• Each lease can be different in terms of cleaning requirements, damage responsibility and security deposit. Your lease is your best reference!
• Ask your landlord if they have a handbook for tenants and ask to see it before signing a lease. Often these will have additional rules and regulations that you will be held to.

If you want more information regarding your lease, make an appointment for a lease review with an OCL staff member by calling 568-6071.

Now that You’ve Signed Your Lease

Security Deposits

Almost all leases require a security deposit. The deposit is held by the landlord for the length of the lease to guard against losses incurred due to damage not resulting from normal wear and tear or from a tenant moving out before the lease expires.

• The security deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent and is paid in advance or with the first month’s rent.
• To help ensure that a fair amount of your security deposit is returned to you at the end of your lease, thoroughly fill out a damage checklist when you move in (this is sometimes referred to as a walk-through). It is a good idea to take pictures or video.
• Give a copy of the checklist to your landlord within five days of moving in and keep a copy for your records. Samples are available in the OCL office.
• Check your lease or handbook for cleaning guidelines. Be sure to do a thorough job.
• Before you move out, request, in writing, that your landlord complete a walk-through with you present. Follow up with phone calls if needed. Be persistent. It is your right, by law, to be present. Use your copy of the initial damage checklist and talk with the landlord as you go through to ensure you agree on what you will be charged for and how much.
• Your security deposit should be returned within 45 days of the end of the lease if there have been no problems. The landlord is required to provide an itemized list of any deductions from the deposits.

Utilities

Some rental properties in Harrisonburg include utilities as part of the rental agreement. In these instances, the tenant will not be held responsible for contracting with the utility companies or paying for services through direct billings. In cases where utilities are no included in the monthly rental payment, the following information may be helpful.

Utilities Deposit Assistance Program

All full and part time JMU students in good standing with JMU plus JMU employees are eligible to purchase a UDAP contract. A $30 nonrefundable cash membership fee is required. When the contract is purchased, the fee will be charged to the student's account. This account can be paid at the Warren Hall Box Office located on the third floor of Warren Hall. In general, members of UDAP are exempt from paying utility deposits.

• Due to agreements between the university and participating utilities, the UDAP member must have the utility service established in his or her name.
• The UDAP member must call each utility to let them know of the UDAP contract purchase and when service should be activated.
• It is recommended that other members of the household get the non-UDAP services (cable and telephone) in their names.
• If a UDAP member fails to pay a utility bill within 60 days of termination of the service, UDAP guarantees payment to the utility up to, but not exceeding, the average deposit.
• The delinquent member agrees to reimburse the program for the amount paid or risk having a hold put on the member’s records.
• For more details, contact, or purchase a UDAP, visit the UDAP website: http://udap.jmu.edu

For more details, visit OCL or call the UDAP coordinator at (540) 568-6828.

Participating utilities include:

Electricity

Harrisonburg Electric Commission 89 W. Bruce St. Harrisonburg,VA 22801 (540) 434-5361

Electricity can be obtained in the name of one person only, so decide who is going to be responsible ahead of time. A deposit of $75 or $150 or a valid UDAP contract will be required. The deposit is refundable at the end of one year, provided bills have been paid on time. If you move out of the area prior to the end of a one-year period, your deposit will be applied to your last bill.