Welcome to Apartment Life, an online discussion of the Washington area rental market, featuring Post columnist Sara Gebhardt.
In
her monthly exchanges with the audience, Gebhardt discusses rental issues and lifestyle matters.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Sara Gebhardt: Hello all renters and whoever else is joining in today. The New Year may have brought a new resolution to find a new roommate, find a new apartment, re-decorate, or become a more knowledgeable renter. Or maybe your resolutions had nothing to do with your status as a renter or wannabe buyer. I don't know, but I'm ready to answer all of your apartment-related questions. Let's go...
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Woodbridge, Va.:
In your Jan. 1, 2005 column, you stated, "Yes, floor-to-ceiling windows without screens are dangerous." You were responding to a resident of an overheated 12th-floor apartment in Chevy Chase, who was having a problem getting the building management to reinstall screens that had been removed for window cleaning. I hope the resident is able to have this problem resolved satisfactorily, but I wanted to let you and your readers know that window screens are not a sufficient safeguard to prevent children, pets, or even adults from falling out of a window. Please - never - consider your window screens to be safety devices. Install a safety grille and/or open your windows at the top only. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's advice on preventing window falls here: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5124.html
Amy Wilson
Woodbridge, VA
Sara Gebhardt: A comment regarding a question in my last discussion. Be careful around your window screens...
Apartment Chat
Welcome to Apartment Life, an online discussion of the Washington area rental market, featuring Post columnist Sara Gebhardt.
In
her monthly exchanges with the audience, Gebhardt discusses rental issues and lifestyle matters.
Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
The discussion follows.
To participate in this online event, use the links at the bottom of the page. You can automatically update the page's conversation, get new responses and submit questions.
Welcome to Apartment Life, an online discussion of the Washington area rental market, featuring Post columnist Sara Gebhardt.
In
her monthly exchanges with the audience, Gebhardt discusses rental issues and lifestyle matters.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
_____________
Sara Gebhardt: Hello all renters and whoever else is joining in today. The New Year may have brought a new resolution to find a new roommate, find a new apartment, re-decorate, or become a more knowledgeable renter. Or maybe your resolutions had nothing to do with your status as a renter or wannabe buyer. I don't know, but I'm ready to answer all of your apartment-related questions. Let's go...
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Woodbridge, Va.:
In your Jan. 1, 2005 column, you stated, "Yes, floor-to-ceiling windows without screens are dangerous." You were responding to a resident of an overheated 12th-floor apartment in Chevy Chase, who was having a problem getting the building management to reinstall screens that had been removed for window cleaning. I hope the resident is able to have this problem resolved satisfactorily, but I wanted to let you and your readers know that window screens are not a sufficient safeguard to prevent children, pets, or even adults from falling out of a window. Please - never - consider your window screens to be safety devices. Install a safety grille and/or open your windows at the top only. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's advice on preventing window falls here: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5124.html
Amy Wilson
Woodbridge, VA
Sara Gebhardt: A comment regarding a question in my last discussion. Be careful around your window screens...
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Philadelphia, Pa.:
I'm about to graduate college and plan to move to the D.C. area. What's a great place to live that's still affordable?
Sara Gebhardt: Here's the age-old question. Affordable is a relative concept. Ask people you know in the area for advice, and then investigate the neighborhoods themselves. Remember, you should not spend more than 30% of your income on renting. Also think about your preferences: do you mind living in the suburbs, or do you want to be in the mix of everything?
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More on window guards.:
If you put up window guards, make sure they won't block you inside (or block firefighters from either side) in the event of a fire.
Sara Gebhardt: Thanks for the information.
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N.Y.:
Hi Sara -
A friend of mine recently told me he owes money on an apartment he used to rent (he moved out of it 9 months ago when he broke up with his live-in girlfriend. Neither of them lives there now). That surprises me -- I thought you had to pay up each month. He wants to do right by the old place but doesn't know where he would start, and I have no idea either.
Sara Gebhardt: He doesn't know the name of the apartment management company? Or the owner? Your friend probably should check his credit report. If he owes the former landlord 9 months in rent, there's a good chance a collector will be coming for it eventually.
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Anonymous: Leasing happiness...
I wanted to share my happy moment - I informed my apartment company that I would not be renewing my lease unless they replaced my miserable washer and dryer, and yippee! A new one is coming next week! It reminds me that it never hurts to ask.
Sara Gebhardt: Thanks for validating my all-too-often comment that it never hurts to ask.
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Washington, D.C.:
Lately I've found myself chatting and joking with a resident in my building: in the elevator, in the lobby, checking mail. It's kind of like flirting, but without the intent of building a romance (is there a word that describes this??). I'm not sure how he's taking it, and as a new tenant, it could be really awkward if things got misconstrued. Is there a protocol that dictates apartment living and (not) dating?
Sara Gebhardt: You know how they say, "love thy neighbor"? Well, "they" don't necessarily mean it that way. Inside and outside of the apartment realm, friendliness can misconstrued as romantic interest. It just depends on the details of the equation--who's involved, just how friendly are we talking, etc. Unless there's more to the story than you are admitting, don't worry about your budding friendship with apartment guy until he actually misreads the situation. And when he does, start talking about how hot the guy in 14Bb is.
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Washington, D.C.:
How flexible are property management companies in letting you out of your lease early if you have a huge problem with your roommate and cannot live there any more?
Sara Gebhardt: Basically, you have to approach your management company and ask. Since there is likely a lease clause stating penalties for breaking your lease, your landlord can hold you to those penalties. But sometimes they are more understanding and allow you to leave early if you help find a replacement tenant. Just give it a try.
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Washington, D.C.:
I've moved my stuff into my new apartment -- my friend used to live there and gave me a copy of her old key -- but I haven't signed the lease yet. (It should be ready tomorrow.) I've been living in it since Sunday -- without the necessary fix-ups (a crumbling wall, etc.). Presumably, the rent for the month will be pro-rated. Should it be pro-rated from when I sign the lease or from when I moved my stuff in?
Sara Gebhardt: This is your own ethical decision. You are living there, and presumably should pay for the time that you have been living there. Is management planning to fix-up the apartment before you move-in? If so, they will be on to you, and may not be happy to know you copied a key and moved-in without going through the proper process.
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Bethesda, Md.:
Hello, I rent a house and share a bathroom with several roommates. The bathroom doesn't have an exhaust fan, but does have a window. My roommates refuse to open the window in the morning because they think it gets cold and they don't want to let heat out of the house. The problem is that due to all the showers we have had a bunch of mildew grow on the bathroom walls. My roommates are unconcerned and don't think it is a major issue. But I am concerned that when we leave our landlord could find us responsible and charge us for the cleaning/repairs. Who would be responsible? Is it reasonable for the landlord to expect us to leave a window open?
Sara Gebhardt: It is probably not reasonable for your landlord to expect you to leave the window open during the winter months in order to stave off mildew. What you and your roommates can do in the meantime is be vigilant about scrubbing the tile after showering or everyday to prevent mildew growth. You could also tell your landlord now about the problem and let him/her install and exhaust fan if he/she cares about the potential future problem.
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Vienna, Va.:
Our apartment was converted to condos right after we moved in last April. We weren't interested in buying a condo here and are going to move out. Now, we're expecting a baby at the beginning of April this year. Since there are probably buyers out there interested in purchasing the units, is there a way we can legally break the lease early so that we don't have to move with a newborn and not have to pay the rent for the months that we are not there?
Thanks
Sara Gebhardt: Assuming your condo is in hot demand and there are buyers interested in moving right away, you have a good shot of breaking your lease. Of course, you have to ask your landlord and give him/her this scenario to find out.
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Rockville, Md.:
The lease on my apartment is up for renewal, and I was intending to stay until last week when I was woken up by the beginning of a huge multi-million dollar construction project (by the county parks department and sewage authority) literally in my backyard. I am now rethinking my intention to stay, especially since the county cannot give me a timeframe for the construction, but might be willing to stick around if I can negotiate a lower rent with my landlord, or at least keeping my rent where it is now (they want to raise it). What is the best way to make my case to my landlord, and do I have a chance of success? Or should I just start looking for a new place?
Sara Gebhardt: You should do both. First, look at other places so that you know what else is out there and how it compares to your current situation. You should also ask your landlord to lower your rent because of the construction. Your landlord may go for this, or may at least agree to keep the rent where it is now. If the construction is especially obtrusive, your landlord might want you to stay for fear of not being able to occupy your unit, and may go for your requests. But if your landlord does not seem willing to negotiate, then you will already have an idea of where you want to go next.
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New York, N.Y.:
30%, my butt (can I say that?!). You think I can afford to live on 30% of my salary? Is that pre- or post-tax? Because, let me tell you, a person making $50,000 a year would barely be able to squeak by on -- or find an apartment for -- $1200. And after taxes, 30% of a $50,000 salary is $875. That wouldn't let you rent ZIP!
I pay about 50% of my monthly take-home, and I've got a very, very inexpensive apartment.
Sara Gebhardt: Thirty percent is what most financial planners/analysts recommend. It's obviously difficult for many people to do this, based on their salaries and the cities in which they live. I didn't say that most renters follow this rule, but in terms of your overall finances, the experts seem to think spending more than 1/3 of your total income is not good money management.
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Springfield, Va.:
What do when you live in an apartment and above you lives some young women with a variety of male visitors and quite a bit of late night, ahem, calisthenics. Below me lives a single guy with a smoking habit not of the legal kind? I'm no prude, but it makes entertaining a bit embarrassing.
Sara Gebhardt: Interesting conundrum. I guess you can't give your visitors ear- and nose-plugs.... Lately I've been writing a lot about noise issues; You are not alone in hearing things you don't want to because of the way apartments are constructed. You can try to absorb the sound with extra furniture or a thick rug, and if you were bold, you could mention to your upstairs neighbor that noise travels easily and see if anything changes.
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Washington, D.C.:
I subleased my apartment for the remainder of my lease, using a written sublease agreement that we both signed. The tenant arrived to the apartment and decided she did not want to live there because she wanted someplace larger (she did not see the apartment prior to signing the lease). There is no break lease clause in the sublease, so I understand that she must continue paying me for the remainder of the lease. However, I'm pretty sure my leasing agency doesn't really allow me to sublease. If I'm not legally allowed to sublease, but I did sublease and the sublessor broke the sublease, do I have any case to make the sublessor pay?
Sara Gebhardt: This question is something of a tongue twister. If your building doesn't allow you to sublease, you do not have a strong case to make the sublessor pay.
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RE: Noisy Upstairs Neighbor:
Do you have the phone # to your female neighbor?
Sara Gebhardt: Everybody's a comedian.
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Re: New York, N.Y.:
I have to agree with the New Yorker. I lived in Boston right after college, and even with a roommate, I spent 50% of my income on rent. I did have one friend who managed to pay only 25% of his income for rent, but he had 5 roommates and the place was a mess -- owners had done no repairs or upgrades in decades. It's tough right out of school. Get a roommate (or two), but you will still spend more than what is "smart." Hang in there, because living in the city is worth it.
Sara Gebhardt: I didn't disagree with the New Yorker. It is tough to rent your first place, and it's true that many recent college grads who manage to keep their rent costs to the recommended percentage do so by living with roommates.
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RE: Noisy Neighbor Upstairs:
And I'll take the phone number for the neighbor with the questionable smoking habit....
Sara Gebhardt: Comedy central up in here.
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Baltimore, Md.:
Thanks for taking my question. My roommates told me last week they are moving out of town in a month, so know I am quickly looking for a place to live and someone to share it with. Where would you recommend looking? I have been to a lot of the Web sites (roommates.com), but you have to pay to contact people. Any other suggestions?
Sara Gebhardt: Try craigslist.org or local print papers. They are good ways to find/place free listings.
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Sara Gebhardt: Thanks for a lively discussion today. I got lots of good questions. If I didn't get to yours, please feel free to email me (gebhardts@washpost.com) or look for an answer in one of my upcoming columns. See you next month--Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
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