Off-campus housing and leases

curiouser
Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:38:10 +0000

We were not asked to sign either D’s lease in Texas or S’s lease in Louisiana.

However, the structure of the two leases was very different. S’s situation was one where his landlord was a lawyer who required each of the four boys to sign his own lease representing his “share” of the apartment. D’s lease was a single lease but signed by all 3 roommates.

Given the challenges of roommates who left unexpectedly, S’s scenario was by FAR better to protect him. With S’s lease, if any of the roommates bailed, it was entirely on the kid leaving to pay up or find a replacement.

If one of D’s roommates bailed, the other 2 were on the hook. (And it happened to her, TWICE in three years).

I’m guessing your D may have little to no leverage in requesting the type of lease she gets from a specific property landlord. However, it the choice is available, I’d highly recommend she ask for a lease like my son had. It was really stressful for D (and us) as she navigated through this.