The Latest on How Is COVID-19 Affecting Rent Prices

February 18, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically reshaped the economy, including the rental market. Some people have struggled to pay rent during the pandemic, and many landlords have faced challenges finding new tenants who can afford the rent. Weirdly, there’s a silver lining in all this: Many landlords have had to lower their rents to make ends…

How to Safely Celebrate Thanksgiving During The COVID-19 Pandemic

November 19, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Thanksgiving is usually a time for friends and family to get together for a big feast, but maybe not this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having a Thanksgiving gathering in your apartment is a health hazard. But if you still want to have a small group over, can you minimize your risk of getting…

How Does The CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Affect You?

October 2, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans have been struggling to pay their rent and avoid eviction. About a month ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) passed an eviction moratorium to prevent Americans from getting evicted from their apartments. If you’re having difficulties paying your rent, here’s what you need to…

How to Stay Safe When Your Roommates Aren’t Social Distancing

August 21, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When it comes to COVID-19 safety, not everyone is on the same page about taking the necessary precautions. You could even be dealing with this concern at home if your roommate disagrees with wearing face masks, social distancing, or not inviting guests over. If you’re facing this roommate challenge, here are some tips on how…

How Can You Get Rent or Mortgage Relief Despite the CARES Act Expiring?

August 19, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Starting Aug. 24, the CARES Act will stop shielding millions of renters from eviction. On July 31, jobless workers stopped receiving $600 weekly enhancement benefits. President Trump has issued a memorandum lowering the unemployment benefit to $400 a week, but some people may not receive the payments for weeks. Additionally, underfunded states may not have…

Three Key COVID-19 Roommate Tips

July 20, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Although people are going to beaches and, in some states, bars and clubs now that summer has arrived, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. In fact, cases have now become more prevalent among younger people than older people. If you live with roommates, the spread of COVID-19 among younger people might have you worrying…

How to Safely Have Maintenance Workers at Your Apartment During COVID-19

June 12, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s one thing to start seeing friends, family, and other people you trust again as states reopen following widespread COVID-19 shutdowns. It’s another to let maintenance workers such as plumbers, electricians, and internet technicians – not to mention your landlord or property manager – into your apartment right now. Even though these people are experts…

How to Safely Have Friends Over As States Reopen

June 5, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Nearly three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have begun to reopen their economies. As restaurants, storefronts, and other businesses return to a semblance of prior functioning, you may feel tempted to start seeing your friends again too. But is it safe to see friends or have visitors to your apartment yet? Or is…

How Soon Are COVID-19 Rent Protections Expiring?

June 2, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In late March, the federal government passed the CARES Act, which banned evictions for 120 days in many rental apartments. This no-eviction period is fast expiring, leading many renters to wonder what their options are if they still cannot pay rent – a likely scenario given that unemployment has not improved since the pandemic began…

Container Gardening for Apartments: 10 Helpful Tips

May 20, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global food supply chain and relegated non-essential workers to their apartments, some people have turned to container gardening to grow vegetables at home and start a fun new isolation hobby. If your apartment has a backyard or a balcony, you can easily start container gardening, and since no…