4D
OFF THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
》 HOUSING
MONDAY, AUGUST 14,2006
To lease or not to lease?
Follow these tips to ensure your leasing adventures are smooth
BY ADRIENNE BOMMARITO
Through the years, problems that existed between landlords and tenants generally could have been avoided if the two parties had had a set understanding with each other.
With the hopes of helping to reduce these problems, here is a compiled list from a variety of sources, including landlords and tenants, giving their advice on keeping a good relationship between you and your landlord.
GUIDELINES
1. Landlords cannot read minds
Whatever you might think, your landlord does not automatically know when there is a problem, whether it be when your air conditioner stops working or your house becomes infested with spiders.
Make sure you call your landlords as soon as the problem arises so they have time to find a solution.
"Most landlords prefer to solve small problems than neglected, un-called in, large problems." Serena Hearn, landlord, Rainbow Works, LLC.
2. Pay rent and utilities on time
Some landlords charge a daily fee for overdue rent payments, just like utility companies charge a late fee for late payments. Also, some landlords request to know when the utility payments are sent in, so they also know if your payment is late. Solution: pay-up and pay on time.
3. Don't wait until Friday
3. Don't wait night to report a problem
If a problem with your house arises on a Friday night, then definitely call your landlord. However, if a problem occurs on a day earlier in the week, it's better to call your landlord then.
4. Have good communication
Simply enough, if your landlord calls you, answer the phone just as you expect your landlord to answer your phone call.
"If there's a problem just ask in a nice way Nobody likes an attitude."
5. Remember your landlord is not out to get you
Trying to find a company for plumbing, electricity or air conditioning and heating that works on the weekends is difficult. So, don't wait.
When a problem occurs in your
"Communicate a problem with rental-house as soon as possible in writing. Don't wait a few days with a dripping faucet until water is spraying everywhere to call in," Hearn said.
RICK KAPPER Landlord
house, don't assume the landlord is intentionally trying to cause a crisis or be mean. Don't take a dilemma in your house as an attack from your landlord.
6. Read the lease rules carefully
The Landlord Tenant Act protects both the landlord
and the tenant, so both parties should be responsive to the regulations.
7. Don't complain about small things that break
Try fixing small problems yourself before calling your landlord. For instance, if your toilet stops working, try plunging it first.
8. Respect the property
Understand that your landlord is the actual owner of the house; you are just a renter. Any damage you cause to the property affects the landlord directly.
9. Say'Thank You'
Referring to both parties, tenants should thank their landlords, and landlords should reward their tenants when the relationship is good.
"If there's a problem, just ask in a nice way. Nobody likes an attitude." Rick Kupper, landlord,
10. Always be honest
If a landlord sets a rule, be honest about it. For instance, if your landlord allows dogs, but charges a fee, don't sneak the dog in. Just inform your landlord that you have a new addition.
11. Give the proper 30-day notice
If you know you are moving out on a certain date, be sure to inform your landlord. It will only make the situation go smoothly for both people. Also, some landlords won't give back the deposit if a 30-day notice isn't given.
Kansan staff writer Adrienne Bommarito can be reached at abommarito@ kansan.com
NUISANCE (CONTINUED FROM 1D)
Jim Slough owns approximately 20 properties in Lawrence, mostly between Sixth and 15th streets and between Iowa and Connecticut streets. He said that students make up 90 percent of his tenants.
"I think that the number of tenants who are a problem is pretty small," Slough said.
Slough said the most problematic houses tend to be those with between six and eight residents. He said the more residents there are, the more likely it was for them to throw parties.
"Alcohol leads to a lot of problems that you wouldn't necessarily have," he said.
Slough cited one incident when tenants hosted a party and people in attendance caused damage to a nearby
Miller said that people who are prosecuted for nuisance crimes often feel the penalty is disproportionate to the severity of the crime.
"I imagine that number will continue to go up," he said.
Miller said that there is no way to tell if students make up the majority of offending parties; there is no screening process that occurs when homes are cited.
"This whole ordinance structure is aimed at solving the problem," Miller said.
Hayes did admit that one of the parties at her apartment did get noisy, but she said that the threat of penalties wouldn't scare her from having people over to her apartment again.
So far, students have given mixed responses regarding whether they are going to take the ordinance into consideration when throwing parties.
NICK BLUME Hays junior
"It's definitely going to be my thought to never have a house party again."
Miller said that there are currently five or six residences who qualify for an abatement conference, and the city has "everything in place" to go through with them.
"If I want to have a party,
He said that the "propriety" of the penalties has been discussed, and members of the public have been given opportunities to voice their opinions through public forums.
to have a party,
I'm going to
have a party,"
she said.
Blume took a different philosophy.
He said that he thought the ordinance was "dumb" because an entire house can be blanketed a nuisance when only certain people living
there have parties.
However, he would take the ordinance into consideration.
"It's definitely going to be my thought to never have a house party again," he said.
Kansan staff writer Tom Slaughter can be reached at tslaughter@ kansan.com
—Edited by Adrienne Bommarito
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