OUR VIEW: Landlord/tenant issues shouldn’t be ignored

Another summer has come and gone causing us students to once again converge on Logan. Along with all the anxiety of new classes and the fun of new activities and friends comes the stress of finding, renting and moving into a new apartment.

With all the moving and moving out that happens twice a year at most apartment complexes here in town, it’s easy to feel like cattle, being herded in and out of the building.

While it is understandable that a massive real estate company will not be able to handle everything asked of it by its many tenants as soon as it’s asked for, there are certain issues that arise that fall under the realm of contract violation.

If you’ve had a problem with you landlord and they don’t seem to be budging, you don’t have to throw your hands in the air in frustration and consider all to be lost. There are ways to get your issue resolved.

Utah State University offers legal services free for all students. They often deal with tenant/landlord issues and may be able to help resolve your concern. To set up an appointment, call 797-2912 or head up to Room 326 in the Taggart Student Center.

Even if your problem isn’t something a lawyer needs to get involved with, there are options to make sure other students don’t go through the same experience you have had.

A-Station, ASUSU’s information Web site, as well as a couple of other locally run Web sites, offer students the chance to “rate your landlord.”

By filling out these forms and using the results in apartment-hunting decisions, students can help each other avoid problem real estate providers.

It’s often said that the best advertising is word of mouth. If you hear someone asking about a place where you’ve had problems, tell them. Get the word out there.

We students may only be in town for a few years. Still, if we shop smart and work together, we can enjoy a stress-free renting experience.