When I first transferred to NIU, High Meadows Apartment was the only place in town that I was able to find a cheap Studio 2 1/2 weeks before the semester began. The day that I moved in, the maintanance person offered me a new A/C with remote. I was very impressed with their service. The only problem that I had during that semester, was that a section of the flooring was very weak and after a few months I walked over it and my foot went though the floor. Again, maintanance repaired it by replacing the entire wood section of the floor and replaced the kitchen laminate floor the next day due to supplies. During my 9 months stay at High Meadows Apartment, I paid my entire monthly rent lease with one single large sum payment. I would suggest to follow the check out list, by cleaning every thing, and making sure that all the light bulbs are in working order. There have high fee's that are deducted from your security deposit if not check. As for my case, I received my full security deposit within a month after checking out.
Because of the service from last semester, I am currently renting the 2008-2009 year.