Pin It
ImageThe search for Ithaca and Tompkins County rental properties just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a new website recently launched by The Landlord Association of Tompkins County. The new site, located at www.ithacarents.com , was designed to compete locally with Craigslist.

The website is free for any renter or potential renter to use and there is no registration required. Property owners must be members of the Landlords Association of Tompkins County, in order to post a listing.

"Craigslist is a wonderful tool, but the Landlords Association was starting to hear a lot of feedback from renters and landlords that Craigslist was getting filled up with too many scammers and it was becoming increasing difficult to find what people wanted," said Herb Dwyer, President of the Landlord Association of Tompkins County and President and CEO of ASI Renovations. "In order to set our members’ rentals apart from these scam artists and give renters a safe place to shop, we decided to create our own site."

Dwyer explains that there are two main differences between Craigslist and Ithacarents.com: Namely- users can customize their search based on the specific needs of the renter, through categories ranging from "pet friendly," to "handicap accessible" to "Section 8" to "North Campus."

"We take the guess work out of the apartment listings," Dwyer said, adding that in addition, each poster on the site is a LATC member who follows a code of ethics, "unlike Craigslist, where you never know who is posting."

While the site is currently in its BETA version, it is fully operational with over 100 apartment listings. The Landlord Association of Tompkins County is a nonprofit organization, which aims to represent area landlords and managers of rental and commercial properties. Formed in 1990, the LATC is dedicated to improving the professional skills of its members and to promote safe living conditions and quality housing for area residents.

"Our goal has been to create a forum for the exchange of ideas pertaining to financial strategies, tenant relations, business management, building maintenance and to keep our members updated on local and national laws, requirements, and concerns related to rental housing," said Dwyer. "We provide leadership in our area of business and work with local government on housing related issues, advocating for reasonable regulations."

----
v6i10
Pin It