Violent Fraternity Housing

[CarlJay89]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I am a freshman at Iowa State university, and I was convinced that I wanted to live in a fraternity up until the living conditions worsened. 5 weeks into last semester I was asked to leave. The official reason was that I had been consuming alcohol on the property. Which was not true, but I had no problem with them saying that because any and all alcohol I had consumed was provided by them in the first place. During the short time I had lived there my brand new Apple ipad that I had received for graduation was stolen while it was on their property. I filed a police report for the missing item days before I was asked to leave. I could sense that they were very angry about me filing a police report, but I knew I was within my rights to do so. During the last week I lived in the fraternity a ritual of sorts was performed. Which essentially was nothing more than a few fraternity members being really drunk and having us run through a hallway. As we ran through the hallway they tried to stop us and it ended in me receiving a black eye and being trampled for several minutes. two days later I was charged $800 for the 5 weeks I had stayed there (two weeks with no provided food unlike stated in the contract)

Anyway that is the background on this situation. Recently I was contacted by the judicial affairs office at the university to provide information about what went on while I was there. I told them everything I knew and who they could contact to get more information. Even more recently the names of people who have provided information against the fraternity were released to its members. The entire fraternity has a good chance of losing its charter after over 110 years of staying on campus. Every single day I get death glares and what feels like I am being intimidated. I do not walk alone anywhere after 10 p.m. anymore. I did sign the contract which stated I would owe $3,250 to live at the fraternity house for the year. I am worried that they may try to pursue me legally because I provided this information.

Overall my question is: Can they try to sue me for the rest of the contract I had signed even though I did not live their for the term of the contract and they are the ones who removed me from the housing unit? If they try to do so will I be able to introduce any information regarding the ongoing investigation against them? What should I do about my personal safety day to day?


extra: I do not consider myself to be a saint in any way shape or form. I know I have to accept responsibility for all of my actions. I have done my best to create an unbiased account of the entire situation. 14 of the original 21 pledges at this fraternity were either kicked out or left on their own right because of the living conditions.

Thank you for any and all advice regarding this situation.

 

[antrc170]

A lot will depend on what the fraterity contract states about living there. Since they asked you to leave then I doubt they have an avenue to obtain the entire years expense. I would further venture though that they have the ability to sue for any expenses that you do owe while living there.

 

[FarmerJ]

Carl how much of every thing do you have documented ? (inc when you were asked to leave ? ) Dont be surprised if they do attempt to sue or threaten to sue for additional rent money. Since its a Frat house I dont see them having a huge problem being able to get a replacement tenant into the home ? If that were the case and it took say a month for them to get a replacement to replace you it would be harder for them to defend asking for more than a months rent even if they asked you to leave. As far as the other people who lived there if they are all 18+ and they too broke any rules or violating rental agreements that they agreed to and they stay mad about the reports you made SO WHAT , they will have to get over it , every thing in life has consequences for actions both good and bad. As far as any services or items that were included in the leasing agreement with you if they were not suppling it(breaching the agreement) just like with regular rental the best time to act on it (prove a claim) is when your still in occupancy of the unit your renting, it strengthens the position of the tenant who is not getting what was promised in lease.

 

[CarlJay89]

A lot will depend on what the fraterity contract states about living there. Since they asked you to leave then I doubt they have an avenue to obtain the entire years expense. I would further venture though that they have the ability to sue for any expenses that you do owe while living there.

I have requested another copy of my contract several times from the fraternity since I was removed from the residence. Even going so far as to speaking to the man who overseers all the chapters in this region of the country and still no luck. I was never given my own copy of the contract. I was told to sign it and turn it in to the treasurer(Stupid i know). I work with these people and interact with them every single day on campus. I feel threatened and have no idea what to do about it. I incorrectly stated the amount for the year. The $3,250 was for the semester. After 5 weeks of living there they decided I owed $800. For the first two weeks the chef contracted to serve food was not working so I had to provide my own food. Once I moved into the dorms on campus the university decided the term I had lived in the fraternity was only worth $250 off of my semester housing contract.

 

[CarlJay89]

Carl how much of every thing do you have documented ? (inc when you were asked to leave ? ) Dont be surprised if they do attempt to sue or threaten to sue for additional rent money. Since its a Frat house I dont see them having a huge problem being able to get a replacement tenant into the home ? If that were the case and it took say a month for them to get a replacement to replace you it would be harder for them to defend asking for more than a months rent even if they asked you to leave. As far as the other people who lived there if they are all 18+ and they too broke any rules or violating rental agreements that they agreed to and they stay mad about the reports you made SO WHAT , they will have to get over it , every thing in life has consequences for actions both good and bad. As far as any services or items that were included in the leasing agreement with you if they were not suppling it(breaching the agreement) just like with regular rental the best time to act on it (prove a claim) is when your still in occupancy of the unit your renting, it strengthens the position of the tenant who is not getting what was promised in lease.

I have very little documentation about anything. All I have are the first hand reports/complaints made by myself and other former pledges to the judicial affairs office. I used to have a picture of my injuries, but I have long since lost it. I would also like to add that I was given roughly 12 hours to move out and find new housing once I was asked to leave. A replacement for the very tiny room I had moved in the very next day after I left.

 

[FarmerJ]

Frat housing or not since they replaced you next day they truly would look foolish in court if they attempted to double dip and require any payment for time in a room where someone else lives now. Sounds to me like for all practicle purposes its just done with , and now that your in dorm housing fair odds are who ever the person is that manages the dorm housing prog wont tolerate any further problems so its best to learn and follow ALL the rules in new lease agreement inc knowing what steps must be taken to remove a tenant from dorm housing , or changing roomates should there be compatibilty issues that cannot be resolved. Any thing that comes up at your new residence keep it all in written form sent via certified mail w copies for your records , doesnt matter if its a broken light switch or damage done by a roomate. At this point ill lay odds they pro rated the rent down to the number of days you were there then thats all you would owe.