Houghton Rentals
Houses convenient to the Michigan Tech campus.
ABOUT
Over 40 Years of Serving MTU Students
My Mission: Provide quality student housing at a reasonable cost, serving the needs of our tenants, whom we consider our friends.
My name is Jon Lehtinen, and I’ve helped MTU students find housing since June 1983. That’s over 40 years of helping students focus on their engineering degrees instead of worrying about whether their heat will work in January.
When you rent from me, you don’t call a corporate property management company. You call me directly. You get my personal phone number. You get personal service from someone who understands Michigan Tech’s calendar, Houghton’s winters, and what students actually need.
All my houses sit within walking distance of campus. All pass annual city inspections. And 90% of my tenants get their full security deposit back—because I treat students fairly.
Additionally, I put together a student housing guide for finding off-campus housing at MTU.
Our Vision
We focus on giving students more than a lease—we give them space to live, learn, and build lasting memories.
Our Mission
Provide quality student housing at a reasonable cost, serving the needs of our tenants, whom we consider our friends.
WHO WE ARE
Over 40 Years of Serving MTU Students
I started renting to MTU students in June 1983. I saw a need for affordable, reliable housing close to Michigan Tech. Students needed more than just a roof over their heads—they needed landlords who understood their unique situation.
After 40 years, I know exactly what works for Michigan Tech students. Most of my tenants are second and third-year students who’ve moved out of the dorms and formed groups with their friends. They want entire houses, not individual room rentals.
Engineering students are practical people. They care more about the heat that works in February than granite countertops. They need reliable internet for coursework, parking they don’t have to fight for, and landlords who understand the co-op program.
I understand MTU’s academic calendar and am familiar with key periods that affect my students, such as when they seek sublets for co-ops, experience stress during finals, and make crucial housing decisions for the upcoming year.
The most important lesson I’ve learned? Location matters more than fancy amenities. When it’s February in Houghton and you’re walking back from the library at 11 PM, you’re grateful for that 10-minute walk instead of a 20-minute drive to some apartment complex.
I’ve seen students struggle with unreliable landlords who don’t answer phones during heating emergencies. I’ve watched them lose security deposits to companies that find “damages” that never existed. I’ve helped students through challenging situations—family emergencies, financial struggles, roommate conflicts.
One former tenant still calls me every Christmas. He graduated in 1987, became a successful engineer, and says I showed him how landlords should treat tenants. Those relationships—that’s what this business is really about.
WHY CHOOSE US
What Makes Copper Country Rentals Different
Every single property I rent sits within walking distance of Michigan Tech. Most are 5-10 minutes on foot. Walking distance isn’t just convenient—it’s your most crucial housing decision.
You’ll never skip 8 AM class because your car won’t start in January. You can walk to study groups at night without worrying about parking. You’ll save hundreds of dollars on gas and car maintenance. When the library stays open late during finals week, you can walk home at midnight without calling for rides.
Houghton winters are brutal. When it’s -20°F with wind chill, that 5-minute walk beats a 20-minute drive every single time. This location advantage is why my properties fill quickly.
Every student who rents from me has my personal phone number. Not a property management company’s main line, where you leave voicemails that might get returned someday. My direct number.
When your furnace quits the night before your Thermodynamics exam, you call me. When you’re confused about lease terms, you ask me directly. When you need a reference for a job application, I know you personally.
My tenants rent from me for an average of three years. Many become lifelong friends. I’ve been to weddings, sent graduation cards, and watched former tenants become successful engineers across the country.
My pricing is straightforward and fair. I remember what tight college budgets feel like. There are no hidden fees. No surprise charges. What I quote you is what you pay.
Here’s the data that matters: 90% of my tenants receive their full security deposit back. I’m not in the business of finding made-up damages to keep your money.
Suppose I hold back any portion of your deposit. In that case, I will provide full documentation showing exactly what needs to be repair or cleaning, along with actual receipts—no vague “cleaning fees” or mysterious charges.
I allow subletting for co-op students because I understand that’s part of the MTU experience. I don’t require parent co-signers because I treat students like the adults they are. If you need to break your lease, it’s on you to find a replacement and manage the transition—but I’m open to helping you through it.
Every property I rent passes annual inspections by the City of Houghton. That’s third-party verification that my houses meet safety and building codes. My maintenance staff has been with me for years—they know these properties inside and out.
When something breaks, I fix it quickly. Emergency heating problems get same-day service because nobody should be cold in a Houghton winter. I update properties regularly—not luxury renovations, but practical improvements that matter: working furnaces, reliable hot water, proper insulation, functional appliances.
STUDENT FOCUSED
For Parents: What You Need to Know
I understand you’re trusting me with your student’s safety and well-being, even though we’re hundreds of miles apart. Here’s what you need to know.
Every property passes annual inspections by the City of Houghton. Your student lives in a house that meets building codes and safety standards with third-party documentation. Emergency contact protocols ensure your student can reach help immediately when needed.
There are no hidden fees or surprise charges. Gas heat comes included in rent, preventing the shocking $300+ heating bills that hit other rentals in February.
Your student has my direct phone number, not a voicemail system at some property management company. I respond to maintenance requests quickly because I know you worry when things aren’t working correctly.
These aren’t luxury properties, but they’re well-maintained homes where students can focus on academics rather than housing issues. My maintenance staff has worked with me for years. They know these properties thoroughly.
Data back fair treatment: 90% of my tenants receive their full security deposit back. When deductions are necessary, I provide complete documentation with actual receipts. No mysterious charges or inflated cleaning fees.
I’m a local Houghton resident who’s been doing this since 1983. I treat my tenants the way I’d want my own family treated.