Yalies encounter obstacles in move off campus

By Anika Singh

PATRICK MCGARVEY/YH Townsend Studio 500 on Chapel Street is one of the many Schiavone-managed buildings where of-campus Yalies live.

Schiavone-managed buildings are among the closest to the main campus, including the Townsend Studio 500, Warner Building, Kelly House, and Alluvia Building Studio. Schiavone manages approximately 50 residential and non-residential buildings, over 30 of which are Yale-owned.

Because of the large amount of desirable property managed by Schiavone, many Yalies perceive the company as having a virtual monopoly on off-campus housing. Following recent policy changes that prevent tenants from "handing down" apartments to friends, more students find themselves adding their names to the Schiavone waiting list. Both students seeking such housing and current tenants have complained about the company's management policies.

After joining the waiting list in February, Ari Shapiro, DC '00, is still waiting to hear about availability. He complained about the $100 "good faith fee," an amount that will be refunded only if Schiavone cannot offer him an apartment. He called the fee "groundless," but said that he and his roommate have decided to go through Schiavone anyway because of its reputation as an "organized reliable group."

Caroline Kim, SY '99, however, was turned off by Schiavone when she approached them in February. She found their "good faith fee" as well as the $25 waiting list charge to be unreasonable. In addition, when Kim asked for a list of prices, she was told that a list was unavailable because rents were being raised. After a frustrating search, Kim eventually found an apartment, but her "choices were limited because [Schiavone manages] so much stuff."

But Schiavone is not the only company that charges fees to prospective tenants. Like Schiavone, Crown Court requires a "good faith fee" equal to approximately half a month's rent. Crown Court takes the fee only if there is a good chance that there will be an apartment available.

Ed Anderson, the rental agent at Crown Court, said that he understands where students are coming from, but also noted that it is not easy being on the other side. Anderson explained that the "good faith fee" results from the uncertainty involved in renting out apartments at this time of year.

Because current tenants might not inform their landlord of their housing plans for next year until March or April, it is difficult for a landlord to know how many people to put on a waiting list. The situation has been made more complicated in recent years by the Yale residential colleges' earlier dates for room draw. Most Yalies make those dates their deadline for finding off-campus housing in order to ensure space in
the dorms.

Complaints about Schiavone's management policies, however, are not limited to those looking for apartments. Current Schiavone tenants also object to Schiavone's charges and management policies. One tenant, who asked that his name not be disclosed, said that the rent on his three-bedroom Townsend apartment has gone up from $1,200 to $1,450 in the past year. He found the management to be incompetent, pointing to lost checks, sloppy maintenance, and inconsistency in charging fines.

Another tenant, who also asked to remain anonymous, said that she has "mixed feelings" about Schiavone. She has no problems with maintenance issues, but finds the "party fine" for gatherings of over 30 people to be unfair.

Craig Schiavone, owner of Schiavone Management, defended herself against tenants' objections regarding rent increases, explaining that while the need to improve apartments has driven up some rents, "rents usually go up one to five percent--the normal rate." Jonathan G. Daigle, who manages Yale-owned residential properties, noted that the increase in rent prices "is being reinvested into the properties." He also stressed that Yale chooses its management companies by taking into account surveys filled out by tenants.

While it is true that most of the closest properties to campus are owned by Yale and managed by Schiavone, students have many options other than those buildings. Anderson noted, "There are a hundred places to live off-campus." He claimed, however, that many students will not consider living south of Chapel Street even though crime has decreased substantially in recent years.

Michael Williston, building manager for the Cambridge Arms on High Street, said that his waiting list was full this year and 26 people on the list did not get apartments.

The Cambridge does not charge a waiting list fee or a "good faith fee." Williston said, "We try to send out information in February and try to get things together before spring break." Rents at the Cambridge have gone up $10 to $25 on average in the past year.

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