Moving In or Moving Out? On Prorating Rent

Your move in or move out date will be here before you know it.  What might you expect to pay?  This is a question that renters often ask so that they can budget their expenses accordingly.  

When you are moving in or moving out on a day that is not the first or the last day of the month, you will need to pay a prorated amount.  That amount is not the full amount but a portion of the rent calculated based on your move in or move out day.  If your landlord or leasing agent hasn't told you, no worries, there are plenty of online tools to help you prorate rent.

When determining a prorated rent amount when moving in, "Take your monthly rent and divide it by the number of days in a month. You multiply this amount by the number of days (you) will occupy the unit,"according to My Smart Move.  "You multiply this amount by the number of days the (you) will occupy the unit. For instance, say (you) are moving in on the 25th of September and the full rent is $1,200. Calculating by the number of days in a month would look like this: 1200 (rent amount)/30 (days of the month) x 5 (days you will be living in the unit) = 200 (prorated rent). Therefore, $200 would be the prorated rent."

If you are planning to move out and you definitely don't want to pay a full month's rent, use the above equation to determine your prorated rent to move out.  However, keep in mind some landlords might expect the full amount of rent paid at move out whether you stay there the full month or not.  Be sure to check with your landlord first.

The prorated rent calculator on Turbo Tent is useful.  Others include:  Apartment Guide.  You can learn more about prorated rent at RentCafe.  A trusted source for many professionals in the property management industry.

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and contributor of this blog.

When Your Application is Delayed - Leasing Consultants Taking Too Long to Approve

You have applied for an apartment and it is simply taking too long to find out whether you are approved or when the apartment will be ready, and what date is a good time to move in.  There are a number of factors as to why some approvals happen quite rapidly while others not so much.

Sometimes applicants will apply online. If there is no mention that there is an application pending or the system doesn't alert the staff, then the application is just sitting in the system there until a team member checks it out.  A leasing consultant may be out of the office and the community manager might be too involved with other things to review the application, so it remains in the queue until you call to follow up or leasing staff return back to work.

If you have ever visited a leasing office, you know how busy it can be, phones are ringing, visitors are waiting to be toured, residents are being helped, vendors are awaiting keys, and more.  Whether the application was filled out online or is a paper application that was dropped off, most likely it may have already been reviewed, but someone has yet to call the applicant.  Once again, follow up to find out where you are in the approval process.

Mistakes happen and there are times when a paper document is damaged, lost, or never was received via fax or email.  In this case, unless someone calls you for an additional request, you will not know what occurred.  This type of situation is typically not discussed in detail.  So the best question to ask when there is a delay, "Do you need anything more from me?"  This question puts a leasing consultant at ease who may already be stressed about misplacing or ruining your document.  

Let's say the application was received, reviewed, you followed up, and there is an additional delay.  Sometimes there is more information that is requested by upper management to complete the approval.  If credit history is unsatisfactory there may be a higher security deposit requested or a denial pending.  The delay might occur also because of many addresses that an applicant has lived at, a criminal history that is still being researched, and other factors that need to meet requirements in order to be approved.

As much as one would like to rush the approval process, these things do take time.  Now when it comes to the approval being granted and the applicant is notified, another hang up might be the apartment is not ready.  When this happens, an applicant is typically told about it so that he or she can plan accordingly.  However, there are those leasing agents, for whatever reason, who aren't completely upfront about the condition of the apartment.  A sudden water leak, an electrical issue, a delay in new appliances arriving for the suite, an insect issue, or something else could now set back the move-in.  A future resident will need to follow up to find out a specific timeframe as to when the apartment might be ready.  Call once a week if necessary so that you and the leasing consultant are in communication.  The leasing consultant will then speak to the manager about your calls and will most likely follow up with the maintenance team.

The time when an applicant or future resident should be concerned about whether a team is able to meet the move-in date requested is when there are many excuses as to why things aren't getting done and there is no other apartment suggested to move in. Any number of issues might be happening internally.  For instance, maintenance is unable to solve the problem in the unit and will need an outside contractor to assist.  There might be a scheduling issue to get a contractor out to see about the apartment.  The unit may have been double-leased and now there is no other apartment available by your move-in date or meet your preferences.  Money might be a factor and the management has no plans to upgrade the apartment as originally promised.  Common courtesy is to communicate what might be the problem and to offer another apartment.  If this doesn't occur, you may want to take your business elsewhere.  The failure to communicate is one of the most important signs that there just might be more of the same in the future.

Nicholl McGuire is the owner of this blog and contributor.

Covid 19 - On Delaying Rent Payments - Federal Eviction Protection Ends July 25th

The Federal Cares Act that was passed in March, provides the strongest protections to renters who live in communities that receive federal funds or are a part of federal programs.  However, if you or someone else is living in a rental not protected, well rent will be expected to be paid sooner rather than later.

For 120 days, residents at rental properties did not have to pay late fees, rent or worry about being evicted.  But when July 25th rolls around, those who have yet to pay rent, can be asked to leave by their landlords.  The soonest management can file an eviction is August 24th.  The following is a list of helpful resources:

National Low Income Housing Coalition https://nlihc.org/federal-moratoriums

DoNotPay https://donotpay.com/

211.org https://www.211.org/

Just Shelter https://justshelter.org/

Salvation Army https://www.salvationarmy.org/

National Consumer Law Center https://www.nclc.org/issues/foreclosures-and-mortgages/covid-19-state-foreclosure-moratoriums-and-stays.html

Unemployment benefits ending...https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/06/24/unemployment-americans-will-lose-their-extra-600-days-earlier-than-expected/3253111001/

Rent is Due - Avoid the Hassle, Pay as soon as possible

Something that I didn't focus on as much as I do now (mind you over a decade later) money!  I am back as an assistant manager in property management and the focus these days, rent collection!

You see, I didn't have that issue back in the day.  People simply paid their rent and mostly on time.  But these days, we have our share of renters who don't stay on top of rent payments (sigh).

Here's what some of you who rent apartments can do to save yourself a lot of headache in the future especially with the holidays coming up!

1)  You know you can't pay the full amount well in advance, contact your landlord/manager.
Why do that to yourself, mentally worry about the rent?  If you have no way of paying all your rent by deadline, you know what to do, call or stop by the Leasing Office.

2)  Cut your personal spending at least two to four weeks weeks prior to rent being due.  (You really don't need another thing on Amazon when your rent is due like next week.)  There is no one or nothing as important as having a roof over your head.  Stop caring about holidays and gift-giving and pay your rent on time every time!  If you must do it all, consider additional sources of income like a part-time job for starters.

3)  Have a list of helpful resources in case you need assistance paying rent.  Reach out to charities online, support groups, nonprofit organizations and even places that provide rental assistance based on your profession or club association.  Explore those options before calling the office once again saying, "I'll be late with rent..."

4)  Watch your communication with your landlord and neighbors whether online or offline.  Interesting how people want some understanding when they are in a tough situation, yet they will talk disrespectful, complain, and downright act rude.  You never know what connections your landlord might have to help you, it would make sense to be professional and polite, now wouldn't it?

5)  Lastly, if all else fails, start shopping around for a cheaper place to stay.  Some community managers will cut you a break if you must end your lease early.

Things to do to be sure your rent is on time next month:

1) Take a portion of your first check (at least 40% and put it toward the rent in a separate account).  Your second paycheck put aside 60%.

2)  Calculate all utility expenses and set that amount aside each month.  You can get an estimate of what upcoming utilities might be by looking at a ledger that details how much you have paid in the past.

3)  Don't allow any adult to stay at your place, eat from your fridge, or use your water without making a contribution to your household.

4)  Avoid paying for a pet when you know you can't make ends meet.  Find out if someone else can care for your pet until you can get on your feet.

5)  Research ways to make additional money.

6)  Consider making a home purchase if you can afford it.  The monthly mortgage payments might be a better option for you, but keep in mind you will need to save more money in the event an appliance needs to be replaced or something needs to be fixed.

7)  Consult with a financial planner and a debt consolidation agency to assist with your current debt and investments.  You will find you are probably paying too much interest on credit cards and spending far more money than you can afford.

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

Rodents and Insects Looking for a Place to Call Home

I started to notice the influx of insects and rodents coming in homes during the latter part of August, September and October especially spiders.  Residents don't often think of the bugs and rodents until they show up in number.  It is never too late to start safeguarding your home especially during those times when the weather is temporarily great, but then makes a major shift back to cold.

Look around your home where insects and rodents might potentially hide.  Under refrigerators, behind furniture near heating vents, and in cabinets near floors are cozy places for them to experience a bit of warmth, comfort and food.  Store edibles in higher cabinets and on shelves.  Clean underneath and behind furniture periodically.  Notice trails of rodent droppings (typically black in color and very small) and also spider webs.

Stock up on insect spray and bait, mouse traps, bait, and repellents before things get out of control.  Take trash out and clean dishes often.  Sweep and mop flooring at least two or three times a week especially if you have a lot of food preparation going on in the kitchen and entertaining in the living and dining room areas.  Seal food well and don't leave it out overnight.  Clean counter-tops and cabinets well with a disinfectant particularly when there are spills.

A common problem that residents make is leaving front and patio doors open without closing screens securely.  Mice will find their way in wherever there is an opening.  They also don't bother to report holes around their apartments including under the sink or cracks along floors, baseboards, and other places.  Fireplaces aren't closed when not in use and neither are windows without screens either.  So it isn't any wonder that visitors come in and stay for awhile.

Take precautions and do your part to ensure that your home is insect and mice free!  You can call the leasing office at your location or landlord to make arrangements for pest control to spray your place.

Have a pest-free fall season!

Nicholl McGuire