Is it Legal to Pay Rent via Venmo or PayPal?

December 30, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the first things you need to figure out when moving into a new apartment is how you’re going to pay your rent. These days, most people manage pretty much everything from their cell phone, so why can’t paying rent be the same? Venmo and PayPal are two of the most popular mobile payment…

Is It Legal to Rent Out Part of Your Apartment on Airbnb?

December 23, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

After moving into an apartment with more space than you need (or one you’ll be away from for extended periods), one of your first thoughts might be to rent part of it out. Short-term rental agencies like Airbnb have made this route a great option for many people, but local zoning laws or rules set…

Why is Your Smoke Detector Flashing or Beeping?

November 8, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the most irritating sounds you could ever hear around your first apartment is the sound of your smoke detector beeping, and for good reason. Smoke alarms are made to be extremely difficult to ignore. If you’ve already checked and you’re sure there’s not a fire, there are a few other things that could…

How to Identify a Gas Leak

October 1, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Subtle and potentially lethal, gas leaks can be tough to identify without training and proper knowledge. Based on your physical symptoms and environmental signs, you can quickly and effectively find a leak in a gas line, then alert a qualified plumber or gas line technician. If you’re looking for quick tips on how to quickly…

How to Choose the Right Size TV for Your First Apartment

July 22, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into a new apartment can be quite a stressful ordeal, but furnishing your new place can give you a sense of calm and relieve your stress. An especially great way to tune out on your most anxiety-inducing days, of course, is to veg out in front of your TV. The thing is, smaller apartments…

How to Get Used to Your Gas Stove

July 8, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

While you’re looking for your first apartment, you’ll find that many apartment kitchens are equipped with gas stoves rather than electric stoves. Cooking on a gas stove may seem easy, maybe too easy. However, there are some tips you’ll need to know for your safety. Below are some of these tips so you get used…

Three Tips for Using Your Apartment Building’s Pool

July 2, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re lucky enough to live at an apartment or condominium complex with a pool, you might have questions about the basic do’s and don’ts of communal pool use. After all, you don’t want to develop a bad rep with the complex’s management team or, worse yet, your neighbors. To stay in safe waters literally…

How to Get Used to Your Electric Stove

June 15, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Many apartment kitchens are equipped with gas stoves, but you might come across some with electric stoves. These stoves can often be found in partial kitchens and are easy to use, but there are a few things you should know before getting started. If your first apartment’s electric stove is the first you’re ever using,…

Pros and Cons: In-Apartment Gym vs. Gym Membership

May 12, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In our Pros and Cons series, we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of important decisions that apartment dwellers are making every day. If you don’t have a gym in your apartment building but you want to exercise with gym equipment, you’re probably thinking about creating an in-apartment gym or getting a gym membership. If you…

How to Properly Insulate a Window AC Unit

April 1, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

As springtime becomes summer, you might want to use your window air conditioning unit as temperatures rise. However, if your AC unit isn’t properly insulated, it might not keep your apartment as cool as you want. Below, learn how to properly insulate a window AC unit in your apartment. Why insulate your window AC unit?…