Landlord/Property Partnerships
The Off-Campus Resource Center offers a variety of partnership opportunities for landlords and housing companies. Whether you are looking to connect with students, share rental listings, or collaborate on educational programming, there are multiple ways to get involved and build meaningful connections through our center.
Benefits for Rental Companies
Marketing and Exposure
By participating in these programs, you will receive a badge that will appear on all listings on the listing service: rentoffcampus.uwm.edu. Additionally, all participating rental companies and landlords will be listed on the webpages for students to view independently of the listing service.
Responsible and Educated Tenants
Students that participate in the Preferred Tenant Program are required to complete a rental education course outlining their rights and responsibilities as tenants. Students seeking a Green Neighbor landlord often value community responsibility and resource conservation.
Join an Affiliated Program
Off Campus Housing Marketplace
Landlords can reach out to College Pads directly to list their properties. There is not a set cost, and the cost is determined by College Pads. OCRC is not included in that process. This is the best way to directly list properties to UWM students.
Sustainable Housing Standards
This program is designed to recognize Milwaukee-area landlords who prioritize environmentally responsible housing. To qualify, landlords must meet at least five sustainability criteria, such as providing LED lighting, recycling services, Energy Star appliances, or having close proximity to public transit. By joining, landlords can differentiate their properties in the market and appeal to the growing student demand for eco-friendly living.
Student Discounts
Landlords and rental companies participating in this program with UWM agree to provide a discount of 2% off monthly rent* and/or $250 off security deposits to tenants who have completed the Preferred Tenant Program class.
Tenants receive a lease addendum to certify they have completed the course and are eligible for the discount on rent, that is good as long as they are a student at UWM. Student tenants in the course learn about rental rights and responsibilities. These are must-rent-to tenants who want to have a positive experience living in the neighborhood.
*Increasing to 5% off monthly rent starting July 1, 2026
Tenants receive a lease addendum to certify they have completed the course and are eligible for the discount on rent, that is good as long as they are a student at UWM. Student tenants in the course learn about rental rights and responsibilities. These are must-rent-to tenants who want to have a positive experience living in the neighborhood.
*Increasing to 5% off monthly rent starting July 1, 2026
Promote International Housing
Our program seeks to connect property managers with a diverse group of students from around the globe. In the 2023-2024 academic year, international students lived at 680 different off-campus addresses, reflecting the significant demand for suitable housing options.
Program Requirements
All Programs
- Participation agreement must be renewed every 2 years.
- Complete Qualtrics survey including the submission of address spreadsheet template.
- Cannot have any serious complaints or open violations on record for any properties owned within the last 5 years with:
- The City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services Database
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP)
- Rental companies must not have more than three (3) or more unresolved tenant complaints filed with OCRC within the previous twelve-month period. A complaint shall be deemed unresolved if:
- It results in a court order granting a remedy to a tenant
- Or the Property Manager, Owner, or Landlord has not made a good faith effort to respond to and or settle the complaint with the
tenant within thirty (30) days of its filing
Additional Program Specific Requirements
Preferred Tenant Program
Landlords and property managers must agree to offer tenants 5% off their monthly rent and/or $250 off their security deposit and utilize the Lease Addendum provided to students by the Off-Campus Resource Center who have completed the course to get the agreement in writing for both the benefit of the landlord and the tenant. Landlords and property managers must have a City of Milwaukee landlord training program (or equivalent program approved by the OCRC) certificate on file with the OCRC completed within the past 5 years.
Green Neighbor Program
To be designated as a Green Neighbor, landlords must meet at least 5 of the following criteria and provide documentation of the criteria being met.
- Curbside recycling is offered
- Curbside composting is offered
- LED lighting
- Energy Star Appliances
- Low flow faucets
- Property runs on renewable energy (solar)
- Easy access to public transportation – within 1/4-mile radius of a bus stop
- Close proximity to a bike path – within 1/4 mile radius of a bike trail
- Accessible amenities within a 1/4 mile walking distance – for example a grocery store or food pantry
- Energy efficient windows/doors to reduce heat/AC loss
- Bike storage available on site
- Rainwater harvesting
- Xeriscaping or Native Landscaping
- Green Roof
- Permeable Pavement
- Smart thermostat
- Use low or zero-VOC paints, finishes, and furnishings to prevent indoor air pollution
- If the building is LEED certified, they automatically qualify as a Green Neighbor.
International Student-Friendly Landlords
In addition to completion of the City of Milwaukee landlord training program, Landlords and property managers must review and agree to these tips:
| Things To Avoid | Things To Do |
|---|---|
| Requiring a credit check – Most students do not have established credit in the U.S. Unless they are employed, students also do not have social security information. | Rather than a credit check, adopt a double security deposit policy for tenants. |
| Exclusively verbal communication – Language can be a barrier while contacting international student tenants. | Write down all communication with students to minimize confusion and track conversations. |
| Requiring a cosigner – Most students do not have someone in the U.S. that can cosign. | Ask the student to provide information similar to that already given to the university (e.g. identification, proof of funding or bank statement, etc.) |
| Mailing a security deposit to students – Many students leave the U.S. after vacating a unit and mailing a check internationally can be difficult. | Conduct a walk-through during move-out with the students, calculate a total for deductions, and return the remaining deposit in person. |
| Creating an ad without images of the unit – Many students begin their housing search online before they enter the U.S. | Provide photos, video, and clear description of the unit’s amenities and features that students can use to make their housing arrangement decisions. |
| Explaining tenancy expectations solely through a lease – Students can find lease structures confusing, especially in a second language such as English. | Clearly express your expectations of tenants verbally or through email. |
| Making assumptions about a student’s rental or living experience in or out of the U.S. | Ask questions throughout the student’s application, occupancy, and move-out stages. |