Renter’s Advice and Resources

You haven’t gotten any sleep in two weeks because the neighbors above you seem to be part of a marathon, practicing every night by running from their bedroom to the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room, and even down the stairs. And of course, the neighbors on both sides of you are having a competition to see who can drown out the other’s music at 3 in the morning. What about the neighbor whose dog pees all over your patio furniture? What do all of your neighbors have in common? They make your life hell and just renewed their lease for another year. What can you do? Learn how to deal with a bad neighbor.

You’re sick and tired of the sewer running through your apartment, your neighbors and their pets won’t stop running around above you, your car has been broken into twice within the last month, and all you want to do is just leave your apartment. Too bad you still have 6 months left on your lease. Before you threaten your landlord with leaving him with an empty apartment, make sure you know these 3 tips when you break you lease.

You pay rent on time, keep your apartment reasonably clean, and you think you’re a darn good tenant. You’ve never even considered the possibility of being evicted. Even if you’re sure it’ll never happen to you, it’s important to know the details of the eviction process and the many reasons why you might be evicted. Those who pay rent on time may still be susceptible to eviction due to other factors. Read on to learn more about the various categories of eviction and your rights in each situation.

If your apartment building has been affected by a devastating natural disaster, the last thing you want to do is deal with paperwork and repairs. The good news is that, since you’re a tenant, these stressful responsibilities probably rest with your landlord. The bad news is that you’re at your landlord’s mercy regarding when repairs will be finished, and you’ll be affected by any mistakes made in the reconstruction process. What do you need to do after a disaster, and what kind of assistance can you obtain? Here’s a quick list of important deeds to be done after a natural disaster:

Moving to a new city? Worried about how you’ll find a new place to live? The brand spanking new website HotPads.com is here to help. The flashy interface and extensive information at HotPads.com may make the craigslist housing section a thing of the past. Read on to find out how you can use HotPads.com to find a roommate, a room, a house, or anything in between.

Colors: they’re a huge part of life, and everyone has a favorite one, but you probably consider size or style over color when decorating. Well, it’s time to reorganize your priorities and move color higher on the list. Color has a huge effect on mood and is a great way to express your individuality. Not only that, color is easier to change than the length of a table or the size of a sofa. Slipcovers, paint, wallpaper, and colorful accents can do wonders to brighten up or change the look of your apartment. Read on to learn what colors best suit you and how you can use them to decorate your home.

If you haven’t heard the news, the Chief of Police in Houston, Texas has proposed installing surveillence cameras in apartment complexes.

Houston aims cameras at apartment complexes

Ah, the security deposit… a financial burden when moving in, a blessing when moving out. There’s a reason it’s called a deposit—because you put money down only to cover excess damages that you might cause but, you’re almost guaranteed to get it back. Unless you cause extreme damage that your landlord can prove was your fault and existed after you moved out but before new tenants moved in, you deserve to have your deposit refunded in full. Normal wear and tear on the apartment is to be expected. However, some landlords won’t make the effort to get your money back to you unless you ask for it. Beyond making sure that your crazy friends don’t trash your apartment or that the kitten you’re secretly hiding in your room doesn’t claw up the carpet too badly, here are some steps to take to ensure you get your security deposit back.

Whether you’ve got a certified green thumb and are lamenting your move to a yard-less apartment or you’re a longtime apartment dweller looking for a nature-friendly hobby, apartment gardening can be a rewarding way to spend some time, decorate your home, and maybe even grow something edible. This article shares a few tips for getting an apartment garden started.