Renter’s Advice and Resources

Your credit score can be a major influence on whether or not you’re approved to rent an apartment or receive a loan. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year—but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can understand it. This article will help you understand your credit score and take any necessary actions to improve it.

Pets are people too—well, maybe not, but they’re still important parts of your life. And since they’re not people, they have a hard time watching out for themselves. This means you have to do some work in order to protect your pets from potential dangers. Here’s a list of possible dangers lurking in your apartment, and steps you can take to protect your pets from them.  

It happens to all of us: we think of a thousand questions the day after looking at an apartment, and wish we’d had better presence of mind in the moment. Here’s a list of questions, loosely categorized by topic that you may wish to ask a potential landlord about your apartment. Remember to ask questions respectfully and refrain from gasping at any answer, even if it seems outrageous. If this isn’t the apartment for you, just move on. If you’re not sure you understand the answer to a question, don’t hesitate to rephrase or ask a follow-up question. This list assumes you’ve already actually seen the apartment and don’t need to ask the basic questions (where in the complex is it located?, how many bedrooms/square feet?, etc.). Keep in mind that this list designed as a guideline to help you remember to ask about what’s important to you. It’s not a litany of questions you must ask in every situation.

So you’ve made the decision to get renter’s insurance: congratulations! Now, how do you know what you need to get covered? The answer will certainly vary depending on your individual situation, but here are some general topics to consider when constructing your renter’s insurance policy.

Your kitchen is a mess of clutter: six half-empty boxes of Frosted Flakes scattered across the counter, a rarely-used mixer hiding in the inaccessible cabinet over the fridge (you’re short, okay?!), a bag of almost-rotten lettuce on each shelf of your fridge (but none of them in the crisper where they belong), a jumble of frozen meals in the freezer, stacks of cans on the counter, dirty appliances on every open surface, and empty cupboards. Or maybe your cupboards are full, but you can’t find anything–flour is resting beside cans of baked beans, tuna is hiding behind boxes of crackers, and your waffle maker is buried in a stack of half-empty bags of chips. Whatever your situation, you need to get your kitchen organized now. Here are some helpful tips to take your kitchen from “Oh no” to “Oh wow.” To do this, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions… (and answer them, too!)

Moving scams prey on people at a particularly emotional time, when money is often short supply. When you need to get all your worldly possessions moved across the country within two weeks, the last thing you need is to get involved with an illegitimate company that will take your money and run. Take these tips into consideration when looking for a reputable moving company.

As a youngster, you never understood why you had to do chores—couldn’t dishes and things just take care of themselves? Some people never grow out of this stage, and have difficulty cleaning up after themselves. Others never learn to respect boundaries or really listen to what people are telling them. If you’re in the unfortunate situation of having a roommate who’s dirty, incommunicative, lazy, or who just doesn’t get it, here are some strategies for resolving major issues. First, let’s lay down the ground rules for dealing with difficult roommates.

So you don’t have a green thumb or a spacious, well-lit outdoor garden? Never fear, hardy and shade-loving plants will do well even in most conditions involving a minimal amount of sunlight and water. Check out this handy list of cute, easy-to-care-for plants to brighten up your apartment space.

The bathroom: a boring expanse of white tile that taunts you with its dull conformity to the expectations of what a “bathroom” should be. Homeowners can remodel, but renters may be more limited in their bathroom decorating decisions. But fear not—there’s a lot you can do to make your bathroom beautiful without replacing tiles or knocking down walls. Read on for some sensational suggestions for bathroom design.