How to Properly Disinfect Surfaces

March 27, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

You’ve probably heard the advice ad nauseam by now: In addition to washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, you can lower your chances of catching or spreading COVID-19 by disinfecting surfaces around your apartment. Just as handwashing that lasts less than 20 seconds is significantly less effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission,…

What If I Can’t Pay My Rent or Mortgage Due to Coronavirus?

March 25, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Over the past two weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has at least temporarily shuttered a wide variety of small businesses, especially those in the restaurant, nightlife, hospitality, beauty, and entertainment industries. In turn, millions of people have been left with no source of income, and if you’re one of these people, you might be struggling to…

Four Fresh Spring Decor Ideas for Your First Apartment

March 23, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s one thing to get your spring cleaning done, but a sparkling, dust-free apartment isn’t necessarily a home with character. That’s where spring decor comes in. As you open your windows for the first time in months and the sun starts to shine in for more hours per day, the environment in your apartment will…

How to Tackle Spring Cleaning With Your Roommates

March 19, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The tradition of spring cleaning may seem overwhelming. Do you really want to take the time and put in the labor to clean your entire apartment? This concern can be less pressing when you have roommates because you can all split the work evenly. Here’s how to tackle spring cleaning with your roommates. Decide what…

Dorm vs. Off-Campus Apartment: The Ultimate Student Guide

March 16, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Before each year of your college education starts, you’re faced with a choice that will completely shape your experience: Do you live in a dorm or rent an off-campus apartment? It’s a decision that millions of students nationwide make every year, yet it’s a question that usually results in intense consideration. Below, find the ultimate…

Can a DUI Affect Your Apartment Hunt?

March 12, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When you’re hunting for apartments, your potential new landlords won’t just check your income and credit score. Chances are they’ll also run a background check on you, a process that involves accessing your criminal record. Often, felonies dissuade landlords from accepting your applications, but misdemeanors such as DUIs can be less cut-and-dry when it comes…

How Do Apartment Applications Affect Your Credit Report?

March 10, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When you apply to rent an apartment, prospective landlords may pull up information on you including your criminal history, renting history, and credit report. Younger and newer renters tend to have lower credit scores than other age groups, so even college graduates earning plenty of money at their first jobs may worry disproportionately, as compared…

When Is Your Rent a Tax Write-Off?

March 6, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If there’s one thing that most people living in rental apartments can agree on, it’s that the monthly rent tends to feel like a hefty financial burden. Starting your lease at certain times of the year is one way to help lower your rent, but some renters can use their rent payments to save money…

Three Ways to Make Space for Your Roommates’ Privacy

February 28, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When you live with roommates, you have to put in a bit of work to maintain your privacy. In apartments with thin walls, shared bathrooms and other common spaces, and frequent guest visits, it can be challenging to carve out a sacred space where you can feel totally, blissfully alone. You can become so focused…

Four Ways to Introduce Yourself to New Neighbors

February 26, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Living alone in your own apartment is nice, but chances are that you’re never 100 percent alone. If you step out into the hallway, you might see your neighbors, and in many apartments, you’ll sometimes hear your neighbors moving around or listening to music in their apartments. It can feel slightly uncomfortable to know your…