Spring Break
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
While some leases are being signed, most are going to be ending come June 1. Professor emeritus of law, Erwin Steiner said there are a few things students need to know regarding their new and old leases before deciding to rent.
People signing the lease have the right to a return of a security deposit within 21 days of their lease ending, Steiner said. Many students don't know about this right and often don't get their money back. It's not necessarily the landlord deciding to pocket the money, but rather there are likely damages to the property the landlord doesn't report back to the tenant.
Steiner said security deposits are typically the amount of one month's rent, which can be a significant amount of money to college students.
When asked if a tenant has ever tried to exercise this right, Daryl Heyenga, of Scheppke Rentals, 440 Broadway St., said this type of situation has never occurred with his company.
"We must have good tenants and we must be doing a good job," he said.
Scott Gunem of Caron Management, 202 Water St., also said he didn't know of any major complaints with rentals. If there was a small problem, it was usually due to miscommunication and would be resolved informally, Gunem said.
Both Heyenga and Gunem said a common misconception of student renters is in regard to snow removal.
"Sometimes it's an issue when students don't remove (snow) as quickly as possible," Heyenga said. He reminds renters it is their responsibility and the issue is resolved.
Steiner said if a problem persists with a landlord, it's wise to get a third party involved. He said the Wisconsin Government Agency is the watchdog of tenants' rights, and has it administered rights such as the return of the security deposit. Steiner does recommend, however, to only contact a third party after communicating to the landlord about the problem.
"I strongly encourage talking to the landlord first," Steiner said. "If someone else is contacted first, the landlord could get upset, leading to more conflict."
People signing the lease have the right to a return of a security deposit within 21 days of their lease ending, Steiner said. Many students don't know about this right and often don't get their money back. It's not necessarily the landlord deciding to pocket the money, but rather there are likely damages to the property the landlord doesn't report back to the tenant.
Steiner said security deposits are typically the amount of one month's rent, which can be a significant amount of money to college students.
When asked if a tenant has ever tried to exercise this right, Daryl Heyenga, of Scheppke Rentals, 440 Broadway St., said this type of situation has never occurred with his company.
"We must have good tenants and we must be doing a good job," he said.
Scott Gunem of Caron Management, 202 Water St., also said he didn't know of any major complaints with rentals. If there was a small problem, it was usually due to miscommunication and would be resolved informally, Gunem said.
Both Heyenga and Gunem said a common misconception of student renters is in regard to snow removal.
"Sometimes it's an issue when students don't remove (snow) as quickly as possible," Heyenga said. He reminds renters it is their responsibility and the issue is resolved.
Steiner said if a problem persists with a landlord, it's wise to get a third party involved. He said the Wisconsin Government Agency is the watchdog of tenants' rights, and has it administered rights such as the return of the security deposit. Steiner does recommend, however, to only contact a third party after communicating to the landlord about the problem.
"I strongly encourage talking to the landlord first," Steiner said. "If someone else is contacted first, the landlord could get upset, leading to more conflict."
Be the first to comment on this story