NIU students who have problems with their landlords have places to turn for help.

The newly-established DeKalb Tenants’ Union, a not-for-profit service organization, aids cooperation and better communication among landlords and tenants.

The union is currently finalizing a handbook for tenants which addresses such topics as what to consider when looking for housing, questions to ask before signing leases and avoiding problems.

When problems do arise, it is important to communicate. DeKalb Tenants’ Union member Amy Polzin said it is important for students to voice complaints about their landlords.

“Address problems directly with the landlord first,” Polzin said. “If you speak on the phone, follow up with a dated letter.”

Polzin said the student should wait for a reasonable amount of time before calling again, but the amount of time varies depending on the problem.

“If it’s something major, I would want it taken care of immediately, but if it’s something like a (window) screen, I would wait a week,” Polzin said.

She said if the problems still are not taken care of, the student should contact the landlord again. If this still proves unsuccessful, the student should seek outside help.

Community Affairs Adviser Steve Sliga works at the Holmes Student Center’s Student Association office and advises students about what steps they should take.

“(Students) can come to us whenever they feel discriminated against or whenever they feel they have not been treated justly,” Silga said. “Our main goal is to hand out brochures on how to avoid having problems with their landlords.”

Sliga said initial paperwork is done in their office. “We try to take down any complaints and keep them on record,” he said.

The complaints are compiled for an annual survey that rates apartments and services. The survey gives information about which landlords receive the most complaints and also which landlords make it hard for the tenants to get their security deposits back.

The complaints also are recorded so information is at hand when students call for apartment information.

The survey will begin in December and should be out by February, Silga said.