Picture this: you’ve found the perfect apartment at a reasonable rate. You think to yourself, “I’ve done it!” Then, as soon as you move all your stuff in, everything breaks and the trash truck wakes you up every morning at 4 a.m. and your neighbor dings your car over and over again and your shower has no water pressure and it takes an hour just to wash your hair and you can’t believe you signed this lease only a week ago, why is this happening?! Now take a deep breath. That doesn’t have to be you. That’s why we’re here! We’ve made a list of a few things that you may forget to ask when it comes to finding the perfect apartment. Read the rest of this entry »

There you are on a sandy beach, basking in the sun, your cell phone and laptop far away, when suddenly it hits you: Rent is due in two days! And you can’t remember if you paid your utility bills! And… oh God… did you leave the stove on? Did you even remember to lock your apartment door?! If this scenario sounds like something you might experience while on vacation, don’t fear. Before you depart from your apartment for summer vacation, be sure to do these 7 things.

1. Plan ahead to pay rent and utilities.

Avoid the mid-vacation panic of remembering overdue bills by planning ahead a little. Before you leave, set up autopay online for both or pay them ahead of time.

2. Take care of your mail.

If you are expecting deliveries while you are away, ask your neighbors to receive them or bring them in for you until you get back. If the mail item will be delivered to the leasing office, you should also notify your apartment’s management so they will know to hold it for you until you return. Read the rest of this entry »

Foremost, it is important to make sure that your apartment is safe from accidents. Before you leave you apartment check all faucets (during freezes in winter it may be wise to leave a drip running), turn off all light switches, check the stove, and scan the surroundings of electrical outlets. An extra safe step: clean each room. Take stock of items that may need to be stowed away and safety hazards that can be avoided. At bare minimum, take out your trash, do your dishes and seal all non-perishables. Pests and rodents are real risks. Especially in a warm, dark, empty apartments.

Cleaning your apartment living quarters comes with an added bonus of coming home to serenity after the stresses of travel. Conserving energy can also alleviate some travel induced stress. Saving energy saves money in your pocketbook! Do not get charged for energy services that you aren’t using! Be sure to shut the blinds, move plants to one window sill if possible, turn off (or up) the air conditioning, and unplug all cords and power strips. Not only does this also add another element of safety, it saves the planet!

Do you have any other tips to share with us? Connect with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages. We will share your tips with other fans. Happy traveling from ApartmentSearch.com and The Apartment Living Blog!