10
Wednesday, June 24, 1987/Kansan Summer Weekly
Not paying rent to be felony under revised law
By KRISTEN HAYS
Staff writer
A new addition to a law, to be enacted July 1, says it's a felony for tenants to abandon rental property leaving a bill of more than $150, but a local tenants' association thinks the law is unfair.
Greg Stauffer, Lawrence sophomore and head of a Lawrence tenants' organization, said that when tenants abandon rental dwellings without paying rent, it should be a civil matter because for landlords to withhold security deposits is a civil matter.
Cynthia Harris of the Consumer Affairs Association, 819 Vermont St., said, "Some landlords withhold security deposits with the intent to defraud the tenant, and this law could be used as a threat to always
pay the rent or get prosecuted."
Stauffer said he was concerned that landlords would use this law to harass tenants who were late on their rent.
"They might wave this law around, threatening to file charges and that would mean they were violating fair practice in debt collection," he said.
Before it was amended, the law stated that leaving an innkeeper, or other establishments such as a dwelling unit, with a bill of $30 or more was a class E felony, punishable by a fine of $3, 000 and one to five years in prison.
But the law was ambiguous as to whether the term "dwelling unit" included rental units such as apartments.
State Rep. John Solbach, D-
Lawrence, who signed the amendment to the bill, said the main change was raising the $50 threshold to $150.
"There's no need to send a $50 frauder to the state penitentiary. It's a substantial change favoring tenants convicted of defrauding landlords." Solbach said.
"It doesn't do what landlords think it does. It's not anti-tenant in any way, shape or form."
The amendment states that anyone who defrauds these establishments of less than $150 would be guilty of a misdemeanor. If the amount is more than $150, the person would be guilty of a class E felony.
An addition to this amendment, approved by the Kansas House and Senate on April 1, widens the definition of "dwelling unit" to possibly include rental property.
Jim Flory, Douglas County district attorney, said the law would require some interpretation on a case-by-case basis.
"We have to establish the intent to defraud, or leaving without paying or intending to pay, and it is a crime to obtain lodging with intent to defraud a landlord." he said.
Flory said that it would be difficult to get actual convictions under this law and that the law wouldn't apply to renters who didn't have the money to pay and didn't abandon the rented property.
Neil Woerman, special assistant to the Kansas attorney general, said the burden of proof of intent to defraud was on the district attorney.
Stauffer said the issue wasn't whether the law was enforceable.
"Tenants should get the same
threat with deposits. Tenants' rights are important. They need to know about this, and they can't get the answers," Stauffer said.
Stauffer said he wanted to see tenants better educated about their rights under this law.
Bud Carter, president of the Association of Landlords of Kansas said landlords were trying to determine what the bill actually meant to them and to define fraud and cheating.
"It's a really good law. Landlords have to raise rents to pay for prior cheating and defrauding, so the good tenant has to pay for the bad tenant. We get the same results as inkeepers," Carter said.
"We're not interested in a fight. Landlords won't want everyone in jail, that's not our goal."
--with this coupon
T. J. Cinnamons Original Gourmet Cinnamon Roll and Coffee or Milk only 99
limit one per coupon good only at T.J. Cinnamons in Lawrence not valid with any other offer
Louisiana Purchase expires 7 12 87
?3rd and Louisiana 841 1841
DON'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
COMPANY LTD.
--valuable money-saving coupon
DON'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
"COMPLETE SERVICE AND PARTS SALES"
"FOR MOST FOREIGN CARS"
COMN: : : :
- VW · VOLVO
· SUBARU · MG
· DATSUN · MAZDA
· TOYOTA · HONDA
BOSCH
AUTOMOTIVE
Machine Shop Service Available
841-4833
1098 E. 12TH
SAVE YOUR MONEY,
CLIP A COUPON!
★ 12th & Oread ★ Parking available ★ OPEN 10 a.m.-Midnight M-S, until 10 p.m. Sun
75¢ OFF
ANY OF OUR 22 VARIETIES OF SUB SANDWICHES
OFFER EXPIRES 7/15/87 ★ BITE THE BIG ONE ★
valuable money-saving coupon
Tuesday: Comedy Sho Bud Anderson Appearing June 30
Thursday:
5¢ draws
50¢ well drinks
The Weekend Sizzles with new weekend drink specials
$4.50 Stoplights
$1.50 Daiquiris
plus Our all new menu
“... isn't that special”
Nights out... days on the beach.. and a $1000 for my efforts!
You can earn excellent base wages, cash bonuses, and incentives while working part-time evening and weekend hours. Scheduling is flexible and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. No experience is required just a willingness to learn a must. If great money is what you want to earn this summer while spending your days at the beach and nights with your friends call us today for an appointment.
841-1200
E.O.E. m/f/h
A SUBSIDIARY OF ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICATIONS, INC
The Athlete's Foot Summer Sale
Speedo Trunks & Ladies Swimsuits
50% OFF
Converse Weapons
Softball/Baseball Shoes
Reg. 59.99
Sale
$39.99
Wear the shoes that
Magic Johnson and
Larry Bird wear.
up to
40% off from Nike and Puma
50% off
-Women's Kaepa
Shoes
40% OFF
-Brooks & Turntec
Shoes
20% OFF
Selected T-Shirts
Knowbody knows the athlete's foot like The Athlete's Foot.
942 Massachusetts 841-6966
benetton SALE
UP TO 30% OFF
ALL SPRING & SUMMER MERCHANDISE
STARTS TODAY!
928 Massachusetts Thurs 10-8:30
Mon-Sat 10-5:30 Sun 1-5
SAVE
Godfather's Pizza Coupon Specials
YOUR MONEY,
CLIP A COUPON!
Use these coupons and invite the gang over for a Giant 16" special pizza loaded with toppings. Or, treat yourself to a delicious Hot Slice! You'll love the taste and the savings! But hurry, offer ends soon!
$10.99/$8.99 plus tax
LARGE MEDIUM
COMBO PIZZA
or up to 4 toppings
Original Crust
Plus FREE 20 oz. drinks!
711 W.23/843-6282
MILL
Early Week Special
4 drinks with large 3 drinks with medium
Offer good Monday through Wednesday only
Dine-in carpool or delivery no added delivery charge) Not valid with TAPer or other promotional offers. Limited delivery area.
Expire 7/18/87
Offer good in Lawrence only
GODFATHERS
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
PIZZA
Get TWO Giant 16"
special pizzas (The Super
Pepperoni or The Four Topper
and FOUR 20 oz. soft drinks
for just *14.99*
Dine-in, carryout or delivery
expires 7/5/87 Offer good in Lawrence only.
On Sunday, choose either this coupon special or take advantage of our free drink offer. Sorry, can do both with Tapper or other promotional offers. Limited delivery area
GODFATHERS
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
PIZZA
Anvtime Special
Luncheon Special
Hot Slice™ 2 for $2
Pizza & Pop plus
for $14.99! tax
Offer good in Lawrence only
Mon.-Fri. 11:30-1:30
Dine-in or Carryout Only
Not valid with other promotional offers.
One coupon per person per visit.
Expires 7/3/97
Offer good in Lawrence only
with this coupon
Any Large, 2-Topping Original Pizza Plus 3 / 20 oz. Soft Drinks For Only *10! plus Jax
On Sunday, choose either this coupon special or take advantage of our free drink offer. Sorry, the promotion does not apply with Tapper or other promotional offers. Limited delivery area.
Expires 7/25/87
Dine-in, carryout or delivery
Friday, Saturday or Sunday Only.
GOOD OTHERS
HOT Slice
PLAZA
UTHOR
Anytime Special
Buy a LARGE PIZZA for the price of a MEDIUM!
Dine-in, carryout or delivery
Offer good in Lawrence only
GODFATHERS
WHAT ARE FORGETTING FORT
PIZZA