One of the largest property management groups in Central Illinois had over 50 housing complaints filed against it in the past four years in Champaign. 

Green Street Realty, owned by University of Illinois alumnus Chris Saunders, received 59 housing complaints in the Champaign area from Jan. 1, 2021 through Nov. 1 this year, data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showed.  

Of the 59 complaints, 18 of them were submitted in the past two years. 

Green Street Realty did not respond to multiple calls and requests for comment. 

More than 3,000 residential rental units are managed by Green Street Realty. This contrasts with the more than 1,700 apartments owned by Smile Fairlawn Student Living, another property management company popular with the student body of the university. 

The Green Street Realty property with the most complaints filed against it is 209 E. University Ave., which had nine complaints filed since 2021. It is followed by 58 E. Healey St., which had four.

Other popular properties among the student body belonging to Green Street Realty, 103 E Healey and 1 O’Neil Court, each only had two complaints since Jan. 1, 2021. 

Among these complaints, air conditioning units not properly functioning are most common. Other complaints alleged a lack of window egresses, which provide sufficient space with which a tenant can exit through the window in case of an emergency, like a building fire. 

The Better Business Bureau is another source where business practices may be reported anonymously and businesses can publicly respond to complaints. On the bureau’s online resource, eight anonymous reports of Green Street Realty’s business practices are filed. These reports were received in the past three years. 

These reports alleged provided appliances weren’t functioning, like washers and stoves. Some reports said maintenance either took up to several months to fix said issues or urged the renters to simply purchase entirely new appliances. 

Other complaints to the bureau allege the company has a tendency to not return calls when presented with maintenance or key issues. Some examples included key fobs going missing without replacement and dryers being taken for repair and not being returned.

Realty company Smile Fairlawn Living has likewise received reports on the bureau’s database, with two reports in the past year. JSM Living has only received one in the past three years. 

According to posts on Reddit, where students often seek subleases and housing tips, the most common complaints in Green Street Realty-owned apartment properties in the past two years have regarded maintenance and finance issues. 

Saunders’ property portfolio extends beyond apartments, as well. In the past two years, Saunders purchased seven restaurants in Champaign, including Seven Saints, Cowboy Monkey, Guido’s Bar and Grill and Billy Barooz. These new properties join establishments including Illini Inn and Taco John’s, which Saunders already owns through another property management company called CRS Hospitality. 

Even without the inclusion of CRS Hospitality’s properties, Saunders is among the largest property owners in Champaign, with Green Street Realty’s total assessed land value at $57 million in tax year 2023. 

Recent property purchases made by Green Street Realty include the buildings housing local businesses in Champaign like Carmon’s event venue and Surface 51, a marketing consultant. Carmon’s will remain functional, despite its earlier reported foreclosure.