News Briefs: Tuesday, March 7, 2000

Survey lets students evaluate landlords The student-run organization -- with financial and logistical help from the Undergraduate Assembly -- has compiled a list of about 25 questions designed to determine a landlord's response to repair work, lease agreements and utilities. "This is a student document and a very important consumer document," Office of Off Campus Living Director Mihaela Farcas said. Results will be tabulated in the beginning of April and presented through informational pamphlets in time for the Spring Housing Fair. The survey is broken down into two parts: The first asks about the landlord's accessibility and honesty, and the second asks the tenants to rate the quality of utilities and services for their individual living quarters. Troy Madres, director of the Penn Consumer Board, said that the group developed the survey in response to "a seller's market." According to Madres, there are far more students who want to move off campus than can occupy the available properties. Often, this means that landlords can charge higher prices and offer fewer services. Though the group had regularly issued landlord-tenant surveys every two years since the late 1970s, Farcas explained that in 1993, the production was halted temporarily. Last year the UA resumed the tradition, but with a less-comprehensive survey than usual. About 750 students have filled out the survey, which can be accessed from the Office of Off Campus Living Web site, http://www.upenn.edu/resliv/ocl. -- Katie Ambrogi