Arkansas tenant rights lacking, non-profit offers advice
Samantha Sigmon
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
"Most landlords are fairly good and understanding. However, sometimes when you live in larger apartment complexes, as I have before, you don't get as much attention or assistance as you would like," To said.
There is not much a landlord isn't allowed to do, Pettyman said.
"The only thing the landlord can't do is put a lock on the door without going to court, but even that does not seem to stop them," Prettyman said. "The tenant can't have wild parties, not pay rent or anything that violates the overly oppressive five-to six-page lease the landlord makes you sign."
Amanda Adams lives in a house with a few other UA students. Although their landlord is their mother, she has been objectively agreeable and responsive to their needs and requests, Adams said.
"Our house is older, so naturally, we've had various maintenance problems, all of which she's had fixed fairly promptly," Adams said.
"Really the only area of contention has been with the animals and yard up-keep. She requires us to mow our lawn frequently and no animals."
Arkansas desperately needs someone to put together an efficient tenants' rights organization, maybe even in the form of a student group, Prettyman said.
Other states have some tenant rights laws.
In New York, if a rental building's entrance has been insecurely maintained and has been broken into, a tenant may be able to recover damages from the landlord, according to the aogstate Web site. If a building has eight or more apartments, each apartment must have a voice intercom that can be buzzed on the street. They also are able to obtain a lobby attendant. Landlords must also install peepholes at doors and window guards where young children live, according to the oagstate Web site.
There is not much a landlord isn't allowed to do, Pettyman said.
"The only thing the landlord can't do is put a lock on the door without going to court, but even that does not seem to stop them," Prettyman said. "The tenant can't have wild parties, not pay rent or anything that violates the overly oppressive five-to six-page lease the landlord makes you sign."
Amanda Adams lives in a house with a few other UA students. Although their landlord is their mother, she has been objectively agreeable and responsive to their needs and requests, Adams said.
"Our house is older, so naturally, we've had various maintenance problems, all of which she's had fixed fairly promptly," Adams said.
"Really the only area of contention has been with the animals and yard up-keep. She requires us to mow our lawn frequently and no animals."
Arkansas desperately needs someone to put together an efficient tenants' rights organization, maybe even in the form of a student group, Prettyman said.
Other states have some tenant rights laws.
In New York, if a rental building's entrance has been insecurely maintained and has been broken into, a tenant may be able to recover damages from the landlord, according to the aogstate Web site. If a building has eight or more apartments, each apartment must have a voice intercom that can be buzzed on the street. They also are able to obtain a lobby attendant. Landlords must also install peepholes at doors and window guards where young children live, according to the oagstate Web site.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Robert Depper
posted 10/04/07 @ 11:27 PM CST
This article is interesting but poorly researched. Before my fiance and I bought a house we lived in a rent house owned by a local Fayetteville townie. (Continued…)
Sue Madison
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:01 AM CST
I agree with the previous poster--pay your rent and abide by your lease. If you have problems--talk to the landlord; most problems can be fixed just by having an open discussion. (Continued…)
Katherine
posted 4/14/09 @ 6:32 PM CST
I agree there needs to be more laws protecting tenants. My fiance and I live at The Fairways at Hurricane Creek in Bryant. The other day, we received a notice that we were in violation of the pet policy at our apt. (Continued…)
Post a Comment