Keep Your Apartment Refrigerator at the Right Temperature

Most people expect refrigerators to just do what they’re supposed to and keep foods at the right temperature. But the thing is, refrigerators aren’t always set up to do this correctly or efficiently. It’s likely that your apartment refrigerator could be set to keep food too cold, thus resulting in wasted energy and partially-frozen foods, or not cold enough, which could cause your food to spoil quickly, or, worse, make you sick.

So the priority, of course, is keeping food at a safe temperature. The FDA says that 41°F or less is the temperature at which refrigerators should stay. Keeping food at or below this temperature slows the growth of most bacteria — while it won’t kill bacteria, it will keep them from multiplying. As for the freezer, the FDA says to freeze at 0°F or less. They also recommend checking the temperature once per week.

Green Refrigerator Tips

Setting your fridge (and freezer) to the right temperature is one way to go green and not waste energy. The Green Guide suggests more ways you can save energy and save on your electric bill:

• Keep the top of your refrigerator clutter-free, as it can hamper the compressor’s proper air circulation
• Avoid evaporation by covering food and drink in the fridge
• Avoid frost build-ups of more than a quarter-inch, and defrost the freezer regularly

A Broken Apartment Refrigerator is Totally Uncool

Not all apartment refrigerators are perfect! The renters before you may not have taken the best care of it, or it could just be very old. Either way, if there’s a problem, be sure and put in a maintenance request at your apartment manager’s office. A broken refrigerator can leak, ruin food, be noisy or cause other headaches.

A Message Center

If you have a roommate, consider turning the fridge into a message center. If your refrigerator has a magnetic front or side, keep a few magnets and some paper on there, and it can be  your designated place to leave each other important notes and reminders.

Move-Out Reminder

When you eventually move out of your apartment, don’t forget to clean out the fridge! While you may have spent your last day there vacuuming, dusting and disinfecting every inch of space in order to try to get your deposit back, renters often forget about the refrigerator. Don’t leave anything in there and be sure to wipe it clean and leave it tidy.

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There’s a famous Plautus quote: “No guest is so welcome in a friend’s house that he will not become a nuisance after three days.” While that may not exactly be true for everybody, Plautus is making a good point — having house guests over can go from good to bad in the blink of an eye, often because they’ve just simply stayed too long. That can make for a really awkward situation.

If you’re hosting some friends or family members at your apartment, here are some tips for making sure things go smoothly with your house guests:

• If you have roommates, you should absolutely check in with them first. Tell them there’s a possibility that guests will be staying over at your apartment. Ask if that would be okay, and if so, how long they may stay.
• Talk to your house guests before they arrive, or preferably, before they make final plans. Let them know how long they may stay with you and be upfront about your house rules.
• You may also want to fill them in on your apartment complex’s rules.
• Going off the previous tip, find out what your house guests’ expectations are. Will they expect you to pick them up from the airport? Do they want you to take them on a tour of the city? Will you be their only transportation? These are important things to know before they arrive so you can plan accordingly. If they will be relying on you for transportation and your work schedule doesn’t really allow it, be sure to give them a heads up.
• Be honest about your expectations, too. If you want your house guests to wash their own dishes and help around the house, you should tactfully mention that when you extend your invitation.
• Once plans are made, make sure you have a place for your house guests to sleep. If you have a small apartment and only have a couch to offer up for bed space, let your guests know so that they can make arrangements to bring an air mattress or a sleeping bag.
• Have clean towels ready for them.
• If you know of any of their favorite snacks or drinks (you can always ask them!), you could pick them up before your house guests arrive. They’ll appreciate your thoughtful gesture.

Laying out rules and being clear with your house guests before they even arrive can help make things go as smoothly as possible. After all, being a host should be enjoyable, not a source of frustration and stress.

If finding the right apartment for rent is what’s giving you stress, try out the free apartment search tools on our website! We’re a leading source for apartment listings nationwide, and you can also earn up to $200 in renter rewards just by finding a place with us.

If you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment that includes a washing machine, you know just how incredibly convenient it can be. No lugging baskets overflowing with clothes and heavy bottles of detergent down flights of stairs to the apartment complex laundry room or nearest laundromat only to find that the washers are all in use or are out of order. You can do laundry whenever you want without having to leave home. Now that’s the good life!

Washing Machine Hookups

While your apartment may not come with its own washing machine, it may have washer hookups available. Usually found in a utility closet, washer and dryer hookups make it possible for you to set up a washing machine and a dryer, since they require more than just a simple electrical outlet. Typically, an apartment complex will advertise their units or some of their units as having “washer and dryer hookups.” This may be a good thing to ask about before you sign the lease. Ask them for details about setting up a washing machine. You’ll also need to know if the hookups and space require the washing machine to be stackable. Many apartment complexes will rent you a washer and dryer if you don’t already have one. Be sure to ask your apartment manager about this option if you’re interested in leasing a washer and dryer.

Washer Tips

With a washing machine in your apartment, you’ve got serious convenience. It’s no doubt a great amenity. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your apartment’s washer:

• Be courteous of your neighbors. They may be able to hear your washing machine through the floor or wall when it’s running, so you may not want to do laundry late at night or very early in the morning.
• Never use more detergent than what’s recommended on the detergent bottle. Using too much can lead to a big, soapy, wet mess.
• Don’t leave your apartment while the washer is running. If it overflows or malfunctions, you need to be there to take care of the situation.
• To use your washer efficiently and avoid wasting water, it’s recommended that you only do laundry when you have enough for a full load. Washing just one T-shirt can be a huge waste of energy and water.
• If you have a roommate, don’t leave your clothes just sitting in the washer for too long after they’re done, as your roommate might also want to do laundry.
• Very large comforters, blankets and rugs can potentially damage a washing machine. You may want to consider taking these items to a laundromat where they have oversize washers available.
• If you suspect your washer is broken or not working correctly, put in a maintenance request at your apartment manager office. (Of course, if you own the washer, it’s your responsibility to keep it in working order.)
• Check your dryer’s lint filter regularly. Clogged lint filters cause your dryer to run much less efficiently – and are a leading cause of household fires.

Thanks for your interest in our apartment washing machine tips! And we have a hot tip for you on finding an apartment, too: try our free search tools at ApartmentSearch.com. If you find the best apartment for you on our site, you can earn up to $200 in renter rewards!

The apartment manager role might be a good fit for you if you enjoy working with people, are fairly organized and have a common-sense knowledge of home improvement. Apartment managers do get their share of grief and guff, but they also usually get good compensation: discounted or free rent.

In general, apartment manager jobs require you to work full time, but small apartment complexes won’t require a full-time commitment. If you’re looking to be a part-time apartment manager, though, keep in mind that your compensation might be proportional to the amount of time you work.

Apartment Manager Can Mean a Lot of Things

Another caveat is that many owners expect different things from their apartment managers. Some apartment managers are responsible for handling small repairs, tending the grounds and running credit reports for new tenants. Others simply collect checks, keep records and show units to people who want an apartment for rent.

As the owner’s on-site representative, an apartment manager needs to:

• know when an apartment maintenance or emergency situation needs the owner’s attention
• be available on weekends and after-hours for emergencies
• fill vacancies quickly
• be aware of apartment safety issues
• know how to handle late rent and evictions
• treat everyone fairly and professionally.

How To Become an Apartment Manager

Obviously, the best apartment manager opportunity is in your own complex. You already live there and know what the situation is. Ideally, you even have a positive relationship with the owner or the departing apartment manager. Of course, it helps if you’re already handy with a wrench and hammer or have worked on home improvement or construction projects.

Also, check Craigslist.org and the classifieds. Ask local property management companies and independent property managers if they know of any opportunities. You might find it advantageous to contact local real estate schools about certification.

Of course, if you live in a full-service apartment complex with a staffed leasing office, 24-hour security and all the amenities, chances are the leasing office staff already take care of all the apartment manager responsibilities. Still, it never hurts to inquire if that staff has any vacancies. If none of them live in the apartment complex, you already have the potential to be a big asset to the group by virtue of proximity.

Good luck, and remember, Apartment Search is your place to find an apartment and earn up to $200 in renter rewards when you sign that lease.

Dealing with apartment maintenance is part of the reality of renting a college apartment, loft apartment, or standard efficiency apartment. Most apartment managers will try their best to fix your problems promptly. Here are a few simple yet useful tips you might try to get good results from the apartment maintenance folks at your complex. Also, don’t forget to look into buying renters insurance, which will protect you from damage if you had a huge maintenance problem that led to water damage.

Apartment Maintenance: Act Fast!

If you have a leak in your apartment, don’t let the water run all over everything, puddle on the floor and cause more damage. Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, stick a bucket under there to catch the water, and wipe up any excess. See what you can do to slow down or stop further damage from happening, unless you feel it would put you or your family in danger. Move your microwave, DVR, cable television box, and any other items out of the way of any apartment maintenance mishap.

In the same manner, if something is broken, don’t continue to use it. If the garbage disposal has stopped eating up your veggies and sounds like it’s dying, stop using it and alert any family members or roommates to do the same until apartment maintenance can take a look at it.

Give Correct Information to Apartment Maintenance Personnel

You may have to leave a message or explain the situation so that the apartment maintenance crew can decide where your job falls among all of the others they have to deal with. Be prepared with truthful and detailed answers to the following questions:

• What’s the problem?

• When did it start or happen?

• How did it happen? What was the situation?

If you did something to cause the damage, you might as well confess. He or she will probably figure it out and the apartment maintenance person will have a better idea of what replacement parts to bring.

• How serious is it? Can it wait or is it an apartment maintenance emergency?

Don’t be the one who cries wolf. If you leave messages constantly saying “It’s an emergency” and “I need someone immediately,” they may soon begin to drag their feet on your calls, and with good reason. They have real emergencies to deal with, so save phrases like “as soon as possible,” “emergency,” and “immediately” for when you truly need them. If you’re in doubt, describe what damage or risks are being caused to the property or yourself. For example, “My sink is leaking, and the water is soaking into the floor” or “My fusebox just blew up, there are sparks coming out, and I’m afraid to go near it.” Many apartment managers now have a separate number just for emergencies, only use it for that purpose.

Follow Up on Your Apartment Maintenance Issue

Many apartment complexes don’t have 24/7 maintenance service. If you call Saturday evening with a problem that is not an emergency, like a broken dishwasher, chances are you won’t get help until Monday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday. But if 24 hours goes by, and no one has called to let you know it’s on the apartment maintenance list, call up and ask to make sure someone received the message. Just like with your own phone and family, messages can get lost or erased by mistake.

Always Express Thanks for Maintenance Help

Finally, even if you’re upset that it took longer than you thought it should, chances are your apartment maintenance worker is just trying to do his or her job. Be sure to tell them thanks!