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Our Top To-Dos To Get Your Apartment Spring Ready!

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While looking for an apartment, there are many amenities to consider. Whether it be the location, amenities, style, or budget, many also consider pet-friendly an essential while apartment hunting! According to the LA Times, approximately 70% of apartment residents are pet owners as well. Whether you are a first-time renter or looking to adopt, there are many things to consider/ask before you sign that lease! By asking the right questions, you can make sure apartment living with your four-legged friend is a success. Pet Deposits/Fees, Rent, and everything in between There are two types of pet deposits, also known as pet fees. One type is a refundable deposit/fee, and the other is nonrefundable. Pet deposits/fees cover any potential damage that may happen to the unit. After move-out walkthroughs, an assessment is completed for any damage made which is when a refundable pet deposit/fee gets returned. As for a nonrefundable pet deposit/fee, this is a one-time non-refundable transaction that also covers any potential damage to units. One thing to note is that service animals are excluded from a regular pet, therefore, there are no deposits, fees, and/or additional rent fees. Pet Limits If you have multiple pets, one thing to ask while apartment hunting is how many pets a tenant can have. Depending on the location of the property, many apartments located in busier neighborhoods tend to have a pet limit. If you do have more than one pet, be prepared to pay multiple fees. Breed Restrictions Unfortunately, due to insurance policies and liability reasons, apartment communities are allowed to place restrictions on certain breeds and size/weights that reside in the community. It is important to be clear and upfront with your management before adopting/renting. If your animal is a service animal, these restrictions do not apply since they are not considered pets. Pet Amenities Some communities offer many unique amenities geared toward pets! Whether it is a pet grooming area or an enclosed pet park, finding apartments with certain amenities can not only make you happy but your pet happy as well! Pet Rules/Regulations Many additional regulations may be required for you to comply with before your pet can be allowed onto the property. Some of these regulations are proof in updated vaccinations including being spayed/neutered, pet’s medical history, and proof of flea and tick prevention. In terms of rules, many communities require all pets to always have collars/leashes on outside of the apartment. Another thing to consider is cleaning up after your furry friend. Some communities may do this for you or offer a pet area where you’re supplied with baggies. If not, make sure you always have baggies on hand! If there is a need for maintenance or inspectors to enter the apartment, some communities require all animals to be caged up for the safety of management. Although it is not required, it’s not a bad idea to consider pet insurance. This helps protect you if your pet harms someone or damages another’s property. Looking for an apartment? Check out our availability here !

A common concern while renting is the fear of noisy neighbors. So, why is your apartment so noisy? Although you can’t control outside noise, you can control noise within your space. Sound typically bounces the most off hard surfaces, such as hardwood floors, countertops, tiles, walls, and ceilings. The most common cause is the lack of furniture/decor to absorb the sound. There are many solutions and types of furniture to help reduce noise. Here are our tips to best soundproof your apartment. Area Rugs/Carpet To help breakup hard flooring, rugs/carpet help absorb sound within your apartment by eliminating the sound of footsteps and echoing. Not only will it make your place quieter, but your neighbors will also thank you in the end! The thicker the rug the more sound can be absorbed, leaving your home quieter. White Noise Machine Although a white noise machine doesn’t eliminate noise, it acts as a mask for unwanted noise that may enter your apartment. Bookshelves Similar to rugs, bookshelves help absorb sound that bounces off walls. By filling bookshelves, it creates a thick barrier almost like a second wall, eliminating sound from leaving and entering your apartment. Wall Decor/Art Not only will décor add a personal aesthetic to your apartment, but it also acts as a way to absorb sound off the walls. So, dress up your apartment with accent pillows, family photos, throw blankets, and more! Looking for an apartment? Check out our availability here !

As renters prepare for lease renewals across the nation, many have noticed changes in their rent. There are many reasons that contribute to rent increases, so we wanted to compile them in one place for our residents! At Alliance Management Group our mission focuses on building relationships while providing an exceptional place to call home. We take pride in providing quality services, while remaining transparent with our residents. There are many factors that play into rent increases, including: A nationwide housing shortage People are moving out of big cities and into smaller communities. These communities are having trouble supporting the housing demand leading to a nationwide housing shortage and causing rents to increase. Extremely low rental vacancies and unrelenting demand Due to the housing shortage, many are resorting to renting or renewing their leases. As the pandemic nears the end, we also see many wanting to move out of their family homes and be on their own, increasing demand. Inflation Inflation can be caused by many factors and is affecting prices everywhere. As communities strive to build more apartments to meet the increased demand, construction costs have increased causing new buildings to be more expensive. Overall costs of property upkeep are increasing Along with inflation, maintenance, vendor & labor, energy & water, and insurance costs continue to rise in result to post-pandemic and economic changes. It is important for us, as Alliance Management Group, to maintain the best upkeep of our communities for our residents. Below is an infographic from the National Apartment Association (NAA) about the breakdown of how rent is distributed among costs. If you have any questions about why rent is increasing nationwide, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your community office!

As summer heats up quick, we’ve got you covered on how to lower your electric bill. Here are our tips to help you stay cool this summer, while remaining cost efficient. 1. Turn AC on Early in the Day ACs should be turned on early in the day before the outside temperature starts to rise and the apartment starts to heat. Turning it on when you return home will take several hours to reach a comfortable temperature. 2. Check/Clean Filter Make sure AC filter is clean. Filters can typically be removed and wiped off with a damp rag or warm, soapy water. This will help air move more easily through your unit, keep your air cleaner, as well as help your AC unit not have to work as hard. 3. Close Blinds Close blinds during the day, especially for South and West facing windows. This will reduce the heat that enters the apartment. 4. Check Vent Settings Some ACs have an open/closed vent setting. The “closed” position will cool air from inside the apartment, the “open” position will pull hot air inside and try to cool it. The “closed” position will be optimal on days where it is hotter outside than inside. 5. Use Medium-High Setting If you run your AC at too high of a setting, it will likely freeze up and stop running. Medium-High will be optimal. 6. Use a Fan A box or oscillating fan helps circulate cool air throughout the apartment, and takes some of the heavy lifting off the AC. 7. Close Doors Close the doors to rooms that do not need to be cooled down (such as a closet, storage room, bathroom, etc.) The smaller the space, the easier and quicker the apartment will cool down. Please note that ACs are only designed to cool the air 15-20 degrees from the outside temperature. If it is 95 degrees outside, your apartment will likely not get down to 60 degrees. As long as cold air blows out of the AC vents, your AC is likely working properly. Looking for a new place to live? Check out our availability here !

Finding the perfect place for you and your pals can be exciting! What isn’t exciting is when they eat your food and don’t pay rent on time. Having a roommate agreement can both set boundaries between roommates as well as hold each other accountable. A roommate agreement is a written contract between you and your roommates defining the rules of your apartment, bill breakdowns, and more. Whether or not the agreement is legally binding, it can help make sure that you avoid conflict with your roommates. Each roommate agreement can be tailored to fit your needs but here are some of the essentials for creating yours! A Detailed Plan of Bill Breakdowns This is the most important part of your roommate agreement. This section will outline who pays what, when and how. This can be applied to rent, groceries, bills, security deposits and other expenses you may experience as a household. Are you going to split bills 50/50? Is one person going to pay one month and then swap the next? Are you going to use a money sending system or pay individually? It’s important to detail this as much as you can to avoid confusion and conflict between roommates later. Rules for Pets It’s important to find out right away if your roommates either have pets or are going to get one in the future. Some questions to put in the roommate agreement include: What kind of pet is it? Does the apartment allow pets and if so what type and size requirements? Is anyone in the household allergic to certain animals? Are there any breed restrictions? What are the pet fees and who is responsible for paying them? If a roommate plans to get a pet, how much of a notice needs to be provided to the household? These are just a few of the questions and if you have more, make sure to include them in your contract. Guests and Significant Others Some guests have a habit of overstaying their welcome. Setting up some rules for who is allowed in the apartment and when, can help save you from some awkward encounters later and may even prevent a stranger from eating your food. Think of what boundaries you want to set up when it comes to guests and tailor your roommate agreement accordingly. Private Time/Quiet Hours We all need some quiet time where we can collect our thoughts and relax. Having a roommate playing drums at 3AM may not be ideal for your sleep schedule. Setting up quiet hours can help create respectful boundaries between you and your roommate(s). Figure out when your quiet hours are and stick to them! You can also add your own “do not disturb” hours to take a nap, read a book, or just have some alone time. Cleaning Schedule Cleaning up after your roommates 3-day old dishes is neither fun nor fair. To avoid such a scenario, a cleaning schedule is crucial. It’s important to note which roommate is responsible for cleaning what and how often. Do they need to provide the cleaning supplies? What happens if they don’t do it? One method is by hanging a magnetic calendar on your fridge and write down on which day the cleaning needs to be done, by who, and what the cleaning task is. The cleaning situation is completely different for everyone, so figure out what works for you and make sure to do your part and hold each other accountable based on the agreement. Conflict Resolution Arguments do come up, but it’s important to find a safe and effective way to settle disputes. In your Roommate Agreement, mark down how everyone prefers to communicate, whether it be via text or through a roommate meeting. Make sure to detail how you will handle situations and communicate anything that wasn’t listed in your agreement. It is important to note that a Roommate Agreement does not supersede the lease or any other agreement that tenants may have with the landlord. The landlord is not bound by the Agreement and is not obligated to enforce its terms. Coming up with a roommate agreement can be tricky but it will help set boundaries and rules for everyone. Work through it together so everyone is on the same page! Need help getting started? Download and use our free fillable Roommate Agreement Template below! Are you and your roommates looking for a new place to live? Check out our availability here .

Furnishing and styling an entire apartment can get expensive, but here are some tips and tricks to help you save some dough, while not compromising on your personal style.

1. Budget Accordingly Budgeting for your monthly rent is extremely important when looking for your first apartment and we have a super simple way of doing it. Take your total monthly household income and multiply it by .30 (aka 30%). This number will set the bar as the maximum you should spend on your monthly rent. The lower you get from that number, the more money you’ll have in your pocket for other things (like matcha lattes). Want to maximize your monthly budget? Consider a roommate. Roommates aren’t only just built-in buddies (as long as they do their dishes), they can help you make the most of your monthly dollars. Moving your search from a one bedroom to two can dramatically decrease your share of the rent. Or you can look at a slightly upgraded apartment complex and get a bit more bang for your buck. Make sure to choose wisely when it comes to your roommate(s)! While you may love spending bunches of time with your best friend, they may not be the best roommate. Think about things like how clean you like common spaces, noise levels and other expectations. Then choose accordingly. 2. Wants and Needs What you need from an apartment can go way beyond bedroom and bathroom count (although those are important). Do you have pets? Some apartments have pet and even breed restrictions so make sure to clarify that before applying. Is being able to walk or bike to work a priority for you? Narrow down your apartment search to neighborhoods that fulfill these needs. Let’s talk about wants. While they may not be top of the list priorities, they are still incredibly important in your apartment hunt. Do you want an on-site gym? Community space? Updated appliances and modern finishes? All possible but may require an increase in your budget. If an apartment you are looking at doesn’t meet all your wants, talk to the leasing manager as they should be able to help you find the perfect fit. 3. Take a Tour Think you found the one? Make sure to tour it before signing on the dotted line. Getting a feel for not just the unit, but the building is important. Pictures can be deceiving, so a tour is the perfect final step before renting. Most apartment buildings can accommodate your needs when it comes to touring. Whether you want to tour in person or over a socially distanced video call, they should be able to make it happen. 4. What’s Included? Make sure to check what is and is not included with your rent. Here is a quick list of what to look for: a. Heating b. Electricity c. Water d. Trash e. Recycling f. Wi-Fi For any of the above utilities that are not included, you will need to set up accounts with the corresponding companies. Some apartment managers will take care of this step for you, so check with them before setting anything up. Some utilities, like Wi-Fi, you may be able to choose from a list of available providers. Others, like electricity, you will need to set up an account with the service provider for the whole apartment complex. 5. Rental Application Most apartments will have a rental application fee. This covers the cost of a background check and processing for each potential renter. These fees can average around $40 so make sure to plan for that. The time it takes for your application to be processed and reviewed is typically 1-2 days. If you have any questions about your application, make sure to reach out to the property manager. They are the experts and are there to help! 6. Read the Lease We know it can look long and boring but being well acquainted with your lease will set you up for success. Do you have lease termination notice requirements? Who do you call if something goes wrong? When’s rent due? All of these are important questions, and the answers lie within your lease! Make sure to ask for a copy of your lease to keep for your records. 7. Furnishing your apartment Furnishing an entire apartment can get expensive, but here are some tips and tricks to help you save some dough, while not compromising on your personal style. a. Facebook marketplace is a great place to find gently used home furniture and décor in a wide range of styles for a fraction of what the items would have originally cost. Just make sure to always clean your newfound treasures before bringing them into your apartment! b. When you think of thrift store, you may think of the places you drop off all your old clothes, but they are so much more than that! If you want to find some unique pieces on a budget, thrift stores are where it’s at. Plus, they are a great place to find vintage dishware and artwork! c. Want your new furniture shipped directly to you? Check out stores like Target, Wayfair and Ikea for affordable and stylish pieces! d. Moving in with roommates? Split up the finding and buying of needed furniture and kitchen supplies over everyone. 8. Renters Insurance is Your Friend You may think “I don’t need renter’s insurance. What could possibly go wrong?” While we hope you’re right and nothing ever goes wrong while you’re renting an apartment (or anytime really), we do strongly suggest adding renter’s insurance. What does renter’s insurance cover you ask? It covers your property and belongings in the case of theft and fire, personal liability if your property was damaged, if someone get’s hurt while staying with you (after your deductible), and if a natural disaster happens and you can no longer stay in your apartment due to it being deemed uninhabitable, renter’s insurance will cover your hotel costs. Whew, no friends’ couches needed. 9. The Move-in Walk Through You have your lease signed, keys in hand and are ready to move in. But wait! Make sure to always do a move in walk through before settling in. Mark down any damages that are already present in your apartment. This can be stains, scuff marks, chipped cabinets, or anything. Document them and bring a copy to your site office manager. Then when you eventually move out, your deposit won’t be dinged due to any damages caused before you moved in. 10. Set up Mail forwarding Last but not least, set up mail forwarding! Make sure to forward your mail from your previous address with the United States Post Office. It is a simple and free way to make sure you get your mail even if you haven’t updated your address with everyone (sorry grandma!). Set up your mail forwarding here . Ready to start looking for an apartment? Find all of our available rentals here !