New Years Resolutions For Apartment Renters

If you’re renting an apartment, it’s often all too easy to let things fall by the wayside until it’s time to move out. We all lead busy lives, and after a full work week, apartment maintenance is probably not as big of a priority as resting and recharging over the weekend.

Of course it’s important to enjoy the relaxing environment of your apartment, but there are some major things you can start doing now to greatly benefit yourself, your landlord, and even your neighbors over the course of the coming year.

Get rental insurance

You never know when something might happen in your building– a leaky pipe, a flood, a kitchen fire, even a natural disaster. 

Getting rental insurance means that your items are protected in the event that they are damaged or destroyed, which means that it’s a responsible decision that will benefit you and provide peace of mind for you and your landlord alike.

Change your air filters

This is something that might never cross a renter’s mind at all. After all, if you don’t own the building, why should you take steps to maintain the HVAC system?

Clean air filters can greatly benefit tenants in a number of ways. A clogged air filter can cause HVAC system failure, and HVAC system failure means your heat or air conditioning will be interrupted while the issue is resolved. It also potentially means repairmen in your home, which means you have to let people in or be available during work, putting a cramp in your plans for the day or even requiring a day of missed wages!

Even if the HVAC system is working as it should, an air filter that hasn’t been changed in a while isn’t allowing air to pass through it as easily as it should. That means that it takes more effort for the heating or air conditioning to work properly– which results in higher energy bills for you, the tenant.

Finally, a clogged air filter can actually attract bacteria and mold, which means potential mold spores and allergens being distributed through the vents in your apartment– something that could cause serious health issues. 

Changing the filter isn’t difficult, and while your landlord should provide filters for you, they’re typically $8-10 apiece. Make it a goal to change yours every 60 days this year, as a favor to both yourself and your landlord.

Deep clean your apartment, one room at a time

This one is especially important, whether you’re planning to stick around in your current rental or move on to a new place. Anyone who’s rented a few apartments can probably relate to the experience of having to deep clean their apartment and move at the same time, because when you move furniture and remove appliances, you’re bound to find some dust and grime that you’d previously missed.

Making it a goal to regularly deep clean is a great way to keep your apartment in tip-top shape so things are a little easier when you eventually move out. Not only that, it makes your landlord a lot more likely to return your security deposit!

Deep cleaning a whole apartment might seem like an overwhelming task, but if you divide it into one room at a time or even one section of a room at a time, it will feel a lot more manageable. Make sure to (carefully!) pull appliances away from the wall and clean underneath and behind them. If you notice anything that needs repair, let your landlord know now instead of waiting until it’s time to move out.

Make a budget and plan the year ahead

Approximately half of working people in the United States live paycheck-to-paycheck, and if you’ve had unexpected expenses during the month, having rent money together can be difficult.

It’s highly beneficial for you to create a budget for the year, taking into account your average compensation and deciding how much you want to spend on groceries, entertainment, etc. and how much will be allocated to rent and bills. You might also benefit from putting at least a small percentage of your earnings into a high-yield savings account each month for emergencies.

When it finally is time to move out, your landlord will surely appreciate the efforts you’ve made to keep the place clean and functional, and a happy landlord can serve as a reference. 

Moving to a new place can be a breeze with a clean apartment, a security deposit in hand, and a rental you found with the help of Apartment Hunters. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll do the searching for you!