Quiet Hours at Apartment Complex

Residents might have forgotten about what the lease said about quiet hours, but there is typically a line or two in the contract.  Find out what the hours are if you are unsure.  Sometimes with all the holiday parties, hosts and visitors forget.  Depending on the kind of complex and whether the landlord or courtesy patrol is the type that enforces the rules, some residents just might get away with their loud noise at least for a time.


However, there will be those who will most likely get some kind of written warning placed on or underneath their doors warning about noise.  This information is kept in the resident's file.  If noise becomes a frequent issue, then the complaints are calculated, a meeting is sure to follow and it just might end with a resident having to look for another place if issues aren't resolved.


So do keep in mind that even if a landlord or courtesy patrol isn't on duty, there will be those residents who will be watching and listening.  God forbid the police show up.


Nicholl McGuire 

How to Break a Lease

How to Get Out of an Apartment Lease Agreement Early

How to Negotiate an Apartment Lease

How to Break Apartment Lease

Contingent Upon: Two Powerful Words to Ensure Things Get Done

Prior to collecting the prospect's money to hold an apartment, the future resident signed my former employer's standard form that detailed all transaction such as how much was received from the prospect to hold the apartment, when other payments are expected, etc.  But there was just one thing that we, the leasing staff,  didn't anticipate was when our potential leaseholder signed her name and then included: "CONTINGENT UPON THE FOLLOWING THINGS WILL BE DONE PRIOR TO MOVE-IN..."  She proceeded to list the things we said during the tour that would be fixed.  Her expression after signing her name said it all, she meant business.  Do what you promise or else.

Sadly, I must admit that many renters don't get what they want because they are just too happy about the amenities or the exterior to look real close at cover ups, false promises, and more that some owners, managers, and leasing staff claim they will "take care of..."  Then when move-in day comes, the same screen with the hole is still there, the missing knob from one of the drawers is still off, and the shower head that doesn't work has yet to be replaced.  You might know the feeling.

So be adamant, don't pay unless things go your way!

Nicholl McGuire

6 Signs You Don’t Want to Move-In With Someone

Sometimes we agree to move in with people out of desperation, emotional commitment, and other reasons.  However, we are making a bad mistake when we choose to move in with someone anyway when there are many red flags all over the place!  Here are a few signs to pass on signing an apartment leasing contract with your potential roommate, boyfriend, girlfriend or relative.  (For sake of space and time, the person in this writing will be referred to as “He”).

One.  He shows up late to an appointment without his half of the money.

Two.  He lies on his application.

Three.  He appears to be too friendly with everyone who is living there including flirting with the staff. 

Four.  He tells you one thing and you find out another about the suite and then another and another.

Five.  He attempts to cover up something about his past by talking over what the apartment leasing consultant or manager is telling you both, changing details, ignoring facts, or attempting to argue.

Six.  He makes false promises on what he is going to pay and do while in the suite and when you question him on things he becomes irritable, impatient, and even goes so far as to tell you what you will and won’t do in an angry tone.

There are other signs you should pay attention to like your future roommate’s mannerisms, the kind of questions he asks or doesn’t ask, whether he communicates with staff about his account, and any warnings that others around you might be giving you about your roommate.  Also, notice how this person organizes his current atmosphere.  Is he or you often clean or unclean?  Do you have a long history of financial issues with this person? 

When you pay attention to the early signs before committing to a leasing contract, you can save yourself future problems like showing up one day in court because you can’t seem to pay your rent due to your irresponsible roommate.  

Be Sure You Want Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend on Your Lease

There will be those times when couples feel like moving in together is the best thing for the relationship.  However, sooner or later, they realize it was worst thing they could have done.  Now they are stuck living together, bound by a contract.  One is trying to get the other to move out, but this person isn't budging.  "You won't be moving your new girlfriend in after I leave!" the girlfriend shouts.  "I don't want anyone else living here, I just want you gone!" the boyfriend says.  These hurtful exchanges may end up with a police officer taking someone away in handcuffs or worse death.

When you know the relationship is rocky, don't put someone on the contract as a leaseholder.  Rather, put this person down as an occupant especially when you are the one with the job and he or she can't keep a job or don't work.  Couples ruin their credit when they prematurely move in with one another, not to mention, how they leave the condition of the apartment when they often fight--ugh!

I have seen my share of holes walls and doors due to angry fists, disgusting carpet stains because someone through something, even blood in places I rather not say.  There is an ugliness left behind in these suites after couples have spent much time arguing and fighting.  If you are sensitive to energies, you may feel some when you tour vacant suites.  One time, I was told about a ghost in one vacant apartment by one of my maintenance staff.  At first, I didn't believe him, so I checked it out.  What he thought was a ghost, was a dark spirit, an ugly black one that I saw in another dimension.  Now I don't know if the previous residents brought it with them when they moved in, but they sure left something behind for the next residents.  I was so nervous that I practically fell trying to get out of the suite.  I did get spiritual about this situation, I prayed and had hoped that the spirit would leave before the suite was shown to the next apartment shoppers.

When you are looking for an apartment, be sure you are going to get one with someone you plan on committing to long-term.  This means a person who you have planned a wedding date with and have at least met their family and friends.  By doing this, you may save yourself some future stress with apartment management, police, and your neighbors.

Nicholl McGuire

Got a New Job? Want Out of Your Lease?

You signed an apartment lease contract that won't make it easy for you to break it without paying out some substantial money. Losing money is the bad news, but knowing that there is a way to get out of the contract is the good news! Depending on what the contract says, how fast management can get someone in the unit, and how reasonable you are through the process, may get you out of some fees.

There are those contracts that may allow you to break your lease if you should get employment hundreds of miles away or outside of the state. Other contracts will outline the penalty for breaking a lease early. Whatever the contract says, consider working with management. Maybe a future resident will need to come to your home to view the place while you are still there, give permission to enter. Management may have noticed some problems in your unit that may need to be addressed by you, roll up your sleeves. Whatever the issue about your apartment, keep in mind that: you need to terminate your lease and management needs to rent your unit. Think about how you can offer your assistance. Who knows, your place may be rented before you leave?

Nicholl McGuire