Last year, law student Lawrence Wheeler signed a 12-month lease at Traditions Square, with the promise that his rates would not change for five years.

When he applied to renew his lease this month, Housing and Food Services told him it no longer offers the 12-month contract and he would have to sign a nine-month lease with a separate summer extension instead.

H & F Services Director David Annis said the policy change is to help preserve the quality of Traditions Square Apartments.

“We needed to find a way that gives maintenance staff enough time to get into the apartment to clean, paint and repair appliances, and by splitting the 12-month contract into two contracts, we found that we could gain access to the apartment to do necessary upkeep,” Annis said. “We don’t just want people living there for years at a time without us being able to properly maintain the quality of the residence.”

He said during the summer, residents who sign up for the extension may have to temporarily move to another unit for repairs, but can move back for the fall semester.

Annis said people who are currently on 12-month contracts will receive the 12-month rate, but will have to sign two different contracts.

The policy change has some Traditions Square residents worried higher rent is on the horizon.

Annis said the locked-in rates still will be applicable to all residents who currently live in Traditions Square. However, the new residents for next fall, mainly current freshman moving out of the dorms, “may face a possible increase in rent pending approval from the board of regents,” he said.

Annis said if the rent increase is approved, rates would jump around 3 percent.

“The local market for a two bedroom/two bathroom apartment has increased in price, and we want to make the repairs and may have to raise rent to remain competitive and still offer a quality place to live,” Annis said. “We can’t just let Traditions Square go without proper maintenance while we wait for someone to graduate or move out.”

Some students planning to move into the apartments in the fall are unhappy with the possibility of a rent increase.

“Traditions are already highly priced,” said Josh Majed, University College freshman. “That’s a big negative.”

He mentioned that one of the reasons he chose to live in Traditions Square was because he could pay his rent with student loans.