So, My partner recently signed a lease for a new apartment. Included in the lease are some things that I think sound shady, but being as I have yet to start law school, I can't be sure of their legality. Two of the items that caught my attention the most are that there is a provision in the lease that says if my partner and his roommate install a window unit air conditioner in the apartment, the landlord will raise their rent 200 dollars. This connects to the second issue. The second issue is that the landlord receives the electric bill for the entire complex and then he divides it equally amongst the residents each month. His excuse is that he hasn't rewired the building (this serves both as his justification for the no air conditioning and for the division of the electric bill). He is also charging the residents for garbage service (this is separate fromt he rent).
This raises all sorts of questions concerning codes, health risks (this summer has been extremely hot), etc. Can anyone comment on the legality of these provisions? Or perhaps even how these provisions hold up against other leases? My partner is going to take his lease to the University Legal Services and have them check it over, but I'd like to get some feedback from folks here about extra-legal options he may have, for example a fair housing coalition he could hook up with, etc. Thanks in advance. -Brandon Lacy Campos -Powderhorn Park -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Craig Miller Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2002 9:05 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Annie Young Subject: [Mpls] Mayor's Conference-Aff Housing Thanks to Annie and her out of town sources. The subject of affordable housing was covered in the article from Madison. I've noticed that the vacancy rate in the metro has now gone past 5%. We are now at equilibrium by ANY economist's measure. I give this warning to all the neighborhood activists. From here on, your local landlords will start to have trouble finding tenants (let alone good ones). It will be more difficult for them to keep up with capital costs and minor maintenance may get deferred. I would advise all those policy makers, shapers, and breakers to start focusing our precious resources on something other then $125,000 per unit non-profit housing for the middle class. Here's the press release " Affordable Housing Crisis Over" ESL, school funding, parks, basic city services are more in need of your tax dollars now. Craig Miller Former Fultonite Mpls Landlord [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
