10 Tips on Tidying Up Apartment for Inspection

Most apartment communities have an annual apartment inspection.  During this time it is important to be sure that you are following the terms of your lease agreement.  Otherwise, you might find your self having to pay for current damages, later lose your security deposit or worse sued or evicted.  So be sure you take a look at your lease prior to the inspection and make adjustments where necessary.

1) Carpet Cleaning

It isn’t a big deal to have your carpet cleaned prior to an inspection unless it is hideous and smells foul due to pets.  Some property management companies might offer carpet cleaning to residents who renew their leases earlier.  Do ask what specials are provided if you plan to stay another year.

2) Window Treatments

If the curtains are uniform with the outer appearance and/or blinds that were already installed in the apartment prior to move-in have not been removed typically there is nothing to be concerned about.  However, if the lease agreement says anything about the window treatments staying up or they must be uniform, you might want to put them back up prior to the inspection.

Photo by Mike Marquez on Unsplash

3) Housekeeping

The apartment will be checked to see that it is clean which includes no visible signs that insects are living with you.  However, if they are you should be calling the leasing office before the inspection so that pest control can come out and take care of the problem.  Cleaning might include: dusting, vacuuming, hanging up clothes, picking up belongings from the middle of the floor, mopping floors, cleaning toilets and sinks, and removing trash.

4) Paint and Other Personal Handy Work

It isn’t necessary to paint anything, but if there were unapproved paint jobs, murals, or challenging handy work that involved major changes to the place, this will be a problem for the staff to sell the suite in the future since it doesn’t look like the others.  Be prepared to pay much to have the suite renovated back to the way it originally looked no matter how much you disliked it prior to your “improvements.”  The leasing staff has to sell a suite based on what is being advertised to the public.  Anything else would be a lie.  If the changes aren’t drastic, you might get the pass, but don’t make any additional personal improvements.  

5) Pet Violations

The apartment will be inspected to be sure you are following pet rules like taking the animal out to perform general activities.  Believe it or not, some pet owners do not consistently take their pets out so they are left to roam within the apartment to expel waste.  This of course causes damage to the flooring as well as creates an offensive odor to all who live near the inconsiderate resident.  Another issue is the resident complaints that a neighbor suddenly has a pet that may also be breaking the breed restriction rules.  If a resident didn’t pay a pet security deposit and is not paying monthly rent for the pet, he or she is violating the lease agreement.  The resident will be asked to remove the pet or pay the fees; if not he or she most likely will be faced with an eviction.

6) Hoarding

The staff will make a note of an excess of items that might pose a potential health risk.  From clothes to people, if the space is crowded you will be asked to rent a bigger space.

7) Hazardous Materials or Equipment

Your apartment is not the best place to store flammable liquids from work or materials that are a disturbance to neighbors.  Chances are someone complained about what is happening in your apartment whether it is a smell, strange sounds, or something that is affecting one’s well-being.  The hunt is on to look for the problem belongings and when found you will be told to store them elsewhere.

8) Damages to Walls, Windows, Doors, or Appliances.

The staff will be checking for anything that should have been reported.  Arrangements will be made to have those items fixed if the resident makes the request.  Anything that the security deposit doesn’t cover will be billed to the resident and expected to be paid along with the rent.

9) Water, Gas and Heat

If all is working properly, nothing to be concerned about, but if not request that maintenance take a look prior to the inspection.

10) Electrical outlets

They will probably not be checked unless you bring attention to what is working and what is not.

Other items that might be noticed are non-working faucets, holes in floors, broken shelves, and doorknobs.  If they aren’t observed, once again let the staff know especially if these things had never been checked or fixed after you moved in.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet? and other books.

6 Things to Do Before You Agree to Rent

1)  Walk the apartment that you will be staying in.

Look for things like mold, mildew, dead insects, mouse droppings, and soft spots on the flooring and walls.  Turn knobs, pull out drawers, and open doors.  By doing these things you will know if housekeeping, maintenance, and pest control are on top of their jobs.  If they can’t get a vacant right, then imagine what it would be like if a problem arises while you are living there.

2)  Be sure you are renting the apartment that you saw (not the model).

Sometimes what you see isn’t always what you get.  So if you toured a vacant apartment, be sure that is the one that you get.

Photo by Hans Eiskonen on Unsplash

3)  Note any unsightly appearances and problems with appliances prior to move in.

Be sure all issues are dealt with prior to move-in.  If you don’t, those problems might not be addressed during your stay.  Document your findings and send to the property manager and/or create a work order online if that service is offered.

4)  Review lease slowly and be certain that everything is correct especially the monthly dollar amount.

Never sign without going over pricing in detail otherwise you are legally bound to the contracted amount for the duration of the lease.

5)  Walk the property during the weekend and at night.

Find out what apartments are coming available then walk by them during the evening and night.  You are listening for noise, checking for litter, and noticing odd smells.  Chances are the former residents may have moved due to neighbors, but maybe not. If you can’t immediately view the apartment, this is the least you should do until the apartment becomes available.

6)  Check to be certain all amenities illustrated are included.

Unfortunately, some companies claim to have enjoyable amenities available to all, but upon move-in you realize that some amenities are being worked on or altogether removed.  You also discover some fees you may not have noticed during lease signing.  Know whether the amenities still exist or not and if there are related charges by doing the following:  walking the community and checking them out for yourself, ask residents whether they work, find out if residents are paying a fee to use, and check review sites looking for any unfavorable report about the amenities.

You can never be too sure about whether an apartment community is right for you so do your due diligence!  Hopefully, the staff is transparent with you and others from that first encounter, but if you should discover they are not, move on!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet? and other books.

5 Things You Don't Want to Tell Your Annoying Family and Friends About Your New Place

Mom, dad, siblings, nieces, nephews, family friends, and more all heard about that great place you have and you even went so far to post pictures on your social media pages, uh oh!  Well if you haven't or don't plan to next move, good for you!  However, all-too-often new residents boast much about their fabulous apartment communities, but regret having said anything later.  If you don't want your trouble-making relatives and annoying friends around, be careful what information you share with loved ones.  You don't want to be kicked out of your new place because of them!

1) Insect or rodent problem

The gossips will tell everyone including your favorite people and guess what?  The people you want to come over won't and the annoying ones will give you every solution in the book on how to combat your issue even when it is under control.  "You still got that roach problem, Nephew.  Well I can come over...I got some good stuff that will kill those rascals.  By the way, is the game on tonight?"

2) Spacious

The holiday seasons can be tough to get people to volunteer to host a festivity.  People burn out with large gatherings--the setup, clean up, cost, and future planning (sigh).  So there you are boasting about your spacious place, relatives just might guilt you into giving up your spot next holiday season. Shhhh.  "You got a party room, right?  Just pay for that.  Niece we could just go there if you don't want us in your place.  We promise we will keep quiet, but I don't know about your loud mouth Uncle--lol!"

3)  Extra room

Go ahead and tell your relatives, who often have financial trouble and tend to move much or get kicked out of their locations, "I have a spare room..." and they will surely keep you in mind.  Your place to crash will be their future home!  "Thank you Brother!  I love you.  I will be there on the 1st.  I can't tell you how long I'll be at your spot.  I don't have much money.  My girl, well you know how she is.  We're breaking up.  Yeah, thanks again!"

4)  Plenty of nearby shopping

Go ahead brag about that mall nearby, popular grocery store, the movies, the kids entertainment spot, etc. suddenly your kinfolk happened to be in the neighborhood with the kids/grandkids and decided to stop by your place last minute or unannounced.  "I know you're in there!  Let us in.  We were in the neighborhood.  We brought you some groceries!"

5)  Lots of amenities

So you have a pool, a spa, a gym, a barber on site---wtf!  Oh yea, they will certainly be over and so will management too when your visitors get rowdy!  "If you don't mind we will be over to use your pool.  Grandma would love some spa treatment.  Hey your sister said she hasn't worked out in about a minute.  While were there, Dad needs his hair trimmed.  See you soon!"

It is better to keep some things to yourself, wouldn't you agree?

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Tell Me Mother You're Sorry and Say Goodbye to Dad.

$1,500 Rent: New York Vs. Houston

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.