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Apartment Living / Rental: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Sample Letter of Employment
More landlords are getting smart about cracking down on this type of fraud by taking the simple step of asking tenants to verify the employment information they include in their rental application. If your employer isn't used to complying with this type of request, it can be helpful to give your employer sample language to adapt and use.
How to Break a Lease
People often have valid reasons for breaching a contract, and you may have a good excuse for wanting to get out of your lease. If you must break your lease, the key is to avoid -- or at least limit -- a penalty from your landlord.
Letter of Employment
What is a letter of employment and how do you get one?
Rodent Control for Squeamish
Many renters get grossed out at the thought of having to deal with trapped mice and rat remains. Here are some options.
Letter of Employment Requests
Many landlords require a letter of employment from prospective tenants. Here's how to get this handled promptly.
How to Create a Budget
Nearly everyone can benefit from a budget. Whether you're trying to climb out of debt or deciding how to enjoy a surplus, a budget puts you in control.
Types of Mouse Traps
Which type of mouse trap is the best one to buy? Read about each major type of mouse trap on the market, and then make your own decision.
Tenant
Definition of tenant
Breaking Lease to Buy Home
Many renters who are looking to buy a home feel as if they're in a bind when it comes to coordinating the end of their apartment lease with the move into their new home. But there may be other options available to you in this situation.
Download Budget Templates
If you own Microsoft Word or Excel, free budget templates are just a click away!
Money to Rent Apartment
Here's an overview of the items apartment dwellers typically pay, organized by when each item needs to be paid.
Deal With a Bad Neighbor
When you live in an apartment, you're almost sure to have many people living around you. A neighbor can turn out to be a big help or even become your friend. But if a neighbor starts causing problems, it doesn't mean you need to pack up and move to a house in the suburbs.
Fixed-Term or Month-to-Month
The type of rental arrangement you choose is a key component to consider when looking for an apartment.
Lower Your Heating Bill
There are many things you can do as an apartment dweller to lower your heating bill. Here are some that require little time and effort, and that won't cost you a penny.
How to Find a Good Roommate
Many people prefer living with a roommate, and indeed there are compelling reasons for doing so. However, if you're not careful, roommates can also create problems.
Renter's insurance cost
How much does renter's insurance cost
Guarantors FAQ
Guarantors FAQ
Negotiate Rent
Although it probably never hurts to try talking a landlord into lowering the rent, there are certain situations in which you're most likely to be successful.
Glue Traps
Glue traps work by capturing a mouse after it steps onto a sticky board or tray.
Snap Traps
The snap trap has been the most popular type of mouse trap for over a century.
Tax Credit Housing FAQ
Read answers to commonly asked questions about the federal low-income housing tax credit program.
To Live With Roommates or Not?
If you need help deciding whether to live with a roommate, consider the common reasons why people choose one route over the other.
Federal law protected classes
What are the protected classes under federal law
Say No to Self-Help Evictions
Landlords who want to evict a tenant are often anxious to do so. But landlords who ignore eviction laws are engaging in an illegal "self-help eviction."
Electronic Traps
Electronic traps kill mice by delivering a high voltage shock.
How to Prorate Apartment Rent
If an apartment you wish to rent will be ready before the first of the month, you and your landlord may agree to start your lease earlier. Here's how to calculate the "prorated rent" that you should pay in this situation.
Find an Apartment
Here are essential tools, resources, and information that will help you find an apartment you can happily and proudly call home.
Renter's Insurance FAQ
Renter's Insurance FAQ
Pay Rent by Credit or Check
Many landlords now offer tenants the option of paying their rent by credit card. However, it's not the right choice for everyone. Read about the reasons why you should pay your rent with a credit card versus a check.
Find Apartments Without Stress
For your apartment search to be as effective as possible, you need to try your best to keep stress out of the picture. Fortunately, this isn't as tough as it sounds.
What's "Broom Clean"?
The term broom clean has become the standard real estate lingo for the condition in which a landlord should expect a tenant to leave her apartment. Read some guidance on what this term means.
Low-Cost Purchases for Heating
You don't have to spend much to save a lot on your heating bill, thanks to some simple yet innovative products.
What's the tax credit program?
What's the tax credit program
Your Rights After Foreclosure
If your landlord can't pay the mortgage and your apartment building goes into foreclosure, a federal law ensures that you won't be on the street tomorrow.
When to Prorate Rent
If you don't move into your new apartment until the middle of a month, you may be entitled to owe rent for just part of that month. Find out when your landlord should prorate your first month's rent.
Find Apartments at Lower Rents
If you earn below HUD's income limits, you may qualify for apartments at privately owned buildings at lower rents. But how do you find these apartment buildings? Thanks to an online government database, your new home may be just a few mouse clicks away.
Protected Classes FAQ
Read answers to commonly asked questions about the types of people housing discrimination laws protect.
Low-income apartment
Definition of low-income apartment
Pay During Lease Term
You'll have many bills, large and small, to pay in order to keep using and enjoying your rental each month as an apartment dweller.
Live Traps
You use a live trap to capture a mouse in your apartment and then release it outside.
Use Fan to Keep Warm
Did you know that ceiling fans can also help you keep warm in the winter
Roommate Agreements
The time to think about and agree on issues with your roommate is before you sign a lease.
Pursue a Fair Housing Claim
If you decide to proceed with filing a complaint against your landlord or other housing professional with HUD, here are the steps you'll need to take.
Disability Rights
Read a handy summary of what a landlord must and mustn't do when it comes to dealing with prospects or tenants who have a disability.
Best Roommates
Find out which types of current relationships are most likely to make for good roommate relationships, and which ones may be more challenging.
Pay Sublease Rent to Tenant
If you're subletting an apartment, always pay your share of the rent to the tenant -- not to the landlord.
Ask Landlord to Fix Thermostat
If you suspect a problem with your thermostat, ask the landlord to check it out.
Roommates Who Don't Pay Rent
Many tenants who split rent with roommates think they're okay as long as they pay the landlord their own share of the rent each month. The thinking is that if a roommate comes up short, then only the roommate would be liable to the landlord and possibly face eviction. If this is how you've been thinking, read on.
What about sexual orientation?
What about sexual orientation? Is that a protected class
New York Roommate Law FAQ
Read answers to commonly asked questions about how the Roommate Law may apply to your New York rental.
Payments Before Lease
Here's a description of the payment items you might expect to encounter even before you sign a lease for a rental.
Who is usually a guarantor?
Who usually signs a lease as a guarantor
Outgoing Message When Alone
If you live in an apartment without roommates, protect yourself against crime by not advertising the fact you live alone on your outgoing answering machine or voicemail message.[/p]
Studio or One-Bedroom
Here's how to decide whether a studio or a one-bedroom apartment is the best solution for you.
Tax credit property
Definition of tax credit property
What's a guarantor?
What's a guarantor
Keep Pests Away
Many people pay attention to mice, cockroaches, ants, and other pests only once they've become a problem. By adopting clean lifestyle habits, you can help keep unwanted critters and rodents out of your apartment for good.
Pay at Lease Signing
Here's a description of the items you might expect at or around the time you sign the lease for your rental.
Use Roommate-Matching Services
Whether you already have an apartment or you're just starting to look for one, take your roommate search to the Web by signing up for one of several online roommate-matching services.
EasyRoommate.com Profile
Information about EasyRoommate.com, an online roommate-matching service.
Playground Safety Book
Playgrounds are fun, but they also can be dangerous, which is why it's so important for kids to learn about playground safety at a young age.
Check Lease Before Pets
Tenants who never intended to own a pet sometimes change their mind in the middle of the lease term and suddenly have the desire for canine or feline companionship. If you find yourself in this situation, don't let your enthusiasm get in the way of checking whether your landlord allows pets and, if so, what rules tenants who own pets must follow.
How exactly is rent calculated
How exactly is my rent calculated
Multiple Apartment Searches
A handy Web service lets you enter your search criteria just once for several popular apartment search sites.
Ineligible at all properties?
If I get rejected from one tax credit property, am I ineligible for others
Rent based on income?
Is the rent based on my income
Get Moving Questions Answered
Be prepared for your move by getting answers to questions about your new building. If you don't have all the information you need, you may have to reschedule moving at the last minute or face some other inconvenience that will only add to your stress.
Roommate Compatibility
When it comes to finding the right roommate, don't forget that compatibility is more important than likeability.
Get Your Own Shower Curtain
If your apartment comes with a shower curtain, it's probably best to toss it and buy a new one. Read why.
Getting Landlord Results
If you find yourself needing your landlord's attention, the last thing you want is to wait weeks for a response.
Report Bad Landlords to HUD
If a landlord who gets federal assistance doesn't live up to its obligation to provide safe and decent housing for low-income tenants, HUD wants to know about it.
What is a "protected class"?
What is a protected class
Singling Out Children
Given the law's protection for families with children, you might wonder why so many landlords appear to get away with adopting and enforcing rules that single out children.
No guarantor?
What if I can't find a guarantor
What to tell guarantors?
What should I tell someone who's considering being my guarantor
Precautions With Fumigators
If you rush to use a fumigator without taking the right precautions, you may solve your pest problem at the heavy price of health issues and property damage.
Lease
Definition of lease
What's a co-signer?
Is a co-signer the same thing as a guarantor
Month-to-month rental?
Can I rent on a month-to-month basis
Students okay?
Can I live at a tax credit property if I'm a student
Advice from Housing Counselors
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that provide information and tips for renters. Thanks to this initiative, free or low-cost rental housing advice is just a phone call away.
Get Neighbor to Collect Mail
A neighbor can be a big help by collecting your mail each day that you're away from your apartment for an extended period of time. Here's how to set things up with a neighbor to avoid common problems.
Discrimination laws?
Must tax credit properties comply with discrimination laws
Roommate Candidate Questions
Getting the answers to your questions will help you feel completely comfortable about living with a roommate candidate before you decide to sign a lease.
Save money
How can I save money on renter's insurance
Fair Housing Act
Definition of Fair Housing Act
Choose to Have a Roommate
Before you jump on the roommate bandwagon, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons and that it's what you want.
Enough to replace stuff
Will I get enough money to replace my stuff if it gets damaged or destroyed
Intercom Security Tips
If you're not careful when it comes to your intercom, unauthorized people can gain access to your building and possibly commit a crime against you or another tenant.
Apartment Living / Rental - QuickTips
An index of QuickTips for the Apartment Living / Rental guide site.
Avoid Illegal Steering
Some landlords practice a form of discrimination known as steering, which refers to when a landlord tries to limit a renter's housing choices by guiding or encouraging the person to look elsewhere, based on a protected characteristic.
Roommate Candidate Meetings
When you go to meet a roommate candidate, you should be focused on making sure the meeting is effective while prioritizing your personal safety.
Entertaining and Neighbors
When planning and hosting a party, have fun but don't forget that other people live in your building, too.
Communicating After a Disaster
Learn about some helpful services aimed at making it easy to communicate with family and friends after a crisis.
RoommateClick.com Profile
Information about RoommateClick.com, an online roommate-matching service.
Special lease?
Will I need to sign a special lease
Evicted for Too Much Income?
Can I get evicted if my income goes way up after I move in
The Bedbug Registry Profile
Information about Bedbugregistry.com, a free online service to discover and report bedbug infestations.
Find Roommates Fast
If you need to find a roommate fast and don't have any leads, several websites have sprouted up that can help renters like you achieve your goal.
Have Post Office Hold Mail
Whether you have to leave your apartment for business, pleasure, or even an emergency, make sure your mail stays secure and that you won't be greeted with an overflowing mailbox upon your return by having your post office hold your mail.
Roomster.com Profile
Information about Roomster.com, an online roommate-matching service.
Why renter's insurance?
Why do I need renter's insurance
Apartment Living / Rental - Articles
An index of articles for the Apartment Living / Rental guide site.
Good renter's insurance
Is a good renter's insurance policy hard to find
What will my lease say?
What will my lease say about a guarantor
Live in a Certain Building
If you check out a potential neighborhood and come across a building or two that interests you, there are ways you can find out if an apartment is available.
How to Approach Neighbors
If you treat your neighbor like an enemy, you certainly can't expect a positive response.
Internet Tips
From looking for the perfect rental to enjoying your apartment and protecting your rights as a tenant, the Internet is there to help. Follow these tips to make the most of your apartment experience.
Household number
Does the number of people in my household affect eligibility
Fair Housing Claim Issues
Here are issues to consider before you file a fair housing complaint, so that you can make an informed decision about whether you want to proceed.
Elevator Safety for Children
If you have an elevator in your apartment and children either live with you or even occasionally visit, spend a moment talking to them about elevator safety.
Temporary relocation
Will I get paid to cover expenses for temporary relocation
Playground Burns
Playground equipment can heat up quickly and retain the heat easily, causing serious burns to skin upon contact. Follow these precautions to prevent playground burns on hot, sunny days.
Landlord requests
Read answers to commonly asked questions about how the Roommate Law may apply to your New York rental.
Need a guarantor?
How will I know if I need a guarantor
FHEO Regional Offices
If you need to contact the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) about a fair housing issue, use this table to find out which of the ten regional offices covers your area.
Renter's insurance
Definition of renter's insurance
Rent in arrears
Definition of rent in arrears
Keep Christmas Tree Wet
If a Christmas tree becomes too dry, it can pose a serious fire hazard.
Drug or Alcohol Addiction
If you're an alcoholic or have a drug addiction, you may be concerned that this will cause you problems in your apartment search. Here's what you need to know about how the law protects you.
Landlord
Definition of landlord
Apartment Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating isn't just for kids who live in houses. Here's how to enjoy this Halloween tradition when you live in an apartment.
Effective Roommate Searching
Several renters have succeeded in finding the right roommate through online roommate-matching services. You can, too -- if you keep these pointers in mind.
Landlord has insurance
Do I need renter's insurance even if my landlord has insurance
Not Disabled
Apartment dwellers who used to have disabilities and even some who never had a disability may be protected by the federal ban on disability discrimination.
Walk-up
Definition of walk-up
Can I suggest a guarantor?
Can I suggest to a landlord that I get a guarantor
What is "familial status"?
What does familial status cover
Amenities
Definition of amenities
Need if renting house
Would I need renter's insurance if I rent a condo, coop, or house
Roommates and Politics
If you don't share the same political views with your roommate, it could lead to strife. But there's no reason people of different political persuasions can't live together.
Fight Pests in Common Areas
If you spot a pest problem in these areas, promptly bring it to your landlord's attention.
Forth Worth FHEO Office
Description and contact information for the Fort Worth Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
Annualizing Income
Is my income determined based on what I've made in the past year
iPhone Apps for Apartments
If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, take advantage of the growing number of free and low-cost apps available to help you find an apartment.
Market-rate apartment
Definition of market-rate apartment
Railroad apartment
Definition of railroad apartment
Temporary Mail Forwarding
The U.S. Postal Service offers two options for having your mail forwarded to a different address on a temporary basis while you're away from your apartment. Find out about each one.
Apartment Living / Rental - Before You Buy
An index of Before You Buy Articles for the Apartment Living / Rental guide site.
Save Money With Roommates
Adding a roommate to your apartment may be an attractive option to help you save money because it means having someone else with whom to share the rent, utilities, and other apartment living expenses.
Chicago FHEO Regional Office
Description and contact information for the Chicago Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
Atlanta FHEO Regional Office
Description and contact information for the Atlanta Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
San Francisco FHEO Office
Description and contact information for the San Francisco Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
How often is recertification?
Do I need to get recertified each time my income changes
Bike Helmets at Playgrounds
Keeping a bike helmet on while playing in a playground may seem like nothing more than a nuisance. But it's far more serious, posing a hidden risk of strangulation.
Mention Pet at Start of Search
To find an apartment for you and your pet, be sure to mention your pet at the start of your apartment search. Take two steps to help you streamline your search for the right apartment for you and your pet.
Not much property
What if I don't have much personal property
Boston FHEO Regional Office
Description and contact information for the Boston Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
Roommates.com Profile
Information about Roommates.com, an online roommate-matching service.
Market-rate tenants, too?
Will there be market-rate tenants in the building
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