Students should deliberate the possibility of renting a house extensively before signing a lease, said the University of Kansasâ Legal Services for Students. Often students can unintentionally find themselves stuck in expensive financial situations that hold them and any co-signers responsible.
Bill Larzalere, Chief Litigation Attorney at KU LSS, said students need to be aware of what they are accountable for when signing a lease to rent a house. He said typically students sign leases that make them jointly responsible for any of their roommatesâ damages, unpaid rent or filling a room if a tenant moves out.
âItâs not like youâre renting a bedroom for $500 a month,â Larzalere said. âYou are on the hook for all $5,000, if thatâs what the rent is, or if thereâs damages. Youâre on the hook for the whole amount.â
A lack of open conversation early in the semester has led to roommate conflicts for University of Kansas students. KU Housing tries to help students avoid these issues, a staff member said, but sometimes a living environment can still become hostile.
Jacque McKenna, KUâs Associate Director for Housing and Administration, said living environments have a huge impact on students. In a new roommate environment, it can be uncomfortable to bring up controversial topics early in the semester. McKenna said housing encourages students to discuss awkward topics with their roommates before they become an issue.
âIf itâs an awkward topic or question, if you are feeling like that, are you really going to ever bring it up to your roommate?â McKenna said. â[Human] nature is kind of to avoid things, so while it is awkward to talk about it, imagine how much more awkward it is when youâre frustrated with your roommate.âÂ