How does the saying go, ‘If I only knew then, what I know now?’ That could be the mantra of the Student Housing Legal Clinic’s (SHLC) clients. The SHLC provides free legal advice and representation to OSU students regarding landlord-tenant issues.

Susan Choe, the director and supervising attorney for the Clinic, says that students are often unnecessarily rushed into the leasing process. “Landlords and management companies often give students a false sense of urgency. They are running a business and their goal is to fill as many of the units as quickly as possible. But students should realize that there are more off-campus units than there are students to fill all those units, so students have the upper hand in bargaining.” Choe says that some students have unknowingly signed lease agreements or have signed documents forfeiting deposits without understanding the ramifications. Choe says that students should simply ask for a copy of any such documents, including the lease agreement, and then call the SHLC to schedule an appointment (usually within the same week). “If a person questions why you want copies, explain that you want to have your legal counsel review them first. If the landlord or agent seems hesitant, that should send up some red flags,” says Choe.“ They should want to have fully informed and responsible tenants.”

When you bring these documents to SHLC, a legal intern will go over any of the documents with you. “Not only do we go over all the legal language, but we explain what language is enforceable and what isn’t under the law,” says Pete Merrick, a certified legal intern at SHLC. “We give students a lot of information — everything from understanding utilities to getting renters insurance.” Merrick says that once students leave the office they are fully informed and are likely to have a much better renting experience than those that do not come into the office before they sign a lease.

Merrick says that a number of clients have come to the office with problems getting their landlord to act on repair requests. “We have students who have made several phone calls, but they have never put the repair request in writing. That is a major point we discuss in lease reviews. Our website has an informational packet with a blank form that students can print off, fill out, keep a copy, and then either mail or hand deliver a copy to the landlord or management company. Putting the request in by telephone does not start the clock running for landlords to repair, but if the student wants to place their rent in escrow or use other remedies under the Ohio Landlord Act, the student must place the repair request in writing. Most repairs must be handled in thirty days. After that time, we talk to students about possibly using the court’s rent escrow procedure.”

Choe says that another important reason to keep copies of all repair requests is that students have evidence of any damages that may have occurred during tenancy. “The request will show that there was a leaky roof and that is what caused the damage to drywall. As such, the student shouldn’t have money taken out of his/her security deposit for damage that he/she did not cause. The repair requests, in addition to photos, can go a long way to solving students’ cases quickly.”

Speaking of pictures, SHLC recommends that before you move any furniture into a place, you should either take pictures or videotape the condition of the property. You can rent a video camera from Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) for fifteen dollars. OCSS has a checksheet available to guide you through the taping process. In the ‘Security Deposit’ packet, SHLC has information about photographing and has blank move-in and move-out checklists. Choe says that these steps are important as students seek to get a full return of their security deposit.

Paul Wilkins, staff attorney for SHLC, says that students do rush into the process and they miss very important information. “Often, students sign a lease without even considering what the utilities at a particular place may cost them. Students are often shocked to see utility bill amounts they weren’t expecting.” Wilkins says that a lot of the homes in the off-campus area can be older and may have inefficient furnaces in addition to poor insulation and drafty windows. He also states that students should know how utilities are measured and should get a monthly average for colder months and warmer months so that they know what to budget for. Without getting a lease review before signing, some students don’t think about some things, like parking. “Far too often we have students tell us that they wish they had to come to us first. If they had our information before, they could have avoided all the hassle they may have gone through,” says Wilkins.

The clinic’s website has all of its informational packets online, but there is no substitute for calling and making an appointment to discuss your specific situation. Choe says that students sometimes enter into agreements to change lease terms, or want to have a holding agreement before they sign a lease. “We can assist students with drafting these things to be sure that they are fully protected,” says Choe. She continued, “We want to be sure that students have considered all their options and know all their rights and responsibilities.”

Wilkins says that students should avoid being those who regret not coming to SHLC sooner. “Be sure to bring in any documents before you sign and have us go over them with you. Also, we will have the chance to be sure that you are fully informed about the leasing process.”

SHLC’s main advice is to not rush to sign a lease and be sure to make an appointment with the clinic before you sign anything.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call (614) 292-5853 to schedule an appointment. The clinic’s website is available at http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/shlc. Lastly, if you would like to have SHLC do a presentation for your group, contact Cherish Cronmiller at (614) 247-6066. The clinic will send a representative to speak about the renting process and Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law.