For many Fairfield students, it’s almost a rite of passage, something to look forward to as they go through their years here. However, behind all the fun and freedom of living at Fairfield Beach are new responsibilities, landlords and leases.
Brian McIntosh ’04 moved into his house this September and was shocked by the condition of his new abode.
“My first reaction was, Oh my god our parents paid a lot of money for this house, and the toilet doesn’t even work,” he said.
Lorraine DelliCaprini ’04 and Kristen Antonellis ’04 signed their lease and were required by their landlord to give him the security deposit almost two years before moving into their house, “the Overlook.” Since then they have had what DelliCaprini calls a “non-existent relationship” with their landlord.
“He is really hard to get a hold of and we usually end up talking to his secretary or his repairman, Glen,” she said. Glen the repairman came by once according to Antonellis but they still have problems with the house. “There are still no screens on the windows and there are holes in our floor, which are just perfect for mice,” she said.
Usually, renters are responsible for this property and that which occurs on it. Residents are responsible for utilities, trash, and keeping the property as clean and as safe as possible.
Landlords are required by law to provide: a clean apartment or house for when the tenant moves in; clean common areas (hallways, stairs, yards, entryways); well lit hallways and entryways; and, properly working plumbing and heating (both hot and cold running water).
The Coordinator of Off Campus Students, Duane Melzer, is an observer of events that take place between the Fairfield police and university students. However has also received complaints from both students and landlords. “The students feel they can do whatever they want because they pay so much money,” said Melzer.
Essentially they can, but again it comes with responsibility. “Some students complain that they have no control over the 20 people on their front lawn, but they have to control them,” said Melzer.
William Pinto has been renting out three houses for about eight years now and has had his ups and downs with students. “It’s been a mix,” said Pinto, “some kids have kept the place in good condition and others have trashed the place.”
Senior Jon Roth was surprised when he moved in one of Pinto’s houses this year by the absence of his landlord. “I expected him to kind of let us know who we had to call so we could change the names on the gas bill and water bill and stuff like that, but we never saw him,” said Roth.
Natalie Loucas ’04 is still waiting to get her deposit back from last year after living at “the Morning Wood.” That’s our biggest issue with him, so we’re working on it. But we are still living in the same house, and he is a local guy so I’m not worried. Plus the house was spic and span when we moved in this year,” said Loucas.
Pinto kept the security deposit from “the Detox” last year. “The guys from two years ago had trashed it but they admitted to it. But the guys from last year kept complaining about it and so we’re taking them to court because it’s going to cost us more to fix the damage they cause than what the deposit is,” said Pinto.
Lawsuits are not a common occurrence between landlords and beach residents. Liz Brady ’04, a Mirror reporter, said that her brother Jeb Brady ’02 was going to sue his landlord, because they did not receive their security deposit back and the house was in good condition. “They both threatened each other with lawsuits but neither one followed up with it because I think that it was going to cost them a lot of time and more money and they just stopped caring,” said Liz Brady.
The law protects landlords as well, and any extensive damage can in fact be considered a misdemeanor. “We know that there are going to be holes in the wall and little dings here and there but taking out six banisters? That’s destruction of property,” said Pinto. “I mean we had to replace four windows at 200 bucks a pop, right there you got a 1000 bucks.”
The state of Connecticut website (www.state.ct.us) lists the responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant and also suggests that the two parties check the apartment together before the move in date. The website even provides a checklist to make sure that the house is up to health and safety codes. The list ranges from exterior doors and stairs to plumbing and interior carpets and ceilings.
This is the best way for the renter to be sure that he or she will not lose their security deposit for things he or she did not do. Also keeping dated pictures or videos from the move in day will allow the renter to check any damage bill given by the landlord.
It is important for the students to know their rights and to make sure their money is not being taken for the wrong reasons. As rental fees continue to rise it will become more important for students to take the proper steps to make sure they are getting what they are paying for.
Brady lives at “the Guy’s Dupe” which is owned by Frank Dursi. He has rented out his house for 15 years and seems to understand the student’s living situation according to Brady. “He told us that it was our house and we could do anything we want and if we ever have any problems with the neighbors that we should call him because he knows them and how much they complain,” said Brady.
Some houses are better than others and some landlords are better than others, but in the end it is up to the students to take control of their own living situation. As Brady states, a good house is not going to find you, “Students who are on the ball early will get the better houses and better landlords, it’s as simple as that.”
Leave a Reply