Landlords advise renters to explore options
Reading over details on leases before signing helps prevent confusion and misunderstanding, landlords say
Tara Cegla
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
If a problem persists, Steiner recommends documenting any complaints or transactions with the landlord.
A piece of advice Steiner would give to students new to leasing is to shop around and ask other, older students to get a general reputation about companies.
Steiner said another place to find information about a renting company is the Better Business Bureau. Any complaints against a landlord are recorded at the Bureau, and it is a good resource for students to look into.
Once a student has found a potential lease to sign, both Heyenga and Gunem stress the importance of reading every detail on the lease.
"Take the time to read the lease and understand it," Heyenga said.
Gunem said most landlords don't try to hide anything, but sometimes misinterpretations of the lease, such as snow removal, occur because students don't completely read through it.
Another piece of advice Gunem gave is for students to know their roommates well enough to live with for a year.
"It's your lease and it's important for students to know (if) they will get along," Gunem said. He said he's had to intervene in situations where roommates haven't gotten along anymore, and helped find sub-leasers.
Steiner agrees that students should understand all the details of their lease.
"Read the lease over very carefully," he said. "Know your obligations and the landlord's obligations." That way, if there are unfavorable clauses and provisions, the leaser can work it out before they sign the lease and it's too late, Steiner said.
A piece of advice Steiner would give to students new to leasing is to shop around and ask other, older students to get a general reputation about companies.
Steiner said another place to find information about a renting company is the Better Business Bureau. Any complaints against a landlord are recorded at the Bureau, and it is a good resource for students to look into.
Once a student has found a potential lease to sign, both Heyenga and Gunem stress the importance of reading every detail on the lease.
"Take the time to read the lease and understand it," Heyenga said.
Gunem said most landlords don't try to hide anything, but sometimes misinterpretations of the lease, such as snow removal, occur because students don't completely read through it.
Another piece of advice Gunem gave is for students to know their roommates well enough to live with for a year.
"It's your lease and it's important for students to know (if) they will get along," Gunem said. He said he's had to intervene in situations where roommates haven't gotten along anymore, and helped find sub-leasers.
Steiner agrees that students should understand all the details of their lease.
"Read the lease over very carefully," he said. "Know your obligations and the landlord's obligations." That way, if there are unfavorable clauses and provisions, the leaser can work it out before they sign the lease and it's too late, Steiner said.
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