When Greenbriar Inc., opens rent, everyone knows. Not because of advertising, but because of the line of tents and tenants waiting for their chance to sign a lease.
Greenbriar, one of BG’s most popular renting companies, began open rent on Nov. 4. Open rent allows tenants to attempt to secure the apartment or house they want to rent. Greenbriar has rental properties in Bowling Green, Perrysburg, Findlay and Toledo.
Hundreds of tenants, primarily BGSU students, sat outside of the building Sunday and Monday morning, located at 445 E Wooster St.
Each new leasing period means tenants can either renew the lease at their current apartment or move out and allow new tenants to take their place.
Usually sometime between October and November, Greenbriar releases their list of available properties for rent, and on Nov. 4, it was fair game.
Sarah Baumgartner, current tenant and sophomore in international studies, said herself and three of her friends slept in a tent outside of the office.
“We got here yesterday morning, 24 hours ago,” she said. “We had one tent for four people. I feel grateful for having a tent since it rained.”
The conditions weren’t exactly ideal for camping. Another student, Ethan Vanbuskirk, a senior in aviation, braved the conditions to secure an apartment.
“If it wasn’t so windy and rainy, it would have been fine,” he said. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. We got here at 8 a.m. yesterday.”
While some students camped out overnight, some got to Greenbriar in the early morning on Monday.
Wyatt Sanders, a current Greenbriar tenant and senior majoring in human development and family science, said he and his roommates are looking to upgrade to a house for next year, but liked the quality of their current apartment.
“The apartment we have now is 300 something a month, and it’s honestly the best place for the price,” Sanders said.
He said Greenbriar did not post the available rentals far enough out in advance.
“They didn’t post what houses were available until last night,” he said. “Last night, we were looking at the ones that were available.”
Garrett Kudzia, a project manager at Greenbriar, said the rental office is in high demand during open rent.
“We just have a very large selection of units at multiple locations and prices around town,” Kudzia said.
Other rental offices in BG, like Mecca Management Inc. and Newlove Realty, Inc., have properties for rent, but Greenbriar is the one with a notable line. Kudzia said Greenbriar might have more properties and a larger variety.
“It’s super convenient that kids could come in today with a list of five houses, and if the first four were taken, they’d still be happy with their fifth choice,” Kudzia said.
While the apartments may be desired by students to the point of camping, Greenbriar neither encourages or discourages the lineup.
“It’s simply up to the students to get in line when they feel most fit,” Kudzia said. “We try our best to make sure everyone that spent a lot of time in line gets a place they will be happy with.”
