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Transcript of Look Learn Lease 2014
1
LOOKLEARNLEASE
THE INS AND OUTS OF LEASINGFIND THE BEST APARTMENT WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS
YOUR SOURCE FOR APARTMENTS, HOME ACCESSORIES & MORE
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 2
LAS
If you receive an invitation from NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement), please use the Login Code in the
e-mail to complete this important survey @www.nssesurvey.org
NATIONAL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
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Learning Support Services Room N109 Cougar Village (Building # 563)
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9 a.m. - 9 p.m.9 a.m. - 6 p.m.1 p.m. - 5 p.m.1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
All Students Welcome
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 3
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Villagesat Meyerland
8900 CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77096–2529
FOR MORE INFORMATION: [email protected]
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 4
CONTENTS
MANAGING MAINTENANCE
6
RULES FOR ROOMMATES
8
STAYING SAFE
14
SUCCEEDING AS A COMMUTER
20
STAFF
Editor Javi Salazar
Design Jose Cruz Center for Student Media
Advertising Gabriela Padilla
On the cover Left to right: Javi Salazar, Angela Ho and Peter Ly. Cover Photo Dayana Rodriguez Cover Design Jose Cruz
ABOUT LLL!Look, Learn, Lease! is a production of the Center for Student Media at the University of Houston.
© 2014 University of Houston Center for Student Media. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the permis-sion of the Director of Student Media. Phone: 713-743-5350 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.uh.edu/csm
To Advertise Call: 713-743-5340
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 6
A common issue for renters is in discern-
ing the items the landlord must fix when
something falls into disrepair.
The terms of your lease define which repairs are
and are not up to the landlord and the circum-
stances for each situation. State law mandates
that any damages risking or harming the well-
being and/or security of the main residents must
be repaired by the owner.
Repairs related to comfort, convenience or
aesthetics are rarely the landlord’s responsibility,
unless stated otherwise in the lease’s terms.
Take the first step toward a repair by contacting the
apartment or property manager in writing. If you
do not receive a response in ”reasonable time” as
the Texas Apartment Association states, you have
the right to place legal pressure on the owners in
the forms of early lease termination, mandatory
repairs, legal penalties and attorney’s fees.
“Reasonable time” is defined as 30 days, but it
is objective. For example, if the water utility is
faulty, then reasonable time is more akin to two
days because it is used daily and falls under
“health and safety.”
Legal action requires specific and at times
lengthy and costly measures. Contact a city
building inspector or county health department
official before enacting legal procedures; it is
their job to know and spot any damage violating
health statutes and local housing laws.
If the landlord remains inactive in making repairs,
mail a second notice to the property manager.
This will result in either the landlord caving or in
solid proof during legal procedures.
If something needs repair — know your rights.
Identify whether the damage is covered in your
lease’s terms, report it to the landlord or man-
ager and then contact an inspector if needed.
KEEPING UP WITH UPKEEP
BY JAVI SALAZAR
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 8
BY KAYLA WATTERS
ROOMMATE RELATIONSHIPS
AVOIDING THESE NO-NOS WILL KEEP PEACE WHEN SHARING A LIVING SPACE
S haring a room with a
stranger can be scary.
Living with others re-
quires respect of the other
person, or an unpleasant ex-
perience might be in store.
Violating the following rules
means you run the risk of be-
ing a terrible roommate.
1. Invasion of Privacy
Discussing personal space
is crucial. Definitions of per-
sonal space can vary greatly.
Entering bedrooms and “bor-
rowing” items may be an
annoyance, but if this has not
been discussed, a roommate
may not realize that is causes
a problem.
2. Lack of Communication
“No communication! No clear
guidelines are set about the
important things like visitors,
cleaning schedules and sleep-
ing schedules,” says student
Candace Caruthers when
asked to describe a terrible
roommate.
3. Not Cleaning Up After Yourself
If clear standards for cleanli-
ness have been set, make
sure to uphold them. No one
wants to come home from
school or work to see a mess.
Roommates do not double as
maids.
4. Taking Over the Thermostat
Many people sleeping at a
certain temperature. Discuss
with your roommate what
temperature you each like the
room so you can compromise.
5. Bringing the Party Home
College students have a repu-
tation for partying. Being un-
der the influence likely means
being louder (and perhaps
smellier) than usual. When
planning on a late night out,
inform roommates. No one
wants to be disturbed when
sleeping, especially when tests
are coming up that morning.
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 9
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Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 10
R enters usually have access to a kitchen
with at least a basic fridge and a stove.
When you’re a student, that means you
have an easier time skipping out on a meal
plan than their on-campus peers.
Before cruising to Wal-Mart or riding to a
Metro stop near a grocery store, consider
a farmers market. According to the United
States Department of Agriculture, a “farmers
market” is an area where local farmers or their
workers sell produce, potentially including
meat, dairy, and grains.
A quick Google search of “farmers market” on
the UH campus yields dozens of results.
One such market near UH is the Canino
Produce Company. Canino focuses on fruit,
Latin American products and locally or near-
locally grown produce, although there is a sec-
tion with assorted standard-issue groceries.
“Produce from a farmers market is better than a
regular groceries store because new produce
is sold every day,” said shopkeeper Mitzy
Vigueras of Canino Produce Company’s nopali-
to (cactus) and fruit stand, Chilango & Gloria.
“It’s always fresh and supports local, usually
small businesses.”
The most important aspect to know about
any farmers market is the business hours. For
example, the farmers market at Rice University
is open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays
only. Other farmers markets have specific days
of the year on which they are open, and some
have websites that list their hours.
Farmers markets can also have different atmo-
spheres. Canino, for example, has a vibrant,
old-country feel to it, brimming with activity
and traditional Mexican products. Choose
a farmers market based on your tastes and
needs and enjoy all it has to offer!
FRESH FINDSBY JAVI SALAZAR
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 11
Secure your space now for Fall 2014 & Spring 2015Move in before the semester with
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Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 12
BY AMANDA HILOW
LEGAL LINGO
READING AND UNDERSTAND THE LEASE REPRESENTS A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
T he first thing to keep in
mind while searching for
an apartment is that as
a tenant, there are rules and
expectations to meet. Fully
understanding responsibilities
in the tenant-landlord relation-
ship is essential to life after
leaving the nest.
However, it is no easy feat
and cannot be taken lightly.
According to professor Richard
Alderman, interim dean of
the UH Law Center and of-
ten known as the “People’s
Lawyer,” the most important
part of any landlord-tenant
relationship is the lease.
“You have to read the lease
because regardless of any law,
a lot of your rights and respon-
sibilities depends on what the
lease says,” he said.
Alderman said it is necessary to
read the lease carefully before
signing, and if a tenant does
not like something in the con-
tract, they should not sign the
document until the landlord
agrees to remove it.
“It’s a contract, and you’re
bound,” Alderman said. “You
might be thinking you might
get married, or you might have
to move, so you have to make
sure to put something in the
lease in case of this. Otherwise,
you might be liable for sub-
stantial damages when you
move out. You may owe the
amount of rented lease until
someone else moves in.”
Acting against the lease agree-
ment can seriously affect an
individual’s financial or living
situation for years afterward.
“If you miss a payment, you
break the lease,” Alderman
said. “If you do anything that
costs the landlord money, it
will be on your credit report,
and it will affect you negatively
for seven years. And for seven
years, it will affect your trying
to rent another apartment.”
The bottom line, Alderman
said, is to fully understand what
you are agreeing to before
signing anything.
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 13
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Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 14
R egardless of where you live, safety is a con-
cern. UH Police Department officer Lt. Bret
Collier shares his top tips.
If you commute via personal vehicle, try to
park in well-lit or attended parking lots. For ex-
ample, UH’s lots 12A, 9C and 4A contain kiosks
manned by security 24/7.
If you commute and study in libraries, remind
yourself to avoid leaving alone late at night.
Awareness is your best friend, and four or
more eyes are far better than just two.
Even a cautious person may inadvertently let vul-
nerabilities exist in their residence. The following
tips ring true for those living alone:
Do not give or lend keys to someone not
specifically listed in your lease agreement. If your
home is “broken into” with no sign of breaking
and entering, then unfortunately, you’re out of
luck. This includes leaving a spare key minimally
hidden nearby for a friend or guest.
Even if you’re in a hurry, always lock your
doors, windows, etc.
Consider renter’s insurance.
Even if not on a personal basis, know what
kind of people your neighbors are, and work out
an agreement to watch out for one another.
The following are some general pointers:
If you ride a bike, use a bicycle rack and lock
it with a U-shaped lock. Place the lock through
the front tire to prevent tire theft. Register the
bike’s serial number with UHPD.
When witnessing a crime, make certain to
notice every detail as realistically as possible and
contact law enforcement ASAP.
On a last note, be safe, but don’t live your life in
fear.
“Statistically speaking, college campuses are some
of the safest communities in the country,” Collier
said. “While we do let students know about the
crimes that are occurring, this doesn’t mean there
are more crimes than other areas.”
SAFE AND SOUNDBY JAVI SALAZAR
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 15
Find a cool place to live
by reading the Classifieds section in
THE DAILY COUGAR®
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 16
BY KAYLA WATTERS
EASING TRANSIT TROUBLES
D riving around Houston
can be overwhelming.
Driving in unfamiliar
areas can not only be frustrat-
ing but also dangerous. In
addition, numerous students
do not have access to private
transportation.
Metro, the city’s public trans-
portation system, makes
traveling easier for commuting
college students.
“Taking Metro is actually pleas-
ant. For just $0.60, I can get
across Houston on local routes
and MetroRail with my student
discount on my Q-card,” says
UH student Barrett Ochoa.
“All of the buses and trains
are generally clean and free
of trash. The best part about
taking Metro is not having to
worry about driving or traffic.”
A Q-card is a smartcard used
on public transportation to
pay as by waving the card in
front of a machine.
“Q-cards with student discount
can be obtained at the Metro
RideStore located at 1900
Main from Monday-Friday, 8
a.m. - 5 p.m.” Ochoa says.
“Students must fill out an appli-
cation and provide their Texas
driver’s license or ID, class
schedule with credit hours
listed and their fee receipt.”
Students unfamiliar with public
transportation often wonder
where to take the Metro.
“The best way to get started
on transit is by downloading a
couple of apps to your phone,”
Ochoa says. “The Metro Trip
app gives real-time bus arrival
information. It’s really helpful
because it lets you know when
exactly to walk to the bus stop,
shortening the wait.”
For busy college students,
Metro is a convenient, safe
and cheap transportation
choice.
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 17
THE DAILY COUGAR®
All the news you want, straight to your inbox
Sign up at thedailycougar.com
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 18
MONTHLY EXPENSE CALCULATOR
NOTES
Rent
Telephone
Cable/Internet
Utilities
Car/gas/insurance
Groceries
Dining/going out
Miscellaneous
TOTAL
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 19
The University Eye Institute (UEI) offers a complete range of
daily and extended wear lenses for patients who wish to
experience the many advantages of wearing contacts.
Our team of renowned experts provide advanced eye care based
on your individual needs.
4901 Calhoun • Entrance #2A Open to the public, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To request an appointment please call 713.743.2015 www.uei.uh.edu
A good
time to be
a contact
lens
wearer
Cornea & Contact Lens Service
DC_Hotspots_Contacts 2014_003.indd 1 3/7/14 3:23 PM
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 20
We recognize that com-
muter students may face
unique and different
challenges than students
who live on campus. Not
only do you deal with the
daily commute, often you
need to balance home,
social, and academic
responsibilities.
Commuter Student
Services’ mission is to pro-
vide support services and
effective communication
to help facilitate com-
muter students’ success
and connection to the UH
community.
We’re here to help answer
questions, offer referrals
and serve as advocates on
your behalf as a commuter
student at UH.
For more information
please visit www.uh.edu/
commuter or contact us at
SERVICES FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS
BY ALLISON WELLS
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 21
TIPS FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS
Get to campus early
to beat traffic and to get a
good parking spot!
Talk to other students,
faculty and staff — UH is a
wonderful place to meet
people!
Get involved in cam-
pus life by joining a stu-
dent organization or club.
Attend lectures, spe-
cial programs and campus
events.
Go to the UH
Recreation and Wellness
Center (it’s free!) to work
out or to find out informa-
tion on intramurals, sport
clubs, Outdoor Adventure
trips, and more.
If possible, get a job
on campus.
Utilize study areas on
campus such as the library,
University Center, or study
lounges within the various
colleges.
Don’t eat lunch in
your car — come to the
dining halls.
Make sure to read the
“CoogNews” electronic
newsletter, an email you’ll
receive every week as it
will tell you what’s happen-
ing on campus and how to
get involved.
Stay on campus after
classes — there’s always
something going on!
If you’re a new com-
muter student to UH
(under 30 hours), take the
Map-Works survey!
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 21
SERVICES FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 22
TELL THE OWNER: IF IT’S BROKE, THEY’LL FIX IT
Keeping Up With
Commuting
by Shaniqua Johnson
At Commuter Student Services, we understand the ins and outs of being a commuter. Thus, we’ve put together a collection of tips to help make your
commuting experience easier and more productive.
2014 Look, Learn, Lease! 23
STAY SOCIAL Make the best of your college years by taking the opportunity to meet, learn and interact with new
people. Here are three tips to not only get involved but to develop a sense of belonging and pride
for your campus:
MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME Time is precious, and moreso for a commuter student. You may be juggling multiple responsibili-
ties, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting routine. Grab your planners, to-do lists, sticky notes or
whatever method works best for you; planning is key!
THE COMMUTE Commuting is one of the biggest challenges for commuter students. School zones, gas prices and
rush-hour traffic are not your friends; however, your rides don’t have to be bad experiences. You
don’t have to “rush” during rush hour. Just plan ahead.
Take advantage of group projects — These are required in many courses. While fretting over a big as-
signment, you might as well make friends.
Join a student organization (or two) — Each semester, the university hosts several student organizations
fair. Get in on the action and find an organization that aligns with your interests. Besides, they give away
lots of freebies.
Get Involved — This is a web-based tool that connects you with registered UH student organizations.
Simply log on to AccessUH, click the Get Involved icon and access a directory containing 500+ student
organizations.
Class Schedule — Plan your schedule around your desires and tendencies. If you don’t like waking up
early, register for later classes. Remember, mid-morning and afternoon classes are usually the first to fill
up. If you have to sign up for an 8:30 a.m. class, take it all in stride and start planning.
Break Time — If you have long breaks in between classes, use this extra time to study, see an adviser,
eat lunch or work out. Spend time doing tasks that you can scratch off of your to-do list. Save on gas and
make the most of your time on campus while you’re there.
Work — Managing work and school might seem impossible at times. However, the good news is that
many students do this every day. On-campus jobs are generally more flexible around your schedule. Off-
campus jobs may offer more work hours. Either way, plan ahead and talk with your supervisor.
Map — Map out alternate routes. It’s best to know other ways to get to campus, especially for days
when weather and road closures make getting to class on time nearly impossible.
Drivers — Explore campus parking. Drive to campus before the start of the semester to become familiar
with parking lots, garages and regulations. Use the UH Parking Lot Tracker to gauge times when parking
spaces are most available.
Metro Riders — Go on a test ride before classes start. Be sure to note Metro arrival and leave times.
Plan your schedule accordingly and include time for possible delays.
Note — Take note of your professors’ attendance policies. If possible, dig up any syllabi or word-of-
mouth from other students about courses so you can set your morning classes as ones without harsh
tardy or absence penalties.
Look, Learn, Lease! 2014 24
4901 Calhoun • Entrance #2A Open to the public, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To request an appointment please call 713.743.2015 www.uei.uh.edu
Cornea & Contact Lens Service
The University Eye Institute (UEI)
offers a complete range of daily and
extended wear lenses for patients
who wish to experience the many
advantages of wearing contacts.
Our team of renowned experts
provide advanced eye care based
on your individual needs.
When
glasses
get in
the way
...try
contact
lenses
DC_Hotspots_Contacts 2014_004.indd 1 3/7/14 3:19 PM