Off-campus & Commuter Services Sykes Student Union

 Room 116 

 610.436.2984

How to make the best move?  Rental Unit Checklist

Room in a family home?

    Rental Rights and
     Responsibilities

Landlord's responsibilities



Responsible Renting Practices For Landlords:

There is no law forbidding discrimination against students (as students). However, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, as well as University Polics, protects yours rights and forbids discrimination on the basis of race or color, sex, religion, creed, ancestry or national origin, handicap or disability or use of a guide dog for blindness.


Lease - is a written or oral contract between a landlord and a tenant (s) to rent property. It is difficult to change or break a lease without one side surrendering a sum of money.


MAKE SURE YOUR LEASE CONTAINS:

  • NAMES - you, landlord, address of property including apartment number

  • DESCRIPTION - of building you are renting, premises are suitable for the purposes for which they are rented

  • DATES - term of rental

  • RENT - explanation of rent payment procedures, amount, due data, late penalties, when can rent be increased

  • TERMINATION OR RENEWAL - when should landlord, renter be notified, specific procedures

  • MAINTINENCE & REPAIRS - who is responsible for what, if renter does any repairs will there be reimbursement

  • UTILITIES - who pays what, who takes care of repairs (take particular note to comments about heating system)

  • DEPOSITS - What is required, what is covered, when will it be returned, amount, when due. There should be a clause that states there will be no deduction for normal wear and tear. Ask what is considered normal wear and tear.

  • SUBLETTING - will subletting be permitted, and restrictions?

    READ THE LEASE!!!



    NEXT: Renting rights and responsibilities

    Back to the Off-campus main page


     
    West Chester University Links

    | WCU Home |
    President's Message | Parents | Alumni | Prospective Students | Current Students 
     Visitor Info | Faculty & Staff | Administration | Academic Programs | Library 
    Athletics | Catalogs | News & Events | Text Only Site Map | Directories & Searches