THE Summer Daily Summer I dition of 7 III MjICHIGAN DAILY Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Tuesday, May 22, 1973 News Phone: 764-0552 Brezhnev, Brandt: Workn for peace AT A TIME when one world leader resorts to bombs to bring about "peace", credit must go to West Ger- man Chancellor Willy Brandt and Russian Communist party leader Leonid Brezhnev for helping to bring peace to Europe through diplomatic channels, An historic visit, the first of a Russian leader to West Germany, Brezhnev's meeting with Brandt promises to lead to greater cooperation and security between com- munist and non-communist countries in Europe. At a conference scheduled for later this year in Helsinki, re- duction of troops and armaments in central Europe is just one of the vital issues scheduled for discussion. The two men are also moving closer to a formaliza- tion of Soviet recognition of West Germany's close eco- nomic and political ties with West Berlin, despite its lo- cation inside Communist East Germany. OF COURSE the Berlin Wall remains up, and travel between East and West Berlin is still restricted. But the fact that two Cold War "enemies" can sit down and rationally talk matters over without any overhanging threats of- force is reassuring indeed. Su mmer Sta ff Ed i(Moriai Page Editor 1AN BORUS Sports Editor An explanation of Public Act 348: Settling landlord-tenant disputes By FRANK KELLEY THERE IS nothing new about landlord-tenant disputes over the return of a damage or security deposit. But the saga of events we have seen repeated time after time should be in for a new twist, all because of Public Act 348 which affects all leases entered into or renegotiated April 1, 1973, or thereafter. Read on carefully! The new law can only protect you if you will fulfill your responsibil- ities under it. A security denosit, also called a dmaee denosit, is any amount naid over and above the first month's rent. It is held by the landlord for the length of the rental period, and under the new law can- nat exceed one and one-half times the monthly rent. At the end of the rental period, this fee is to be re- twnued in full to the tenant, pro- 'ided that the room, apartment, or house is left in much the same condition it was when the tenant moved in. Any actual damage done, or any utility bills not paid, may be legally subtracted from t h is deposit. While the deposit is in the land- lord's keeping, it must be placed in a regulated financial institution. The landlord has the right to use the money in any way he pleases - as long as he has a cash or surety bond (written by a state licensed surety company and acceptable to the Attorney General) on file with the Secretary of State. UNDER this new act, there are several important written docu- ments required. There is the ori- ginal rental agreement, perhaps a formal contract, which states the conditions, terms and rules of the premises. Then, within 14 days of possession, the landlord must give this tenant written notification as to where the security deposit is being held or who the surety com- pany is. Upon assuming occupancy, it is also vital that the tenant ~re- ceive and carefully fill out an in- ventory detailing the condition and furnishings of his apartment. This must be filled out in duplicate so that he, as well as his landlord, has- a copy. When you leave the land- lord will complete his own check- list which would itemize and price any damages discovered and t h e charges for their repair. The tenant must leave a forward- ing address within 4 days after he moves so that he may be sent this list of damages. If the landlord does not receive a forwarding address, he is not required to send the list, but may go ahead and deduct money from the security deposit ac- cordingly. When the landlord does receive a forwarding address, he must send the tenant all informa- tion regarding damages within 30 days of the end of occupancy. If the landlord fails to notify the ten- ant in the allotted time, no dam- ages are due and the full deposit must be returned. does not have to go unchallenged. Within a week of receiving the list, a tenant may contest the land- lord's findings. If there, is a dis- agreement concerning the amount of damages , and if both parties have completed all the formalities, then the landlord must present his case in court within 45 days of the termination of occupancy to collect his money. If the landlord's estimate is not questioned, it will be used when (1) both parties agreeon the sum, (2) the tenant does not leave a for- warding address, (3) the tenant does not respond to notification of damages, or (4) the amount claim- ed by the landlord covers unpaid rent or utility bills. Under this act, legal action -may be brought against the landlord by the tenant, or by the Attorney General. How- ever, the landlord may also bring action against a tenant. Since this act can protect the tenant from arbitrary decisions by his landlord it is vital that the tenant fulfill all of his obligations as a party to a contract, namely: leaving forwarding address and fill- ing out an inventory on the condi- tion of his apartment. If these two responsibilities are ignored, the act is rendered powerless. WITH A little cooperation from both sides, hopefully much of the tension between landlords and ten- ants can be alleviated. For any fur- ther information, contact the Con- sumer Protection Division of the Attorney General Kelley's Office at (517) 373-1140. Frank Kelley is the state Attor- IT IS IMPORTANT to note that wry General. the landlord's estimate of damages Letters to The Daily DAN BIDDLE .......... DAVE BURHENN ,, HRISTOPHER PARKS MVARILYN RILEY . .. . . .. JUDY RUSKIN GORDON A TCHESON LAURA BERMAN KATHY RICKE SUE SOMMER .. DAVE MARGOLICK PERRY McCARTHY CHUCK BLOOM MARC FELDMAN ...... SHERRY CASTLE PAT TI WILKINSON.. PAULA CHWACN L'TANYA HAITH .. ELLIOTT LEGOw Night Editor S Night Editor Night Editor ..... Night Editor A... Night Editor Ass't. Night Editor Asst. Night Editor . Ass't. Night Editor . Asst. Night Editor Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Managing Sports Editor Associate Sports Editor Display Manager Cla-sifted Manager *Circuaion Mnsger .. Circulation Assistant Assistant Congratulations To The Daily: THE FOLLOWING is a copy of a letter that I have mailed to Lee Gill: Dear Lee, I just wanted to con- gratulate you again on your vic- tory for SGC President. If I can be of any help to you or SGC dur- ing your term, please call on me. At a time when student apathy is so high and student power is so low, and now that this controver- slal SGC election is finally over, it is extremely important that mem- bers of all the parties join togeth- er and work together to attempt BILL BLACKFORD Biusinesy Mail ger "EVER H/Ipf4/P .OON11~k REPOR1-ERS" fffE,M" k1E7 7OU -K~~tl~s - 7~h67L R'srcr 01 "ltes, to change the current tide. As I talked with hundreds and hundreds of students during my campaign, it became obvious to me that student government could not have a lower stature in the eyes of the student body and for the most part, it is deservedly so. Nev- er again must we have a council that is so divided by personality conflicts, meaningless bickering, and partisan bitterness that it cannot function either effectively or efficiently, as was true of the last council under Bill Jacobs' poor leadership. Never again must we have an SGC election that is so unfair and so dishonest that we are forced to blow another $9,000 on a revote. We must prove to the students and make them aware that SGC can be a worthy body beneficial to them, such as through more fine programs like the SGC Health and Life Insurance, the SGC Meat Co- op, the SGC Bail Fund, the SGC Legal Advocate, the creation of the University Cellar, and the fund- ing of vital student organizations like Advocates for Medical Inform- ation. If SGC will only act respon- sibly, SGC will receive the stu- dents' support. UNFORTUNATELY, your election is polarizing by the mere fact that the students had a clear-cut opin- ion about you, (much more so than about any other candidate f or president), either being complete- ly in favor of you or complete- ly against you. The best way to solve this serious problem, as I have emphasized to you before, is to make conciliatory appointments to the open SGC non-voting vice- presidential positions and to choose concerned, dedicated, and h a r d- working students for these posi- tions rather than the usual politi- cal pay-offs. It is only through this type of non-partisan, united ap- proach that you and council will gain the proper type of student sup- port necessary to deal with the Re- gents in fighting for student con- cerns on student issues. Best of luck. -David Faye CLAMP presidential candidate May 17 'NRZ rock fan To The Daily: WE OF THE People's Education Committee of the Tribal Council feel a deep loss at the change in WNRZ radio format. We would like to state why we supported t h e Community Radio, and why we would like to see that kind of pro- gramming re-instated. It gave voice to many different community-interest groups (in- cluding our own) and to a wide variety of musical programming. The newscasting was creative and imaginative while still reporting the facts, a rarity indeed. The on-the- spot broadcasting of local events educated larger portions of t h e cmmunity to cultural happenings. The station was always willing to play public service announcements for community non-profit organiza- tions. These needs are not covered on radio at all now. WNRZ spoke for a whole lot of interest groups, plus playing the highest-energy music in the coun- try. We miss it and want to ',Neg for Community Radio back on the air. The Airwaves belong to the People! -Barbara Rice, Secretary People's Education Committee May 12 League defended To The Daily: IN RESPONSE to your article on the Little League (Daily, May 18), why is it people say a child- ren's orchestra is grand (organiz- ed) but a baseball team is too or- ganized? Aren't they both having fun being good at something? You're right; we do play by the rules, we use real bases at real diamonds, and the umpires enforce the rules and our pitchers throw as hard as they can, but I can't buy the "twisted and pervert" or the "jock mentality" bit. Granted some of us played baseball is our youth and may still "bat cleanup" in church league but can you believe everyone's goal in life is not pro- fessional baseball. As for the way to reach sports- manship and courtesy, I invite you to attend some of our games in Ypsilanti. I can't guarantee you any cardboard bases or electricians tape balls but you may find some happy, enthusiastic youngster playing a good brand of base ball. -Bill Tie Coach, Ypsi. Angrls May 21 "I gather this makes those statements ThopL'ati ve gentlem en."