MUNCIE, Ind. (WOWO):  Administrators at Ball State University are looking to ensure safe and proper housing for its students living off-campus through a new program.

According to Inside Indiana Business, the Off-Campus Quality Housing Initiative presents nearby landlords and property management companies with the opportunity to certify that their properties comply with the university’s criteria and agree to uphold those standards. The program will provide students with a list of property managers who pledge to follow such standards.

To participate in the program, property owners must:

• be in compliance with the rental agreement and be clean, habitable, safe and ready to be lived in.
• follow applicable health and housing codes.
• respond to resident messages about housing issues within 24 hours or sooner in an emergency.
• repair issues in a reasonable and appropriate time frame with the tenant made aware of progress.
• maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and appliances.

Landlords can register for the 2023-24 academic year until Sept. 15. The 2024-25 registration period opens June 3, 2024.