After the Storm - What You Need to Know About Apartment Renting

You don't think it will happen to you, but issues arise after a storm when there is flooding, fire, and more.  The kind of challenges that you don't think of like possibly being evicted from your rental unit, but it can happen when it is inhabitable, when the landlord is looking to find housing for his or her relatives and friends, etc.  So what to do?  Well what a number of Hurricane Harvey victims are learning is that they have to make accommodations for themselves. 

Many property management companies are waving late fees, monthly rent, giving security deposits back or refunding some rent to assist residents that have to relocate.  However, this isn't the case for everyone.  Therefore, there are many legal issues as a result due to private landlords and unreasonable property management companies.  What many survivors do in situations like this involve money--lots of it--that they have saved up for months or even years.  They pay for hotels, motels, and relocations.  Others stay with relatives and/or friends until they can get on their feet again and eventually kinfolk will expect contributions toward the household.  A lot of victims apply for state and disaster aid, and search resources for additional assistance.

Renters' & Tenants' Rights - Nolo

Disaster Relief & Recovery Services - American Red Cross

Flood Insurance Scam

Flood Insurance Actual Cases

How To Request a Flood Hazard Determination Review

Disaster Assistance - FEMA

How to Spot Financial Fraud in a Non-Profit: 2 Warning Signs

Search Human Service and include your state
Search Food Assistance and include your state
Search Veteran Assistance and include your state
Search Rental Assistance and include your state
Search Renter's Insurance and include your state

Home Owner Help

Paranormal Activity in an Apartment, Town Home, House...is Real

The property manager, neighbors and even the maintenance crew might not ever tell you that the last residents moved out because they feared for their lives, they couldn't sleep, someone died in the unit, crazy things were happening in the rental, or their poor animal was warring with something that no one else could see.  But if you ever went through something like this, you know that the paranormal is real and yes they do occasionally stick around after death and refuse to leave.  You can't fight the unseen with natural techniques and if you think you can, well good luck with that.  You have to use a bit of spiritual warfare on them and if you don't know anything about that, then I suggest you look it up.

So you are shopping for a new place and let's just say you find out some disturbing things about it.  You have a choice: you can move in anyway and hope for the best, move in but have a team of people who know how to cast some demonic spirits out, or avoid the place altogether.  Whatever you decide, either way know that you will have your share of challenges.  You will need to keep worry, fear, and what someone else's negative experience in the place at bay.  The more people you tell about the history, in time what they say and their reactions just might make your skin crawl.

Odd things that I heard and other things I experienced or witnessed in some places I have moved (mind you I have moved 33 times to date during my adult years) included:

A pumping motion on my body during the night.
A presence of someone or something standing behind or next to me.
An entity that sat on my bed many times while I was trying to write a God-fearing spiritual book (yeah I know, could have been a good Spirit or an unrighteous one).
Weird unexplainable noises that made annoying sounds.
One of my children standing in fear of something the rest of the family couldn't see.
Another child stating an older lady was talking to him while he played in his room.
Two of my children talking to an imaginary boy who had a name.
My name being called and no one was there.
Walking on the floor and no one was at home.
Loud talking as if many people were in the room and then no one was there.
A feeling that many people were in a room, once again nothing you could see with the naked eye.

That's what I can remember from the top of my head.  One creepy thing I recall and I mentioned elsewhere on this blog is when I worked in the apartment industry at a multi-dwelling complex that was less than five years old at the time.  It was said that many people were injured while constructing that property.  Then I met one of the architects who was a Satanist.  Enough said.

So say a prayer before you go apartment hunting, it doesn't hurt.

Nicholl McGuire

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On Apartment Shopping - How Do You Know You Will Hate the Place in the Future?

There are those signs that one will simply not like a seemingly appealing apartment, town home, rental house, or some other dwelling in the near future.  The property, the leasing consultant, and the interior of the unit draws you in--it makes you feel like you are at home.  However, if you aren't discerning you will overlook signs that what looks beautiful will be an ugly nightmare for you in the future.  So what to look out for?

1)  Perform a sniff test.  The scented fragrances that one smells while on tour mask things like mold and mildew.

2)  Observe the walls, flooring and ceiling.  As you walk notice, how the flooring feels under your feet.  Are there soft patches, bumps, and other things that just might end up being quite annoying for you in the future?  What about holes, mildew and markings on walls?  Run your hand over the wall and feel for soft spots.  Check for past or present signs of water damage on walls and ceilings too.  These things are typically covered up--that is until you move in and experience a major rain fall.  Don't forget to check for dead insects (or alive ones) in each room.  If you notice a pattern, chances are the apartment has a history of insect and/or rodent problems.  Look out for feces.

3)  Open up cabinets, doors, and other things and notice imperfections.  Once again perform a sniff test.  Sometimes broken doors, hinges, and other things are carefully placed back without being fixed.  If you don't test them, you just might find out when you move in when a cabinet door handle ends up in your hand.

4)  If electricity is on, turn light switches on and off and listen for any sounds that might indicate an electrical problem.  Notice lighting flickering not just in one room but throughout the unit.  You don't want to discover that when you plug in your computer and other devices that outlets no longer work or frequently go out and fuses need to be replaced more than necessary.

5)  Visit the rental on a weekend when everyone is home.  Listen for noisy neighbors and notice where they park, how close are the community areas from your windows, and other things that might be problematic for you especially if you value your peace and quiet.

6)  Pay attention when residents approach the leasing consultant or visit the office.  Listen to what they say and watch their demeanor.  Are they happy being there?

The more you can find out about the dwelling BEFORE papers are signed the better.  You don't want to end up hating the place simply because you didn't perform your due diligence.  Talk with residents after speaking with the leasing agent.  What is snow and garbage removal like?  Are things like the security gate working properly and is it well-lit at night?  What is it that people don't like about staying there and what is it that they do enjoy?  Stop by unannounced through the week after business hours, observe the community and the people.  By doing this, you will get a good idea whether or not the place really is what it appears to be.

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and manager of this blog.
When you notice unsightly things don't agree to move in until repairs have been made otherwise you just might be stuck with them for the duration of your lease term.

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