Section A • Page 6
LawrenceLIVING 101
---
The University Daily Kansan Wednesday, April 11, 2001
.
Finding apartments that welcome pets not always easy
Bv Karen Lucas
By Karen Lucas
Kansan correspondent
When Theresa Brooks recently brought home Buster — a 5-year-old boxer she picked up on a highway— she knew it would be OK with her landlady.
The Overland Park junior and her roommates rent a house in Lawrence where pets are allowed. Two other canine companions — Nesta and Indy Blue — round out the house roster.
Yet many local landlords are not as permissive as Brooks' when it comes to pets. In the classified section of the Lawrence Journal-World, "no pets" often appears in ads for rental housing.
Theresa Brooks, left, Overland Park junior, and Laura Macaluso, Lawrence resident, sit with their dogs Buster (top) and Nesta. For some students, finda幼儿园 that allow pets can prove hard to come by. Photo by Joshua Richards/KANSAN
"It's definitely a problem in Lawrence to find a place that allows pets," Brooks said.
Keeping a pet in a house or apartment with a no-pet policy can lead to possible eviction in some cases. At Princeton Place, 2208 Princeton Blvd., tenants must quickly relocate the unwanted animals to avoid losing their rental units.
Glenda Lego, resident manager of Princeton Place, said cats and dogs could bother other tenants as well as cause damage in the apartments
Someone who shares Lego's view is James Dunn, president of Landlords of Lawrence Inc.
"If pets have any accidents on the carpeting, it's ruined," she said. "Pet odors will not come out with any kind of cleaning."
"You can't rent a place that reeks
Dunn has had to not only have carpeting and padding replaced but has also had concrete flooring resealed. But damage caused by pets isn't his biggest concern.
of urine." he said.
"The number one reason I have a no-pet policy is my experience of witnessing the abuse of pets," Dunn said.
He has had more than one tenant go on vacation without making arrangements for someone to check on the animal left behind in the rental unit.
Both Lego and Dunn said they did, however, make exceptions. Residents at Princeton Place can keep small birds or fish, but they must inform Lego. Dunn said he considered various factors when making allowances.
Although pets are generally prohibited at Princeton Place and Dunn's rental housing, they are the norm at Laurel Glen Apartments, 1401 E. 24th St. About 75 percent of the tenants have pets.
"We're animal lovers over here," said Deborah Easom, apartment manager.
At Laural Glen, pets cannot weigh more than 25 pounds and dogs must be on a leash outside the units.
"We have a leash law for the safety of the animals." Eason said.
Another complex that welcomes
pets is Park 25 Apartments, 2401 W. 25th St. Jeff Ridenour, assistant manager, said the complex began allowing pets under 25 pounds about two or three years ago as a way to draw more tenants.
While Park 25 has not had cases of pets wrecking the apartments, there has been some difficulty in getting people to scoop up their dogs' excrement outside. But Ridenour said the management wasn't considering a policy change.
Students who keep pets in rental housing often must dig deeper into their pockets and pay pet fees. If tenants at Park 25 have pets that are not in cages or aquariums, they must pay a one-time pet deposit that amounts to half a month's rent, and $100 of the deposit is nonrefundable.
Brooks' landlady charged her and her roommates a $300 fee.
Yet, for some students, a pet deposit is unacceptable. Elena, a Lawrence junior, and her roommates live in a house with two cats, but have not paid their landlord's fee.
"I think it's unnecessary," said Elena, who did not want her last name used in this story. "Our cats are well-trained and outside most of the time."
Even though the cats — Delilah and Sensi — belong to two of her roommates, Elena has grown attached to them.
"They're the best cats I've ever met," she said. "They definitely brighten my day when I see them."
Not all students in rental housing
Tiffany Bode, Newton freshman,
wanted her first apartment to be a
place where she could also have a dog. But when she and a friend began looking for an apartment for next fall, they learned a dog would be more than they bargained for.
"We kind of changed our decision
about having a pet because of the extra cost and the possibility of damage to our apartment," she said.
Bode also said they were discouraged by the number of management company Web sites that included no-pet policies.
Bode and her friend decided on an apartment at Colony Woods Apartments, 1301 W.24th St., where
they will at least keep fish. While Bode is disappointed about not being able to have a dog, she's keeping things in perspective.
"Once I get my own home," Bode said, "I can own a dog and not have to worry about paying someone else for the damages it may cause."
Students enjoy living with roommate who's constantly on the run
— Edited by Jennifer Valdez
By Jennifer Hall
By Jennifer Hall
Kansan correspondent
The only thing that's important is that the trash is taken out.
At his Jefferson Commons apartment, Ngamian "Gum" Mpwo will rarely be there, but the rent will be paid on time and the trash will be taken out.
Mpwo is every college roommate's dream; he is never around. At 25 years old, he balances work as a soccer trainer for the Olathe Soccer Club and a cooking position at the Olathe Human Resource and Aging Retirement Home. On most weekends, Mpwo is watching youth soccer tournaments or scouting for various college teams.
Because of such a demanding schedule, he is rarely seen at the apartment he shares with three KU seniors. Although every resident there is on their own schedule, the guys manage the apartment as a team, working together.
Mpwo was born in Belgium. After constantly moving between Belgium and Zaire, his family relocated to the United States. During his high school years, Mpwo befriended Ryan Edwards. Eventually seeking more freedom from his parents, Mpwo moved in with the Edwards family and comfortably lived for the next few years. When Ryan's younger brother, Tim Edwards, was seeking a roommate at KU, Mpwo was quick to accept.
"I needed a roommate that didn't like or care about soccer," he said. "The less we had in common meant the less hassle and problems. This roommate situation worked out for the best."
The obvious wonder is that Mpwo pays rent regularly, but is never home enough to enjoy his space. He usually leaves the apartment in the early morning, showers, gets enough clothes for the day and leaves.
"I have no problem with driving. I have no love for this place, no hate for this place. I don't ever live here." Mpwo said.
He rationalizes his situation thusly: he has never stayed in one place. Being away from home was always home for Mpwo.
"I have to pay rent somewhere," he said. "A regular person would say it's stupid. But who's paying? I am. It's like if I was eating a raw frog. Everyone thinks it's disgusting, but who's eating it? I am."
As for Mpwo's roommates, living run smoothly. Mpwa takes
up little space, pays the bills and
keeps to himself.
Josh Petermann, Lawrence senior and Mpwo's roommate, said he fully supported Mpwo's absence from the apartment.
"He needs a place to be," he said. "He's got to live somewhere. It's just something he has to do. It is nice because he doesn't ever make a mess. It's his place to sleep and a place to call home."
Although they may not understand his reasoning, Mpwo's roommates said they found no problems with him and usually enjoyed his company.
"I like him as a roommate," said Carlos Manso, Kansas City, Kan., senior. "Gum is a very loyal and considerate person. I can't complain. He filled our spot. The only problem is when it's four o'clock in the morning, and he gets up
"It's like if I was eating a raw frog.Everyone thinks it's disgusting,but who's eating it?I am."
Namian Mpwo Lawrence resident
and he's singing in the shower and I can bear him."
Mpwo's room is only filled with what he brings from every quick visit to the apartment. His room is mainly used for the purpose of sleeping.
"There are soccer papers all over the place," Mpwo said. "It's pretty messy with all the soccer books, soccer tapes, trophies, medals and Adidas clothes. As long as my immigration papers
are there, I'm cool."
Mpwo said the best benefit of never being around the apartment was avoiding certain college troublemakers.
"I avoid all of the crazy things that go on in this college town," he said. "I won't be accountable if I'm sleeping or minding my own business."
As for Mpwo's future, he plans to live in an apartment in Johnson County with a couple of friends. There, he will be closer to his ever-important work. Despite the move, Mpwo still
Despite the move, Mpwo still estimated he wouldn't be home a majority of the time.
As for now, he will continue paying rent, but rarely occupying his room.
"There are no problems. I do my role," Mpwo said.
WEST HILLS APARTMENTS
1012 EMERY ROAD
NOW LEASING FOR JUNE OR AUGUST
— Edited by Sydney Wallace
Spacious 1 & 2 bedroom apartments Open house Mon., Wed., Fri. 12-30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. No appointment needed To check on our rates, call 832-0270 anytime Office - 841-3800 Check out our rates and floor plans at: www.apartmentworld.com
Leasing NOW for Fall meadowbrook TOWNHOMES APARTMENTS
Close to campus·3 KU bus stops
- Studio 1,2,3 bdm apart.
- 2 & 3 bdm townhomes
- Water paid in apart.
- Walk to campus
Mon-Fri: 8-5:30
Saturday:10-4:00
Sunday: 1-4:00
Great 3 bdrm values
15th & Crestline Dr.
842-4200
mdwbk@idir.net
"We Stand Behind Our Work and WE CARE!" DOMESTIC & FOREIGN COMPLETE CAR CARE
- QUICKLUBESERVICE
- ALIGNMENTS
• COMPLETE ENGINE REPAIR
• STARTERS
• CLUTCH
• TRANSMISSION
• RADIATOR
• BRAKES
• ELECTRICAL
- FUEL INJECTION
- SERVICE
- A/C SERVICE
- EXHAUST
- C-V JOINTS
DIAGNOSTIC
- STRUTS AND SHOCKS
- BATTERIES
• TUNE UPS
2858 Four Wheel Drive Lawrence, KS
842-8665
Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30
Sat 8-1
- Studios, 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Homes
NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2001
- Townhomes. Some With Garages
- Detached Houses With Garages
REPRESENTING OVER 18 LOCATIONS TO FIT YOUR HOUSING NEEDS!
Swimming Pools
- Washers & Dryer, or On-site Laundry
- Work Out Facilities
- Dishwashers
- Fireplaces
- Microwaves
- Pets Accepted at Some Locations
Ask about our newest complexes, available late Spring & Fall 2001! Chase Court Phase II Parkway Commons
2001 W. 6th Street
(785) 841-8468
MON-FRI 9:00AM - 6:00PM
SAT 10:00AM - 4:00PM
SUN 12NOON - 4:00PM
Z LEASING OFFICES FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE!
1942 Stewart Avenue
(785) 843-8220
MON-FRI 9:00AM - 6:00PM
SAT 10:00AM - 4:00PM
---