About the Tenant UnionThe mission of the Tenant Union is to stimulate fairness in landlord-tenant relationships and to serve as a resource for students residing in privately owned housing. The staff strives to: empower students, teach transferable life skills, and advocate for student tenant rights. Tenant Union’s services and programs are designed to help prevent housing problems before they arise. University officials are encouraged to refer students to the Tenant Union for help with any aspect of renting privately-owned properties

Service Numbers byCategory 2015-2016

OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS

tenantunion.illinois.edu(217) 333-0112 326 Illini Union, 1401 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801

STUDENT AFFAIRS AT I L L INOIS

Off Campus Housing SearchThe Tenant Union helps students learn how to conduct an apartment search, resolve disputes with their landlords, reviews leasing contracts, and provide tips for roommate problems. We provide an on and off campus resource lists with landlord contact information and budget sheets. The Quick Guide to Renting is a valuable tool to help start an apartment search. It includes information about tenant’s rights and responsibilities, helpful forms, and checklists. This guide can be found as a hardcopy in our office or as a downloadable PDF file on our website.

Our new Housing Explorer (https://tenantunion.illinois.edu/HOUSINGEXPLORER/) is the number one tool in searching for your apartments off campus. This tool provides students an online “one –stop-shop” for their apartment hunting needs including complaint records and search tips!

Lease ReviewAn experienced Housing Counselor will review a lease and make suggestions for modifications before a student signs the contract. Lease review is important for protecting the tenants’ interests in their landlordtenant relationship. The Tenant Union uses the lease review process as an opportunity to educate students about how to become successful tenants.

Landlord Complaint RecordsTenant Union only takes complaints regarding a landlord’s obligations under the law or according to the terms of the lease. The complaint records exists to help students make an informed decision. They provide a history of other student renters’ experiences with a particular company over the past five years. The records reflect the companies’ complaints NOT a specific building (unless it is a code violation). Only a tenant can file a complaint about a landlord.

Filing a ComplaintEvery student tenant has the option to file a formal, written complaint about their landlord any time the student believes that the landlord has failed to comply with the law or with the terms of a lease contract. Tenant Union staff will work with the landlord and the student/tenant toward resolution of the problem.

Educational ProgramsThe Tenant Union presents educational programs to for students. The Tenant Union can develop educational programs to meet the needs of specific student groups which can be requested at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/1019709

For Parents of University StudentsAs a student-fee supported program, the Tenant Union is restricted to serving University of Illinois students, incoming students, and recent graduates experiencing problems related to the housing they leased while enrolled at the University. Parents, please encourage your students to contact us for assistance with any aspect of renting privately-owned properties.

Problems and QuestionsExperiencing roommate issues, housing problems, or have a question about a lease? Tenant Union staff will explain the tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities and provide strategies for resolving specific problems.

Connect with the Tenant Union

facebook.com/TenantUnion

twitter.com/tenantunionuiuc

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Presentations/Outreach Activities

Housing Explorer Unique Visits

Looking for Apartment

Checked Complaint Records

Lease Reviews

Sublet Help

Roommate Help

Security Deposit Issues

Repair Problems/City Code Violations

Total Served