University of South Carolina Libraries
I o use offict off campu CTI , |f Tlmmttmim 5WTT N SpOrtS Have an apartment but need a roommate? New to town and need a place to live? ^ Own a house and want to sublet for the summer? un-campus btudent bervices, located in Russell House Room 235, also the Carolina Productions office, can help you out. The office primarily provides housing services for students who liye in the general Columbia community, said Tammy Ray, graduate coordinator for the office. U A W rtf atn/lonfo OM m?o/)nofo tr*. ivvi otuuciiw cuc auuaic students, probably 75 percent," Ray said. "Here, we focus on property, not getting students involved in student life. Usually each college or department has its own group for graduate students." OCSS estimates 2,300 people visit its office each year, mostly during the summer. In addition to the roommate and property listings, the office holds an apart ment fair in the spring and has resources, such as a guide to living off campus, available free of charge. A new service the office offers is sabbatical listings. USC professors who are going on sabbatical The rights and responsibilitie of both landlords and tenant have been defined by the Sout Carolina Tenant Residential Ad This law describes the responsi bilities of both landlords and tei ants and provides remedies fo both parties when the other fail to live up to his or her responsi bilities. The legislation is fairly com nroKonaivo on/) 14- nr/Mil/) nnf W |/ivuviioiT ^ > aiiu lb ttv/uiu nuv 1/ advantageous to quote directi; from it because of the possibility of statements being misinterpret ed or taken out of context 1. The Landlord Tenant Act wai written to provide fairness t< both tenants and landlords. If yoi ; serves is students OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT SERVICES h i I and would like to rent their homes during those times can file the information with the office. The office also has three notebooks with housing and roommate information. One book lists people with apartments who need a roommate. Another lists those without housing who need a . , ?A? TU- 1:_A_ ______ ivuuuuate. xiie umu lists piv[wrty that is for rent, sale or subleasing. The property lists vary from apartments and efficiencies to houses. USC students, faculty and staff can list in any of the notebooks for free. The office charges a small fee for anyone not affiliated with the university to list. (8 feel that you are not being treat s ed fairly, you should question the h actions of the landlord, t. The best way to do this is to i- contact Off Campus Student l- Services first. We are not attorr neys and cannot give you legal s advice; however, we are familiar i- with the Landlord Tenant Act and can sometimes? nrovide vnn i- with some direction as to how you e might resolve the conflict. V Y 2. When signing rental agreer ments, be sure you know and understand what you are signing. If you would like, we will read 3 over the lease with you. ) 3. Be sure any oral maintenance i agreements are put in writing in ri n a special publication o U.D? the flawecocl GINT senior Robert Hyres reads a Look for the i Anvil 1C rmpni AVy wi ttNMHHHMH laj the lease. no 4. If anything is being crossed out in or written in the lease, it 7. should be initialed by both you an and the landlord. fr? th< p ii e n " o. Always ioiiow up any oral con- wi versations with a landlord in po writing. This can be an informal rel friendly note?just something to let the landlord know something 8. is "in writing" regarding your ap conversation. of ag( 6. In most situations, with or yoi f t S ' | i magazine in his offeampus ai Apartment June 3 and thout a lease both you and the ndlord are required to give 30y notices. Remember to always ye a du-aay nonce in wnting d to give it on the date rent is rmally due. Deposits are normally charged d there is a designated time ime the landlord has to return e deposit to you or provide you th evidence as to why all or a rfinn nf nnnr mnnA?r iitaa n i wivu vi JVUI iuviicj waa nut turned. When you move into the artment, do a careful inventory the facility. If things are darned or in need of repair when 1 move in, you need a record of : - partment on Greene Street. uuiae again July 9! it in the event the landlord tries to chaige you for those damages when you move out. Furnish the landlord with a written record of your inventory. 9. When you are having a conflict with a landlord, try to keep the lines of communication open. Be tactful. m TTd L 1 1 ' *1 xu.rlease repon proDiems U) me Off Campus Student Services office. We may be able to assist you and we need to be aware of the landlords that are causing problems.