Case Study

Landlord TenantIt’s the first time Liz and Melissa have been living on their own. They excitedly head out apartment hunting. The last apartment on their list looks like it will have to do. Not perfect by any means, but definitely workable. School is starting next week and they know they better snap up the apartment quickly.

Shortly after they move in, the girls discover that not everything in the apartment is as it seems. The air conditioner doesn’t work, and the carpet is impossible to get clean. The place is noisy, they can’t get any homework done, and the so-called security is non-existent.

At the end of the first month, the utility bills begin to dribble in and, much to the girls’ amazement, they are far larger then they ever anticipated. Neither of them has budgeted properly. Melissa has to move out, leaving Liz with a lease and no one to help out.