One thing a lot of students do when renting off campus, is to sign the lease in a very lack-luster manner which can ultimately contribute to your renting demise. Ok, it’s a bit drastic but you need to consider what your rights are as a potential renter and just what to expect in terms of what you may be responsible for in the end.
Some things to consider:
1. Read the agreement thoroughly and, if possible, go through the whole thing with the landlord. If they are willing to review it with you then there is a good chance they aren’t trying to take you for anything non-legit.
2. Ensure that the Landlord recognizes the following:
- They must provide notice upon entering the premises.
- They must keep current with the place of rent financially.
- They cannot shutdown the utilities.
- They cannot prevent you from having friends visit. Although this doesn’t give you a free pass for partying as noise ordinances and other laws may apply.
3. You can be evicted if:
- You don’t pay your rent or if you are consistently late with payment.
- You lied on the application.
- You break the law.
4. You are never, in any circumstance, to be subjected to violent harassment or verbal abuse by the landlord in question.