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 Avoid rental problems By Trey Reckling There is more to renting an apartment than just finding a nice place and putting some money down. It also involves finding a landlord with whom you can build a relationship and agreeing on terms. Get everything in writing. Although it would be nice to be able to trust someone’s word and both parties’ memory, relying on a verbal agreement puts both sides at risk. In most cases it is wise to insist on a written lease agreement. This helps clearly define expectations and determines what actions should be taken if unforeseen issues arise. There is no such thing as a “standard” lease. Variations exist from one document to the next, and it is very important for the prospective tenant to read and understand what he/she is agreeing to. Questions about terms of agreement, amenities and utilities provided, general and emergency repairs, deposits, payments, pets and terms for early termination should all be answered by the lease. Unless the document states otherwise, rent cannot be increased during the rental period. The names of all parties should be included. Students are advised to have every renter’s name on the lease. Students who allow a friend to move in and help pay rent without actually signing the lease do so at their own risk. In some cases this can be a violation of the lease. The landlord or his/her representative should accompany the renter on an initial walk-through of the property to document damages that existed prior to occupancy. This can prevent the renter from being charged for damages that were not his/her own. At this stage the renter should also check to make sure that everything is in working order and that doors and windows lock properly. The renter should make every effort to pay rent in a timely manner as set forth in the lease. In the same way, the landlord should be expected to respond appropriately to maintenance needs. A renter should know how to get in touch with the landlord or property management company after hours in case of emergency such as a broken water pipe. Waiting for an emergency to happen before looking for this information can cause unnecessary and costly time delay. In the state of Georgia, landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities are generally enforced through the courts. There is no designated agency given the power to intervene in a dispute between a landlord and tenant to force one or the other party to behave in any particular manner. However, a good resource is the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Hotline at (800) 369-4706. It has a variety of free basic information and brief advice. The Department of Residence Life publishes “A Place of Your Own,” a guide for off-campus living that may be helpful to students as well. The ombudsman is a good resource for a student who may have questions about his or her rights and responsibilities as a tenant or concerns about the landlord-tenant relationship. Although he cannot offer legal advice, he may be able to help identify good resources and options regarding a concern. A landlord expects students to be good neighbors and tenants. Likewise, the student expects the landlord to provide a reliable product and be responsive should trouble arise. Like any relationship, this one may have its rough periods. Students are encouraged to know what is expected of them, know what they should expect from the landlord/leasing company and make their best effort to communicate. Hopefully, a clear understanding and knowledge of available resources will make the relationship much better. Reckling is the college’s ombudsman. |
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