When Can You Legally Withhold Rent?

November 3, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

There are times when tenants can legally withhold their rent. You have the right to safe, sanitary, and habitable housing. Plumbing that doesn’t work properly, mold, and mildew are some examples of unsafe and unsanitary conditions. If the landlord consistently fails to provide changes to these challenging circumstances after repeated requests, then under certain circumstances,…

How to Find a Guarantor

October 7, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

For first-time renters or those looking to rent without proof of stable employment and income, landing that dream apartment may take an extra effort. When you’re credible but not quite meeting all the marks, a landlord may recommend you find a guarantor, allowing you to meet their requirements in a combined group effort. If you’re…

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…

How To Prepare to Rent an Apartment in 2020

December 23, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, you might be wondering how your living situation could change next year. The start of a new year provides a great opportunity to review your expenses and establish your annual budget, and as you get to know your limits better, you might come to better understand how…

Should You Rent-to-Own or Just Rent? Pros and Cons

December 16, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

To some people eager to own their first apartment, it may seem like there’s no easy purchase option without putting down cash or getting a mortgage. Rent-to-own apartments offer a solution. At the end of an apartment rental lease, the tenant has the option to buy the apartment for a predetermined price fixed in the…

What Is a Guarantor?

November 18, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Even if you’re mentally ready to move into your first apartment, you might not be financially ready. In some parts of the country, it’s common practice for landlords to require that your yearly income be 40 times the monthly rent, limiting your available options (or forcing you to split your rent with roommates). That’s why…

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…

Does A Raise Mean You Should Upgrade Your Apartment?

July 22, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When your next raise kicks in, you may find yourself dreaming of all the things you could buy with that cash bump. You might want to consider using that extra money to redecorate your home. You may even think about an entirely new apartment that’s now in your budget. But does a raise mean you…

A Short Guide to Your First Apartment Viewing

August 10, 2017 | By Kristen AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the most important parts of finding an apartment is seeing it. You need to schedule an apartment viewing and thoroughly check out the space that will potentially be your home for the next year or longer. The viewing is the time to make sure that this is the kind of space you want…

Who’s Paid the Rent? – Our Top Apps for Managing Obligations Between Housemates

November 16, 2016 | By Grace AuthorMy First Apartment

When beginning a roommate situation, one of the most important aspects to figure out is what the cost of living will be for each roommate. In most cases, roommates split all major costs down the middle. This means each person is paying his or her share of the rent, utilities, sanitation, and common goods. If this…