Major Rent Event Changes

Member’s Guide Revisions

AA-Revisions of this manual and the videotaping of the previously available Hermie slide sets were directed by Jan Scholl, Associate Professor, Ag and Extension Education at Penn State University, University Park, PA

(Changes in the affirmative action statement)

BB-The Plain Language Contract Act, effective since 1994, requires leases and other consumer contracts to be written in plain language instead of lots of technical or archaic language. For example, terms like "party of the first part" and "party of the second part" should be replaced with "landlord and tenant".

CC-Keep copies of your signed contract and any correspondence to and from your landlord in a secure place.

DD-There should be no danger clauses in a lease. Danger clauses include some of the following:

EE Sample Lease number 2

Parties

1. This agreement, made this____________day of _____________,________between Hereafter
called Landlord, and____________________________________________, Hereafter called
Tenant.

Property, Terms and Conditions

2. Landlord agrees to rent to Tenant the property known as________________________
Upon the following terms and conditions.
(A) Term of lease_____________________________________________
(B) Beginning date of lease________________day of__________
(C) Ending date of lease___________________day of__________
(D) Length of renewal term if lease is not ended by either party:
(E) Required written notice by Landlord or Tenant to end this lease: days before the ending
date of this lease or any renewal term.
(F) Total rent for the entire term of lease: $
(G) Rent is due and shall be paid in advance on,
Beginning on__________, in the amount of $
(H) Late charge if rent is not paid within______days of due date $
(I) Tenant will pay by cash or check or certified or equivalent check,
Before taking possession, the following:
1. Rent for the period between the first day of the lease term and the first regular due date,
if any $
2. Rent for first regular due date $
3. Security deposit, on deposit at____________$
4. Rent paid in advance on account of final payment due:
5. _________________________

Totals paid to date…………………………………………………………………$
Amount due before possession $
(J) Property will be used only as___________________________
(K) Maximum number of occupants under this lease:____________
(L) Payments to be made promptly (without being demanded) when due to: landlord
agent at:
(M) Landlord will supply: cold water hot water gas heat electricity lawn and shrubbery
care snow removal water cost over yearly charge yearly heater maintenance contract,
sewage costs and maintenance other

Tenant will supply: cold water hot water gas heat electricity lawn and shrubbery care snow
removal water cost over yearly charge yearly heater maintenance contract, sewage costs and maintenance other

(N) Rules and regulations are not attached
(O) If the lease is for a term of more than one year, Tenant agrees to pay with the rent, the
proportionate share of any increase in real estate taxes and water and sewer rents that
occur during this lease agreement.
(P) If insurance premiums on the Property increase because of an action or conduct of Tenant,
Tenant’s guest or anyone invited to the Property by Tenant, Tenant agrees to pay any
increase with the rent.
(Q) Tenant understands that the Property is being rented in its present condition or as
follows:____________________________________________
(R) Before the beginning of this lease, Landlord agrees to make the following repairs,
replacements or installations.

Special Clauses 3.

Two-Part Lease 4. Landlord and Tenant understand that this is Part One of a two-part lease.

Approval Witness:__________Tenant:______________Date:
Witness:__________Landlord:____________Date:

FF-Does the toilet flush properly (no water stains on ceilings beneath toilets)

GG- Getting telephone service is a lot more complicated that it used t be. It used to be that when you bought phone service, the telephone company provided the phone, installation and service. Now you get your local telephone service from one company and have a choice of several companies for long-distance service. You can purchase the equipment from any number of stores and catalogs in an array of styles, colors.
Given the way you expect to use your telephone, which extra equipment and type of service will suit you best at a cost you can afford?

Local Telephone Service
There are several levels of local telephone service. The best one for you depends on how many local calls you expect to make each month. If you make only a few short calls, the lowest level of service may be the least expensive, but if you can’t get through the day without calling all your friends in town, you should get flat-rate service that allows you an unlimited number of local calls. The telephone directory explains the levels of service available in your community. If you are moving to another locality, your local telephone company can help you obtain a directory explaining the options and costs for the new community. There is usually a charge for directories from outside your area code.

Optional services you may request may include caller identification, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, improved computer access and many others. These are usually explained in the telephone directory. Keep in mind that there is often a monthly fee for each of these services and these fees can quickly add up to a lot of money in a year’s time. Be sure it is something you really need and not just a novelty.

If you have a roommate, you may decide to install a local line and purchase long distance debit cards for your long distance use.

A cellular phone is another purchase option. You buy the phone and sign a contract for service. How much you pay may also depend on how much you use your cellular phone outside your local area. Service comes in various price ranges so be sure to read the fine print and compare the options before you sign. Remember that the $25 per month fee that didn’t look like so much when you signed up for an extra service adds up to $300 per year. Is this something that is very important to you or are their more important uses of that money?

What About Cable Television
Another service that many people want is cable television. Before getting it, find out what channels you can get without cable. Some apartments come with cable television service, but for most the cost will be extra. In some places, an apartment or condominium complex may have reduced rates. Call the cable company to find out the connection fee, the cost of the basic monthly services, which channels you get as a part of the basic service and the cost of the premium (pay) channels. Cable television with all the premium channels is nice, but it can be expensive. Ask yourself how much you really watch television. Will watching movies at home save money over other alternatives (such as going to movies or renting them to play on a videocassette recorder)?

HH-(Note: do not skimp on health or safety issues. For example, sheets and towels should be washed in hot water to kill dust mites and prevent infection. Also thermostats shouldn’t be set too low in the winter as there is a risk of pipes freezing and bursting.)

Activity 6 (on page 29)

Using the worksheet below, find out the ocst of telephone service for local calling.

Local Service Basic Rate Cost per Call Additional Cost for 20 calls per month Total monthly cost

a. Local calling ________ __________ _________ ________
b. Local Calling with Allowance ________ _________ _________ ________
c. Unlimited Local calling __________ _________ __________ __________
d. Other: _________ ___________ ___________ _____________

What one time costs will you have for:

a. Installation ________
b. Equipment Purchase ________
c. Other
Total One-Time Fees _________
Considering your own needs, which combination of telephone service and equipment do you think would be best for you? Why?

II-Activity 7 (from page 30)

If cable television service is available, find out the monthly cost to get the service you would want and can afford:

One time costs:
Installation fee: ________
Other fees: ________
Total one time cost: ________

Monthly Costs:
Basic Service ________
Next level of service _______
Converter rental _______
Premium channels or packages
a. ________________ ______
b. ________________ ______
c. ________________ ______
d. ________________ ______
e. ________________ ______
f. ________________ ______

Total monthly cost ______
Total annual cost ______

A satellite dish may be an option, too. Again, check out the costs for installation , maintenance and various options before signing any contract for services.

II-However, it is worthwhile to spend as much as you can afford on items, such as a good box springs and mattress.

JJ-Libraries have books on cleaning and stain removal and there are many resources available on the Web. Manufacturers that sell cleaning products often have pamphlets available for little or no cost. Always read the label before using a cleaning product.


KK-The vinyl mini-blinds that came with Hermie’s apartment are covered with dust. The vinyl blinds contain lead and have probably deteriorated over the years. How would you clean them?

LL-Show how to properly store cleaning materials away from children and pets.

MM-Show how to read the label carefully for hazards associated with various cleaning products. Demonstrate how to cover skin, clothing, hands and eyes to prevent contact with caustic chemicals and how to ventilate a room for cleaning. Also, share the phone number for the poison control center and local hospital and what materials (syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal) are used to treat different types of poisons. Emphasize that ammonia and bleach and products containing ammonia and bleach should never be mixed due to the fumes that are created.

NN-You might ask people you meet in this project how they got started in their careers and what advice they might give to a young person with interest and ambition.

Leader’s Guide Revisions

A-Revisions of this manual and the videotaping of the previously available Hermie slide sets were directed by Jan Scholl, Associate Professor, Ag and Extension Education at Penn State University, University Park, PA

(Changes in the affirmative action statement)

B-The video, designed specifically for The Rent Event project , includes "The Adventures of Hermie", "Two Orange Crates and a Door: Inexpensive Furnishing Ideas" (for use with the section on furnishing an apartment) and "Hermie Cleans House" for use with the section on home maintenance).

C-The Plain Language Contract Act, effective since 1994, requires leases and other consumer contracts to be written in plain language instead of lots of technical or archaic language. For example, terms like "party of the first part" and "party of the second part" should be replaced with "landlord and tenant".

D-Utility companies and libraries and the web have resources describing the best ways to save energy. Select those that are the most recent and applicable to your region.

E-It is confusing to keep track of phone service rates and options.

F-You will need a VCR and television or monitor, connection cables and ground plug if you don’t already have one at your meeting place.

G-
e. Read the label. Use the right cleaning tools and products for the job. Test in an inconspicuous area.

f. Store cleaning products properly–away from children, food and pets.

g. It is important to wear protective gloves and glasses when using some chemicals and make sure the area is well-ventilated.

h. Cleaning rags can be safety and fire hazards. Arrange for proper disposal after use.

i. Never mix bleach and ammonia or products containing bleach and ammonia. The fumes are caustic.


H-You will need a VCR and television or monitor, connection cables and ground plus if you don’t already have one at your meeting place.

I-Cleaning product companies often have cleaning pamphlets available at little cost. Libraries also have excellent books on cleaning and stain removal.

J-To clean the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, remove the food into an cooler containing ice (preferably another freezer), set large serving or mixing bowls in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments, turn off the refrigerator, let frost melt for a few hours, wipe up the water and empty the bowls, wash the compartment with baking soda, rinse and wipe dry. Turn on the refrigerator and replace the food immediately. Thawed food should be refrigerated and used within a week. Food that has been left out too long should be discarded.

K-If the vinyl mini-blinds were made in China, Taiwan, Mexico or Indonesia in 1996 or earlier, they probably contain lead and as they deteriorate the vinyl will breakdown into dust particles. A lead testing kit can be purchased at paint and hardware stores. The best action is to replace them if there are young children in the apartment and likely to pick up the dust from the blinds by wiping them with their hands or mouths. Blinds with dangling cords are also a great safety hazard for children!

To clean the blinds, wear a protective face mask, vacuum the blinds and wipe with a detergent and a damp cloth. Vacuum the area underneath the blinds and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag and the cleaning cloth in another sealed bag immediately. Do not leave the bag in the machine or do other cleaning before disposal. Again the best possible solution is to replace the blinds.

L-Blot with a damp cloth and follow up using a stain removal product being sure to test in an inconspicuous area first.

M-There are some products especially designed to remove scuff marks.

N-There are some rust stain removers that may work. Read the directions carefully. Nail polish removers can destroy some paints and fabrics.

0-Answer c. Apply a weak solution of household ammonia and warm water. Let stand and wipe away residue with a damp cloth. Use protective gloves throughout. Arrange for safe disposal of cleaning rags and gloves. Put away ammonia immediately.

P-You left the drain cleaner open and the dog got into it. Forfeit the game.

Q-Apply a weak solution of household ammonia and water. Let stand. Rinse. Dry.

R-You left the drain cleaner open and the dog got into it. Forfeit the game.

Contact for questions

to Jan Scholl's home page

Updated 8/17/05