THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4. 2009 ANSAN 2009 NEWS 3A HOUSING Financial, renting help available for students Advisors see rise in help requests for tenant-landlord problems BY KAYLA REGAN kregan@kansan.com "It was something, as tenants, we were really concerned about," Buchanan said. "We need to know we have security in the house." When Amy Virginia Buchanan first looked at the house she and her roommates now live in everything seemed fine. After moving in, though, she was surprised to find a broken air conditioner, mold problems, windows that wouldn't open and doors that wouldn't shut. Buchanan, Stillwater, Okla. senior, and any students struggling with their current living situations may find help from Housing and Credit Counseling Services. Robert Mackey, HCCS executive director, said HCCS was the only organization in Kansas that served to resolve individual tenant and landlord issues. Mackey said HCCS planned to help more students who lived on budgets to learn their rights and understand the basics of renting. "We're not attorneys and we don't serve as mediators, but we do empower them with knowledge," Mackey said. "Most of the time, the issue is resolved once the individual has the information they need to make right decision and to communicate what they need with that knowledge." Robert Baker, HCCS education director, estimated that HCCS had held between 10 and 12 presentations on campus so far this semester. PRE 101, a course designed to help new students transition to university life, invited HCCS to give a credit card responsibility class. To learn more about the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, check Thursday's Kansan for the second apartment guide of the semester. Baker said new classes were being offered all the time to meet the increasing demand. "People are starved for information because what seemed like easy choices for finances are disappearing," Baker said. "People are much more interested in counseling and returning for more counselling, because it's an option that seems to be available." Baker said the University asked HCCS to develop a financial literacy plan for all students by next year. When students go to HCCS for individual financial counseling, Mackey said, counselors would work with them to create a budget. In today's economy, Mackey said, providing financial guidance to young people is a crucial service "As the economy continues to spiral into a downturn, people either lost their job or got hours cut back and are not able to meet mortgage." Mackey said. "It's really the same for renters. Students can just as easily lose their jobs or don't have money out of school." HCCS offers. Mackey said HCCS helped 2,410 individuals with credit and housing problems last year, a 10 percent increase from 2007. Mackey said he expected HCCS would serve a greater number of people, including more students, in 2009. The next time she rents, Buchanan said, she would be interested in consulting HCCS before making the move. "We had the feeling the landlord would take advantage of us at the beginning of the lease," Buchanan said. "They didn't clean or do any repairs and we had to put together a massive list of repairs that needed to be done." Baker said that during the past 18 months, 28 percent of all concerns brought to HCCS were maintenance-related. Baker said situations like Buchanan's showed why it was critical to read a lease to understand what landlords expect from their tenants and to see whether or not the rental is worth its price. "If you can't read the lease right away, ask the landlord if you can take it and look it over," Baker said. "Going without renters insurance For renters both new and experienced, Robert Baker can offer advice on how to resolve tenant landlord issues. Baker is the education director for Housing and Credit Counseling Services, which helps renters achieve housing and financial goals. Libby Napoli/ KANSAN is also a bad idea. It's fairly inexpensive and if anything unexpected happens, you're covered." available by phone and online at www.hcci-ks.org. Students can also pay a one-time $35 fee for one-on one counseling. Free individual counseling is To schedule an appointment call 785-749-4224. Edited by Chris Hickerson SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF RENTING 1. Not fully reading the lease before signing it 2. Not being prepared for a reference check 3. Not researching the cost of utilities and how long it will take to turn them on 4. Not making sure you have what you need to move in 5. Going without renters insurance 6. Living with friends because it's easy, not because it meets your needs 7. Not seeing the apartment before you move in. Robert Baker, education director of Housing and Credit Counseling A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOUSING AND CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: - FICO Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Credit Building - Home Maintenance *Less Payment, More Payback: Maximizing . Student Loan Repayment - Money Smart - The College Challenge: Higher Education with Lower Debt to Credit - Student Survival Guide - Seven Sins for the First Time Renter Source:www.hcci-ks.org/home.htm INTRUST encourages responsible credit card spending. THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS $ ^{f o}$ PAID FOR BY KU SPRING 2009 Blood Drive KU Blood Drive Committee SAVES LIVES one pint at a time Monday, March 2 Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oliver Hall - 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kansas Union - Donor coach parked in front of Union-10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity - 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oliver Hall - 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kansas Union - Donor coach parked in front of Union- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lied Center-Vessel -- 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 Wednesday, March 4 Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. GSP Hall - 1:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kansas Union - Vessel parked in front of Union - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5 Kansas Union-Centennial/English Rooms-6th Floor --11 a.m. to 5 p.m. McCollum Hall -1:00 p.m.to 7 p.m. Kansas Union - Vessel parked in front of Union - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 6 Robinson Gymnasium 215 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kansas Union Ballroom -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kansas Union--Vessel parked in front of Union -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All presenting donors will receive a KU T-shirt! For more information, visit www.kublooddrive.com ku college republicans Come to the next KUCR meeting! · Discuss current topics · Meet guest speakers! 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Alcove G, Kansas Union .