City of Salina Brochure - Tenants Know Your Rights

1. SALINA HUMAN
RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Mission Statement
"The mission of the Salina
Human Relations Commission is
to eliminate discrimination and to
establish equality and justice for
all persons within the City of
Salina through civil rights
enforcement, advocacy and
education.”
Salina’s Equal Opportunity
Ordinance prohibits
discrimination in housing based
on race, national origin, color,
ancestry, sex, religion, familial
status, disability, sexual
orientation and gender identity.
If you feel you have been
discriminated against, please
contact the
Salina Human Relations
Department
Tel: 785-309-5745
TDD: 785-309-5747
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What Should You Know
Before Renting?
There are many things to consider
before renting a home. With the help
of the Salina Human Relations
Department, you will be on your
way to being a satisfied tenant.
SALINA HUMAN RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT
300 W. ASH, Room 101
TEL: 785-309-5745
TDD: 785-309-5747
www.human.salina.org
Finding a Place
To find a rental property,
check the newspaper,
Buyer’s Guide, Internet,
real estate brokers,
community bulletin
boards, and/or drive
through neighborhoods and look for
property that is available for rent.
Make a list of requirements that suit your
needs:
• Price range
• House or apartment
• Number of bedrooms
• Location
• Yard size
• Parking
Rental Applications
Most landlords will request that you fill
out a rental application. The application
will ask for things such as:
• References
• Proof of income
• Former addresses
• Employment
You cannot be asked discriminatory
questions. For example, questions about
your race, color, sex, disability, ancestry,
religion, national origin, familial status,
sexual orientation and gender identity are
not allowed.
Checking it Out
Check the interior of the home
Is everything clean and in good order?
Is there any evidence of pests or bugs?
Turn on faucets, flush toilets, look for
mold. Check for stains, cracks in the walls,
gaps around doors and windows, holes,
wear and tear, etc.
Check the exterior of the home
Does the outside look nice and is the yard
clean?
Are all the windows and doors attached
properly?
Is the parking area in a good location?
Check the maintenance
Who is responsible for the maintenance?
Who is responsible for the yard?
What utilities are you responsible for?
Are the utilities gas or electric?
Do all the utilities work? Find out by
asking to turn on the heat and air
conditioning.

2. You Found a Place to
Rent
Review the lease
• How long does the lease last?
• When is rent due?
• Is there a late charge for
overdue rent?
• Are pets allowed?
If there are things in
the lease that you do
not understand, ask
the landlord for
clarification.
If the lease has terms you do not agree
with, do not sign it! It is important that
you and the landlord talk about the
conditions of the lease and mutually agree
on its terms. If everything is to your
satisfaction, sign the lease.
If you are sharing the apartment/house
with other people, it is recommended to
have separate leases. If that cannot be
done, it is best if all responsible parties
sign the lease.
Deposit
Typically, landlords require a deposit and
first-month’s rent to be paid prior to taking
possession of the property. However,
some landlords may require the first and
last month’s rent and a deposit. Deposits
for unfurnished apartments/homes cannot
be more than one month’s rent. For
furnished apartments/homes, no more than
1½ month’s rent can be charged for a
deposit. Pet deposits can be up to an extra
½ month’s rent. Remember, it is a good
practice to keep receipts to avoid disputes.
Before You Move In
You and the landlord should complete a
Walk Through. This means that you and
the landlord go through the property to
inspect and make a list of everything that
is dirty, in need of repair, or is damaged.
You and your landlord sign the inspection
sheet; make a copy and keep it in a safe
place. When you move out, you will have
a record of the property’s
condition when your lease
began and you should not
be charged for previous
damages.
Ready to Move In
Talk with the landlord to set a move-in
date and obtain keys for the property.
Once you are in possession of the rental
property, all communication with the
landlord should be in writing. It is
important to keep a record of all
communications with your landlord in a
safe place.
Keep the relationship business-like with
your landlord. As with any other business
relationship, there are lines and boundaries
to be respected by both parties.
Questions & Answers
Q: What are the landlord’s maintenance
responsibilities?
A: It depends upon the lease. Submit
requests for repair in writing to your
landlord and keep copies for your records.
There are certain things a landlord must
comply with to meet the Minimum
Housing Code. Electricity, heat, water, and
hot water, etc. must be in working order.
Q: Can a landlord enter the rental property
when he/she pleases?
A: No, a landlord must give you
reasonable notice and suitable time before
he/she can enter your rental, except in case
of an emergency.
Q: Are there rules regarding increasing
rent?
A: The landlord must give you 30 days
notice from the beginning of a rent cycle
regarding an increase. The increase can
only be applied after the current terms of
the lease have expired.
Q: Where do I go if I have any questions
or I need help?
A: Salina Human Relations
300 W. Ash, Room 101
785-309-5745; TDD 785-309-5747
www.human.salina.org
Tenant Responsibilities
• Pay your rent on time. As a
tenant, you NEVER have the right
to withhold rent payments. Your
landlord has the right to evict you
within 3 days of non-payment of
rent.
• Do not have more people living in
the unit than agreed to with your
landlord.
• Keep the unit and yard clean and
free of debris.
• Do not park vehicles that do not
run on property.
• Pay utility bills on time if they are
your responsibility.
• If you will be away from the unit
for an extended period of time, let
your landlord know.
• Report to the landlord any
accidents or damages to the
property immediately.
• Follow all pet policies.
• Do not substantially change the
property without first getting
permission from your landlord.
• You are responsible for the
behavior of friends and family
while they are on the property.
• Most agreements require a
minimum of a 30-day notice to
move. Once the current terms of
your lease have ended, you can
give notice at the beginning of the
rent cycle.
• Be a good neighbor.