintenance requests were always responded to in a timely manner. Would highly recommend.“
A Scion Community, Reserve on Thirds offers students a one of a kind upscale, luxury living you didn’t think was accessible to the typical college student. With a private shuttle to campus, you’ll no longer have an excuse to skip class and you’ll arrive in style. Residents of The Reserve can get fit in the 24/7 fitness center, or lounge in the outdoor hammock grove. Residents can socialize with friends in the club house, take a dip in the pool, relieve stress in the hot tub, or start a volleyball match. To bring the community together they throw awesome events for neighbors to meet one another!
Our favorite Google review:
“I chose Reserve on Third for the affordability with all the amenities and an apartment that is furnished. This is something truly hard to find in Blooomington, especially geared toward students. The management team is incredibly friendly and the minimal maintenance issues in my apartment were taken care of promptly. The shuttles, pool, and workout facility are all great amenities to have.”
Facilitech is a locally owned company based in Bloomington that has developed an exceptional reputation as well. With a portfolio including houses and mid-sized apartment buildings, Facilitech has a lot to offer college students in the area. Paul and Rob have both distinguished themselves in the community as landlords that care about their tenants and treat them accordingly.
Our favorite Google review:
“Facilitech is hands down the best property management in Bloomington. In a town full of horrible landlords who just want your money, Paul takes care of his tenants like family. Every probably I’ve ever had is handled immediately. The owner even came out to unclog my drain within an hour of my complaint! I would definitely rent from Facilitech again, and hate to leave their wonderful management!”
Burnham Rentals has been renting apartments to Bloomington students since 1942. You heard me, 1942! While some of us were generations away from being born, Burnham Rentals was renting apartments to students at IU.
Burnham prides themselves as owners and operators of their properties near campus. There is no middleman with this locally owned company. You’ll be dealing with owners most of the time. With 12 different locations all within walking distance to campus, Burnham specifically has locations close to the Maurer School of Law, Optometry School, Chemistry Building, Swain East and West, Ballantine Hall, and the Jacobs School of Music. If you fall into any of these categories, we highly recommend that you take a look at renting from Burnham!
Our favorite Google review:
“There are several reasons you should rent from the Burnhams. First, the Burnhams are possibly the best landlords I have had. Any problem I had was fixed within a day. They were always responsive to any issues and took care of anything I needed taken care of. To be clear, I very rarely had any problems. I lived there for three years and I only had a few things I needed fixed. I really can’t say too many good things about these people. Second, the location, especially for law students, is amazing. The winters can be bad in Bloomington and being so close to class can really help you get out of bed when it’s below zero. From door to door it’s only about a 3-5 minute walk to Maurer. Third, the staff is supper friendly. There are more reasons, but I think you get the point. Overall, you couldn’t ask for a better place to live, especially if you’re a law student. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a place to live in Bloomington.”Â
If any of this has piqued your interest, make sure to check out more information on Bloomington, Indiana and browse all available IU apartments .
Callie Kollenbroich
Callie Kollenbroich has been the Operations Coordinator and Content Writer/Editor at Rent College Pads since 2015. When she's not working, you can find her at home, eating peanut butter out of the jar and bingeing an unhealthy amount of Forensic Files. She's not as lame as she sounds.