Although the University of Saskatchewan is seeing a record number of residence students this semester, the University of Saskatchewan Students Union say they want to help students living off campus as well.

According to Alexandria Werenka, vice-president of student affairs with the USSU, the union is working with the Saskatoon rentalsman to organize on campus presentations concerning a student’s legal rights as a tenant

“In regards to students living on their own, we’re trying to encourage students to become more informed about what their rights as a renter are,” said Werenka. “There are a lot of things students might now know if they’re moving here from other countries or from out of town.”

She explained even though tenant-landlord issues are not something the union deals with on a regular basis—it’s not unheard of.

“I’ve had a few student that have come in and have had some pretty serious issues,” said Werenka.

As a way to provide students with more information on proper renting practices, the USSU hope to have example leases and renter checklists for students to look at before signing a real one, by mid-October.

“It’s just so they know what a lease looks like,” said Werenka, noting some students may have never signed a lease if they were living with family members.

In the past the USSU have provided their members with information on rent fraud and other criminal activity to watch for while looking for a residence. She hopes having the new information on campus will make it more accessible to students who may not look to the rentalsman for information.

Classes at the U of S start Thursday.