Wednesday

Consistently Tardy with Rent?

Most rental companies expect rent to be paid by the first, while others do have a grace period of five days.  After that the warning shows up on your door step along with a late fee charge.  Make it a habit to be late with rent and not only are you giving rental companies extra money, but your credit is negatively impacted while you put yourself and family at risk of being evicted in the future.  New management/owners will review the files of renters who present chronic problems and will work to get those renters off the property sooner rather than later.

Tardy rent happens with many people and when it does it can be stressful for all parties.  The property managers must process additional paperwork while keeping records of tardiness.  The family who hopes to one day move may not get a good reference from the current landlord.  Future managers don't like to lease their properties to individuals who are often late with rent.

So keep this in mind the next time you want to splurge a little, do you have your rent?

Nicholl McGuire  

Sunday

Moving from House to Apartment? Prepare Yourself Mentally

There are just some things you are going to miss about not living in a house anymore.  If you don't prepare yourself mentally for what is ahead, you will have a hard time adjusting and in time you might not have the best relationship with your landlord.

1.  Smaller space.

Going from a spacious home to small rooms will bring you some grief especially when you realize you can't fit everything into your new space.  You might become upset having to get rid of some things.

2.  Noises.

The maintenance staff, landscape crew, crying babies, loud talking, animals, music, parties, etc. all the noise can really get to you especially when you are trying to sleep.  Find out what the noise hours are at your community.  Sometimes landlords aren't always on top of this, so remind them.  Keep in mind to close your windows when doing something loud and watch the noise volume in your place so that no one will report you and your family.

3.  Strangers.

Community living has its share of people you know and those you don't.  Relatives of neighbors will visit, people will move in and move out around you, and you may not like all the strange faces coming and going.  You can get to know neighbors if that will make you feel somewhat comfortable; otherwise learn to tolerate what you see until you can move again.

4.  Papers on your door.

This bothers some people more than others.  Those envelopes and fliers can mean something good or bad such as: water shut off due to maintenance, outages, late rent, promotions, community events, etc.  Read them and post the important ones up within your dwelling so you won't forget dates. 

5.  Mood swings.

Some days will be worse than others when you think of what you might have had to sacrifice to be in the apartment. Try to focus on the good things when those negative emotions show up.  Be grateful that you aren't outdoors.  Start planning to move again if you really don't like where you currently live, it will make you feel better.

6.  Assigned parking.

Things will come up and if you aren't parked in the right spot or don't move your vehicle when requested by management, you will have your share of issues. Sometimes visitors might park in your spot or you in theirs.  If your car should be towed or if you are responsible for getting your neighbor's car towed, you won't be happy.  Apartment communities have their share of upgrades year round so pay close attention to announcements that there will be some things happening in the community parking lot.  Also, notify management immediately when you discover someone is parked in your spot.

7.  Annual rent increases.

This isn't always mentioned when you first move-in, but read your lease contract.  You don't want to be that guy or gal cursing about the rent increase during lease renewal.

8.  Offensive Odors

The odors can be annoying especially if you don't like certain meals people prepare. 

9.  Pets

If you aren't use to the smell of an animal or barking, you won't like your neighbor's pet(s).  Be sure that you don't accept a unit near someone with a pet.

10.  Busybodies

They may sit around the outside of your apartment or visit too frequently with neighbors.  This can be irritating if you are a private person and are not interested in being social with others.

Moving from a house to an apartment is tough, try focusing on the positives like: no more cutting grass, paying large bills, worrying over something breaking down, etc.  You now can count on the apartment management team to help!

Nicholl McGuire provides web content for webmasters and other virtual assistance.  Learn more here.

Things You Might Find Useful on this Blog

apartment shopping apartment decorating moving apartment organizing lease contract about this blog apartment problems maintenance property management apartment hunting how to rent an apartment landlords pest control roommates apartment searching eviction notice leasing consultants security deposit tenant screening Internet apartment shopping apartment move in apartment move out apartment noise blog owner first apartment how to organize apartment mold rent increases renting section 8 30 day notice apartment checklist apartment inspection apartment leasing apartment management apartment rental guides apartment rules apartment tour appearance bad landlords bankruptcy buying rentals curb side appeal disgruntled residents electricity fair housing furnace heat moving to New York City neighbors new apartment renters real estate relocation tips rental application renters senior adults senior housing shopping for the apartment shower toilet windows English phrases for apartment problem English phrases to rent apartment FEMA HUD Tokyo air conditioning amenities american disabilities act annoying visitors annual inspection apartment abroad apartment budget apartment furnishings apartment investing apartment marketing apartment mobile apps apartment pool apartment renovation apartment rent assistance apartment reviews apartment tips apartment townhome tours apartment waiting lists apartment workout apartments for rent approval process bad credit bad property management signs bad rental properties bed bugs bug proofing cable can't afford rent canada carbon monoxide cargo container cargo container apartments carpet stains children city apartment rentals clogged kitchen sink clogged shower drain community managers community party rooms couples court credit reports death discrimination domestic violence duct cleaning fall move in date gangstalking garbage disposal gas heater ghost stories gifts good residents guest cards guests haunted hoarding homelessness hot water heaters how to avoid rental scams how to find an apartment how to sell your stuff humor leaky roof living alone lofts move in date move in inspection move in specials move out date move out inspection move out parent's house moving to Houston moving to New Mexico moving with children natural disasters new neighbors no hot water in shower no job no rent cap odors on paying rent packing partial rent pets pipes problems paying rent public transportation qualifying quiet hours refrigerator rent to own rental fees rental housing help rental insurance renting a home renting apartments overseas resident retention second hand smoke serviced apartments snow plowing and salting snow shoveling still living with parents studio apartments suite upgrades tardy rent tenant laws tenant rights websites terrace level apartments thermostat trends types of dwellings unemployment unpacking utilities walk through wall paper water water damage water pressure what not to rent work order request