Tracking Bedbugs to Help You Avoid Them
As an apartment dweller, the last thing you want for your home is a pest problem. When it comes to bedbugs, the mere thought of an infestation can make many tenants' skin crawl.
It's no wonder why bedbugs have a bad reputation -- they're tiny insects that reproduce quickly, feed on blood, and are often very difficult to get rid of once discovered. Unfortunately, from Bryan, Texas to Lakewood, New Jersey, reports of bedbug outbreaks can be found regularly by perusing the news.
If you want to avoid these nasty critters, a free resource may provide some help. An online database known as "The Bedbug Registry" aims to keep track of bedbug infestations so, for instance, you can learn if an apartment building you want to live in has experienced any bedbug problems recently.
Find out more about this useful resource and how it might help you.
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Can a Ceiling Fan Help You Keep Warm?
If you've got a ceiling fan in your apartment, you've no doubt used it to help cool off during warmer months.
But what you might not know is that many ceiling fans (compare prices) are versatile and can also accomplish the opposite goal, helping you keep warm during the winter.
Are you wondering whether your apartment's ceiling fan can do this? Here's how to tell.
(Photo © Rene Cerney / SXC)
Is Your Landlord Willing to Negotiate Rent?
If you're considering approaching your landlord to negotiate your rent, the results of a recent online survey by the National Association of Independent Landlords may give you added confidence.
More than two-thirds of the 496 independent landlords across the United States who responded to the survey indicated they would be willing to lower rents to help tenants in need.
Among these landlords who are willing to negotiate, the majority (61%) would slash rents up to 5%, a strong minority (29%) would go as far as cutting rent by up to 10%, and the remaining respondents would consider even steeper cuts to retain good tenants who are strapped for cash.
Already, roughly one-third (32%) of these landlords appear to have put their money where their mouth is, claiming to have discounted rent at their buildings at least once in the past 18 months.
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Change Your Costumes, Clocks... and Batteries This Weekend
You probably won't forget to turn your clocks back an hour this weekend, marking the end of Daylight Savings Time. Gaining an extra hour of sleep will be nice, especially if you're enjoying trick-or-treating or other Halloween festivities Saturday evening.
But it's also important to take this opportunity to change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside your apartment. This is the advice that the International Association of Fire Chiefs ("IAFC") and Energizer have been giving for 22 years as part of their "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" campaign. Taking this easy, low-cost step could save lives.
(Photo © Paavo Leinonen / SXC)
Would You Pay More Rent for Greater Security?
The results of an Apartments.com national survey, released today, show that nearly all apartment dwellers (96%) who responded take a neighborhood's crime rate into strong consideration when determining where to live.
What, then, are all these renters doing to protect themselves from crime?
The survey reveals that renters, in fact, are being smart and taking proactive measures, such as not letting strangers into their apartment complex, installing deadbolts, owning dogs, and using timers for lighting, televisions, and radios to give the illusion of being home while away from the building.
Survey respondents also indicated they will gladly pay more rent if it means gaining security features for their apartment building that are effective in safeguarding against crime.
The top-five desired features include:
- In-unit security alarm system (49%)
- 24/7 building security patrol guards and a doorman (45%)
- Security cameras on the apartment property (42%)
- Mandatory tenant screening (30%)
- Cylinder deadbolt locks on windows and doors (29%)
Would you pay more rent for additional security features? Which features, if any, is your landlord already providing? How much does a neighborhood's crime rate factor into your choice of where to live?
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(Photo © Steven Errico / Getty Images)
Lower Your Heating Bill Without Investing a Penny
Last week, I blogged about how there are some low-cost items you can purchase that may save you a bundle in heating costs this winter.
Even better, did you know there are a number of things you can do to maximize heat in your apartment when it's cold outside, that won't even cost you a penny?
Check out five zero-cost ways to lower your heating bill this winter.
'Virtual Doormen' Becoming Reality at Apartment Buildings
Many renters prefer living in a building with a doorman, and for good reason. Doormen offer extra security and convenience, from screening visitors to accepting packages. But having a doorman is an amenity that not every apartment dweller can afford.
Enter the "virtual doorman."
Virtual doormen are already reality at over 100 apartment buildings in New York City, according to a recent report from WCBSTV.com. Although virtual doormen may be located thousands of miles away, they can unlock doors and let visitors enter buildings. If a virtual doorman spots trouble over the video monitor, he or she can notify the police. Tenants can also communicate with a virtual doorman by e-mail, such as to touch base about an expected guest or package.
All this reportedly comes at a price estimated at roughly 80% less than the cost of a real doorman.
If you live in an apartment building with a doorman, would you be happy to switch to a virtual doorman to save in rent? Though perhaps not ideal, would having a virtual doorman be preferable to having no doorman at all?
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Spend Less This Year to Heat Your Apartment
If the thought of spending lots of money to heat your apartment this winter makes you shiver, don't despair. There are some simple, inexpensive products out there that were designed to help you save a bundle on your heating bill.
These low-cost items fit any budget and could pay for themselves several times over, given the savings.
Here are some options to consider.
Madonna's Neighbor Wants Coop Board to Evict Her
If your downstairs neighbor blasts music, you probably don't appreciate the intrusion, even if it happens to be music that you normally enjoy (when you listen to it on your own terms).
But what if your downstairs neighbor was a famous pop star, and the music you heard (not to mention some stomping) was the actual star rehearsing live? Would that make any difference? Would the possible appeal offset the nuisance?
It's clear that the woman who owns the New York City coop just upstairs from the Material Girl would say no.
After reportedly putting up with rehearsal noise from Madonna's apartment for several months, the neighbor is suing the coop board in the hopes of getting Madonna evicted, according to the Associated Press.
Have you had to put up with loud music from a neighbor's apartment? How have you handled the situation? Would it make any difference if a problematic neighbor was a celebrity, especially one whom you admired?
Higher Vacancy Rates Bring Benefits to Renters
Over 70% of property owners are experiencing higher vacancy rates, according to a recent Rent.com survey of property owners representing 3,900 communities and 987,450 rental units.
This comes as good news to renters, because it has prompted many of these owners to offer breaks to make apartment expenses more affordable, with the goal of attracting and retaining good tenants.
The survey found that, among these owners:
- 69% are reducing their rents;
- 65% are providing free rent for at least one month;
- 35% are reducing the amount of required deposits;
- 16% are offering complimentary apartment upgrades;
- 14% are showing tenants leniency for breaking leases early;
- 10% are offering reduced-rate storage or parking;
- 6% are relaxing their pet policies; and
- many are promoting move-in specials, lease renewal programs, and tenant referral programs.
Have you benefited by the economic downturn and higher vacancy rates? If you've tried to negotiate with landlords, have you found them to be more flexible than you might normally expect?
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