It's that time of year again in Madison. No, not time for slaughtering the Thanksgiving turkey or investigating that mysterious secret Santa—time for signing a lease for next year. With the first ASM Housing Fair at the Memorial Union Tuesday successfully bringing together leasing companies and students, it became clear this is the time to find roommates to live with nine months from now.
I encountered the big, pre-Thanksgiving housing push last year as a deer-in-the-headlights freshman, and am finding it difficult not to get sucked in again. Apartment and home-owners are throwing deals, swag and overpriced property at students from every angle. Students are scrambling and at times it can be a little overwhelming. Along with studying for the last batch of midterms and preparing for looming finals, searching for the perfect place and roommates just adds more to students' already full plates. Quite frankly, Madison residents are forced to sign leases far too early in the year.
Sam Polstein, chair of ASM's Legislative Affairs Committee, said via e-mail the reason many students are disappointed mere months into their lease is due to ""a combination of a lack of education and experience on the part of the students and some very purposeful and targeted advertising on the part of some landlords and property managers.""
There's also a time crunch factor. A specific clause in most non-standard rental provisions leaves a gaping loophole that allows certain properties to be rented even before Nov. 15, the earliest many students can sign under Madison ordinances, according to Polstein. This early date puts a lot of pressure on students. When searching last year, everywhere I looked made me feel that if I didn't sign a lease before Thanksgiving I would be doomed to a life on the streets with the likes of ""Scanner Dan.""
Of course, this was not true. But the fear of ending up alone and paying more than I could afford for a decent location was a great motivator. As, it turns out, this fear was unrealistic.
Polstein said by the time spring rolls around, there is actually ""a surplus of renting options tailored toward students."" And there would be even more under proposed legislation that would push the legal lease-signing date back a few months. It just makes sense to make the date later. Many students search for weeks and get excited about their new place, only to have to wait an excruciating nine months to actually move in.
And let's face it; by November most students haven't even realized that their roommate is allergic to their favorite kind of food or that their tastes in music are not quite as similar as they once thought. Getting to know a person takes time, and finding a place to live for the next year is a lengthy process that deserves an extension.
The early sign date hurts more than just freshmen. Polstein reminds us that many renters are forced to make a decision about renewing their lease,""before [they] even have had a chance to see if the heat works properly."" This prevents many students from staying for several years in a place they might grow to love, because they haven't gotten a proper feel for it yet.
The dilemma of early lease signing has plagued Madison for years, but it's time to take a stand against it. Students should have an adequate amount of time to educate themselves about renting and finding roommates to avoid a regrettable and sticky situation. If you feel particularly strongly about this issue, check out the Madison Leasing Legislation page on Facebook to see what you can do.
If you do feel ready to sign a lease, however, make sure you have fully read the contract for yourself so that you are aware of your rights as a renter. If you haven't yet, take time to explore your options. Madison is a big city—I assure you, you'll find a place to call home sweet home somewhere whether you sign now or wait a few months.
Jaime Brackeen is a sophomore intending to major in journalism. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
