Long-Time Renters Who Plan to Move Next Year

If you've been a long-time resident in apartments for years, it's a familiar cycle. Neighbors move in and out while the rent keeps increasing. You might have grown accustomed to the quirks of your living space – be it the squeaky floors or the draft coming in through the windows. I can understand that feeling of both anticipation and nervousness that comes with knowing a move is looming ahead now after settling into a routine for a long time. Moving always brings that sense of starting over even if you've been through it once or many times before. Here are some tips to help you ease into the transition and possibly even make it enjoyable. 

 

Give your property manager the required move-out notice. 

 

Your current space no longer fits your needs as before. Be sure that your landlord knows you aren’t planning to renew. The sooner you notify in writing, the better to avoid incurring fees. 

 

Perhaps you're looking for a better neighborhood, a peaceful location, or better amenities. It’s normal to feel sentimental, overwhelmed, or even angry about it depending on the reason why you must move. Remember that change often leads to something better ahead. 

 

Make things easier and tidier before moving.

 

When you've been in one spot for a while; chances are you've gathered quite a bit of stuff by now! Why not use this opportunity to tidy up? Give away those clothes you haven't used in ages. Go through drawers, boxes, and bins to find things you don’t mind selling or giving away. Consider selling furniture that won't work in your new place, or you simply don’t like anymore. Moving with old possessions is a hassle! There’s something liberating about letting go of the old to make room for something new and exciting!

 

Understand your new apartment requirements.

 

After spending years in apartments, you probably have an idea of what suits your needs by now. Are you craving sunlight or an additional bedroom perhaps a quieter environment is a priority for you this time around. Maybe you're in the market for conveniences like a fitness center or in-unit laundry facilities. Make a checklist of must-haves for your new home and things that you could do without. This will make it easier for you and your leasing consultant to narrow down your search. 

 

Relocating comes with a price tag. From deposits to hiring movers, you might overlook the full extent of the expenses involved in moving to a new place. Be sure to budget extra for costs such as buying furniture or stocking up on cleaning supplies. Those little essentials that only become apparent when you're knee-deep in unpacking can add up. 

 

Research locations.

 

When thinking about relocating to an area or neighborhood and feeling a bit uncertain, it's important to spend some time getting to know the surroundings by strolling around and checking out the nearby cafes to soak up the vibe of the community. Check community forums and interview current residents in person to find out the pros and cons of each location. You can learn a lot from the people who already live there. 

 

Make sure to prepare in advance.

 

Start packing early or procrastinating until the deadline approaches. Begin by packing items that are not essential and gradually move on to necessities. Organize boxes based on the room they belong to and have a box, for use during the move containing essentials such, as toiletries chargers, and basic kitchen supplies. 

 

Put your touch on it.

 

Once the dust settles from all the moving commotion it's important to add your touch to make your new place feel like home again. Prepare your mind before moving in and envision yourself hanging up some pictures, arranging items around the place, and creating an atmosphere for yourself. This makes transitioning into your space much smoother and more comfortable. 

 

Making a change could be challenging when you've been residing in the apartment for years; however, every relocation brings chances for development and new experiences– from getting to know different neighbors to discovering a new neighborhood or simply sprucing up your daily habits. There's much excitement ahead. 

 

Relocating might feel like a lot to handle at first glance; however, it also presents an opportunity for a fresh start. Approach it gradually. Always keep in mind that each move brings you closer to building the life and home of your dreams.

Nicholl McGuire is the blog owner and also contributes to this fun blog for bored people, see here.

What Landlords are Looking for When Choosing Good Residents

Good residents are a key factor in any successful rental property business. Property owners and managers need to be able to trust that their tenants will pay their rent on time and take good care of the property. So, what should property owners be looking for when choosing a tenant?

 
First, property owners should look for reliable tenants who demonstrate a consistent record of paying rent on time. Make sure to review all available credit information from services such as Experian or Equifax before making a decision. Additionally, you can ask for references from previous landlords or employers to get an idea of the tenant's payment history and reliability.  

In addition to financial stability, it is important to make sure that your potential tenants have the proper insurance coverage, especially if they are planning to have pets. Not only will this protect the property, but it also gives you peace of mind knowing that the tenant is responsible for damage caused by their pet.  
It is also important to make sure that tenants can maintain and use the rental property safely and responsibly. Reviewing past criminal history and drug tests may be necessary depending on your state laws. This can help property owners and managers understand if a potential resident has demonstrated bad behavior in the past or poses any kind of risk to other tenants.  

Finally, property owners should look for tenants who understand what it means to be a good neighbor. Communication with neighbors prior to approving a tenant may provide valuable insight into their character and how well they interact with others in the community.  

Choosing the right tenant is an important part of managing a successful rental property business. By taking the time to review credit history, insurance coverage, and criminal background information, landlords can feel confident in their decision to approve reliable tenants who demonstrate respect for the property and its neighbors.

 
This post was written for informational purposes only. For specific legal advice related to landlord-tenant law, please contact a qualified attorney in your area. 

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.

Bug Proofing Tips: On Keeping Your Apartment Bug Free - Be Vigilant!

 Calling pest control is not enough!  When there are holes, cracks and crevices, bugs and rodents will find a way in!  Whether you have a utility closet with space between the door and wall or a window with a hole in a screen, the key is to not only treat the area, but seal it off.  Check out door draft stoppers or make your own.

In the photo below, it is clear this is an old doorway wood frame, the resident sealed it with a transparent all purpose caulk (not the white in color). Bugs stopped coming in from the bottom of the wood frame and were also sealed off at the top.  If you spray pest control at the bottom of the frame, the bugs will eventually find their way at the top or redirect to other openings. So check every possible area they can run and show up later!

Now in this next photo below, depending on where the water source is located, you will want to consider sealing around the piping with an easy to remove plumber's caulk if permitted.  Some concerned residents will use steel wool which also works.  Easy to remove caulking is important if piping needs to be repaired.  

Bugs and rodents love warm places like underneath the refrigerator.  Wouldn't you want to keep these critters at bay?  So be sure you don't make it comfortable for them under the refrigerator.  Set traps and repellant.  You can use essential oils they don't like or bait for them to carry back to a nest.

Pests love under the dishwasher because that is a good water source especially if there are leaks.  

Once again make it uncomfortable for them!

Did you open the cabinet over the microwave where the power supply is?  What does the space look like up there?  If there is a significant opening, seal it off around the power cord.  

Behind the stove has much activity because that is a warm place with a ready food source.  What does the power supply back there look like?  Are there holes? Seal them off!

Didn't think about the space around light switches?  Bugs when on the run will not only come out around the outlet but inside it too!

The metal part around the shower comes loose over time and when it does, bugs don't mind visiting while you are in the shower! Yuck!

Around the toilet is a convenient place to run when the light comes on in the bathroom.  Be sure there isn't a lot of space for the bigger insects to hide and birth babies!

A baseboard cover is surely not enough particularly if it doesn't meet the floor tightly.  So grab that transparent caulk and start squeezing where the flooring has dips just be neat about it.

What do we have here?  A closed window, great.  However, even if the window is closed, 

be sure there are no cracks on the window seal and around it that is a breeding ground for small insects like those pesty gnats!

Now what are you looking at you might ask? Between a wooden door and a door frame along the side rather than the top and bottom.  There is a plastic rubber seal that seals along the sides because unfortunately there is a gap from the building shifting over time.

This vent was sealed off with a vent filter on the inside and outside and a homemade trap around it after the ducts had been cleaned out-- a just in case measure--lol. It isn't necessary to go to this extreme unless you have a severe problem.

A bug repellant is in the outlet and the openings are covered to prevent the smaller insects from visiting overnight.

Plenty of insect repellant was sprayed not just in the door tracks but along the sides and on the deck. No problems with insects reported.  You have to do this repeatedly over a series of weeks to all entry points before the insects and rodents finally realize, "Oh, I'm not welcome?"  Right, so stay away!

The front door has an additional wood frame secured at the bottom, weather stripping on the outside and inside for a tight seal at the bottom. Also a small piece of weather stripping on the inside was placed to cover a small section where there was an opening. 

A plastic draft guard that goes up the side of another door frame with a large hidden gap.

Top of the door frame closed off due to a gap at the top of the door where light had once came in which attracted some of the larger bugs.

Other tips to keep bugs away include: use light sources that don't attract bugs, use plug-in repellants, place plants that repel bugs and rodents in and around the home, drop essential oils such as: lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oil that bugs don't like on cotton balls and place around the home, use repellant or kill on contact sprays where problems persist corners, crevices, and entry points. Lastly, run a diffuser with the scents bugs simply don't like during key times when they are known to come out such as 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. 

 Consider using fly traps on windows and sticky traps suspended from known problem areas.  Rodent traps are helpful to catch the unwelcome visitor, but what good are they if you won't bother to search where the rodent showed up.  Fight for your peace of mind and your dwelling--unwelcome guests are strictly prohibited!  I hope these tips were helpful!

Nicholl McGuire

Blog Owner

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