Some landlords are sidestepping a city ordinance that is aimed at stopping the mad rush for apartments early in the year. Students have already been signing leases to apartments for next year without actually seeing the sites.
Ordinance 32.12(8) states landlords are not allowed to show apartments to prospective tenants until one-third of the current lease has expired. Most leases begin Aug. 15 and last one year, so few apartments can be presented before Dec. 15. The ordinance also prevents landlords from making a current tenant sign a renewal agreement before one-third of the current lease period has ended.
While the ordinance prohibits landlords giving tours of apartments, it does not prevent landlords from signing leases. Students are currently signing leases with Steve Brown Apartments without touring their future homes.
According to Meggan Allen, general manager for Steve Brown Apartments, the company started accepting applications Monday, and all their procedures are well within the boundaries of the law.
\We have very popular apartments where [people] want to camp out without actually seeing the apartment. ... We are reacting to the demand,"" she said.
Alex Lakner, a UW-Madison junior and tenant of J. Michael Real Estate, said he felt the need to sign a lease after receiving a note from the company requiring residents to resign the lease by Oct. 16.
Lakner expressed frustration with having to deal with this so early in the year.
""I don't think it's fair that I have to decide who I'm living with after living here for only two months. If I don't, I'll lose the apartment,"" he said.
J. Michaels Real Estate could not be reached for comment.
Mary Devine, of Devine Apartments, said she believes landlords should wait until after winter break to sign leases.
""I just think it's not fair to put so much pressure on the tenants so soon,"" she said. ""It's not necessary. ... We are going by the rules; we missed out on some opportunities for renting because the tenants feel pressure to get a lease and get it taken care of,"" she said.
Madison City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, said the ordinance was a compromise between tenant and landlord advocates. He said its original purpose was to stop the extremely early rental season to give students time to decide where and with whom they want to live with the following year.
""I truly feel that it is offensive to be asked to know what you want to do so early in advance of your lease expiring,"" he said.
