How to Give or Sell Items Out of Your Apartment

From money issues to having to move, residents will let the community know what they have in their apartment and when they must get rid of it.  But how can one do this without being a problem for management?

1.  Ask management if you can post or distribute fliers before doing so.
2.  Show the landlord a flier then ask him or her if she can make it available to visitors who come to the office.
3.  Post flier on a public board i.e.) laundry facility, library, coffee shop, community center, church, etc.
4.  Create an online ad i.e.) Craigslist, Bookeo, and eBay for starters.
5.  Upload photos on a social networking or photo sharing site with contact information i.e.) Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
6.  Call local newspaper to advertise your service i.e.) Pennysaver.
7.  Use word of mouth, tell neighbors, family and friends about what you are selling or giving away.  Have photos or fliers handy.
8.  Don't set up a table, sell from garage, or leave things out in the community unless you have permission from the landlord or owner.

Once you have an interested prospect, arrange to meet he or she on a day that isn't busy in your community especially if he or she needs a truck to come pick up the item.  Be sure you advise the buyer not to park in any reserved parking spot or block someone's garage.  Remind the individual to bring a tool to help with moving the equipment or an additional set of hands.  The last thing you want to do is make a lot of noise or damage walls or stairs by dragging or banging something.  

By taking the necessary steps to rid yourself of whatever you don't want, while hopefully making some money, you won't run the risk of being a problem for your landlord and neighbors.

Nicholl McGuire

How Often Can Rent Be Raised?

If you have a lease for more than 30 days, your rent cannot increase during the term unless the lease indicates otherwise.

In some towns and cities there are no rent caps and in other areas there are depending on where you live.  Find out what your rights are in your neighborhood by checking with a housing rights office near you. 

If your rent should be increased, your landlord should notify you with a written notice at least 30 days in advance.  If the rent is greater then ten percent, there are state laws that require the landlord to give at least a sixty-day written notice.

 

Apartment Move Gone Wrong, So Now the Nit-Picking Begins

Something happened between the move-in and the emotional leasing office visit that has caused a resident to want to leave what use to be his or her comfortable living space.  But it won't be as easy as he or she might think, a lease was signed.

Stuff happens, people buy things, don't like them and now they want to take them back to the store.  When it comes to apartment shopping, there is no refund policy.  If a tenant didn't take the time to read his or her lease, then he or she just might be disappointed.

Sometimes people move into apartments only to discover that they can't tolerate a certain sound, don't like the people who live next to them, or notice something annoying about the place, but these reasons will not get one out of his or her lease.  The nit-picking will start when a disgruntled resident doesn't feel like the leasing staff is being most accommodating despite every effort being made to bring comfort other than letting the tenant out of the lease.

If you or someone you know seems to be acting badly about his or her rental situation:

1.  Read and re-read the lease and all other documents.

2.  Attempt to get a mediator involved (visit a local housing rights office).

3.  Find out if the lease can be broken if you or the landlord is able to rent it to someone else.

4.  Report to maintenance any items that are not working or request those things be replaced that continue to cause problems.

5.  Note the things you find wrong about the apartment and take pictures.

6.  Check for alternative housing and provide a written notice you would like to end your contract.

Nicholl McGuire also maintains a blog on home organizing, click here.

 

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