ATHENS, Ohio – The number of Ohio University student renters who have completed a tenant survey released in late February has climbed to 430, with a goal of 1,000 by the May 31 deadline, the chair of the city’s Rental Inspection Processes Subcommittee (RIPS), Solveig Spjeldnes, said Monday.
About 30 percent of the city’s 575 landlords have completed the landlord survey, she said.
At the April 13 meeting, Spjeldnes, a former Athens City Council member, provided the Affordable Housing Commission’s 2025 Annual Report via slide presentation.
RIPS was created Sept. 2, 2025, through Resolution R-04-25, with a goal of making all rental units in Athens structurally and functionally safe, while improving efficiency of city code enforcement procedures and following best practices.
RIPS consists of 11 members, seven appointed by Council, who are well on their way to producing their ultimate report on rental inspection processes and procedures by Dec. 1, Spjeldnes said. To help achieve more student feedback on rentals in Athens, one of the 11 voting members of RIPS is an OU student.
Student renters who are at least 18 years old and would like to complete the survey can start by scanning a QR code distributed on a flier. Landlords who did not receive a survey sent via contact information provided by the code office may contact Spjeldne@ohio.edu, or call 740-590-2036.
RIPS is contained within the Affordable Housing Commission’s Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, one of four AHC committees that also include the Executive, Communications, and New Development committees. As an ad hoc committee charged with collecting data to improve rental housing processes in Athens, it will exist for only one year with a final goal of releasing its year-end report.
According to the Athens 2040 Comprehensive Plan, 75% of the city’s housing units are rentals, many occupied by OU students.
City Code Enforcement’s 2024 Annual Report determined that code enforcement officers had inspected 76% of the city’s 5,825 rental units. The city would like to see that percentage increase despite a small staff.
“Most landlords in our community maintain their rentals well, but a few can do better,” RIPS stated in a press release.
On Monday, Spjeldnes told the Council of survey efforts, “By the way, I have been very impressed with the extent to which landlords have been engaged. I have yet to talk to a landlord who is unhappy about the project.”
Landlord survey questions include one which asks, “What strategies, if any, would best support code compliance and rental property maintenance in Athens?”
Among the possible answer choices are “lower permit fees for code-compliant landlords,” and “less frequent inspections for code-compliant landlords.”
One of the Tenant Survey questions asks, “Would you like to access to code compliance records to help you better choose housing? These easily accessed records would show past inspections, any violations, and how well the landlord maintains the property.”
Feedback on RIPS progress came from Mayor Steve Patterson, who offered that he learned of a way to evaluate landlords after visiting Germany in early March. The Germans he spoke with use an “A-through-G rating system” for rental units, with higher scores awarded for energy efficiency. Patterson said he would be speaking about that with city staff.
One option would be varying rental permit rates based on energy efficiency, he added.
Multi-generational housing idea presented, OU uncertain
Spjeldnes said RIPS members have spoken with OU officials about the possibility of a Landlord Network, similar to what The Ohio State University has. OSU took the initiative with their network and has been “very successful” with it, she said. It allows landlords to share ideas, problems, and collaborate on solutions, with topics discussed including sustainability.
However, OU officials were “a little uncomfortable” with the idea of initiating a Landlord Network in Athens, she said, without elaborating.
After the meeting, Spjeldnes told the Independent that potential legal issues were mentioned, such as how to assure that all landlords are invited to participate without any exclusions.
A message was left Tuesday for OU Media Relations seeking comment.
Spjeldnes also said AHC’s New Development Committee has been examining new ways to add housing units to the city’s stock, which include Accessory Dwelling Units, Short-Term Rentals, and the state-grant producing Welcome Home Ohio Program.
One nascent idea upon which Spjeldnes said she’s taking the initiative is called Shared and Intergenerational Housing. Seniors nationwide, often who live alone, are asking for inclusion in such a program, in which a senior offers a living space at a reduced cost to a student. In exchange for reduced rent, the student would provide chores, such as housekeeping, or even shopping assistance. Such a program would likely work best in Athens with an OU graduate student or international student, Spjeldnes offered.
“There are several programs around the country, and NPR just did a show on shared housing last week,” she noted.
Spjeldnes added she has reached out to United Seniors of Athens and Age-Friendly Athens to see what interest there might be in a Shared and Intergenerational Program that would require a careful way to vet student applicants.
Companionship offered to seniors would be one of its many benefits, she said.
“This is very, very early in the discussion stage, but I think it’s worth talking about. It would add to our list of housing options,” she said.
Spjeldnes also provided an update on The Ridges, saying the land transfer to The Ridges New Community Authority is likely to happen by summer. That means some of the 27 acres being developed along Dairy Lane – set to include townhomes, modular homes and luxury homes – may start this year. There may be opportunities for commercial development, even a restaurant, and artists’ lofts, she said, with project momentum soon to quicken its pace.
