New River Community Action is hosting free renter education workshops on several dates and times in July. These workshops are for tenants, landlords, friends, anyone considering renting, and the variety of days and times New River Valley locations make the workshops accessible to busy people.
“It’s a fun, interactive workshop,” Homeless and Housing Program Coordinator Sharon Edwards said. “Our goal is to help everyone be successful.”
Designed to help anyone learn the key elements and skills to be a good tenant and a good landlord, topics covered will include leases, deposits, and payments; repairs and other common disputes, Fair Housing laws and eviction in Virginia – all the aspects of being a tenant that may seem mysterious until you learn about them.
The two-hour workshop discusses the expectations of landlords and helps attendees learn their rights, responsibilities and good practices such as how check your credit score and how to improve it.
“We do a budget in our class and scenarios about how to make tough choices in tight months,” Edwards said. “We help people learn where their money goes and make sure that rent is top priority. We help them understand their lease agreements, evictions and fair housing.” Interested attendees should call 540- 633-5133, ext. 440 or email at least two days prior to date to register.
New River Community Action
Tuesday, July 24 11 a.m.
Tuesday, July 31 3 p.m.
1093 East Main Street, Radford
Contact: sedwards@nrcaa.org
Christiansburg Library
Thursday, July 26 1 p.m.
Monday, July 30 1 p.m.
125 Sheltman Street, Christiansburg
Contact: mpoindexter@nrcaa.org
Additionally, a Saturday workshop is being offered at the Pearisburg Library at 10 a.m. on July 21 for those who cannot make a workshop during the workweek.
Interested attendees should call 540- 633-5133, ext. 440 or email at least two days prior to date to register.
Applicable to anyone, the workshop also covers good management practices and energy saving tips.
“We teach people how to save money on their utilities by doing things like remembering to turn off the lights, hanging clothes on the line, and little things like cleaning the coils on the refrigerator,” Edwards said. “We just encourage anyone to participate. It’s for anyone who’s thinking about renting or would like to be more knowledgeable.’ she said. “And there will be refreshments and door prize.”
