Tenant Union

Road Map

History

Established September 20, 1971 and has been located in the Illini Union since opening in 1972

Complaint Records Started in 1972

Not Recommended List in 1972

Landlord of the year contest 72-78

Mission Focused

Target Population/s• Freshman

• First Time Student Renters

• International Students

Services

• Assistance in locating suitable housing

• Landlord Complaint Records

• Lease reviews

• Educational & Interactive Programs

• Empowerment & Advocacy

Locating & Securing Suitable Housing

http://www.tenantunion.illinois.edu/downloads/quickguide.pdf

Complaint Records

Complaint Records Exist to:• Expedite maintenance request/s of student

renters

• Hold Landlord/Management Company Accountable to legal and/or contractual obligations

• Inform prospective student tenants on their peers experiences with a particular management or company

NOTE: Address of complaint is not included in official complaint summary unless it was a city code violation

The number of complaints filed on the landlord each year for the past five years;

The nature of each complaint filed;

The landlord’s written response to the complaint; if given

The ultimate resolution of the dispute, if known.

NOTE: While it is not required, Tenant Union staff does encourage tenants to attempt resolution of a dispute on their own prior to filing a complaint

Accessing Complaint Records

Procedures

When a written complaint is filed, a copy of the complaint and a Reply To Complaint Form, along with any additional documents provided such as pictures, will be sent to the landlord via email. 

A response within seven days is requested. Landlords are encouraged to respond in writing if they wish to have their side of the story reflected in the complaint file.

Complaints Filed Versus Lodged

Filed = 15 Lodged = 184 Dropped = 2

Withdrawing a ComplaintA written complaint will NOT be placed in the file if:

1)Tenant Union finds that the nature of the complaint is not related to the contractual or legal obligations of the landlord

2) the complaint has no factual basis

A complaint cannot be withdrawn or removed from the

record unless:All issues of the complaint are resolved to the tenant’s satisfaction within 48 hours after the complaint was sent to the landlord and the tenant appears in person at the Tenant Union office to verify that:

1) all matters were resolved within 48hrs.

2) the tenant’s request is made of his or her own free will, without coercion or threats from the landlord

3) the landlord did not require withdrawal of the complaint as a condition for resolution of the complaint.

A complaint cannot be withdrawn or removed from the

record unless:The tenant who filed the complaint contacts the Tenant Union after the lease has ended and

1) the deposit has been refunded

2) all other matters between the landlord and tenant have been

resolved

3) verifies that the request to withdraw the complaint is made of

his or her own free will without coercion or threats from the

landlord

4) the landlord did not require agreement to withdraw the

complaint as a condition for resolution of the complaint.

Lease Review

Empowerment & Advocacy Tenant Union may call a landlord to:

– Expedite a maintenance request that is a city code violation and/or poses an imminent threat to the tenant

– With international students for clarity, understanding and interpretation

Recent Trends

International Students

Fires

Programs

The “Nuts & Bolts” of Renting

Speed Rommate-ing

Experienced Renter Panel

Lease Lasso

http://tenantunion.illinois.edu/engagement.asp

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

TENANT UNION SERVICES & LANDLORD RESOURCE CONFERENCE

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