1008 S. Fourth: A Detailed Decision Review
Located in Champaign, Illinois at 1008 S. Fourth Street, this off‑campus residence offers studios, 2‑, 3‑, and 4‑bedroom units. Monthly prices range from 940 to 1,360 USD (indicative — confirm with the operator), which is above the city’s average starting price of 579 USD. The property has a Google rating of 3.3 stars from 68 reviews, with a mix of serious complaints and occasional praise for maintenance. Below is a breakdown of who this property suits, who should look elsewhere, what residents actually say, and the key booking details you need to know.
Who This Residence Suits
Students who need a short‑term lease
The minimum lease is 2 months (indicative — confirm with the operator). In a market where most student housing in Champaign requires a full academic year (9–12 months), this shorter commitment can be helpful for exchange students, summer interns, or anyone who only needs housing for a single semester or even a short summer session.
Those who want on‑site study and common areas
The listing includes a study area and a clubroom. If you value a dedicated space to work outside your room and a social lounge for meeting neighbours, these amenities are already included in the rent.
Tenants who can manage a potentially messy move‑in
Multiple reviews warn that the apartment may not be professionally cleaned before you arrive. If you are willing to do a deep clean yourself or can negotiate a cleaning fee credit, the lower price (relative to newer, professionally managed buildings) might still work for you.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Anyone who cannot afford a security deposit or who needs a 12‑month lease at a predictable price
The deposit amount is not provided in the listing (confirm with the operator). Combined with the above‑city average price, the upfront cost may be higher than at other properties nearby. Also, the short minimum lease could mean that renewing for a full year might involve a rent increase or a different contract.
Students who expect a smooth move‑in and move‑out process
The two 1‑star reviews explicitly mention poor initial cleanliness and aggressive charges during move‑out. If you want a hassle‑free experience and are not prepared to challenge disputed fees, this residence may cause stress.
Those who need a high‑quality management company
The 1‑star reviews name the management company (Campustown) and accuse it of scamming, charging for pre‑existing damage, and failing to clean. While one 5‑star review praises a maintenance worker, the overall 3.3‑star Google rating suggests inconsistent service. If management reliability is your top priority, you should compare with other options.
What Residents Actually Say
Google reviews (68 total, average 3.3 stars) provide a clear picture of the main pain points and occasional highlights.
Sanjay Vlk (1 star) – “Do I smell Scammers?? DO NOT LEASE WITH CAMPUSTOWN. I stayed here during the Spring 2025 semester. There were pre existing damages that I documented IMMEDIATELY upon my move in date at the beginning of the semester. In fact, these damages were here when the previous leaser moved in Fall 2023. Despite all the documentat…”
This review highlights a serious complaint about being charged for damage that existed before move‑in and was not fixed by the previous tenant. The reviewer implies the management ignores documentation and tries to withhold deposits or charge extra fees.
Afif Anthony Shomali (1 star) – “One of the worst companies to lease an apartment from, do not give them your money! To start the apartment was extremely dirty when we moved in, it was clear the previous tenants and staff did not put in any effort to ensure the apartment was clean before move in. The worst part is the move out process where the manage…”
This review echoes the cleanliness issue and adds that the move‑out process is especially problematic. The reviewer advises against giving them money, suggesting a high risk of losing your security deposit or being billed for items you did not cause.
Caleb Brownlee (5 stars) – *“Gentleman came in on short notice to fix my sink. Very kind, but also efficient! ****”
The only positive review is about a maintenance call. It suggests that when a specific issue arises (a broken sink), the maintenance team can respond quickly and politely. This does not address the larger concerns about move‑in/out or management practices.
Summary
The majority of the available negative feedback focuses on the management company’s practices — especially deposit disputes and lack of cleanliness. The single positive review shows that individual maintenance staff can be good, but that does not compensate for the systemic problems reported.
Price & Budget Considerations
City starting price vs. this property
Champaign’s overall student housing starting price (across all properties on the platform) is 579 USD per month. 1008 S. Fourth starts at 940 USD per month and goes up to 1,360 USD (indicative — confirm with the operator). That is roughly 60–135% higher than the city’s lowest available price. However, the starting price of 579 USD likely represents a budget room in a shared apartment far from campus, whereas 1008 S. Fourth is closer to campus and offers studios plus multibedroom units. The price reflects a mid‑to‑upper tier in the local market.
What you get for the price
- Studio units (private living)
- 2‑, 3‑, and 4‑bedroom units (shared common areas)
- On‑site laundry, study area, clubroom
- Short minimum lease (2 months)
What you may not get
- Professional cleaning before move‑in (based on reviews)
- Responsive management during move‑out (based on reviews)
- A deposit policy that favours tenants (unclear from data; confirm with operator)
Budget comparison
If you are looking for the cheapest possible option in Champaign, properties starting at 579 USD per month (often shared rooms or far from campus) will save you up to 361 USD per month. 1008 S. Fourth is best for those who can afford a higher rent in exchange for a central location and flexible lease length.
Room Type Guidance
The property offers four unit types: studio, 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom, and 4‑bedroom. Prices vary by layout and size.
- Studio – Ideal for a single person who wants complete privacy. Expect to pay at the top of the price range (1,360 USD, indicative).
- 2‑bedroom – Suitable for two roommates. The per‑person rent would be lower than a studio.
- 3‑bedroom and 4‑bedroom – Best for groups who want to share a larger space. Per‑person rent will be the most affordable among the options.
Because the minimum lease is only 2 months, these room types are more flexible than typical 12‑month student leases. If you are planning a short‑term stay (e.g., a summer internship at the local university), a 2‑bedroom shared with one other person could work.
Important – Confirm with the operator whether the 2‑month minimum applies to all unit types and whether you can sign a longer lease if desired.
Booking Timing & Availability
The listing data includes a tag “not_available”. This may indicate that at the time the data was compiled (data date: July 2026), no units were listed as available for immediate move‑in. However, availability changes frequently. If you are reading this article and are interested, you should:
- Check the platform for live availability (the “not_available” tag might be outdated).
- Contact the operator directly to ask about future move‑in dates — especially for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 semesters.
- Be aware that the 2‑month minimum lease could mean that the property turns over often; units might become free with short notice.
For those planning ahead – If you are looking for housing starting in August 2026 or January 2027, reach out several months in advance. Because of the negative reviews, also consider touring the unit in person (or asking for a video call) before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 1008 S. Fourth close to the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign?
The address is 1008 S. Fourth Street, Champaign, IL 61820. This location is within walking distance to the main university campus. The exact distance depends on which part of campus you need to reach, but most academic buildings and the main quad are about a 10‑to‑15‑minute walk. Bicycle rides take approximately 5 minutes. Bus stops serving campus lines are close by. (Always verify walking or transit times with your own map service.)
Why does the property have a Google rating of only 3.3 stars?
The 3.3‑star rating is based on 68 Google reviews. The two most detailed reviews (both 1 star) accuse the management company, Campustown, of charging for pre‑existing damage and leaving the apartment dirty. One review describes the company as “scammers.” The only 5‑star review praises an efficient maintenance fix but does not address the broader management issues. The gap between service expectations and actual experiences likely drives the low score. Prospective tenants should read the full reviews on Google and ask the operator how they handle pre‑existing condition documentation and deposit returns.
Can I rent a studio for a short term under a 2‑month lease?
The minimum lease is listed as 2 months (indicative — confirm with the operator). Studios are available. However, you should verify with the operator whether the 2‑month minimum applies to studios and whether any notice periods or renewal terms apply. Also ask about utility bills and internet – are they included in the monthly rent? The listing does not specify. Use the on‑site assistant on the listing page to get a clear answer.
Sources & data date: July 2026.
For live availability, updated prices, and to ask the operator specific questions about deposits, lease terms, and current availability, use the on‑site assistant available on the property listing page.
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