Check Your Lease: Domestic Violence is One Way Out of Your Agreement

You didn't anticipate that your partner was going to act like a fool!  He or she acted threatening and then before you knew it you were struck by this person who once claimed they loved you so much.  OMG!  Yeah, so what are you going to do?  Well here's what you don't want to do that will mess up your credit and possibly cause additional problems that you simply can't afford.

1) Pack up and move without saying one word to your landlord.

2)  Fail to report damages in the apartment.

3)  Lie to cover up your part in the dispute to authorities and to get out of your lease.

4)  Kick your roommate or partner out without letting the leasing staff know what occurred.  Now you are short rent.

5)  Forget that your abusive partner has a right to his or her belongings in the apartment as long as he or she remains on the contract.

There are more and more leasing contracts being drafted to make it easier for domestic violence victims to get out of their agreements.  However, there is also an influx of liars.  Therefore, if there is no police report, court hearings, and other information to validate a legitimate reason to get out of the contract, you will still be bound to your lease.  You don't have to live there, but without proof of abuse, you are still obligated.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Too Much, Too Soon Internet Dating Blues and other books.

Helpful List of What You Don't Need the Next Time You Plan to Move

What you don't need is another headache, backache, and a pending heart attack when you look at all the stuff you have to move and that moving quote--ouch!  So if you don't have a good vibe or a good reason for all that stuff, say goodbye to it!

Let's begin with future apartment features that you have now that you really don't need in the future:

1.  A swimming pool, let's be honest how many times did you use the pool this past summer?  I rest my case.

2.  A pet park.  If you didn't get Fido or Puss in Boots by now, you aren't anytime soon.

3.  Near public transportation.  When did you get on the bus to go to work?  You know you are too good for the bus, stop kidding yourself!  "Well just in case my car breaks down..."  You were the first to get to the mechanic to get it fixed even if you didn't eat that week.  Who you foolin'?  You can't be seen riding the bus.

4.  Near a public park.  When is the last time you sat and chilled at the park?  Remember you were too tired to get out your bed on most weekends much less walk to the park.

5.  Nearby entertainment.  You barely watch television so do you really need an ice skating rink, bowling, theater, and other cool stuff close by.  Boring people and workaholics don't use that stuff.

Okay, now here's that list of "I was meaning to use it but..." Yep, those things you can do without before the movers show up and take an extra long time moving your stuff just because...I can see them now talking, "Hey Jim, if he can afford all this stuff, he can afford to pay us extra plus a tip--jackpot!" says one money-hungry mover to another.  "Yeah, I love these pack rats!" his co-worker responds.

1.  Bar stools, really?  Did you use the bar for eating or drinking or better yet, you used it to store junk mail and odds and ends from around the apt.

2.  Coffee table.  How much entertaining did you do?

3.  A bookshelf that you never put enough stuff on it to make a difference.  Do you even read books?  Wait a minute, you do have books, well are you reading them?

4.  The large thing in the corner that is supposed to be for...?

5.  Paper, lots and lots of paper.  It's not important bills, income tax returns, or supporting documents to claim your inheritance.  It's just junk, stuff you said you would read, buy, do, or share and you never did.  A tree was sacrificed in vain because of you.

6.  Clothes that you know full well are too small, too ugly, too uncomfortable...just too whatever!  You even look in the mirror and you say, "Oh yes, this is too....what was I thinking?"  Your belly and butt will thank you, "I can breathe...thank God, I can breathe!"

7.  Shoes that you rarely ever wear.  So what are you waiting for, you plan to mess them up horribly then give them away?  Wow, you are so kind (no, not really) even the homeless guy wouldn't bother with your giveaways.  "What the...who gave this up? Rot in hell!"

8.  Collectibles that haven't had value since your mother's mother was born.  Keep dreaming!  I know, I know your grandmother's grandmother gave it to her and it was all made in China.  That's why it was her good China, get it?

Photo by Anna Sullivan on Unsplash

9.  The artwork that never got hung up and the décor that collects dust.  Yes, your inner self wasn't feeling it and neither was your environment.  The artwork was so bad that even the energy coming from it said, "Don't hang me!"  The dust bunnies made a nest on that useless thing, what is it anyway?

10.  What's that in the drawer, in the closet, under the bed...stop lying to yourself, you don't need it.  Now if those items appear to move and smell like...well, you got a problem now don't you!  No one appreciates what was once the living or deceased quarters (i.e. roaches and rats).  Throw your infested stuff away!

Here's a bonus tip:  What you don't need to bring with you on your next move is anyone who doesn't enhance the environment or inspire you to be your best--next!!

Hope this list inspires you to be prepared for your next move!  Happy moving!

Nicholl McGuire here once again making your life a little more easier and more organized, see my home organization blog here.  Yes, it's time to purge before the next move (sigh).

New Year, New Location: The Apartment Shopping Plan

Whether you are comfortable for now where you live, but hope to move later in the year or you are ready like yesterday to move, but just can't at this time.  Either way, a comprehensive, yet simple plan for apartment shopping can be most helpful.

1) Consider what your interests might be.  People change.  What may have been most important when you were looking for a place about a year or so ago may not be now.  Re-evaluate what your apartment preferences are and write them down.

2) Check out the location you desire to live.  Will it be close to work or further away?  What does the area offer that would be beneficial to you and your family?

3)  If you are thinking about moving out of town, make plans to visit first.  Sometimes people do apply online for an apartment without seeing it first and all works out, but other times it doesn't.  If you are picky, sensitive to noise and smells, it is best to see the place in-person.  Plan those personal or vacation days so you can check the apartment community and the nearby city out.

Photo by Hans Eiskonen on Unsplash

4)  Don't seek out the cheapest, rather seek out quality.  Don't seek out a place with all the bells and whistles if you know you won't be utilizing everything.  You know what you can afford, but you don't have to settle for less and you also don't want to be at a costly apartment with little money left-over for groceries.

5)  If you haven't wrote out all your current expenses, you might want to do that before you sit down with a leasing professional.  It is embarrassing and a waste of time and money (application fees) when you view and apply for an apartment that is clearly out of your price range.  Although the professionals can be most helpful, they are also salesmen and women and their jobs are to get those vacant suites occupied.  

6)  Lastly, what is your timeline?  So many people don't have a clue when they are moving yet.  This can be a problem because the apartment you really like will not be held for you, the prices change often and you most likely won't get the best deal, and leasing professionals as well as prospects don't like to chase one another down for a response.  Know when you plan to move-in!

7)  Once you know your expenses, what you can afford, where you want to live and most of all your move-in date, schedule your appointments, stick to them and make a decision.  List which apartments you like best to least.  If you should be late or can't make it to a showing, communicate this to the staff.  First impressions can be lasting ones!  So be courteous and professional from the start!

Happy apartment shopping this year!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet and the owner of this blog.

When Can the Landlord Enter Your Rental?

You have been away for awhile and you notice that someone has entered your apartment without so much as a notice, uh oh!  Your apartment is not open to maintenance or apartment management to go and come as they wish after the lease contract has been signed.  However, there are those who might think otherwise.  This is why you have to do your part to ensure your rights are not violated.

A woman told me she was leaving her current dwelling because the landlord thought it was okay to visit her apartment while she was working.  She believed the owner was looking to get her in trouble even though she was a U.S. citizen.  She wasn't harboring any fugitives and wasn't doing anything to break the law, so why the invasion of privacy?  She also noticed strange holes in her wall as if someone was behind it looking in at her.  She covered those halls and lodged a complaint with her landlord who she suspects was behind the holes.  In her situation, I recommended security cameras, notifying neighbors of someone possibly entering her apartment in her absence, and filing a report with the police.

So when should the landlord and maintenance enter your apartment?  Check your lease contract and other paperwork you may have signed.  They are suppose to call first and possibly leave a notice on your door or in your apartment that they have entered your unit while you were away. The staff should only be entering when there is an emergency such as a water leak, damage to the apartment, electrical problem that might potentially lead to a fire, or a wellness check because a relative or friend is concerned about your safety or pet in your absence.  Yet, if reasons are not listed in a contract and there is no notice left behind, you have every right to question why they needed to enter your apartment while you were gone.

A resident was upset to find some items moved around in her apartment, she didn't go in.  She immediately showed up in the leasing office wondering if someone was still in there, she was visibly shaken.  Maintenance had entered her dwelling due to a water leak, but failed to leave a note.  Lucky, no one was in there and she wasn't carrying a weapon.

Simple communication between management and residents can put all at ease and avoid potential problems in the future.  Share your concerns with the corporate office and document anything that looks out of place, suspicious or you notice a consistent pattern of strange things happening in your apartment and put your neighbors on alert.

Nicholl McGuire
Author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

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