Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our availability page for current vacancies. We publish our available student housing list by the last week in September.

To schedule a viewing and/or apply to rent an available unit, follow the instructions on our apply to rent page.

If you have rented before, provide references and rental history. Students are exempt from this requirement unless applying to rent 1615 or 1615 ½ Main Street. 

For non-student applicants, we charge a $20 application fee and run a credit / background check, also verifying income qualifications.

From June 1 through the second week in September, we do not enforce parking rules in our lots. We email more information about parking, including how to purchase assigned or stickered parking in early August, first to our tenants, and thereafter to any non-tenants in late September. Parking lot monitoring begins in mid-September.

For rental locations with bike racks, Tenants must submit an application for a free bike permit to use the rack. Tenants at our 312 West Ave N building may also apply to access the indoor secure bike storage area; please call to inquire.

Please refer to https://www.appfolio.com/help/online-portal.

Your rental unit is either serviced by City of La Crosse or Harter's. Please refer to their pages for additional information and pickup schedules. Refer to this page for City of La Crosse recycling & pickup schedule information.

You many not dispose of the following items in or near dumpsters - chemicals, paint, oil, grease, fluorescent light bulbs, appliances, electronics, batteries, tires, couches, mattresses, furniture, carpet, desks, construction material, vehicle parts, and other large items. Contact Harter's to arrange for disposal or recycling of these items.

If you want to have another person to share your lease responsibilities for a designated period of time:

1. Contact Benson Management to let us know you want to sublease. Failure to do so violates the terms of your lease.

2. Complete our Sublease Agreement Form. All original tenants and the sublessee must sign the form. Return this one signed form to Benson Management by scanning and emailing the form to sheila@bensonmanagement.com, via our mail dropbox, or in person at our office.

3. Pay the $275 sublease fee which we add to your online tenant portal. Note that we return the sublease fee if the sublessee is not approved.

4. We email a rental application to the anticipated sublessee.

5. Once we receive and approve the sublessee rental application, we request that the sublessee sign, and be added to, the original lease.

6. Once the sublessee signs the lease, we email the sublessee a link to activate their online tenant portal to pay rent. All original tenants, and sublessees, are jointly and severally liable per the lease.

7. We retain the security deposit paid by the original tenant(s) until the end of the lease. 

Note: Benson Management does not review sublease applications from May 10 through June 15.

Please visit our properties page to see our full portfolio. For current vacancies, visit our availability page.

1. CLEAN WELL. Clean your unit thoroughly per our recommended cleaning checklist. Any cleaning for which you are charged is not considered “normal wear and tear.” Keep in mind that cleaning companies charge hourly fees anywhere from $30-$50 per cleaner.
2. REPAIRS. Do not attempt to fill or patch any holes in the walls because this often increases the cost of fixing them properly. We will refer to your 7-day damage report (completed by you at move-in) to assess any damages. Repair rates start at $65 per hour + materials or per the repair company invoice.
3. SECURE YOUR UNIT. Lock all doors and windows when vacating.
4. RETURN ALL KEYS. Return all tenant keys by your lease end date/time after vacating your unit. Failure to do so will result in locksmith / key replacement fees which can range from $175 - $300. Keys can be dropped off in the mail slot outside our office at 320 West Avenue N. Place all keys in a sealed envelope or zip-lock bag labeled with the complete unit address. Bags are available outside our office during busy move-out season.
5. PAY ALL CHARGES. Pay all unpaid amounts due before you move out or they will be deducted from the security deposit. Note that annual water/sewer/storm charges are deducted at move-out per the lease agreement.
6. STOP OR TRANSFER UTILITY SERVICE. Cable, phone and internet may be canceled and disconnected anytime prior to your move out, but Xcel Energy service is required to remain on and in your name for the unit through the end of May. Complete Xcel Energy's online form accordingly. If terminated early, an Xcel reconnection charge (minimum of $25.00) will be deducted.
7. FORWARD YOUR MAIL. Notify the post office of your forwarding address using their online form. We do not hold or forward any tenant mail or packages.

Tenants receive a security deposit disposition letter either electronically or by mail from us postmarked within 21 days of the lease end date. The letter summarizes any deductions from the security deposit. After reviewing it, if you disagree with the outcome, please email info@bensonmanagement.com with details of which charges you disagree with and why. We will respond via email within 7-10 business days.