Ling and McGonigle tell their side of housing story
This is the third in a series of articles dealing with inadequate, off-campus student housing.
By JOE BULLARD Kansan Staff Writer
Daniel Ling, associate professor of physics, and Glen M. McGonigle, assistant instructor of physics, own at least 25 houses, apartments and rooming houses, the majority of which they say are rented by KU students.
Robert Haggart, Douglas County building inspector for the State Food and Lodging Board, said Ling and McGonigle own state licensed property which is violating state building codes.
Ling and McGonigle recently met with the Off-Campus Housing Committee and other concerned persons. Halina Pawl, Topeka junior and member of the housing committee, said, "The purpose of the meeting was to enable us to become aware of problems landlords have in renting to students."
Ling: typical landlord
Ling refused to comment on his personal operations, however he said, "I am a typical landlord in the general area in which I own property. I run a very casual and relaxed operation in my dealing with students and in collecting rent."
Ling said he didn't know how many students he rented to, "but if I did I wouldn't tell you."
McGonigle said a definite problem existed at KU for, "there is a shortage of good, low cost housing for students."
No contracts
Neither Ling nor McGonigle use written contracts or written leases when renting to students.
Ling said, "I never felt a written contract was necessary. A written contract would give me some protection but I don't feel that I need the protection.
"Also I do not use written contracts for there is no leverage between the landlord and the tenant. I think that a student who doesn't want to stay in one of my buildings for the entire semester should not be tied to a written contract."
'Lease benefits no one'
McGonigle said, "I don't feel a written lease benefits either the landlord or the student. It wouldn't be any real benefit to me for we screen all of our tenants before we agree to rent to them. We don't discriminate against anyone. All we want is a group of just plain good students."
The student members of the Off-Campus Housing Committee have expressed hope that the University would hire a building inspector to work along with the Off-Campus Housing office.
Headaches
Ling said, "A building inspector would cause me headaches. I use the University listing service but I do not really benefit from it."
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Ling said he saw a "natural hostility between landlords and tenants."
Ling said he had some conflicts with students."I have problems with the state of repair that some students keep their apartments."
McGonigle said most of his prospective tenants came to him from word of mouth from past renters.
"Most foreign students are
willing to learn how to clean and keep up their apartments, however, a landlord can rent out a nice place to a group of foreign students and in two weeks the place can look like hell, for they just don't know how to keep up the apartment."
McGonigle said there was not as much profit in renting old houses as one might think. He said there are taxes and license fees to pay plus the buildings needed occasional repair.
McGonigle said he didn't know what type of housing could be built or what could be done with existing housing to solve the housing shortage.
Ling said, "I don't know what type of housing is needed, however, I am a believer in capitalism and think that in time the problem will work itself out."
Tomorrow: an investigation of the Off-Campus Housing Office.
Court supports right to complain
The April issue of "Civil Liberties," monthly publication of the American Civil Liberties Union, pointed out a recent Supreme Court ruling in which the high court let stand a lower court ruling that declares it illegal for a landlord to evict a tenant in retaliation for reporting housing violations.
The court maintained tenant complaints are vital to curb housing deterioration. The paper said by actual or threatened eviction, rent increases and other forms of retaliation against their tenants, slum landlords have been able to suppress tenant complaints.
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