Student Council unanimously passed a resolution last night to support the implementation of the Student Tenant's Bill of Rights, designed to offer University support to student renters by outlining their "rights and expectations" when signing a lease.
"We want to hold landlords to a certain standard and make sure student tenants are not mistreated," Council President Daisy Lundy said. "It is an important step in establishing a better relationship between landlords and student tenants."
The bill of rights claims that students have an "unequal bargaining position" with landlords and that student tenants have encountered poor housing conditions.
Council members said they hoped to use the bill of rights in conjunction with the newly-created off-Grounds housing office.
"The Student Tenant's Bill of Rights is going to be used as a tool for the off-Grounds housing office," College Rep. Marisa Nelson said. "It will more clearly lay out the expectations of tenants and landlords in their roles."
Architecture Rep. Greg Moore, who co-sponsored the resolution with Nelson, added the bill would be used as a collaborative tool to build a reciprocal relationship between tenants and landlords.
The bill of rights bars landlords from automatically renewing leases and requires that landlords provide students with a clear procedure for renewal.
It also stipulates that leases provide a record of what the residential unit includes, such as dishwashers, dryers and refrigerators.
The bill further dictates that an assessment of property damage must be performed before new student tenants take possession of a residential unit.
Additionally, the bill is designed to protect student tenant privacy, guarantee non-discriminatory housing policies and ensure that residential units have proper locks for doors and windows.
Under the bill of rights, landlords will use University Mediation Services for disputes and work with the Off-Grounds Housing Office regarding lease-signing dates.
"We hope to bring landlords and students together so that both can benefit," Council Chief of Staff Noah Sullivan said. "It should be good for both sides."
Council plans to approach leasing companies and ask for their cooperation with the bill of rights.
Sullivan added Council also hopes the resolution will be supported by the Board of Visitors and the Charlottesville City Council.
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