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Stay smart when signing a lease |
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Tuesday, 05 February 2008 |
 The lease is one of the most important parts of choosing an apartment. Students should carefully inspect the lease before they sign it. Photo by Derek DeSha
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by ANNE BAKER
Intern News Reporter
For students who live off-campus, apartment hunting can be both exciting and challenging.
Many things need to be taken into consideration, such as the price, location and size.
However, one of the most important things in choosing an apartment is often not given enough
attention: the lease.
Signing such a binding contract can be one of the first major commitments a student has to make.
“Usually, it’s very difficult to be released from a lease, and students often don’t realize this,” said Karla
Rusch, assistant director of the Appalachian State University Office of Student Conduct.
For this reason, Rusch said it is important to remember several key things when committing to a lease.
It is essential the rental unit is carefully inspected before the lease is signed to make sure you know
what you are getting, Rusch said.
Students need to remember the apartment they see in a picture or read in a description is not always
what they find they have agreed to live in.
If there is something that needs to be repaired or replaced within the apartment, it is also necessary to
have the landlord put the promise to fix it in writing, Rusch said.
“If the landlord doesn’t follow through on the promise, there is nothing that can be done to enforce the
verbal agreement,” Rusch said.
Reading the entire lease before it is signed is another thing that should be kept in mind. Although it can
be lengthy and not that interesting, reading it ensures there are no surprises later on down the road.
“It’s important to understand all the rules and regulations, any monetary fees or penalties, and under
what circumstances a tenant may be released from the lease,” Rusch said.
If something is unclear in the document, take the time to find out the specifics and do not hurry through
the signing process, Rusch said.
One final general piece of advice that will make living in an apartment and dealing with the lease much
easier is to choose a reliable roommate.
While some landlords take payments on a person-by-person basis, the majority do not.
“You can be held responsible for what your roommate does as you are usually ‘jointly and severally
liable’ under the lease,” Rusch said.
Roommates that are irresponsible can cause problems with the landlord, she said.
These problems can usually be avoided if roommates are considerate of each other and the agreement
that was signed.
For more information on signing leases, students can visit the Office of Student Conduct located on
the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union in room 221.
Rusch is available to give free, confidential advice to any student in need.
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