Im nervous about my first apartment!?

Question

Can someone give me, my sis, her boyfriend and my best friend some of the best advice about our first apartment we're moving into this weekend!?!

well im 20 yrs. old going on 21 and the people im moving with are people i trust( my sister and my best friend for sure) and we aren't getting a really expensive apartment (the rent is about 1,000 a month for 3-4 bedroom) lol rent up here in Jersey is pretty low but you get good quality which is impotant

Answer 1

1st, congrats! 2nd, even though you know and love these people, living with them on a long term basis is quite another thing. 3rd, all of you sit down and "clearly" set up boundries, even making a "contract" for everyone to sign and keep this on the fridge as a daily reminder. people take each other for granted when they are comfortable in a given situation. 4th, everyone voice their likes and dislikes, then make a list (contract) that "everyone" pays their equal share, no-one can be without a job or school, so that others have to pay "their" way, all chores are divided up equally daily (would be great to make a weekly chore list). i would suggest NO drugs, alcohol, or parties because these cause ALOT of conflict and damage to relationships and property and people will buy them instead of paying their bill's! 5th, EVERYONE has character defects so have a weekly meeting of " grumbelies" thats where EVERYONE HAS TO BE THERE. then everyone in a "MATURE" way has a say about something they didn't like that someone said or did. this keeps resentments from building and everyone gets to know about things that irritate others. 6, there has to be "compromises" and everyone living with a "considerate and thoughtful and kind attitude" 7, no-one can use or borrow anything without permission from the owner, this can cause alot of problems. 8, no-one can bring anyone else in to stay or live without permission from all parties living in househlod, this can cause alot problems as well.9, EVERYONE must "RESPECT" THE "SPACE OF OTHERS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! EVERYONE MUST RESPECT THE "PRIVACY" OF OTHERS! this very important as well! 10, good luck and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

My recommendations:

1. Buy a toilet plunger
2. The fewer people the better.
3. If possible, put none of the utilities or phone in your name. If someone doesn't pay and it is your name, it is your problem, no one elses. At the very least, divide the utilities evenly and put one utilitiy in each person's name.
4. Write in a contract amongst the occupants who pays what and when (rent, utilities, etc...explain how cost are to be divided, when money is due from everyone for each expense, and what will happen if someone is late or doesn't pay)

Number 4 is most important. If the bf, the friend, or someone else skips out, by having a contract amongst yourselves, you will have something to stand on so you can sue and get your money back. If someone defaults on the lease and you get evicted, what happens depends on the state. I got evicted in Wisconsin once and the court will collect the money from whoever has it, not collect it evenly from everyone (which meant I got screwed as we were in college and I just started my first full-time job as an Engineer).

I have no idea how old you are, but if you are college age or younger, I'd recommend staying with your parents until you can afford an apartment on your own. Roommates are a pain in the a*s and if one of them screws up, you are all screwed. If you can afford an apartment on your own, get as many roommates as you like since if they screw you over, you'll still be just fine.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Before you buy any frivilous items make sure the money for the rent and bills is already set aside. You do not need new clothes, the roof over your head is more important. Good luck! You will love the independence!

Answer 4

Is this your first apartment? Good luck, its a jungle out there. Its hard to live with other people sometimes. I think the best advice I could give you would be to love and respect each other.

Answer 5

I found over my college life that assigning people to do certain things made it a lot easier. I know it sounds like overkill but when there's one person that's responsible for paying the bills, one for dishes etc. it makes it easier.

ALso, that advice about one person staying somewhat sober at a party you are hosting is a great idea. Wish I had though of that more often when somone decided to write their name in ketchup on the carpet...

Answer 6

CLEAN!!!
You will feel so much better about living there, if you take the time to scrub the carpets and walls, and just wipe off EVERYTHING!
Then, you'll know it's safe from anything gross you may have been worried about.
Another thing, when you throw parties, try to make sure at least one of you stays at least half sober to make sure nothing gets permanently damaged.
And last but not least, have fun and enjoy it!

Answer 7

Put a long distance lock on the house phone. SERIOUSLY! If anyone needs to make long distance calls and doesn't have a cell phone they can buy a long distance calling card.

Answer 8

set ground rules. and follow them.

Answer 9

do the dishes.