The Tenant Resource Center kicked of its sixth annual Tenant Education Week Monday. The event, declared by Madison Mayor Sue Bauman and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, seeks to raise awareness about renters’ rights.

Erica Christoph, campus coordinator of the Tenant Resource Center, said education about tenant rights is important for every student who rents in Madison because area landlords have been known to take advantage of renters who do not fully understand their rights.

“Students might not be aware that a landlord can only charge a late fee of 5 percent, or they may put up with repairs not being done,” Christoph said. “Security deposits are another issue — landlords will sometimes make illegal deductions.”

This week’s events are being held to help combat illegal actions by landlords through tenant education and outreach. Christoph said the Tenant Resource Center would host a subletting workshop Wednesday in Memorial Union that will focus on creating written agreements with sublessees and roommates. She said such agreements could help roommates avoid problems and help solve problems that do arise.

“It is usually the case that all persons on the lease, including roommates and sublessees, are legally responsible for the apartment,” she said. “If any one person on the lease damages the apartment or stops paying rent, everyone on the lease can be held liable.”

Christoph said the workshop would also provide information about the legal definition of subletting and what students’ rights are when subletting.

“Tenant Education Week is a great opportunity for students to learn about their rights and responsibilities as tenants, and to learn ways to deal with rental problems they may be having,” she said.
The Tenant Resource Center will have a table at Memorial Union today from 11 a.m. until noon, and on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where students can inquire about rental issues and pick up information regarding renters’ rights.