D
Volume 125 Issue 96
kansan.com
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN UDK
the student voice since 1904
this fourth
his night
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nant made he will or stay in Kansas will ers for the 2008 the 2008
KU GOES GREENER
page 2
ROCK
CHALK
RECYCLE
ALSO, CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ONLINE
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down like Perry Ellis wanted to ner, but we
UP IN SMOKE
BREAKING THE HAB
Electronic cigarettes provide a healthier alternative to tobacco.
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 5
BINDING CONTRACT
Clarify legal language before signing
KELSEY BARRETT
kbarrett@kansan.com
A lease can be a confusing document that first-time signers might not fully understand. Each one differs in its contents but they all serve a common purpose of contracting an agreement between a landlord and tenant.
"It is a binding contract that states in thorough detail the policies of each apartment complex," Andrea Potter, Sales Manager at the Grove, said.
Each property owner will explain in their lease the policies, rent rates, penalties and responsibilities of the renter.
"Whenever you are signing anything, pay attention to detail, especially when it comes to a contract," Potter said.
Before signing, it is a good idea to ask questions about anything that is unclear. Make sure to be aware of any additional expenses, like utilities or cable.
"Always read things that you intend to sign thoroughly. Not just leases, but everything." Ryan Gash, a senior from Derby, said. "Fine print can be killer."
One issue that might arise is unfamiliar wording. A lease is a legally binding contract, so sometimes it is written in a way that seems foreign to many students.
A big factor to weigh in before committing to a lease is the budget. College already makes people's budgets tight, so developing a realistic
price range can help make a living arrangement less stressful.
"Make sure you can financially make it work," Potter said. "Some students don't fully understand that when they sign a lease they are committing to pay rent each month for what is often an entire year. Leaving an apartment and ceasing payments is considered breaking the lease and can have a negative impact to not only the student's credit, but their guarantor's (co-signers) credit as well."
Even though signing a lease holds you legally accountable for fulfilling the term, there is an option to sublease, meaning someone takes over the remaining lease period. There is usually an up-front fee the renter pays as well as being responsible for finding a replacement tenant.
"When trying to sublease your apartment, try and offer an incentive to grab people's attention and get them to come to you to sign," Potter said.
Although the subleasing option is available, it is better to do research ahead of time to find the best living situation. To avoid any surprises later on, make sure to know the lease inside and out, and ask questions.
DEFINITIONS:
The text of this book has been prepared in accordance with the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Under that Act in K.S.A. 58-2543:
TENANT is defined as "a person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit to the exclusion of others."
LANDLORD is defined as "the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit, or the building of which it is a part," and it also means a manager of the premises who fails to disclose as required by K.S.A. 58-2551.
OWNER is defined as "one (1) or more persons, jointly or severally,
Edited by Tyler Conover
in whom is vested: (1) all or part of the legal title to property; or (2) all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to prevent use and enjoyment of the premises; and such term includes a mortgagee in possession."
PERSON "includes an individual or organization."
ORGANIZATION "includes a corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or an association, two (2) or more persons having a joint or common interest, and any other legal or commercial entity."
Pinnacle Woods
5000 Clinton Pkwy
Lawrence KS 66017
PinnacleWoodsApts.com leasing@pinnaclewoodsapts.com
Call us: (785) 863-5151
Text us: (435) 554-8779
receiving the Agnes Wright Strickland Award on Wednesday afternoon.
Schroeder, Shannon Couns,
Kimberlee Hinkle, Matthew Moore,
Bernadette Myers, Sida Niu, Bryan
Trong Do, Cooper Nickel, Carol
Kruse and Megan Watson are the
2013 University Awards recipients.
RIGHT: Cooper Nickel, a senior from Lindsberg, receives the Chancellor's Award during a class on Monday, March 25. To be included in the pool of applicants for the prestigious Chancellor's Awards, a student must either have been nominated by a faculty/staff member or have submitted a Chancellors Student Award application.
Hannah Bolton and Samuel Schroeder both received the Agnes Wright Strickland Award, which consists of a lifetime membership in the University of Kansas Alumni Association.
Bolton studies business management and leadership with an interest in university administration.
EMILY WITTI FR/KANSAN
ANSAN
The Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award was awarded to Matthew Moore. Moore studies human biology and plans on attending the KU School of Medicine after graduation.
and hopes to get a Master's degree in higher education after she graduates.
g with a and plans school of 1.
Aldersdard to studies
Bernadette Myers and Sida Niu both received the Class of 1913 Award. Myers studies English, Italian and European studies and plans on pursuing a Ph.D in early modern literature. Niu stud-
th Turtle was pre-
horshipal o Cooper man biol-
ong the KU nasas City,
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Watson.
CLASSIFIEDS 6
CROSSWORD 5
Kruse studies communications with a minor in leadership studies and plans on seeking a career with which to use and develop her communication and leadership skills. Watson studies chemistry and English, with an emphasis on creative writing. She will pursue a dual MD and Master's in public health at the KU School of Medicine next year.
CRYPTOQUIPS 5 SPORTS 8
OPINION 4 SUDOKU 5
Edited by Paige Lytle
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Today's Weather
Come support the Jayhawks in their baseball game against Creighton today at 6 p.m.
Mostly sunny. 20 percent chance of rain Wind E at 7 mph.
HI: 54
LO: 31
Is that you, spring?