Lawyers help in security deposit dilemma

by Ben Roode
Staff Writer

Between 400 and 500 Ohio University students have trouble recovering their security deposits each year, but workers at The Center for Student Advocacy have developed a program to try and remedy the problem.

CSA, a student-run law office, began a service last week to videotape students' apartments or houses to document damages when they move in so students are not penalized when their lease expires.

Dave Baer, a professional attorney for CSA, said protecting students' security deposits was the main motivation to start the project.

"In court, visual evidence is the most compelling," he said. "If you visually document (your) house in the beginning and end, it increases your chances of success (in a court setting)."

The CSA Web site (http://www.studentlegalrights.org) advises students to film or take pictures in their house or apartment when moving in and moving out to document when damages occurred.

"Part of the routine info (on the Web site) is to document (your house)," he said. "This is just an effort to help students do it better."

Baer said CSA receives around 800 housing complaints a year, with about 400 to 500 involving security deposits.

Two Ohio University students perform the camera work for the center. There is a $10 charge for tape costs and editing for each tenant.

The film crew has been trained to film specific areas of each house, such as windows, floors, light fixtures and ceilings.

The service increases college students' awareness of what they can do to preserve their security deposit, said Randy Main, an OU senior telecommunications major recruited for the film crew.

"This is such a service to college students," he said. "(Landlords) are playing off the ignorance of college students."

And students who choose to film or photograph their own abode should follow one guideline when documenting, Baer said.

"Document everything," Baer said. "Windows, ceilings, walls, any damage there."

But some students said they feel the service will not be beneficial to them.

OU junior Ryan Opperman said he probably will not use the service the next time he looks for an apartment.

"I don't think I would ever take the time to call someone to do that when I could just bring my own camera and film myself," he said.