Late October at UW-Madison finds students studying for midterms, attending football games and creating Halloween costumes. However, students may not realize that fall can be the time to find a residence for the next school year, with landlords allowed to show apartments beginning Dec. 15. For many, finding residence outside the dorms can be daunting and confusing. Fortunately, there are many resources to help first-time renters.
The Campus Assistance and Visitor Center lists available housing on its Web site. Students can also list advertisements for roommates on the site for $9.
In addition, the Tenant Resource Center, 1202 Williamson St., provides many resources for prospective renters. The programs provided by the Tenant Resource Center include information on students' rights, landlords, roommates and eviction. Students can find information about the TRC and its programs at .
Anna Schumaker, a UW-Madison sophomore, wants to move out of the dorms because she said there is 'more freedom in renting' and wants to stay in Madison during the summer.
'The extent of my knowledge about renting comes from the Internet, newspaper listings and word of mouth,' Schumaker said.
These comments mirror the feelings of many first-time renters. They know that they want to move out of the dorms but are not sure where to start looking.
The first place students should look for help is the CAVC, in the Red Gym. The CAVC has employees who are familiar with the Madison renting situation and provides a listing of renting advertisements.
'The Campus Assistance and Visitor Center will begin advertising limited entries in December, but the greatest number of listings appear during the period of January through February,' said Cheryl Steely, the off-campus housing coordinator at CAVC.
While listings are available in December, there is no need for students to rush out and find their apartment immediately.
'If you're looking for a specific building, go on Dec. 15,' Steely said. 'Otherwise, relax and begin looking after the new year. Students have the misconception that if they don't look for apartments in December there will be nothing left. This is not true.'
When students finally do find a residence they would like to rent, they should not immediately sign the lease. Rather, students should investigate the landlord, the lease and the more subtle conditions of the apartment, such as heating and electric charges.
The TRC is one resource for tenants to investigate landlords and apartments. The TRC reviews leases, provides student renter guides and answers questions by e-mail at trc@macc.wisc.edu or by phone at 257-0006. In addition, the TRC provides mediation service and is always present at eviction court.
'Check out your landlord, talk to current renters, bring a copy of the lease to the TRC and don't sign any non-standard rental provisions, which almost always waive
a right of the tenant,' said Brenda Konkel, former executive director of the TRC.
The most important and painless way for students to investigate their prospective landlords is by talking to current renters. Students should be sure to ask about heating cost, the landlord and the noise level of the neighborhood.
'Current tenants will know about problems with toilets, insulation and heating,' Steeley said. 'They will also know how quickly the landlord fixed problems. Prospective renters should make sure to talk to the tenants of the apartment they are looking at.'
After students do sign a lease, their problems are solved, for a year at least. Although landlords can't show apartments until Dec. 15, they can sign leases at any time of the year without informing current tenants that they will not have the opportunity to live in the same residence the following year. While this is rare, it occasionally does happen.
'There is a major flaw in the ordinance that allows landlords to sign unseen apartments,' Konkel said. 'The Tenant Resource Center has told landlords to tell current renters before they sign leases with new renters but not all landlords do.'
Current renters who want to rent the same property during the following year should approach the landlord about staying as soon as they are certain they want to stay. Most landlords are happy to keep renters who have been good tenants and would prefer not to look for new tenants.
'Renters should be proactive, contact their landlord and tell them they are interested in staying during the following year,' Konkel said.
The most important thing for students to remember when they begin shopping for an apartment, flat or house is that there is plenty of housing available near campus. Students are encouraged to take their time and shop around.
'Students should make sure the apartment they decide on is one they can afford and one they want,' Steely said. 'Once you sign a lease, you have made a decision that will last for a year.'
