Working With Your Landlord

General Guidelines

There are many issues that can cause problems between you and your landlord. There are two rules of thumb that you will want to remember as you face any new issue with your landlord:

  • Know your lease and the expectations that have been established by yourself and your landlord
  • Communicate thoroughly and frequently about any issues with your landlord. By keeping the lines of communication open and understanding your rights, you will be better able to resolve any potential conflict that might arise.

Common Problems

Below are some common problems that student encounter while living off-campus and suggested course of action for you to take as the tenant. Please be advised that the suggestions given here are general in nature – you will need to determine the best course of action for dealing with your particular problem.

Repairs Needed

  • Talk to your landlord. Make sure he or she knows exactly what repairs need to be made. Ask for a specific date or time that the repair will be completed.
  • If the repair is not completed by the agreed upon date, contact your landlord again. establish new deadline and follow up in writing with your landlord.
  • If second deadline passes you should consider contacting SDSU’s Legal Aid Office for assistance. Appointments can be made by calling the Student Association directly (688-5181).
  • If the repair is a potential safety or health matter, you may contact the Brookings City Housing Inspector’s Office (605-692-6629).

Unable to Contact Landlord

  • Be sure you have accurate information about how to reach your landlord. Review your lease and/or talk with neighbors to insure that you are attempting to contact your landlord in the manner that you have been instructed.
  • If you are unable to visit your landlord or talk to them on the phone, write a letter to their home address. Request that your landlord call you and give them specific times that you are available.

Changes in Lease Requested by Landlord

  • Review your lease to determine what changes may be made to the document after it has been signed.
  • Generally speaking, written leases may be amended if both parties agree to the change and date and initial the changes in the written document.
  • Any large changes may warrant an entirely new lease. Specific questions about any changes to leases should be directed to the Legal Aid Office.

Change in Ownership of Property (i.e. your landlord sells the property)

  • Your lease will be assigned to the new owner, who will have no greater rights than the original landlord. So if the original landlord could not raise the rent, the new owner will not be able to raise the rent either.
  • Meet with your new landlord. Verify that he has received your security deposit money from your old landlord. Determine where the rent is to be paid. Discuss any problems you may be having with the property.