Greater Dayton Resident Links

How To Find an Apartment

Finding an apartment can be stressful and overwhelming.  Here are some useful tips so you can easily search for your perfect apartment home! Happy hunting!

BUDGET – Decide on your range for your “ideal rent” amount. This is different for everyone based on individual circumstances. Don’t overextend yourself. Keep it realistic.

WISH LIST – Do you want a balcony? A pool on-site? Washer and dryer in unit? Do you have a pet? Make a list of needs and wants before you begin shopping.

SHOP – Drive, walk around, or search the internet for different parts of the city where you might like to live. Consider commute times, your lifestyle needs and local conveniences. Once you find an area you like, search for apartments for rent in that locale.  With everything at your fingertips on-line is a great resourse.  There is a multitude of resources to help you find your dream apartment.  Be sure to check the apartment communities are Greater Dayton Apartment Association (GDAA) members. All of these tools can give you a better idea of what’s available before you visit an apartment community.

VISIT – Once you sift through your numerous options and find a few apartments that interest you, schedule a visit with each property. Do a thorough inspection and take notes. Keep a record of each apartment you visit. Note what features are extra or missing. Take measurements of the rooms and doorways to ensure furniture fits on moving day. Turn on light switches, look inside closets, check water pressure, visit the laundry room, and walk the grounds. Ask lots of questions. Who controls the heat? When is the apartment available? Are they members of the GDAA? Will they paint before you move in? Don’t be affraid to ask questions. The person showing you the apartment will be more than willing to provide you with any information you might need to make an informed decision.

APPLY – You’ll likely need to bring necessary paperwork, such as a statement of earnings, your social security card, or other required documents in order to submit an application. An application fee and administrative fees may also apply depending on the property. Once the application has been approved, read the lease thoroughly and sign yourself into your new apartment home!

How to Avoid July Fourth Disasters

Over the Fourth of July holiday, families and friends come together to celebrate the nation’s founding; however, for property managers of residential apartment communities, it’s a time for vigilance against the many types of accidents and incidents that can occur when people congregate and celebrations get out of hand.

To keep Independence Day in your community fun and safe for everyone, be aware of these common dangers, and take steps to avoid them.

Fireworks accidents

It seems that the news around this time of year always includes fireworks accidents, ranging from minor to extremely serious. Last year in California, two men were trying to ignite a mortar-type firework device when it exploded in their hands, seriously injuring both men.

And in Massachusetts, a man and a teenage boy were attempting to light a commercial-grade firework when it exploded, seriously injuring the teen’s hand. Both incidents occurred at apartment communities.

Back-porch cookout disasters

An unattended grill on a balcony caused a 2014 fire at a residential community in Louisiana. The fire left residents of twelve apartments homeless. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the building’s third floor was a total loss, while the first and second floors suffered extreme water damage. 

Pool hazards

A 2013 lawsuit followed the near-drowning of a 3-year-old Maryland boy who wandered into the gated pool area of the apartment community where he lived. The boy survived but suffered permanent brain damage.

An appellate court ruled in favor of the child’s mother, and against the community’s management, when it found that the community had failed to follow state safety standards for swimming pools.

Drinking to excess

Where there are celebrations, there’s likely to be alcohol, and lots of it. TheNational Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over the July Fourth holiday in 2009, about 942 emergency room visits each day could be attributed to alcohol use by people younger than twenty-one. That was double the typical number.

Alcohol can cause a number of ill effects in residential apartment communities, including accidents with fireworks, grills, and pools. It also can increase instances of domestic violence and injuries.

Heading off potential problems over the Independence Day holiday

For all the potential dangers of the July Fourth holiday, the keys to prevention are anticipation and communication. To head off problems, take the following steps:

* Think through the specific problems that could arise in your community.

* Review local safety statutes, or consult with your attorney, to ensure that your pool and other areas comply.

* Put together a comprehensive flyer, broken down by category, including specific safety information for residents.

* List penalties for breaking local laws or for failing to abide by community rules, up to and including eviction.

* Make it clear that residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests, including drinking in common areas.

* Place the safety flyer on all resident doors several days in advance of the holiday, and post it in visible locations throughout the community.

* Add a notice to your website home page, and post the flyer on the site for download.

* Use an automated texting or calling service to contact residents with the main points of your flyer, and direct them to the website for more information.

With a little preparation, you can make it a safe holiday for everyone in your community.

Sources:

WCVB

The Advocate

Mercury News