Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Tenant center informs of renting issues

The Tenant Resource Center held a panel discussion Wednesday night to inform University of Wisconsin students about housing issues, including the rights and obligations of tenants.

One of the topics discussed in the meeting was the information students should know before agreeing to sign the lease.

UW senior Jamie Kodner, campus outreach coordinator of the TRC, said choosing a good roommate is important. If a roommate fails to pay rent, the other tenants on the lease can be held responsible for their roommate’s unpaid rent, she said.

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“Consider who your roommate is going to be. If you do not think your roommate can pay for the rent, [think about it again] because you could be responsible to pay for their parts,” Kodner said.

Kodner said if someone chooses to pick a random roommate, she recommends signing separate leases to reduce liability.

Nancy Marcus, a representative from the TRC, recommended students check out the reputation of landlords, including the number of accidents reported in their buildings, before deciding to sign a lease.

She added students should make sure tenants spell out what utilities, such as heating, are and are not included in the rent. Marcus said the utility agreement is negotiable.

“Don’t be afraid to approach your landlord and propose some changes if you feel they would be [beneficial],” Marcus said.

Marcus also suggested tenants sign a check-in form on the day they move in to avoid being held responsible for damages caused by previous tenants.

“[That way], you can determine when the damage is caused,” she said.

During the rent contract, if tenants believe their landlords do not comply with the agreement, they can contact the Madison City housing inspector. However, Marcus also suggested tenants talk to their landlords first before taking further action.

“Try to be proactive with your landlord,” one of the landlords said during the meeting. “[As a landlord], I would like to know if everything is going right and if you are happy. We could brainstorm together what we are going to do to solve the problem.”

At the end of the lease, tenants have the right to receive the security deposit back within 21 days after they leave.

Besides the rights, Marcus also discussed students’ obligations to pay the rent on time. She said there is not automatically five days leeway to pay the rent, as many tenants thought.

“[These are] things you need to know as a tenant, not only during college, but also when you work and rent a place,” Kodner said.

The meeting was a part of the Tenants Education Week, a four-day event aimed at providing extra housing counseling for UW students.

Jason Wisnesky, a UW sophomore who attended the meeting, said he found the meeting helpful.

“I learned [things] I could not find easily in library, textbooks or even online,” he said. “It is a firsthand knowledge.”

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