Did Your Landlord Re-Key Your Apartment?Written by dan the roommate man
Most landlords consider it routine to re-key locks before renting an apartment to a new tenant. However, this isn't always case. Maybe landlord insists that all keys to apartment were turned in... but how can you be sure?I heard a humorous story about a man (we'll call him Bob) who lived in a complex which didn't re-key locks. Bob had lived in same apartment for several years, and while he was there, he made a copy of key for his friend (we'll call him Joe). Bob had moved out of apartment, and Joe still had a key. Well, one night, Joe partied a little too hard, and, knowing Bob wouldn't mind if he spent night at apartment, Joe went on over. It was really late at night, so Joe crept in quietly and made it back to guest bedroom without saying hello. In morning, Joe woke up to hear voices of several women in living room. Confused, he peeked out of bedroom, and suddenly realized what he had done. It turns out that because Joe was a wee bit intoxicated, he failed to remember that Bob had moved out several months before. Joe had unintentionally broken in to a complete stranger's apartment by using key for Bob's old apartment. So, just as quietly as Joe sneaked in, he sneaked back out, and new tenants never knew he was there. Can you imagine going into your bedroom in morning, and finding a strange man sprawled across your bed? This could happen to you if your landlord didn't re-key your apartment!
| | How to Deal with a Noisy NeighborWritten by dan the roommate man
Your heart starts pounding... breathing becomes labored, and your head starts to ache. You wipe sweat from your forehead and try to gather your thoughts. Have you just had a heart attack? Not at all. This is your body's reaction to excessive noise."Studies of physiological and psychological effects of noise...indicate that protracted noise can impair one's hearing, dry mouth, dilate pupils, raise cholesterol, elevate blood pressure, burden heart. Constant noise can bring on irritability, depression, aggression. It can interfere with learning ability of children," N.R. Kleinfield writes in article New York Quiet? Never. Quieter? Maybe. Listen up. published in New York Times. Apartment renters are even more susceptible to hearing loss because noise levels are intensified in smaller spaces. Once sound enters apartment, wall connecting you to your neighbor vibrates - acting like a giant speaker. If you share a wall with a noisy neighbor, you should take these steps - in order - to try and solve problem: 1. Tell neighbor - politely - that you can hear their stereo/TV/voices/running screaming kids/etc. There's a good chance they don't realize that they are being too loud. Ideally problem will be fixed, and you can rest easy. Write down date on which you confronted your neighbor - you never know when you might need it again. 2. If you receive a negative response, or no response at all, approach your neighbors again, but this time supply them with a copy of your lease. Chances are, there is a clause within lease stating your right to "quiet enjoyment." You might also give them a copy of your local noise laws. Sometimes there are fines for excess noise. You can find your local noise laws at city hall, a public law library or public library. Give your neighbor one dated copy of lease and/or ordinance laws and keep a second copy (these are good for your records if problem continues.)
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