Do’s and Don'ts of Apartment Living

Living in an apartment can be tricky. Especially if you're looking for a room to rent in London or other major cities. You'll want to make the space your own to match your style and personality. At the same time, you don’t want to spend too much time and money if you don’t plan on making this your permanent residence.


Apartments also come with many rules and regulations that you must follow. So, tracking how apartment living is supposed to go is hard.


Let’s review the four dos and don’ts of apartment living to help get you started.

DO Personalize Your Apartment A Little Bit

Just because you don’t own your apartment doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own space that you can call “home.”

But first, you need to review your lease to see what you are and aren’t allowed to do. For the most part, you won’t be able to make structural changes, so don’t gut the kitchen, renovate the bathroom, or install new windows.

What you should do is get rid of the plain white walls!

Find a lovely shade of paint to liven up your apartment, or hang a tapestry, string lights, or photographs to make the place your own.

Make your apartment a place you want to come home to at the end of the day!

DO Consider Your Space Limitations

A large apartment can be well over 1,000 square feet and accommodate all your favorite furniture! Yet, even one or two extra pieces of furniture can make an 800-square-foot apartment look tiny.

You need to think about how you’re laying out your furniture and organizing your apartment. Sometimes, less is actually more.

Hold off on buying new furniture until you move in. That way, you can take measurements and know precisely how those sweet couches will fit into your living room.

Getting rid of extra clutter can also help open up some space!

DO Report Maintenance Issues Immediately

It's likely your landlord will cover most maintenance expenses. That's assuming they're not related to damages you've caused.

You won't have to pay out of pocket for the plumber, electrician, or exterminator.

The longer you wait for repairs, the worse the issues might become. So, call up the maintenance workers before the problem gets so big that it affects your apartment’s functionalities.

Avoid making repairs independently unless your landlord specifies that they’re your responsibility.

DO Spend Money on What You NEED

Finally, getting your own space is exciting, but hold off on buying expensive new furniture for now.

Your first few months living in an apartment will be eye-opening regarding your expenses.

You should invest in quality dishes, a powerful vacuum, or a big-screen television.

Once you see how your savings account is in a few months, you can start making larger purchases one by one.

DON’T Be Disrespectful To Your Neighbors

While your apartment is technically “your” space, you also share the building with others. That means people are living below, above, or next to you!


Do your best to keep noise levels as low as possible. So, don’t invite 20 people over for a party on Sunday night, and avoid vacuuming at 11 PM.


Remember that apartment buildings have thin walls, so your music might sound much louder to your neighbors than it does to you.


If your apartment complex has assigned parking spaces, ensure you park in yours. Make it a point to remind your guests where they’re allowed to park so they’re not taking up your neighbor’s spot.

DON’T Make Changes You Aren’t Willing to Reverse

So, you’ve decided to make some changes and liven up the space. Most importantly, your landlord expects you to return the apartment to its original state when your lease is up.

That means you’ll have to patch up holes, paint the walls white, and maybe even get the carpet professionally cleaned. So, if you’re not willing to undo the changes you want, don’t make them in the first place.

Otherwise, your security deposit might be at risk! And, your security deposit can be an extra few thousand dollars in your pocket.

DON’T Skip Renter’s Insurance

Not all states require you to get renter’s insurance when renting an apartment, but it’s a great idea in most situations. Renter’s insurance usually covers fires, storms, vandalism, and most types of property damage.


Even though it's rare that you'll actually use it, you'll regret not having it if something terrible happens. Plus, it's sometimes less than $100 for the whole year, so it's worth the investment.

DON’T Forget to Keep an Eye on Your Bank Account

There’s a lot of freedom that comes along with living on your own. Remember that renting can be pretty expensive and tends to pile up.

Remember, you’re also paying your car payments, car insurance, health benefits, cable, electric, water, and a phone bill (plus more). So, it helps to be financially savvy when you’re living on your own.

If renting is tricky on your bank account, consider getting a roommate. You can easily cut your rent in half, and having a friend living with you might be nice.

Before choosing a place to live, it’d be a good idea to calculate your current income and bills to see what you can afford in terms of rent. Also, factor in some emergency funds if you suddenly find yourself unemployed.

Conclusion

Renting an apartment is a freeing experience and gets you used to living independently. At the same time, it’s not exactly like living in your own home.

When you live in an apartment, use your signed lease to guide what you can and can't do.

Besides that, follow our four do’s and don’ts by personalizing your new residence while striving to remain financially secure.