Boning up on your rental knowledge is probably not on your list of New Year's resolutions yet. It should be, though, because a little bit of diligence can go a long way in making your renting life better.
Reading your lease carefully, respecting your neighbors, forging a civil relationship with your landlord and familiarizing yourself with local rental laws were the most frequent solutions to the problems that apartment-dwellers have shared with me in the last year.
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In 2004, my apartment-bound readers had major problems with noise.
People who live in multifamily housing often forget about the people who live above them, below them and next door to them. It seems that there are many folks who talk too loudly, cavort too boisterously, walk heavily and in high heels across hardwood floors, and watch television or listen to music at extremely high volumes at all the wrong times.
People are also annoyed by harsh sounds coming from early morning neighborhood construction jobs, barking dogs and grumbling trash compactors.
What everybody needs to accept about living in apartment buildings is that noise travels easily. That means you should prepare yourself for a little residual noise and realize that your neighbors may not be intentionally disrespecting your quiet enjoyment.
At the same time, you should do your best not to make excessive noise. If your neighbors are producing what seems like more than the average amount of ruckus, you should have a cordial conversation with them about the noise, making sure to preface the discussion by acknowledging that you realize sound travels in mysterious ways in some apartment complexes because of structural details. Problems that can seem gargantuan when you don't know your neighbors can become manageable when you talk them through in a friendly way.
In the spirit of the holidays and the beginning of a new year, now is a good time to meet your neighbors if you do not know them already. Because many people who live in apartments value their anonymity and do not want to socialize with strangers, the goal doesn't have to be friendship. Introducing yourself and being able to recognize those who share your address is a start. In terms of safety, the more faces you know, the more likely you are to notice when something seems awry.
Respecting your neighbors and following the kind of behavioral standards that good parents instill in their children is important. It seems like common sense, but you should treat people who live around you as you wish they would treat you. In the laundry room, for instance -- the scene of many un-neighborly disputes and incidents of clothing theft, improper clothing handling and general neglect of laundry loads -- tenants desperately need to practice better etiquette.
When problems with neighbors cannot be solved by simple civility, then having a good relationship with your landlord is necessary. Such a relationship is a good idea in general, especially when you have complaints, maintenance problems or special requests. A landlord is more likely to make concessions and work hard for residents who have paid their rent and taken care of their property than for those who have not.
