Monday
FAQs from Apartment Shoppers Answered by a Former Multi-Family Housing Property Manager
Looking for a new apartment can be daunting. Between finding the right neighborhood and sorting through all of the different floor plans, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we've put together this list of FAQs specifically for apartment shoppers, answered by our very own blogger, Nicholl, former property manager. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about renting an apartment!
Saturday
Thursday
What to Do When a Landlord Refuses to Make Apartment Repairs?
Rent escrow is a process where a tenant withholds rent payments from their landlord in order to pressure the landlord into making repairs to the apartment. This can be an effective way to get a slum landlord to make necessary repairs, but it can also lead to eviction if the tenant does not follow the proper procedures. In most cases, the tenant must first notify the landlord of the needed repairs and give them a reasonable amount of time to make the repairs. If the repairs are not made within that time frame, the tenant can then begin withholding rent. The withheld rent is typically placed in an escrow account, and once the repairs are made, the tenant will release the funds to the landlord. While this process can be effective, it is important to note that it should only be used as a last resort after all other attempts to get the landlords to make necessary repairs have failed.
If you're a tenant in an apartment that's in need of repair, it can be difficult to get your landlord to take action. After all, it's in their best interest to keep costs low and maximum profits high. However, there are a few things you can do to try and get the repairs you need. First, it's important to document the problem. Take pictures or videos of the issues and keep a log of when they occurred. This will be helpful if you need to take legal action later on. Next, reach out to your landlord in writing and request that they make the necessary repairs. If they don't respond or refuse to take action, you can contact your city's housing inspection department and schedule an apartment inspection. The inspector will assess the apartment and if they determine that it's not up to code, your landlord will be required to make the necessary repairs. Finally, if all else fails, you can reach out to a lawyer or file a lawsuit against your landlord. While this may seem extreme, sometimes it's the only way to get them to take action. So, if you're struggling to get your landlord to make repairs, don't give up – there are still options available to you. The following is a move-in experience that some of you might relate to.
After a month of waiting for her landlord to address the issues in her apartment, the resident started to feel frustrated and uncomfortable. The sink was clogged and creating a foul odor, the ac was dirty, loose fixtures were falling off, the washer and dryer weren't working properly, and there was a leak underneath the sink. She tried to reach out to her landlord, but he wasn't responding to her requests. So, she turned to a rent escrow service to help her get the repairs done.
Notice, she waited. How long have you been waiting?
If you're renting an apartment, it's important to be aware of your rights when it comes to repairs and maintenance. According to the law, landlords are required to keep their rental properties in habitable condition. This means that they must make sure that the apartment is safe and clean and that all essential services (like heat, water, and electricity) are working properly. Once again, if your landlord doesn't want to make repairs, you have a few options. First, you can try to speak with them directly and explain why the repairs are necessary. If that doesn't work, you can contact your local code enforcement office or apartment association. In some cases, you may even be able to withhold rent until the repairs are made so do review your lease contract. However, it's always best to consult with a legal professional before taking any drastic measures.
Wednesday
How Do You Know You Have Outgrown an Apartment?
Like children, we outgrow some
things in life and some of you are outgrowing your rentals. You are
giving everyone grief around you. Driving through the apartment complex
parking lot like a bat out of hell, you practically run to your apartment
praying the whole way that no one stops to talk to you. You are arguing
with your roommates. Talking badly about your neighbors. You have
thoughts of suing the landlord, the property management company, the
contractors, and anyone else you meet almost weekly. Yes, one has
outgrown his or her rental dwelling. So now what? You start looking
for a place like yesterday! Stop talking yourself into staying at the
rental, talk yourself out of it!
1) You know you have outgrown
the apartment when more people have moved in since you first signed the
lease. You also know that you are breaking the rules when the leasing
office is unaware that you have others living there. You might be out
sooner rather than later depending on the type of manager or management company
that is running the place.
2) You understand since
the early days of your moving there, you just aren't getting along with anyone
such as: family members, the office staff, and your neighbors. That's not
a "they" problem, that's a you problem!
3) You look around and the place
is just too small, too big, too something. Yes, you need to make plans
and get gone, Goldilocks!
4) When you go from
room-to-room every time you use or look at something, it is broken and there is
no getting anything fixed. Now why are you paying rent again? You
might want to put your next rental payment in escrow while you're still under
contract.
5) You simply hate
driving to and from the community. You find yourself passing by the
apartment complex with a sigh of relief on some days only to come back and say,
"What the...?" It's just too much going on at your spot, I get
it.
6) You have fantasized about
doing awful things to the management. Okay, let's not get carried away,
to jail that is! It's simply not worth it.
7) You know it's time to move
when you find yourself spending more time everywhere else than where you
stay.
When you or someone else you
know is thinking and doing things that scream, "Get me out!" It is
safe to say that one has outgrown the apartment. Time to go all out and
find something that you really like. In the meantime, until the lease is
up or you have the money to pay the lease break fee, try to get some things
done in your humble abode that will make you feel a bit at ease.
Nicholl McGuire is the owner of
this blog and the author of What
Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Get to Know Thy Neighbors - Show Some Love
Every day you walk by neighbors in your community and head off to work, play and shop to be among many strangers you will never see again in life! You also are walking by people who just might be able to provide you with some assistance like where to find money to pay bills, how to save money, where to drop off kids when you need a break, where are the best places to eat, drink, and be merry! You know the rest and some of you are doing a good job loving thy neighbor's wisdom, food and more! However, many of you are not! That's right, you could careless and yet you struggle alone wishing that a God or many gods can save you from the perils of life! Well, I got news for you, from someone who thought it was a good idea at one point in my dull life to avoid strangers at all costs, uh it isn't a good idea!
When I lived in Ohio and actually served a neighbor, she was so grateful that she shared many gifts with me after her mother passed. When I visited the leasing office at the same location, they offered me a job!
When I lived in Pennsylvania and was friendly when my neighbor asked me out on a date, he ended up being my husband for eight years and we conceived two sons!
When I lived in California, I decided to just stroll in one day to the leasing office get to know the Community Manager, years later she ended up helping our family out in so many ways when we were having financial trouble!
When I lived in Georgia, I got free meals and was offered rides to local grocery stores and an invite to a women's group!
When I lived in Colorado, there were many great neighbors who looked out for my children as they walked home from school, not only that, but they also provided gifts and watched my house while we were away!
So just as there are neighbors offline that just might be a blessing to you, so too are there bloggers like myself that can service you, like help drive traffic to your website or social media page.
When I got to know some of my fellow bloggers over the years, we shared reasonable rates to advertise on one another's platforms. I have done this for years seasonally, posting blog entries and ads on my site to introduce you to a world of great writers, podcasters, and small businesses. At one point, I was able to offer free services, but nowadays I can't do that--I got bills to pay just like the next man or woman! However, if you need a bit of exposure, feel free to reach out and share your original content, an informative ad or something else you think my audience might benefit from! I will provide you with the cost to advertise via email. Send correspondence to nichollmcguire@yahoo.com
I look forward to hearing from you! Don't forget, show some love to your neighbors when you see them, wave, smile, and ask do they need something if you have it to offer.
Nicholl McGuire owner of this blog and others and the author of What Else Can Do on the Internet?
What to Expect When Renting a Terrace Level Apartment or Lower Floor Unit for a Great Price
You see an apartment rental available and you are amazed at the price! What, it can't be? You are overjoyed with your discovery! You don't care that it is terrace level maybe you don't even know what that is. A terrace level unit is a ground level apartment complete with either a street view, garden view or a neighboring building--ugh. Yes, you are starting from the bottom, but hey, one day you will be on top!
Now I get that you want that bargain, that deal, a steal that is going to save you lots of money and make possibly a parent or partner proud. However, are those headaches in the future worth it. Shall I be your apartment rental prophetess? Let's take you on a journey of what your challenges renting this unit might bring you!
1) Overhead noise, next door, and street level.
Loud walking, running or jumping might send you over the edge one day! Without thick flooring in between floors and even thicker cement or brick walls separating you from your neighbor's boom tv, ear-splitting yells from children, frequent disputes with a partner, you will hear the noise!
Before you rush to see the unit or sign a lease contract at the prompting of the friendly staff at the leasing office, notice what is around the rental unit's location. Are there trees and bushes and no recreational areas? Then maybe this might work out if you want that quiet secluded feeling, but there's still that neighbor overhead and possibly next door. If there is street level parking, sporting areas or an active pool community, you will hear the noise but not so much if the windows are double-pane glass and if the communities are further away.
Most leasing consultants and apartment managers will either downplay noise or will not speak on it at all, because they know you wouldn't lease especially if you already told them, "Listen, I don't do a lot of noise!" However, if the price is right, they are hoping the noise won't be so bad after all for you. "Wow, the unit is a few hundred dollars less!" you say. Yes it is, keep in mind there are plenty of not-so good reasons for this and you need to uncover what they are!
2) Insects and rodents.
You live close to the ground so why wouldn't they visit? The water and food source are conveniently located to possibly their nests, tunnels and other places they like to hide. The last neighbor might have seen their ugly faces a little too much and so they ran him or her off! So if bugs bother you, you will need to do your part to ensure they avoid your apartment as much as possible. (I talk about this on the blog, look up my bug-proofing tips). Do you have the time, money and energy to invest eradicating these critters long after pest control just walks through the apartment doing their money-grabbing quick spray? Constant bug vistors need constant attention and the most powerful bait known to man. Sure, get your bargain basement unit, but be prepared to fight bugs in the kitchen, bathroom and anywhere they plan to let you know who was here first!
3) Neighbors who litter.
All glossy-eyed still over that price knowing you don't like noise and bugs, but hey, you got a plan, right? However, the biggest bugs of them all are disrespectful neighbors who have a disregard for the environment. Some of them sincerely believe that the ground is their trash can, so over the balcony they throw their cigarette butts, water bottles, uneaten food, wrappers, and some of you know the rest because you do it. What a shame! So the guys and girls in the leasing office didn't tell you that if the groundskeeper doesn't make it to your location on a daily basis or maybe not at all, that's right, you will be picking up after your nasty neighbors! So there you go, saving money on renting the place, but taking on another role other than renter, trash picker-upper!
4) Sewage and water drainage systems and foundational cracks.
You're not a structural engineer and you don't know jack about drainage systems. So guess what you are going to do, you're not going to inspect the building's exterior at ground level for foundational cracks. You will be too busy looking at the pretty stuff to see any mold and mildew while your ignoring your God-given gift of smell. You most likely will casually stroll by the nearby pipes coming out of the ground covered or uncovered while your talking to the leasing professional about what, "I want...I need..." You just might miss the plastic hoses that are suppose to redirect water away from the terrace level apartment. They are just strewn here or there above ground. Further, who cares about those drain downspouts starting to come off the building or those plastic rain gutters that are constantly moved by the landscapers.
The next rainfall at that cheap unit just might bring more than you bargained for and maintenance knows it even if the leasing staff claims, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know." They probably really didn't know, they were thinking of their commission. Fast forward you are living in that terrace apartment with the issues but you got it for a steal, you look out your window, "Is that freakin' poop on the patio, baby wipes and what the #@%$& is that?" you yell. Yes, it is a sewage drain backup and I think you also have a leak coming from somewhere too! Now who is going to clean that mess up?
5) Low-level windows
Ever feel insecure, watched scary movies, worried someone is going to see your open window and come right in. The villain is there seated at your table eating a sandwich and drinking your favorite beer? If the very thought of that scares you, then why are you even considering getting a lower unit? But if you are that guy or gal who has protection waiting for the villain, then no worries there just secure your spot with all sorts of locks and alarms.
6) Poor lighting.
Unfortunately, with some apartment complexes, the terrace levels are just not well-lit--shadows in the breezeway, behind the building and elsewhere. If there is ever a power outage with no emergency lighting, it can be pitch black walking down those stairs and sidewalks. Keep your phone or a flashlight handy at all times especially if you work at night.
7) Flooding from above.
Oh yes, nothing like waking up to your neighbor's "issues" showering down on you--hope it wasn't the toilet overflowing! It happens and you don't fully realize what you have gotten yourself into until you can't get a hold of maintenance or a plumber to help you in that moment! You start to think back to when you toured the place and didn't pay attention to those old water markings or maybe they had been there the whole time but a little splash of paint prior to your arrival and it made yesterday's troubles just disappear. Keep a bucket handy and a mop and/or a shopvac just in case you just got to get the unit, because there just isn't anything else out there, are you sure?
Now after all of that and you know what to expect, you may have no choice but to go forward until your money is right! I get it, so with that said, invest in everything you need to bring you some comfort. The leasing staff will not meet your every need. Let me say that again for the stubborn one who thinks he or she can and will be happy forever and always after repeated phone calls and visits, the leasing and maintenance staff will not meet your every need especially if it costs alot and your issues are not what they consider an emergency! Yeah, I know sucks. So do your part, put your concerns in writing, record the unit, and reach out to a trusted friend who can be that second pair of eyes for you to see what you don't want to see!
Happy hunting!
Nicholl McGuire is the owner of this blog and the author of What Else Can I do on the Internet?
