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 Set Up Your First Apartment’s Electric and Gas

February 12, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into a new apartment can be exciting, but it can quickly become stressful if you don’t properly set up your utilities in advance. Apartment life without gas and electricity can become dreadful and boring, but you might not know when to start preparing or where to find information. However, doing so is easier than…

Pros and Cons: Electric vs. Gas

October 21, 2020 | 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. When you’re looking to move into your first apartment, it’s common to see some apartment listings with gas heating and stoves. You might also see electric heating and stoves (and many gas appliances…

How to Get COVID-19 Utility Relief: Three Examples

May 14, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive levels of unemployment, in turn dramatically shrinking the budgets of many apartment dwellers. To save money, some people may change their heating or air conditioning use habits, but if your financial situation requires you to scale back on utility spending more urgently, you may have other options. Many…

Fill Out a Quick Winter Utilities Survey for a Chance to Win $50 Gift Certificate

February 19, 2016 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. The randomly selected winner of a $50 Amazon gift certificate is…kaksakas from Los Angeles. Congratulations to the winner and thanks to all the survey participants! At MyFirstApartment.com, we are asked every day how to estimate apartment utilities. We did a summer utilities survey last July — see the results here —…

How Much Are Average First Apartment Rent and Utility Costs? Our Survey Results Infographic

October 3, 2015 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

The very first thing to consider when you’re ready to move out is “How much is this going to cost?!” If you can’t afford it, it can’t happen, so you must plan wisely. But how much does rent ACTUALLY cost? Keep in mind that the numbers you see below are averages, reflecting an apartment size overall…

Stay Warm …and Frugal!

February 4, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Brrr Honey, it’s cold outside! And inside! Not to worry, there are ways to avoid the deep freeze in your apartment. The first consideration of course is $$. Heat is sometimes included in rent by law and sometimes not. What’s the deal with that? Well, it has to do with the way the heat is…