14 Tips Residential Renters Can Do to Keep Their Place in Good Shape

So you want to receive most, if not all, of your security deposit back when you move, huh? Well what might you do now to get what you want? Well some would assume all they have to do is keep the apartment reasonably clean and don’t break anything. There is more to apartment living than that and it all depends on what you consider clean and not damaged. If your views conflict with the leasing contract, then you just might not get your security deposit back.

One. Take shoes off at your door.

The more dirt one brings in from outdoors, the harder a resident’s carpet will be to clean. Any cost to repair and clean the carpet will be deducted from one’s security deposit.

Two. Don’t use tape on walls.

The sticky adhesive, especially from so-called invisible tape, will leave unsightly markings on a matte finish wall. Since many landlords choose to go with inexpensive paints (rather than use a semi-gloss) just about any marking will appear on a wall painted with cheap paint from a marking from furniture to dye from one’s clothing, curtains or bed sheets.

Three. Cover heavy traffic areas with throw rugs.

Heavy wear will show up on carpet from repeated walking. So if you are the lucky one who received brand new carpeting, don’t allow it to become unattractive because your high traffic areas have been left uncovered. Plastic runners, area rugs, oriental rugs, any decorative rug will do. But watch for those that might have gripping or leave markings on carpet fibers and damage them. Also, don’t use masking or gray tape, staple , glue or other harsh items to keep the carpet in place. These items will also cause damage overtime.

Four. Cover low wall space with furniture when you have children.

There are areas in one’s unit where a child may paint, use markers, pens, and even drive toy cars along the wall. Center your child’s activities in an area where he or she can’t use walls as potential canvases. Flush furniture or hang maps, posters, or decorative carpeting low so that the child's creative space is well-covered. The mentioned decorative items also absorb sound which will help with noise.

Five. Don’t flush the full length of a bed up against the wall.

Sometimes people will line their bed up against the wall to allow for more space in a room. However, they don’t think about how bedding will rub up against the walls which leave markings on walls that have been painted with that cheap paint as described earlier. Also, children tend to bring toys to bed with them which might ruin walls and make their bedding area appear unclean.

Six. Use shelving that doesn’t have to be hung on walls.

Many people like to organize their home with the least amount of furniture. So what happens is many shelves are hung on walls. If items are not hung properly, they might damage walls. Sometimes wall space is badly marked up because a resident places far too many items on shelves; therefore, the unit begins to fall off wall leaving behind large holes and cracks. Buy furniture and decorative items that don’t have to be hung on walls with large nails or heavy duty Velcro.

Seven. Store bleach products in laundry room or bathroom.

When one is washing clothes, he or she might carry a bottle of bleach around the home or sit it on a floor with the cap loosely on the top. Accidents easily happen and before you know it, there is a large bleach stain in the middle of the hallway or elsewhere. A good idea would be to keep products with bleach (chlorine) in them near the areas you will be using them the most. Never use them to treat stains in carpeting which leads me to my next point.

Eight. Avoid spot cleaning products that turn carpeting.

How many times has a company boasted about how their product works only for you to find out that it does nothing but change the color of the carpeting? This is why on the back of the bottle they advise test in a discreet area. But some residents start spraying products everywhere and now their carpeting looks like a two or three tone mess!

Nine. If you’re not a pet lover, don’t become one unless you know how to properly care for an animal and your living quarters at the same time.

There are those animal lovers who do well cleaning up after their pets, but others not so much. The ones who are nonchalant about keeping up with their pet’s hair and accidents are the ones who end up incurring a large bill. Sometimes their whole security deposit is used to pay for all the pet issues. Neighbors also tend to complain about pet odors and noise. Unfortunately, some animals attract bugs as well simply because they aren't bathed and treated so the resident will complain of having a flea issue. If time is short and so is money, do yourself a favor don’t get a pet.

Ten. Call maintenance as soon as issues arise from broken fixtures to inoperable appliances.

When maintenance issues go unreported, the resident might be held accountable. Don't be surprised after a move when your security deposit is not returned. Report problems in your apartment before you move.

Eleven. Wash hands.

This point seems to be simple enough. But you would be surprised just how many people don’t bother to wash hands after coming in from outside, working on something or eating something. Walls, outlet covers and other fixtures will easily catch food grease, hair dye, black fingerprints, blood markings, and more simply because people don’t bother to wash their hands. Sometimes these marks don’t come off with a multi-purpose cleaner without taking off the walls’ finish.

Twelve. Keep food primarily in kitchen and dining areas.

Once you tell someone, “It’s okay, you can bring that in here…” the food and drink products end up in the carpet, splattered on walls, cabinets and other places. There are those times that these products just don’t wipe clean. Many residents end up having to pay for damages just because a sugary, greasy or bright red something was too good to drink or eat in the kitchen or at a dining-room table.

Thirteen. Vacuum, take trash out often and perform your own pest control.

You can keep bugs from taking over your place if you maintain the upkeep of your unit. Schedule vacuuming your suite at least twice or more a week when you know you enjoy eating in your living-room and elsewhere. Crumbs and sticky messes attract bugs. Add mopping to your chore list too when you have linoleum, vinyl or hardwood floors. Don’t leave trash out. Buy a garbage can that controls odors especially if you cook often at home. At least once a month, spray cracks and crevices around piping in your home, doors, windows, floor boards, inside shelves, and other places bugs can get in. Although pest control comes at least once a month at most properties managed by corporations and less frequently at those managed by private owners, you will need to keep up with managing bugs both in and outside your home.

Fourteen. Entertain guests elsewhere more often than not.

The more visitors, the more likely something will get broken, tattered, stained, or damaged when living in a rented suite. So watch how often you entertain. People who have the most issues with management and neighbors are those who unfortunately party the most. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. The problem resident never considers that just maybe serving and/or drinking alcohol and drugs at a party might be the reason why he or she is often in trouble with the law.

These are just 14 ideas, but there are others that with a little time, money and patience, you can be able to add a few more. Think about great pieces that not only decorate your home, but keep things organized as well. Cover hot spots or high traffic areas. Check http://organizerhome.blogspot.com for ideas on organizing your apartment or home.

If you begin to take action on many of the points mentioned in this article, you just might be one of the ones who will receive that nice note attached to your security deposit refund that says, “Thank you so much for all you did! The place was spotless!” Finally, do remember to take photos before and after your move.

Learn more about Nicholl McGuire, author, poet, and speaker at http://nichollmcguire.blogspot.com

10 Apartment Shopping Mistakes

You are ready to look for an apartment and you have some idea what you want, but you are not clear about some other things.  Before you go out in search of that dream suite, you might want to have a better picture as to what your needs might be.  When you do this, you save yourself and the apartment staff some time.  In discovering more about your apartment needs, think about these mistakes that many apartment shoppers turned renters have done. 

One. They have underestimated square footage, closet space, cabinet space and more.

 

Once the furniture and many other items were moved in, they realized that the place was just too small to hold all their stuff.  Of course, disappointed, they walk into the leasing office wanting to make some changes.  Sometimes arrangements can be made, but other times they can't be because the apartment communities large suites are already filled. 

Two. They are unobservant of community, neighbors and pets.

 

During the tour, an apartment shopper might be so impressed with the look and feel of the community that he or she overlooks a particular ethnicity that lives there that they don't particularly like, numerous renters with pets, or areas of the property that aren't so nice.  Once moved in, he or she begins to feel like the apartment community is not what they had in mind.

Three. They overlook needed repairs and falsely assume management will get to them after starting the application process.

As mentioned elsewhere on this blog, never sign a contract until needed repairs are fixed.

Four. They fail to open up cabinets, check along baseboards and other places for signs of insect or rodent problem.

This point has been made much on this blog.  It is unfortunate when a resident finds that they will be having a few roommates simply because management fails to keep on top of pest control.

Five. They fail to flush toilet.

Most shoppers don't bother to touch anything, but it would make sense to press a lever, turn a knob or do something in the suite to test that it works.

Six. They don't turn on faucets.

 

The water may or may not be on in the suite.  Sometimes it isn't because the next renter will have to have it turned on.  However, you can at least turn the knobs to see if they will fall into your hands.

Seven. They don't check light switches and electrical outlets.

Notice the lighting, will it be feasible?  Will you need to buy lamps for every room and corner?  (Keep in mind, some places will not have electricity turned on until a new renter moves in.)

Eight. They don't test appliances and windows.

These items may be workable.  But there are those suites where the windows are painted shut or glued.  Appliances may not operate because they are not turned on yet, but be sure.  Perform a test on a later date before you move your items into the suite.

Nine. They don't look for signs of molds and mildew.

If you see any black, green, gray or strange colors growing off of any piping, wall, baseboard, or elsewhere, that just might be a sign of a bigger problem.  Also, use your nose when walking the
suite.

Ten. They ignore bad smells.

Sniff for a gas leak, a rotten smell, a musty odor, or other odd smells in community hallways and in the suite.  Follow your nose.  Tough odors don't go away on their own, sometimes they have to be cut out.  Insulation behind a wall that had a leak, must be removed and a wall might need to be replaced.  Carpeting that once was walked on by a pet will need to be removed.  There are plenty of things that you will need to keep your nose wide open about especially under cabinets and in closets.  Just imagine, if the odor doesn't go away, it just might start to sit on the clothes hanging in your closet or the furniture in your place.

 

In closing, consider looking at other things while touring the rental property such as: the proximity of shrubs and trees near windows and doorways and check amenities like the community pool, playground, workout facility, and play area. If nearby parking is important to you, think about the walking distance to and from your future residence. Another thing that might make or break your moving into a certain community is the length of travel time from job to home and whether the traffic is slow moving.

 

All of these signs will keep you from having to go to management one day with this statement, "I don't like the apartment, I thought it was..."

 

 

Nicholl McGuire

Guest Cards: Good Leasing Agents Follow Up

I know it can be irritating to receive a phone call from a leasing agent about a property you just visited, but keep in mind, they are just doing their jobs.  You filled out a guest card when you toured the property. After you left, the leasing agent is supposed to file your information and then contact you either the same day or within a 24 hour period to see how your apartment shopping experience is going and what might he or she can help you with.  At a later date, the agent will call again to see how everything is going.  The visitor will most likely update the staff and request not to be contacted again if he or she has already found a place.

Sometimes prospects are not completely sold on their decision to move elsewhere, other times money is a temporary issue, a desired suite is not available, or maybe a guest is just looking for now.  Whatever the reason, there is still that possibility that a visitor just might change his or her mind and return to the property.

One of the issues I have noticed over the years with some leasing agents is they didn't bother to follow up with visitors after their first visit; therefore, they missed out on a potential resident.  Competitors made the necessary contact and made their offers just a little more sweeter. 

Consider this, a leasing agent who failed to follow up literally lost the company thousands of dollars!  Taking a moment to make a simple phone call just might be the best thing a prospect and a leasing agent could do for one another.  The potential resident could share his or her concerns and how might they be addressed.  The leasing agent could offer more options.

So if you are the leasing agent or the visitor do make the time to follow up with one another.  Share what is on your mind.  Is there an additional incentive being offered by the competition?  Would you have liked to look at more available suites?  Is there another property with the same company better suited for the prospect?  You will never know if you don't follow up.

Winter Time is Slow Moving for the Apartment Industry

Attempting to seek your ideal spot during the winter isn't an easy feat.  Most renters are not interested in moving during this time of year unless they have to.  So when the timing is off and the pickings are slim, it is best to shop for now rather than commit to anything you aren't completely sold on.

As for the apartment industry, many staff utilize this time to push those suites that have been sitting for awhile.  They will lure shoppers by offering deals such as a discount on the first month's rent.  They might even include some freebies, coupons, services, or upgrades.  However, do keep in mind this question, "Why has no one rented this apartment yet?" 

There are many factors as to why a suite sits for months.  Sometimes it is in an unsatisfactory location in the building such as: near noisy water piping, a trash chute, or high traffic area.  Look around the suite.  Notice how hot or cold it is.  Pay attention to details such as flooring, windows, pipes under sinks, electrical outlets, and appliances.  Also, use your nose when touring an apartment unit and complex.  You will discover that some units have issues with molds and mildews.  If you should smell a strong bleach smell throughout the suite, most likely someone was doing more than just cleaning.  This person most likely was trying to kill some molds somewhere in the unit.  Look for evidence.

To your success in finding the apartment you so desire!

Contingent Upon: Two Powerful Words to Ensure Things Get Done

Prior to collecting the prospect's money to hold an apartment, the future resident signed my former employer's standard form that detailed all transaction such as how much was received from the prospect to hold the apartment, when other payments are expected, etc.  But there was just one thing that we, the leasing staff,  didn't anticipate was when our potential leaseholder signed her name and then included: "CONTINGENT UPON THE FOLLOWING THINGS WILL BE DONE PRIOR TO MOVE-IN..."  She proceeded to list the things we said during the tour that would be fixed.  Her expression after signing her name said it all, she meant business.  Do what you promise or else.

Sadly, I must admit that many renters don't get what they want because they are just too happy about the amenities or the exterior to look real close at cover ups, false promises, and more that some owners, managers, and leasing staff claim they will "take care of..."  Then when move-in day comes, the same screen with the hole is still there, the missing knob from one of the drawers is still off, and the shower head that doesn't work has yet to be replaced.  You might know the feeling.

So be adamant, don't pay unless things go your way!

Nicholl McGuire

6 Signs You Don’t Want to Move-In With Someone

Sometimes we agree to move in with people out of desperation, emotional commitment, and other reasons.  However, we are making a bad mistake when we choose to move in with someone anyway when there are many red flags all over the place!  Here are a few signs to pass on signing an apartment leasing contract with your potential roommate, boyfriend, girlfriend or relative.  (For sake of space and time, the person in this writing will be referred to as “He”).

One.  He shows up late to an appointment without his half of the money.

Two.  He lies on his application.

Three.  He appears to be too friendly with everyone who is living there including flirting with the staff. 

Four.  He tells you one thing and you find out another about the suite and then another and another.

Five.  He attempts to cover up something about his past by talking over what the apartment leasing consultant or manager is telling you both, changing details, ignoring facts, or attempting to argue.

Six.  He makes false promises on what he is going to pay and do while in the suite and when you question him on things he becomes irritable, impatient, and even goes so far as to tell you what you will and won’t do in an angry tone.

There are other signs you should pay attention to like your future roommate’s mannerisms, the kind of questions he asks or doesn’t ask, whether he communicates with staff about his account, and any warnings that others around you might be giving you about your roommate.  Also, notice how this person organizes his current atmosphere.  Is he or you often clean or unclean?  Do you have a long history of financial issues with this person? 

When you pay attention to the early signs before committing to a leasing contract, you can save yourself future problems like showing up one day in court because you can’t seem to pay your rent due to your irresponsible roommate.  

Apartment Shopping Tips | Off-Campus | Housing Options | DePaul University

Something for college students...

Plan on moving off campus? Know what you are getting yourself into before you sign the rental contract.

Apartment Shopping Tips | Off-Campus | Housing Options | DePaul University

Community Cover Ups - What Some Don't Want You to Know

Have you ever worked for an establishment that was less than honest?  If so, then you know you were most likely left with a choice either tell the truth, tell part of the truth, leave the truth out, or walk away.  For some of us, we looked for the opportune time and left different groups, settings, and people because they just didn't meet our personal standards.  They were either dishonest with the way they did things or deceptive when explaining them so at times they may have even left you scratching your head.  Of course, there were some shades of gray with these deceitful people that most likely moved some of you to leave your fields behind altogether, but for the sake of time, I will get on with the topic of this blog entry entitled, Community Cover Ups : What Some Don't Want You to Know.  In the property management industry there are those who are in the know about everything that is going on at the top.  From the personal interests of the building owner to what the secretary likes for lunch.  These same people also know what not to say or do to peeve the owner, investors and others.  Therefore, they will make sure employees do what is asked, no questions asked.

Now the cover up comes in to play usually when someone on the outside starts looking in at the inner workings of the company.  The resident who comes with a complaint is going to start asking questions.  He or she wants to know why something has been overlooked in his or her apartment, town home or rented house.  Now those who are out in the field, low level apartment management, only know what is being told to them by corporate management, those who run the business and all its employees.  So if corporate instructs community managers not to hold off on getting this thing or that thing fixed, then that's what they are going to do.  If those who work at the top are having some money troubles, they aren't going to let everyone privy on what is happening anyway.  Of course, there are those who manage to find out things; however, they know that if they do too much talking their jobs will be at risk, so they whisper amongst each other and talk in code with residents as if some day someone is not going to open up their mouths and say, "But she said...He told me that..."

The ones who have no clue what is really going on in the "big house" are those who have no direct access to those at the top unless owners just so happen to visit their properties.  So when the maintenance guy finds out that a resident has an ongoing issue in his dwelling, it is quite natural for him to act surprise and say, "I was unaware.  Was there a work order placed with the office?  Did anyone come out?"

Behind the scenes there is a lot happening and it isn't always pleasant.  Managers must meet budgets.  Owners must pay people.  And of course, residents must be happy.  But if there are some money problems at the top, personality differences, and other shady dealings then all those things will eventually come trickling down into the community at large.  Once happy residents are now unhappy.  Maintenance and housekeeping workers start thinking about working elsewhere.  Leasing consultants don't work as hard as they use to and managers they are left holding everyone's bags.  Meanwhile all the resident wants to know is, "When is someone going to come out here and fix my stuff!  I waited two weeks already!  If someone doesn't come out here fast, I think I will be contacting my lawyer!"  Does management want that?  Of course not.  However, there are those owners who are as tough as nails.  It doesn't matter what a resident threatens to do.  He or she will hold out for as long as he or she can until the resident decides he or she will move.  Now that might cost the tenant since he or she signed the contract, but contracts can be broken if owners and management are in agreement. then again maybe not--it all depends on how long and how loud the disgruntled resident screams.

So what about those cover ups, you might ask.  Why bother with them in the first place?  Why don't everyone just do their jobs?  In a perfect world, that would happen, but we don't live in any perfect world.  Look at our society far too many people are more concerned about money rather than relationship building.  It's just easier for some to pass the buck.  "That's not my job...I don't care...Why should I do anything that's not my prospect?" These are just a few of many, many statements staff say to one another.  The cover ups tend to come into play when someone along the chain of command screws up.  From paperwork to promises, a staff member opened up his or her mouth too soon about: assisting a resident, saying a job was complete before it was even started, knowing how to do something when the worker really doesn't have a clue, committing to a relationship with a staff member or a resident and now there is World War III affecting one's job performance, and more.  Management then has to make wrongs right by smiling and reaching some sort of compromise with the resident while frowning at his or her irresponsible employee.  This compromise might cost a little or a lot of money, both of which no manager wants to have come out of his or her budget if he or she can help it.  But let's just say that a cover-up does cost a lot of money to fix, now corporate is involved.  "Why are we spending XYZ for this?  What did your maintenance guy do?  What the#$%^&?" a boss doesn't want his lunch coming back up behind some on-the-job foolishness.

Other cover ups include things like, literally painting over something that should have been fixed prior to move in or taping duct tape to fix something that should have never been fixed with tape!   I have actually witnessed some things like this.  I was also the unhappy resident ready to blow up on someone too!  Old water stains covered up with a little paint by owners who don't want to repair a roof because it cost more than they can afford to pay.  I guess they assumed that it would never rain and reveal their tacky job?  Although I saw this situation developing prior to move-in, I couldn't get the one who signed the lease to recognize the problem beforehand.  Then there are those cover ups when it comes to things like electrical problems.  I was a victim in this situation too.  Apparently the crackling behind the wall and a blown out outlet had been overlooked, at least, so they say.  Then there are things like insect problems which I had been promised that the issue had been taken care of only to be welcomed by a few too many critters.

Leasing units with un-supportive management is one of the worse situations to be in when working in the apartment management industry.  You experience unnecessary stress from both sides.  The corporate office wants to see numbers, yet they don't recognize their part they play in permitting the numbers to sink by not meeting the demands of the residents.  Meanwhile, the lower level managers attempt to keep the faith by telling their people, "Oh my boss will take care of it.  This is a good company to work for.  We take care of our people."  Cover up statements to go along with covered up problems!  Like with all things, the truth will reveal itself sooner or later and when it does, you better not be the one caught in a lie.  It is better to leave a company and all the benefits that come with it rather than compromise your integrity.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy:  The Christian's Critic.