Fair Rental Practices • Safe Living Conditions • Privacy • Maintenance • Accountability

We, the undersigned students, parents, tenants, and community members, respectfully call for greater accountability, transparency, affordability, and enforcement of tenant protections for residents living in off-campus housing serving the Illinois State University community.

Students and their families make a significant financial investment in education and deserve safe, clean, properly maintained, and reasonably priced housing. No student should have to choose between pursuing an education and living in safe, stable housing.

We call for stronger oversight of off-campus housing management companies, clear enforcement of tenant protections, transparent housing costs and lease terms, timely maintenance, and accessible processes for reporting concerns without fear of retaliation.

OUR CONCERNS

1. Rental Costs & Affordability
Off-campus housing can place a significant financial burden on students and families. We request greater transparency regarding rent, deposits, utilities, administrative fees, parking, and other mandatory costs, as well as increased access to affordable student housing.

2. Poor Living Conditions
Residents have reported apartments that are dirty, poorly maintained, in need of painting, repairs, general upkeep, or other improvements that affect the quality and comfort of the home.

3. Repairs & Maintenance
We are concerned about delayed or unresolved maintenance issues involving plumbing, electrical systems, appliances, water damage, locks, heating, air conditioning, and other essential services.

4. Air Conditioning, Heating & Climate Control
Residents should have functioning and adequate air conditioning and heating systems, particularly during periods of extreme temperatures. Problems with heating, air conditioning, or other climate-control systems should receive timely attention and repair to ensure residents can safely and reasonably occupy their homes. 

5. Tenant Privacy & Property Entry
Residents have reported instances where notice of entry was provided, but management or maintenance personnel entered without knocking or providing the occupant a reasonable opportunity to answer. We request that documented incidents be reviewed for compliance with applicable requirements.

6. Communication & Accountability
Tenants should receive reasonable responses to written complaints and maintenance requests. Unanswered emails and unresolved concerns should have a clear escalation process.

7. Fair & Transparent Rental Practices
Students and families should receive clear information about lease terms, rent increases, fees, deposits, move-in/move-out charges, and other financial obligations before signing a lease.

8. Protection From Retaliation
Students and tenants should be able to report legitimate housing concerns, request repairs, or question charges without fear of retaliation or unfair treatment.

9. Review of Recurring Concerns
When multiple students, parents, or tenants report similar problems, those concerns should be reviewed collectively to determine whether a broader or recurring issue exists.

OUR REQUEST

We respectfully ask the appropriate officials to:

• Review documented student and tenant complaints (documentation and pictures can be provided upon request)
• Investigate recurring concerns involving housing conditions, maintenance, privacy, and property access.
• Inspect properties when appropriate.
• Promote fair and transparent rental practices.
• Encourage timely repairs and appropriate corrective action when concerns are substantiated.
• Provide students and families with clear information about their housing rights and complaint procedures.
• Create meaningful opportunities for students and parents to participate in discussions regarding off-campus housing.
• Encourage collaboration among ISU, the Town of Normal, students, parents, landlords, and property-management companies to improve the affordability and quality of student housing.

OUR EXPECTATION

• Students should have the right to access affordable, safe, and quality housing while pursuing their education, without housing insecurity becoming a barrier to their academic success and overall well-being.
• Paying significant rent should come with the reasonable expectation of clean and properly maintained living conditions, adequate climate control, timely repairs, privacy, transparent rental practices, responsive management, and respect for tenant rights.
• We respectfully request that these concerns be acknowledged, investigated, and addressed with meaningful action.

SIGNATURES

By signing this petition, I support stronger tenant protections, fair rental practices, improved housing conditions, privacy, timely maintenance, and greater accountability for student housing in Normal, Illinois.