Student recalls college rental problems, solutions

This past summer, like many Ohio University students, I moved into a new apartment in Athens. Unlike most people, however, I quickly discovered that I was unhappy with my new environment.

Of course, it seemed like it would be a great place to live when I signed the lease near the beginning of the previous school year. However, that was after only a quick viewing, which is all that most students get to see before signing a lease.

Two backbreaking days of moving heavy furniture up three flights of steps later, reality sunk in. I was stuck in an expensive, cramped apartment with no parking or pets, and would continue to be stuck there unless I did something drastic.

My landlord was quick to inform me that a lease is one of the most legally binding contracts in existence, and the only way out of mine would be to find new tenants to sign the lease over to. At the same time, I would have to put down a security deposit on a new place so that I would have somewhere to live if I did actually pull it off. This was in June, when everyone was out of town, and almost all of them already knew where they were going to live the next school year.

The following two months were quite possibly the most stressful and worrisome of my life.

After marketing and advertising my apartment in the newspaper, Facebook, Craigslist and fliers around town, it looked like there was no hope.

As I mentally prepared to spend most of my student loans on a place that made me depressed every time I walked in, I lucked out. With two weeks left before the fall quarter rent was due (and would effectively seal my fate), I received a call from some people who had found my apartment on Facebook. After e-mails and phone calls, and a landlord who was unavailable for a week, they ended up signing the lease a mere four days before the deadline.

So, why am I telling you all of this? I'm doing it because I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I did last summer. All of these problems are easily avoidable if you just put in a little more time and thought when choosing your residence.

The following are some basic guidelines for ensuring that you and your roommates will be happy and satisfied with your rental:

1. Don't buy into the idea that all of the "best" rentals will be snatched up in the fall. You have plenty of time to decide and there is a huge variety of places available in Athens.

2. Make sure that you get along with your roommates. If this is the first time you are living together, be prepared to make some compromises for the greater good.

3. Consult your parents! Many landlords will try to get you to sign the lease right after viewing, but you should always talk with your parents first, and probably fax them a copy of the lease to review.

4. Read the lease in its entirety. Landlords will often fail to mention important or negative details.

5. Everyone needs some privacy every once in a while, so make sure that there is enough space for you to get some time to yourself.

6. Ask questions. You need to know about things like security deposits, pets, parking, washer/dryer, utilities etc...

For more information, visit http://www.studentlegalrights.org. This is a service provided by Ohio University to students who paid their $8 legal fee, and is a great resource if you are unsure about any of these issues.