Title
Residential Leases and Models of University Cities (NB)
This item is a request for the City Commission to accept the report from the Community Development Committee (CDC) on the residential leasing issue and remove the item from the CDC Referral list.
Explanation
At the joint City of Gainesville and University of Florida meeting held on November 18, 2014, the City Commission referred the residential leasing issue to the Community Development Committee. The Commission wanted the CDC to explore how other university towns deal with leasing issues for students. Students expressed concern that during the transition period between the summer session B and the beginning of the fall semester, many students who have not renewed or requested an extension on their lease may be without housing.
A transition period is defined as the period of time between two semesters, when some students are in transition due to graduation, move out, and renewal or termination of housing leases. It is also the same period in which landlords and property management firms are preparing rental apartments or homes for the next tenants. The rental agents may have already committed to rent the apartments and houses to new tenants. If the lease expires prior to end of the semester or graduation, some students may be without housing unless the student or their parents have renewed the lease for the next semester or requested an extension on the lease. Without a new lease or prearrangement with the rental agent, it is expected that the tenant will move out of the apartment or the home by the last day of the month. If final exams are given during the transition period but after the end of the month, the student must relocate for the transition days; which creates a conflict between the students and the rental agents.
Chairman Carter held a meeting with UF Student Government representatives, landlords, property managers, and property management firms’ representatives to discuss the residenti...
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