Do’s and Don’ts when staying in an apartment. Apartment living certainly has its pros and cons. You don’t have to deal with (or pay for) maintenance when your hot water runs out or your fridge breaks down, and it’s much easier to break your lease than to sell your home if you decide you want to move out spontaneously. On the other hand, toxic roommates, bad landlords, unexpected rent increases, and the aforementioned problems with things like hot water and household appliances are common to apartment tenants.
Balancing the good and the bad of condo life is partly a matter of attitude and partly about your own efforts to keep things as positive as possible. Because it turns out you actually have some control over how your rental situation develops. Here are the do’s and don’ts that all tenants should follow.
Carefully check the machine when moving in
On your first day in your new apartment, you’ll have the opportunity to document any errors, including structural problems like peeling paint or water damage, as well as things like making sure all the drives are safe. All plugs are working properly and there is no mold in the apartment. shower. While you might just want to hurry up and start unpacking, do your due diligence here and check it out carefully, making sure to take pictures of everything you find. Your landlord is responsible for correcting these errors and you will be able to fix them before you are fully installed. Plus, if you don’t write them down now, you may find yourself stuck when it’s time to move out.
Don’t be a bad neighbor
Be the person you want to live next door to, whether your neighbors are other tenants in the same building or people living in adjoining houses. What does this mean? It’s not just a smile when you meet someone in the hallway. Being a good neighbor, at least when living in an apartment, means living in your home in a way that doesn’t get in the way of anyone else. Keep your music at a reasonable level, don’t throw lots of loud parties, and make sure to do your part to keep common areas clean.
Consider finding a roommate
Living in an apartment is not cheap. The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is $950 per month, and that number skyrockets in some cities (Want to rent a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco? Expect to pay more than $2,400 per month) month ). With such high costs, you should save your budget and split the rent with roommates. The national average for a two-bedroom apartment isn’t much higher than a one-bedroom at $1,178, and divided by two, you’ll save a lot of money. Just be sure to take your roommate search seriously, pay attention to the roommate warning signs, and ask questions to make sure you’ll be a compatible roommate.
Make it your own
Just because it’s a rental doesn’t mean you can’t feel at home. Make the most of apartment living by adding your own personality to your apartment. If your lease allows for things like painting walls or nailing hooks to the wall to create artwork, then go ahead. But even if you don’t, you can still add a personal touch to where you live. Showcase things that make you happy, like decorations and photos of friends and family, and use decals and temporary wall art to transform the space in a way you can easily Cancellation at any time at the end of the lease.
Don’t wait to report maintenance problems
Water, electricity, heating/cooling, and insect problems will only get worse the longer you let them last. It’s best to report problems as soon as they arise so your landlord can call in a professional to deal with them. For example, it could be the difference between a small leak that can be fixed without damage and a large leak that causes major damage to the floor and ceiling below you.
Perform regular cleaning
The to-do list doesn’t stop when you’re away from your parents’ house – it’s actually a bit longer. It is your responsibility to keep your apartment clean, and it will cost you if you don’t (cockroaches in the kitchen, anyone?). You shouldn’t make your bed or leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, but get in the habit of cleaning regularly to keep your space from getting too dull. Once a week, vacuum and/or mop floors, mop bathrooms (disinfectant wipes are a godsend), wipe down countertops, and always empty trash cans as soon as they’re full. If you really can’t do these things yourself and it’s within your budget, consider hiring a cleaning service.
Don’t forget your savings account
It can be difficult to save money when rent eats up a large portion of your paycheck each month, but it’s important to always save. Stick to your budget when it comes to how much you rent, what you buy for your apartment, and your lifestyle while you rent. You want to make sure you have enough money to cover your rent for at least a few months if you lose your job, and having a financial backup is always a good idea. Use an emergency fund calculator to figure out how much you should save each month.
Finding that perfect space is just a small part of apartment living. A little effort can make the difference between the rental home you can’t wait to leave and the one you love when you get home. So follow the tips above and do your best to make the most of your time as a tenant. One day you’ll own your own home, and you’ll remember the days when things like home maintenance and property taxes were someone else’s problem 카지노사이트.