Before You Move Clear Out the Clutter
 

       One of the biggest hassles of moving to a new apartment is packing and unpacking your belongings. Although it's tempting to just throw everything in any box, packing isn't that straight-forward. Breakables and odd-sized items need to be protected, boxes need to be light enough to lift and carry and items that are housed in various rooms need to travel together.

       One terrific way to make packing and unpacking much easier (and save money on your moving costs) is to clean house and clear out the clutter before you even begin to pack. There's simply no reason to go on storing things you'll really never use, especially when you're investing the time and money to move those things to your new home.

       Disposal options are many and include giving things to family, friends and neighbors, donating things to charitable organizations and selling things.

       If you want to dispose of expensive electronic gear, sporting equipment or recent-year designer clothing, consider offering the items at a consignment store. These stores have become more up-scale in recent years and they offer a neat way to sell your more valuable but used belongings at a fair price. Check the telephone directory for consignment shops in your area.

Other Tips and Reminders:

Get receipts for your donations, so you can take an income tax deduction.

Take all hazardous wastes (e.g. spent batteries) to the designated drop-off area in your community.

Don't stock up on groceries or personal care items right before you move. Instead, use up your canned goods, frozen foods and spare boxes of tissues, so you won't have to move them to your new home. Then restock after you've moved and unpacked.

Many professional movers don't handle open liquor bottles, so you'll have to give those away to your neighbors, transport them yourself (be mindful of vehicle code rules on this one) or have a party.

If you really can't bear to part with your unused belongings, consider a storage facility. Be sure to ask about access hours, key control, lighting, climate control and security at the storage site.

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How to Understand and Use Rental Classified Advertisements

      So many decisions have to be made about renting your apartment.  In your own mind, you know in what type of apartment you are interested - "I want a 2 bedroom apartment with 1 full bath and 1 bath with just a sink and toilet.  It has to have a patio and be on the second floor.  I want a place with a pool..."and these are just the basics. 

      Imagine your surprise when you start looking at ads for renting an apartment and find out that the ads you are reading look like "Greek" to you.  Before you launch a search for the perfect place to rent, you will need to understand the terms in classified rental ads.  Below are some pointers which will help you in this process.

Number 1: Know that common abbreviations in classified rental ads include WIC (walk-in closet), F/P (fireplace), W/D (washer-dryer) and EIK (eat-in kitchen).

Number 2: Know that common terms in classified rental ads include walk-up (a multistory building without an elevator), studio (a combination living room and bedroom) and cozy (a descriptive term that usually means small, rather than snug).

Number 3: Know the definitions of rental leasing terms in classified ads, such as month-to-month lease, lease-option or lease-purchase.

Number 4: Determine the specific features that you desire in a rental unit - such as pool facilities, washer-dryer hookups or a month-to-month lease - and take note of the classified ads that mention such features.

Number 5: Check the classified rental ads for the date of availability, amount of security deposit, and application procedures.

Number 6: After reviewing the classified rental ad, compile a list of unanswered questions to ask the owner of the rental property.

Contact Tonti Management by phone at 504-889-6800 or toll-free at 1-800-315-3365 and ask pertinent questions about features not mentioned in classified ads before you make appointments to tour properties.  If you would like to reach a certain apartment rental office directly, visit our Apartments page, choose the apartment in which you are interested in renting and contact that office directly.  If the choices of apartments in the Greater New Orleans area are too overwhelming, feel free to contact our corporate office, and an agent will personally walk you through the process of choosing a Tonti Apartment.

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How to Qualify for a Rental

It can be a scary process doing the financial paperwork to qualify for a rental in the Greater New Orleans Area.  The expert sales staff at Tonti Management properties are here to help you every step of the way, but below are some tips of how to get started with the qualification process. If you feel overwhelmed by this process, do not hesitate to contact Tonti Management at 504-889-6800, toll-free: 1-800-315-3365 or by e-mail at info@tonti.net. 

To qualify for a rental, you'll need to prove to the landlord that you can meet the terms and conditions of the lease.  Follow the steps below to start this process:

Step 1:

Know the addresses of previous residences and have telephone numbers of previous landlords on hand when you start the application process. This is basic reference information that is always required.

Step 2:

Present yourself, your personal history and your ability to pay rent in a favorable light. This is particularly true if you're in a special situation - say you're a recently divorced woman who finds herself stretched financially; if you get alimony or child support from your ex, make sure the landlord understands this.

Step 3:

Be completely honest in all the information you give. If you supply false information, the landlord has just cause for denying your application. False information could even be cited as a reason to cancel the lease after you've signed it, or to evict you after you move in.

Step 4:

Be patient while you're waiting for your application to be processed. Normal processing time is between one and two days.

Step 5:

Create a good first impression. Dress neatly and groom yourself well. You are trying to present an image of someone who the landlord would like to have living in their property.

Tips to Remember:

Take action to clear up any unpaid rent issues with your previous landlords before you start filling out rental applications.  A bad payment record is a big hindrance to finding another rental.

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How to Inspect a Prospective Apartment

Once you sign a lease, your options for improving the conditions in and around your rental will be limited. Take the time before you sign to make sure the place you are considering meets your standards.

Inspect the Outside

Inspect the Unit

 

Check the size of the rooms and the doorways to make sure they will accommodate your furniture.

Make a note of the number and size of closets, and try all the doors to make sure they work.

Examine the bathroom. Give everything a test run. Watch out for leaks, bad water pressure, poor drainage and poor ventilation.

Examine the kitchen. Make sure everything works well, and look for easy-to-clean surfaces, good ventilation and adequate work and storage space.

Find out about heating and cooling arrangements for your unit.

Tour the utility room and storage spaces. Check for adequate lighting, cleanliness, security and signs of vermin.

Inspect Common Areas

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