Can Your Landlord Raise Your Rent?

October 17, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve ever rented an apartment, you’re probably all too familiar with the nagging worry that your landlord will eventually raise your rent. In some cities, this practice is more common than in others, though it is fully legal throughout the U.S. That said, there are rules on how landlords must go about raising your…

How Does Rent Control Work?

October 15, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

No matter how you cut it, your monthly housing payment comprises a major portion of your monthly bills. Worse yet, if you’re renting, your landlord may be able to raise your rent every time you sign your lease for another year. That’s part of why terms such as “rent stabilization” and “rent control” are like…

Smart TVs vs. Streaming Boxes: Which Is Right for You?

October 11, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Although lots of people subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video (or some combination of all three), not everybody has a giant screen for watching their favorite TV shows and movies. Even if you’re the kind of person whose usual way to watch the latest episode of The Bachelorette is to curl up in…

Bed Bath & Beyond Is Closing – Five Other Great Home Goods Stores

October 9, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Recently, leading home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond announced that it plans to shutter 60 of its retail locations following the 2019 holiday shopping season. This figure marks a 50 percent increase from earlier this year, when the company estimated that it would close 40 stores. Bed Bath & Beyond isn’t alone in scaling…

Four Square Footage Facts You Need To Know Before You Rent

September 30, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve used an internet search engine to find a new apartment, you’ve certainly seen no shortage of the abbreviation “sq ft,” short for “square feet.” This measurement is intended to help prospective renters understand how much space their new apartment will have, but the number may be an abstract one for many renters. It’s…

How to Spot An Illegally Subdivided Apartment

September 27, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The need for cheap rent can sometimes compel people to settle for cramped, poorly maintained, and possibly even dangerous apartments. Sometimes, that shoebox apartment sounds like a super inexpensive steal, but something so small may be signs that a full-sized apartment is being subdivided, possibly illegally. Housing authorities require homeowners to obtain permits that outline…

Going on Vacation? Your Ultimate Apartment Prep Checklist

September 25, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re going away for a couple of nights, you’re probably not thinking too much about what could happen to your apartment as it sits alone and unattended for such a short time. But what if you’re taking a much longer vacation? When do you need a friend or a family member to “check in”…

When Should You Avoid Ads For Free Things?

September 20, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

There’s nothing quite like finding that perfect new silverware tray for your kitchen drawer on a social media group or classified ad website and realizing that you can get it for free. No, not super cheap – free. Getting new decorations, furniture, or other household items for free sounds great, but it’s not always a…

Four IKEA Apartment Decoration Hacks

September 16, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

IKEA has become the go-to furniture and decoration brand for anyone operating on a modest budget. The Swedish company’s items look thoroughly modern, with simple designs and eye-catching but not overwhelming colors defining its idiosyncratic aesthetic. It’s just not the brand’s agreeable design approach that’s made it so beloved – it’s their prices, which are…

Things You DON’T Need for Your First Apartment

September 13, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In your preparation for moving into your first apartment, you’ve probably encountered plenty of lists detailing every single thing you need to be truly self-sufficient at home. You’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of items on these lists, but with each purchase for your first apartment, you spend precious money – and even…