Renting the right way

Somewhere amid a muddle of leases and landlords, you are trying to figure out the logistics of renting. Here are a few tips from Randall Frykberg, director of IU’s Student Legal Services. Consider them before you get the keys to your new home.

Do take pictures of your property before you move in.
Inspect the area thoroughly and note any defects. The strongest cases Student Legal Services receives are those with visual evidence, Frykberg said.  “If a defect seems important (windows, door locks, bugs), don’t accept the keys unless your landlord fixes it,” he said.

Do know your rights as a tenant.
Though most of your rights are specific to your lease, the government also mandates certain standards. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability.
Bloomington code requires all residential renting units meet specific qualifications including:
• a heating unit that reaches 65 degrees
• working plumbing
• stable structure and lockable doors
• sufficient light and ventilation
• fire protection systems and exits
For the complete list visit bloomington.in.gov.

Don't give your landlord a reason to report you.
Your landlord, or your neighbors, can report you for a variety of city violations. These include noise, trash and yard maintenance.
Your landlord might require you sign a list of house rules covering pets, quiet hours and so forth.
If you break them, you can be evicted. Clauses on your lease might allow your landlord to evict you for certain criminal violations. These include “use and/or sale of illegal drugs, serving alcohol to a minor and even consumption of alcohol by a minor,” according to Student Legal Services.

Do purchase renters insurance.
Renters insurance protects your belongings in case of fire, flood, theft and other disasters. Frykberg said renters insurance is especially important for students with valuable possessions, such as expensive computers, televisions, cameras or other electronics.
Adding renters insurance onto your parents’ homeowners insurance for about $15 to $20 a month is easy. Your car insurance provider can also easily add renters insurance to your policy.

Don’t allow friends to engage in illegal activities on your property.
As the Student Legal Services website says, “You did a bad deed, hosting friends and their weed.”
Keep in mind you can be held accountable for any illegal activities you permit.

Do pick your roommates carefully.
“It’s not a Friday night hookup, it’s more like a marriage,” Frykberg said.
It’s important to live with someone you trust. You could end up paying your roommate’s share of the rent if your lease includes a “joint and several liability” clause.

Do contact Student Legal Services or the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department if you have questions.
Student Legal Services, 703 E. Seventh St., offers legal services paid for by your student activity fee.
HAND investigates rental complaints for violations of the Property Maintenance Code. The department’s website describes necessary steps in filing a rental complaint at bloomington.in.gov/hand.

Don’t sign your lease until you have read it carefully
You are agreeing to a binding contract with your landlord.