At some point during their college career, many students live off campus - in apartments or other rented housing. For most, it is their first time being a tenant.
Renting is usually not too difficult, but in some instances, the experience is less than stellar.
One reason for such an experience can be a bad landlord. Nevertheless, there are steps that can be taken to avoid the situation or, if it's already too late, to resolve the situation.
The University's student legal services is an easily-accessible resource to aid in issues regarding insufficient landlords.
Carolina Student Legal Services, is staffed by three licensed attorneys who can provide students with legal assistance.
As long as an individual is enrolled as a full-time student, they are eligible for CSLS's services, including aid in dealing with an unreliable landlord.
A landlord has a duty to maintain their housing by the minimal standards outlined by the housing code. Unfortunately, these standards are not always met.
"One of the first things a student can do is come to us," said Dorothy Bernholz, CSLS director. "We represent the student and investigate their complaints."
According to Bernholz, CSLS will contact the landlord and housing inspector and do their best to develop a solution.
Bernholz also advised that students should always provide the landlord with a written request as well as a sufficient amount of time to make the repairs.
"Dealing with a bad landlord is very difficult," Bernholz said. "It's important for students to know what to do."
While CSLS does not maintain a list of deficient landlords, Bernholz does suggest that students access the list of complaints made against certain landlords held by the town of Chapel Hill.
This list will allow students to view which landlords are most complained about, as well as which ones have been sued.
Nevertheless, Bernholz reminds students that these complaints do not mean that something necessarily went exactly as written.
She also reminded students that, under N.C. law, it is illegal to unilaterally withhold rent. She suggests that they seek legal counsel before attempting to do so.
Her best advice was to simply seek help at CSLS.
"We'll be happy to talk to students if they want to come to us," Bernholz said.
CSLS has resources available in their offices in the Student Union to enrolled students who have issues with their landlord or fear they may find themselves renting from a negligent one.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
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