Moldy basements. Decaying ceilings. Broken showers.
Home sweet home it ain't, but sadly, for many students, it isthe place they live.
Everyone has heard stories of students who got screwed bylandlords. Repairs are put off; promised appliances never appear,and security deposits are withheld without an apparent reason.
Certainly, not all landlords behave this way. Good men and womenare out there. They aren't trying to rip students off, but the onlyway to guarantee that your landlord does his or her job is to doyour homework before you sign the lease.
Ball State Legal Services is free for student use. Take yourlease to the Student Center and have it reviewed by a lawyer beforeyou sign. Make sure any promises the landlord has made for repairsor new appliances are in writing and signed. Fill out the housinginspection form and take pictures of the premises so you can getyour security deposit back, and fill out the roommate agreement soeveryone knows who's paying what.
Both forms are available at Legal Services.
Make sure to talk to current tenants. Ask what the landlord islike and what you can expect. Forewarned, as they say, isforearmed.
Generally, force your landlord to do what they promise bypreparing yourself for the worst.
The more Ball State students force landlords to meet their legalobligations, the fewer landlords will try to take advantage ofus.
And that will make life more livable for everyone.
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