This would give tenants an opportunity to see what kind of housing is available and at what price. Landlords could advertise their properties and meet prospective tenants. The fair could include workshops that emphasize tenant responsibilities such as paying rent on time, caring for the rental unit, respecting the rights of other tenants, and cleaning the rental unit. Workshops should also focus on the landlords responsibility to the tenant, including complying with health and safety regulations and building codes and in maintaining the unit. Workshops should also emphasize the process by which tenants and landlords can terminate rental agreements and where and how to settle disputes.
Some rental communities have tenant associations in place.
These groups work to communicate needs and problems between landlords and tenants. If such a association does not exist, encourage tenants to start one for their rental community. Communities may want to develop a certificate program for potential tenants who have been through a series of educational workshops focused on renting. This could be a potential benefit to landlords because an informed tenant is usually a responsible tenant. If families are moving from assisted housing to the private housing market, they may be surprised at the market cost of housing.