Archive for Saturday, August 24, 2013  For tenants and
landlords, knowledge is power  August 24, 2013   The occasional
landlord-tenant dispute is to be expected in a town like
Lawrence, where more than half of all housing units are occupied
by renters.  Landlords must trust relative strangers to take
care of their property, and renters can feel helpless if a
problem arises in their homes. While the city’s proposed rental-
unit inspection program aims to mediate some of the landlord-
tenant tension, complicated leases still can lead to confusion
about who is responsible for what. The best advice for everyone:
Know the law and your rights.  ‘As a tenant, I have rights.’
Recent Kansas University graduate Jenna Jakowatz spent part of
her last months in Lawrence researching state rental laws. Since
last August, she had experienced escalating issues with the
company managing her apartment.  After trying and failing to
resolve several issues, including a last-minute increase in
rent, unexpected renovation noise and a