Apartments Now! - Tips and Information for Renters in Austin and San Antonio

Home Office in Small Space

2011-11-11T15:06:00.001-08:00

Creating a home office in a small space is a common perplection of many apartment renters. Here are some tips for separating out a place to work and study.- Clean a space that can house your laptop or desktop. - Use your creativity when laying out different plans for paper storage, pen holders, etc.- Keep the area dedicated, don't let other areas of the house fall into your office space.- Utilizing a closet is also a great way to open up a less used space.

Curious Question

2011-10-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

When looking over your lease for an apartment, some of the phrases may be new to you. One that we get asked about is a re-letting charge. Using the Texas Apartment Association's definition, a re-letting charge is a sum of money or percentage of the rent that is agreed to cover the property owner's costs of finding another acceptable resident if you move out before the end of your lease term. Good to know!

Discrimination

2011-10-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

The Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio provides assistance for groups of people who feel they have been discriminated against renting a house or apartment. Who do they protect?

Protected Classes

Color
Sex
National origin
Religion
Disability
Familial status
Race

In San Antonio, the local ordinance includes “age” as an additional protected class.

They use the Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, along with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, is called the Fair Housing Act.

Avoiding a Rental Scam

2011-10-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

There are some points to keep in mind when renting an apartment or home from someone online. The Texas Apartment Association provides this excellent advice. And you can always call us to help with your search! -Compare prices of rental properties in the surrounding area. If it seems like too good of a deal to be true, it probably is. -If you are dealing with a property owner overseas, be aware. -Never pay advance money without inspecting the property yourself. -Protect your personal information. -Do not wire transfer money to an online advertiser.

Fair Housing Review

2011-10-10T20:12:00.001-07:00

The Fair Housing of Greater San Antonio can conduct a free review of your apartment to decide if it meets the Fair Housing Act’s accessibility requirements. If you you would like this done or have questions, you can contact the Council at (210) 733-3247.

Some Info on Renters Insurance

2011-10-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Disasters are happening all around us. One of the best ways to ensure you peace of mind is to have insurance. Even renters should have a policy that covers their property should an accident or natural disaster occur. This article is from the insure.com webpage. It has a great basic explanation of what insurance is, what it covers, etc. Always verify your policy covers what you expect, and you can feel confident your valuables can be replaced. Be sure to also take an inventory of your belongings, so that you can be property compensated. What insurance covers - Fire- Vandalism- Theft- Water Damage- Explosion - etc

Budget For Moving

2011-09-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

When moving to a new apartment, you need to consider many different costs. For example, you need to consider the cost of renting a moving truck, and having movers if needed. Also, what new furniture and decor you will need in your new place. Lastly, adding up expenses such as turning off and on utilities will help you keep on a moving budget!

Halloween Driving

2011-09-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

On Halloween night, the streets will be crawling with ghosts, goblins, witches, and many other creatures! Safely driving on this night is very important! Use these tips from HalloweenSafety.com.- Do not use your cell phone or other devices. Watch the road!- Pay extra attention at crosswalks and intersections.- Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. - Drive below posted speed limit.

Gardening in Your Apartment

2011-09-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

Buying organic can get expensive! But with a few hours of work you can have a garden of your own in your apartment! We found these tips from MovingToday.com, all about container gardening.

- Check with your complex that they will allow container gardens on your patio or balcony.
- Research the plants you wish to pot and grow.
- Make sure the plants will get plenty of sunlight!
- Pick the right soil for the plants.
- Water and enjoy your labors!

Afford Your Rent

2011-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Austin Tenants' Council provides these tips for what you can afford in an apartment for rent. Also, we provide an online rent calculator that can help you make the decision as well. After determining how many roommates there will be, consider how much rent each person can afford. Generally, 30 percent of a person’s income is considered an affordable housing cost. Other expenses such as utility bills, phone bills, and cable TV bills should be included in calculating what can be afforded. There are many up-front costs when renting such as security deposits, pet deposits, utility deposits, and installation charges. Except in an “all bills paid” unit, these items are extra.Ensuring that all roommates can afford to pay the rent and other expenses is the best way to avoid problems. Careful preparation and assessment of financial resources will prevent any roommates from getting in over his head and jeopardizing the other roommates’ credit and rental histories.

Help for Victims of Fires

2011-09-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

From Fox Network in Austin- a compiled list of how to help with the local fires.

How to Help Fire Victims

Updated: Thursday, 08 Sep 2011, 1:15 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 05 Sep 2011, 11:58 AM CDT

Below are a list of agencies and groups that are collecting money and donations to help the victims of the Central Texas fires.

FOX 7 Food Drive

FOX 7, Clear Channel Austin Radio, Sonic Drive Ins and the Capital Area Food Bank are joining forces to help the victims of the Central Texas fires. Now through September 23rd bring a donation of nonperishable food items to any Sonic Drive In location. A Sonic car hop will accept your donation and you won’t even have to get out of your car. Help make a difference for victims of the Central Texas fires. Bring nonperishable food donations to any Sonic location for a quick and easy delivery today.

Most desired food donations are healthy, non-perishable items such as:
- Water, Gatorade
- Ready to eat meals preferably with pull up or pop tops, e.g. chili, stew, canned pasta w/sauce
- Single serving snacks such as protein or granola bars
- Lunchables or other single serving foods that do not require refrigeration
- Diapers
- Baby formula

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Red Cross of Central Texas

You can donate to the Red Cross by visiting their WEBSITE or by calling 512-929-1250 or 512-928-4271. Or you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Also you can donate in person or by mailing a check to:

American Red Cross of Central Texas
2218 Pershing Drive
Austin, TX 78723

Red Cross is looking or volunteers. If you would like to volunteer please call the Red Cross at 512-928-4271.

Austin Disaster Relief Network

To make a donation to the Austin Disaster Relief Network, visit their WEBSITE or mail a check to:

Austin Disaster Relief Network
P.O. Box 3817
Cedar Park, Tx 78630
Attn: Greater Austin/Bastrop Fire Relief Fund

WILDFIRE RELIEF ASSISTANCE

Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance 512-718-0190
Austin Disaster Relief Network 512-331-2600
Red Cross of Central Texas (512) 929-1250

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Red Cross of Central Texas (512) 928-4271.
Austin Disaster Relief Network (512) 331-2200
Brave New Books (512) 825-9142

PERSONAL SUPPLIES DONATIONS (new pillows, bed sheets, blankets, towels and toilettries)

Catholic Charities of Central Texas 651-6132
Trinity Zion Church @ 151 Shiloh Rd., 512-332-8661 or 512-332-8977
Brave New Books , 1904 Guadalpe, Austin (512) 825-9142
Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Austin , 10917 S IH-35 (512) 448-4294
Cabela's , 15570 S IH-35, Buda (512) 295-1100

FOOD AND WATER DONATIONS

Austin - Capital Area Food Bank 8201 S. Congress Avenue, Austin , TX 78745 (8-5 p.m. or leave in boxes on dock outside of those hours)
Georgetown - Caring Place 2000 Railroad St. Georgetown, TX 78627, 512-869-4735
Round Rock - Round Rock Serving Center 1099 East Main St. Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-244-2431
Round Rock - SVDP Round Rock 620 Round Rock West Round Rock, TX 78681, 512-255-2330
Wells Fargo Bank at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd 794-4966
HILL COUNTRY BIBLE CHURCH IN LEANDER (512) 259-1900
11880 Old 2243 West Suite 600
Leander, Texas 78641
Giddings Food Pantry, 190 North Harris, Giddings, TX

CLOTHING DONATIONS

Old Wind's/Dollar General Store, 210 Main St, Smithville, TX
Zion Church, 151 Shiloh Road, Bastrop TX, 512-308-9344
St. Vincent de Paul South Congress Store, South Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 512 442-5652, 1327
St. Vincent de Paul Yager Collection Center, (512) 238-6737, 18 West Yager Ln, Austin, TX
Rundell Business Park at 704 Hwy 71 West (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 512.332.8661
VFW Hall in Elgin, 118 Old Sayers Road, Elgin, TX 78621
Palm Valley Lutheran church, Round Rock (512) 255-3322
Burnet County Sheriff's Office, 1601 E. Polk (512) 756-8080
Spicewood Community Center, 7901 County Road 404, (830) 693-6574

YMCA Offering Free Child Watch for Bastrop-Area Residents

Beginning Tues., Sept. 6, 10am - 5pm

Ages: Potty-Trained & Older

Location: Bastrop Christian Church
1104 Church St.

Contact: Terry Moore: (727) 643-2977

The YMCA of Austin is providing free child care for Bastrop-area families with trained, licensed staff so parents can handle urgent family business while kids enjoy recreational time in a fun, safe environment. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The service will continue for a limited time through the duration of the wildfire crisis.

Z'Tejas

All three Z'Tejas locations in Austin (6th Street, Arboretum & Avery Ranch) are collecting Toiletries, Bottled Water, Non-perishable food items, Towels, Trash bags, Work Gloves, Clothing and Flash Lights with batteries. There are boxes at the entrance to each location, and we are accepting donations through Friday night. We will deliver the items to the designated drop-off areas on Monday, September 12.

Austin Dirty Dog

Austin Dirty Dog is accepting pet related donations at all locations: dog/cat food, cat litter, crates, toys, towels, etc

Texas Lost Pines Riding Club

Please drop off feed for livestock at the Texas Lost Pines Riding Club. People are there to accept hay, grain, and any

feed as well as buckets, feeders, etc.

Texas Lost Pines Riding Club
186B Hwy 995
Elgin TX 78621

Fair Housing Claims

2011-09-04T08:34:00.001-07:00

If you feel you have been discriminated against as a renter of an apartment, the Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio is who you can turn to for help. They are your advocate for victims of housing discrimination. Keep in mind, the deadline to file a federal complaint is 1 year from incident, and for a civil lawsuit 2 years.

Keep Payment Receipts

2011-08-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

When renting an apartment, it is a good idea to keep any receipts for rent, deposit, or any other money you pay. The Austin Tenants' Council provides this advice.Proof of Rent Payment(s)Keep a file of all your rent receipts as documentation that your rent is always paid and current. If the landlord will not provide you with receipt(s) for rent payments, write the receipt(s) yourself and obtain the landlord’s signature on those receipts for your records.

Reasonable Modifications

2011-08-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

If you have a disability, you have a right to reasonable modifications in your apartment. This article is from the Fair Housing of San Antonio website.

Reasonable Modifications

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is also unlawful for any housing provider to refuse to permit, at the expense of the disabled person, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or intended to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises of a dwelling. A “modification” is any structural change to the public or common-use areas of a building or any structural change to a dwelling unit.

NOTE: Although tenants are generally responsible for paying the costs of the modifications, this is not the case if the modifications should already be in place. Many apartment complexes that were built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, do not meet all of the accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act. If the apartment complex is not in compliance with the accessibility requirements, the owner of the complex should pay for the modifications that a tenant requests which the owner is already responsible to completing in order to bring the complex into compliance. Furthermore, if the tenant lives at an apartment complex that receives federal funding, the tenant can, in most cases, request that the owner of the apartment complex pay for the modifications, as an accommodation to the tenant.

In the case of a rental unit, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the tenant agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. However, in general, if the modifications do not affect the landlord or subsequent renter’s use and enjoyment of the premises, the renter should not be required to restore the modifications to their prior state.

The landlord may not increase for disabled tenants any customarily required security deposit. However, the landlord may negotiate a restoration agreement with the tenant where it is necessary in order to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy. This restoration agreement would outline provisions requiring the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account (over a reasonable period of time) a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restoration. The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant. This means that landlords may not routinely require such escrow payments, but must instead make a case-by-case determination based on such factors as the extent and nature of the modification involved, the duration of the lease, and the credit and rental history of the individual tenant.

A landlord may condition permission for a modification on the tenant providing a reasonable description of the proposed modifications, as well as, reasonable assurances that the work will be done in a workmanlike manner and that any required building permits will be obtained.

EXAMPLE# 1:
An applicant for rental housing has a child who uses a wheelchair. The bathroom door in the dwelling unit is too narrow to permit the wheelchair to pass. The applicant asks the landlord for permission to widen the doorway at the applicant's own expense. It is unlawful for the landlord to refuse to permit the applicant to make the modification. Furthermore, the landlord may not, in usual circumstances, condition permission for the modification on the applicant paying for the doorway to be narrowed at the end of the lease because a wider doorway will not interfere with the landlord's or the next tenant's use and enjoyment of the premises.

EXAMPLE# 2:
A disabled tenant asks his landlord for permission to install grab bars in the bathroom at his own expense. It is necessary to reinforce the walls with blocking between studs in order to affix the grab bars. It is unlawful for the landlord to refuse to permit the tenant, at the tenant’s own expense, from making the modifications necessary to add the grab bars. However, the landlord may condition permission for the modification on the tenant agreeing to restore the bathroom to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. It would be reasonable for the landlord to require the tenant to remove the grab bars at the end of his tenancy. The landlord may also reasonably require that the wall to which the grab bars are to be attached be repaired and restored to its original condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted. However, it would be unreasonable for the landlord to require the tenant to remove the blocking, since the reinforced walls will not interfere in any way with the landlord’s or the next tenant’s use and enjoyment of the premises and may be needed by some future tenant.

Safety Tips for Summer Apartment Moving

2011-08-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

From our friends at Unicorn Moving:

Moving can be a challenging process, but can be especially difficult in the extreme Texas heat. During the summer months, it is important for individuals or families that are preparing for a move to be prepared to face the high temperatures. After you have found your new home, it may be necessary to take precautions for the moving process.
Ways to Stay Safe in the Heat
Apartments are a popular home choice in Austin because of their convenient locations, affordable rent, and availability to the large student population. The busiest moving season is from May to August, and although this may be the most convenient time to move to your new home, it is also the hottest time of year. Some tips for safe summer time apartment moving include:
• Ensuring that your electricity and air conditioning have been turned on at the new location
• Providing plenty of water to your family, friends, and moving team
• Storing plants in a place where they will be safe from the heat
• Finding a place for children and pets to stay during the moving process
• Knowing where the elevators and ramps are in the apartment complex ahead of time
Moving can be simplified with the help of an experienced apartment locator and a qualified team of Austin movers. For more information about summer moving safety or to begin preparing for your move, please visit our website.

Avoiding Problems

2011-08-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Texas Apartment Association gives this advice on avoiding rental problems.

Most disagreements between residents and rental housing owners or managers occur because of misunderstandings about obligations each has agreed to in the lease.

To limit problems:

Read your lease carefully before you sign it.
Ask questions about anything that is unclear, or that you don't understand.
Put everything in writing, including agreements, notices and requests.

Austin Market

2011-08-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is an article from The Statesman- with a good look into the current Austin apartment market.

With rents at an all-time high and occupancies rising, the Austin-area apartment market is among the healthiest in the nation right now and it could stay that way for a while, national and local real estate experts say.

Thanks to the area's job and population growth and the limited number of apartment units under construction, the Austin market is performing at a level similar to cities like San Jose, Calif.; San Francisco; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

"In my 25 years of analyzing the apartment market in Austin, I've never seen things as tight as they are right now," said Charles Heimsath, president of Capitol Market Research, an Austin-based real estate consulting firm.

That's created a favorable situation for landlords — but a challenge for Austin renters like Joshua Love.

Love, an information technology manager, said rising rents will likely prompt him to leave the Woodtrail at Riata complex in Northwest Austin. He's been paying $586 a month for a one-bedroom apartment but got notice last month that his monthly rent could rise to $694 a month for a six- to nine-month lease renewal, or to $840 for a three- to five-month lease and as high as $890 for a month-to-month renewal.

"I would say shock was kind of an understatement," said Love, 35. But with the complex at 98 percent occupancy, he said, "they can do whatever they want with the rent."

Across the Austin area, rents soared to a record high in June, averaging $772 a month for a one-bedroom unit and $1,043 for a two-bedroom, according to Capitol Market Research.

The occupancy rate was 96 percent and could reach 97 percent by the end of the year, Heimsath predicts. That's because only two new apartment communities brought units to market in the first half of 2011, and only three new projects with 839 units combined are scheduled to be completed in the second half of the year, Heimsath noted in a midyear report. Five projects are under construction, with 1,623 units that are expected to be ready next year, Heimsath said.

Several developers are poised to start projects this year or next, including Cypress Real Estate Advisors, Gables Residential, HPI Residential and Grayco Partners.

Taylor Bowen, vice president of development for AMLI Residential, said Austin "continues to be one of our top-performing markets."

Minus concessions, AMLI has seen rent growth of about 6.5 percent this year and projects about 7.5 percent rent growth for 2011 at its seven Austin apartment complexes with 1,700 units.

Bowen said the apartment development pipeline is heating up, and there's stiff competition for sites. The number of units being proposed could be cause for concern "if we hit a severe economic downturn or double-dip recession" and job growth wanes, because "we could be setting ourselves up to where we could start to see an oversupply" of apartments in some areas.

"We think somewhere around 10,000 to 12,000 new starts are being proposed, and we know that that's above the historical norm," Bowen said. He said 7,000 to 8,000 new apartment starts annually is a healthy number for the Austin market.

But for now, the relative limited new supply, coupled with other factors, leads Heimsath to predict that rents will be on the rise for the next 12 to 18 months.

On a per-square-foot basis, overall rents, across all unit sizes, rose 6 percent by June to $1.04 a foot from 98 cents a square foot in December, Heimsath said.

"I'm not surprised at the occupancy rate," Heimsath said. "I was quite surprised at how quickly the rents had moved up. I expected about a 3 percent increase in rent, and to have an increase of twice that amount was really extraordinary."

Robin Davis, manager of Austin Investor Interests, said in her latest report that rising occupancies and rents at historical highs "point to a market that is currently operating at astounding levels." With rents escalating — Davis said they are up for the sixth quarter in a row — tenants are doubling up, making two-bedroom units the most-requested type, Davis said in her report.

Davis said the Austin area added about 9,200 new jobs from June 2010 to June 2011.

Out-of-state job seekers or employees being transferred also are beefing up the tenant pool, accounting for about 35 percent to 40 percent of the leasing traffic. At least half of those are employed, and the rest have been accommodated by flexible leasing policies, including allowing a renter to provide proof they can pay at least three to six months' rent.

"As many areas of the country continue to stumble out of the recession, Austin's thriving employment market will attract job seekers, providing a boon for local apartment owners," said the latest report by Marcus & Millichap.

Still, with parts of the country having seen substantial depreciation in home values and mounting foreclosures in recent years, "I think there's a lot more uncertainty regarding the purchase of a home as a safe investment," Heimsath said.

But Greg Willett, vice president of research for MPF Research, said he doesn't think there is a basic shift in the desire for homeownership. Rather, lending standards have reverted to historical norms, and only a small share of the population is in their 30s, the prime first-time buying age.

For some, the newer apartment communities can be an attractive alternative to single-family homes, Heimsath said. As rents continue to ratchet up, however, Heimsath expects demand for entry-level housing to accelerate.

Natalie Young, a real estate agent and manager with A+ Apartment Locating in Austin, said renters are seeking apartment-locating services more than ever .

"They are shocked at the increases for renewing their lease, which is causing many of them to move to new apartments and potentially downgrade in both size and quality," Young said.

Love, the Riata tenant, said he's used to seeing $25 or $30 a month increases over time as a renter, and never more than $100 a month. But he said that after the latest rent increases, "I have a feeling I'll be leaving this place one way or another."

The Directory of Accessible Housing

2011-08-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

From the Fair Housing of Greater San Antonio website- a great resource for those of you living in or searching for an apartment.

The Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio (FHCOGSA), in partnership with Making Housing Accessible, a program of The Enterprise Foundation, has created The Directory of Accessible Housing. Funded through a grant from The Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, The Directory enables the elderly and people with disabilities to find suitable rental housing in San Antonio and/or Bexar County. The Directory provides information about accessible units, eligibility criteria, price ranges, amenities, school districts, nearby businesses, etc. for apartment complexes and/or housing facilities in San Antonio and Bexar County.

In determining an apartment complex and/or housing facility’s eligibility for inclusion in The Directory of Accessible Housing, the Fair Housing Council considered whether the complex/facility had wheelchair accessible dwelling units, whether the complex/facility provided housing targeted for the elderly and/or people with disabilities, and whether the complex/facility participated in any housing assistance programs funded by the local, state, or federal government.

Visit www.accessiblehousing.org to search for housing that meets your needs, to learn about laws dealing with accessibility in housing, or to add your apartment complex and/or housing facility to The Directory of Accessible Housing.

Hot Weather Pet Care

2011-08-10T12:17:00.001-07:00

Getting through a hot summer is hard for people, but also for our pets! Below is an article from HealthyPet.com.

When the lazy days of barbecues and swimming pools roll around, you can make them even better by sharing them with your favorite pet. By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of sun and fun.

*
Never leave your pet in the car. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home.
*
As you’re outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pet leashed. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn’t just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them. (See How can I teach my cat to walk on a leash?)
*
Water, water everywhere. Whether you’re indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it’s full. If you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.
*
Pets need sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect her, your pet can get sunburned, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.
*
Say no to tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her. (See Should I shave my thick-furred dog in the summer?)
*
Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it’s extremely toxic. When you’re walking your pet, make sure she doesn’t sneak a drink from the street.
*
Be cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with animals’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.
*
Make sure your pet doesn’t overexert herself. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she’s panting a lot or seems exhausted, it’s time to stop.
*
Take it easy on pets that can’t deal with the heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can’t pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.
*
Bring them inside. Animals shouldn’t be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.
*
Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke (see "Signs of Heatstroke,"below), you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian’s care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm’s way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution, both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.

2011-08-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

Wondering what your rights are as a tenant of an apartment? The Texas Attorney General has published this useful sheet.

Shadow Oaks Apartment

2011-08-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the new apartment video for Shadow Oaks!

Shadow Oaks Apartment

Sure Deposits: What is a Standard Deposit vs. a Sure Deposit Fee?

2011-08-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone seems to know that a deposit for an apartment is a sum of money that you have to put down before moving in. Generally it covers any damages that may occur to the property during the term of your lease. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the type of apartment, current specials, etc. the cash amount of the deposit can vary greatly.

More and more communities are now giving you a choice in the type of deposit you supply: A standard deposit or a Sure Deposit. A Sure Deposit can purchase allows you to purchase a bond that can potentially cover any damage in your apartment for a much lower fee than would be required for a standard deposit. It is a service provided by Sure Deposit Incorporated. For example, a standard deposit would go something like “$250 for a 1 bedroom” vs. a Sure Deposit “fee” (non-refundable) of $87.50 that allows you to purchase a $500 bond for your apartment. You pay this fee directly to Sure Deposit Incorporated.

To be clear, if you have damages in the apartment, the bond does not cover those damages over the amount of the bond. In the example above, Sure Deposit would pay the apartment community, the full amount of damages up to $500, however they WILL also come after you for the FULL amount they pay the apartment.

They system is designed to allow renters not to have to come up with so much upfront cash. You as a renter know how you live and need to decide what suits you. If you have more questions about how Sure Deposit works or you want to know which Austin apartments are going in this direction, give us a call!

2011-08-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Texas Attorney General provides great information about your rights as a tenant. Check out this excerpt from their website about the relationship between the apartment and tenant.

The relationship between Texas landlords and their tenants is governed by several statutes, particularly Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code, and by various court rulings. However, the most important source of information about your relationship with your landlord is your rental agreement, whether it is written or oral.

Some landlords prefer oral agreements, but it is more common for them to require your signature on a written lease. Be sure to read the lease carefully before you sign it.

If you want to change a part of the lease, discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord agrees, the two of you should decide how you want to word the change, and then write it into the agreement. Both you and the landlord should then initial the change. For example, many standard leases prohibit pets, but your landlord may be willing to accept a pet if you put down extra money as security.

Apartment Hunting

2011-07-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

Apartment hunting with a locater takes only a couple hours to half a day of searching, depending on the client. We know what we are doing, and can match you with a community that holds what you are searching for, quickly! Just another reason to use us to help you find your new home!

What Does Our Services Cost to the Renter?

2011-07-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Nothing! We get paid by the apartments when we bring them qualified applicants who sign a lease. So our services are free to those applicants! Come in or give us a call today so we can help you find the apartment you are looking for!