The tenant is favored in this year’s race for housing. With fewer incoming students and more off-campus units available, students will be less crunched for time and have more choices when signing a lease for next year.

Although the student population has not increased, student housing has risen, said Student Legal Services Director Don Henderson.

In the past, students have been without a place to live because they did not understand the terms of an agreement, Henderson said.

“If somebody believes they have a contract, they need to be clear with the landlord on what it takes to confirm it,” he said.

“For example,” Henderson said, “if you are having trouble finding roommates, how long will the landlord give you to get enough people on the lease?”

Students need to know in advance if they can get out of the lease if unable to get enough people, Henderson said and, “If the landlord will terminate the agreement if enough people don’t sign the lease in time.”

Students should ask for a written guarantee that the model they are shown is the same as the apartment they will get, he said. “You don’t want to end up with a smaller apartment or in one with old carpeting or less appliances.”

Henderson urged students to get any promises in writing or “there is a strong risk that they won’t be enforceable. Request it be made a written part of the lease.”

The DeKalb City Council is working on “housing-related ordinances” to help solve problems between landlords and tenants, said 3rd Ward Alderman William Hanna.