Students in the market for off-campus housing should use the resources the staff at Carolina Student Legal Services has to offer.
Greedy landlords looking for loopholes in lease agreements have a history of taking advantage of less-than-knowledgeable college students.
In 2013, the N.C. Attorney General sued a Chapel Hill landlord after five UNC students sued him for keeping their security deposits after leases were terminated without documented damage.
Earlier this month, Appalachian State University students launched a funding campaign to satisfy a landlord who they said demanded full rent after one of their co-tenants died.
The staff at Student Legal Services can answer questions about leases and offer free advice about roommate legal issues or landlord-tenant issues.
Leases should always list specific dates of occupancy and detail the monthly rent amount and list what day rent is due.
The lease should also specify what party is responsible for maintenance and home repairs.
Before signing a lease, students should inspect and document any damage in a new residence and this document should be given to the landlord upon move-in. Chapel Hill police can also perform free safety inspections on off-campus homes.
Just as students can be the victim in off-campus housing situations, they can also be the villain.
