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A lease binds you to your landlord for a certain amount of time, usually one year. It includes financial specifics like rent payments, fees for late payments and one-time move-in costs.

It also covers roommate agreements and other aspects of apartment living, such as pets and subletting. But can you back out of an apartment lease before signing?

Your lease is a binding legal document that sets out what is expected of you as a tenant. While some items in a lease may be negotiable, it is important to read it carefully and understand all of its terms.

If you're not sure about a clause in the lease, ask the landlord to clarify it. This is especially important when it comes to items such as the amount of rent, whether there are pet deposits and/or fees and the date on which the rent is due each month.

Also, check to see if your landlord requires any security deposit, and how much. Make sure you understand the rent amount and…

Air purifiers are essential in rooms that people spend time in such as homes, offices, restaurants and hairdressing salons. Avoid cheap ones that do little other than circulate dirty air.

To decide which air purifier is best for your home, consider the following factors: Size of Room / Ceiling Height x Needed CFM (CADR Rating)

When shopping for an air purifier, the first thing you need to consider is the size of your home. This is because different models are rated for varying volumes of space. You will also need to determine what kind of pollutants you are trying to filter out and how much filtration you require. Once you know all of these things, you will be ready to begin comparing different options and finding the perfect one for your apartment.

You can find the square footage of your rooms by simply measuring the length and width of each room with a tape measure. Make sure to remove any furniture or other objects from the area you ar…

If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building, you know that proper ventilation is crucial. Otherwise, stale air and odors are transferred between apartments.

Bathroom vents are required to discharge a certain amount of air to the outside. Typically, they lead to a vent opening in the roof or a side wall.

In apartments, building codes require bathroom vents to lead either to the roof or external walls. This is different from the requirements of a house, and it’s important to follow these rules to ensure your apartment is comfortable and safe. If you don’t follow these rules, you could be flagged by the authorities and required to pay hefty fines for failing to meet basic ventilation requirements.

Bathrooms that aren’t ventilated properly can lead to moisture build-up in the bathroom and the development of mold. The exhaust fan in your bathroom is designed to remove moisture and bad air from the room, which makes it a vital part of your home…

Owning a cat in an apartment presents unique challenges. You won't have a backyard or outdoor area to dump the litter box, and it's unsanitary to simply pour feces into sinks or bathtubs.

To avoid the foul smell of rotting litter, follow these tips to clean your cat's litter box in an apartment. Keep in mind that good ventilation is important to keeping your apartment smelling fresh.

Keeping a litter box clean is a big concern for cat owners, especially those living in apartments. There are a number of ways to make this task easier, such as using litter that is easy to scoop and keeps odors under control. Choosing a litter box location that is away from high traffic areas is also important. Lastly, using cat-safe sanitizing wipes to clean the box regularly and to disinfect the surrounding area can help to reduce odors and germs.

Many cat parents find it helpful to switch out their litter periodically for different brands. This help…

In NYC, ground floor apartments offer a few pros and cons. They are cheaper and offer easy access to buildings for those who don’t mind a walk up or down a few flights of stairs.

However, they can also be more vulnerable to flooding and break-ins. Interested in buying or renting a ground-level apartment?

Ground floor apartments often have less natural ventilation, especially during summer when the heat rises. They also tend to have lower ceilings and smaller windows than higher floors, which can make it harder to keep a room fresh. This can lead to dampness, which can cause mold and mildew. It can also mean poor air quality, as combustion pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide may build up in the living area, unless you ventilate properly. Using “green” cleaning products and avoiding synthetic air fresheners, opening windows during cleaning, and adding indoor plants such as Boston ferns or palm trees can help reduce the presence…

Many moving companies will quote you over the phone or come in and survey your apartment before providing a specific price. Costs can include movers, trucks, and packing supplies. They also vary depending on whether you’re moving locally or long distance.

Size of your apartment is another factor. Larger apartments usually have more items, which will cost more to move.

If you’re moving to a new apartment, there are many things that you need to consider. These include your timeframe, your budget, and the amount of items you’ll be packing. In addition to the cost of packing, you’ll also need to pay for supplies such as boxes and tape. These costs can add up quickly. However, there are a few ways to save money on your move.

You can also cut down on costs by renting a moving truck instead of hiring movers. Generally, renting is cheaper than using movers because you can save money on mileage and labor costs. In addition, a moving truck can hold…

Getting an apartment as a freelancer can be tricky. Landlords often require that renters prove consistent income during the application process.

However, many people who are self employed can meet the requirements by providing alternative documents. They can also ask a friend or family member to act as a guarantor.

Most apartment applications require personal information and basic contact details, as well as proof of income. The information provided is used to run a credit check to verify the person’s identity and financial stability. This is done to make sure the applicant can afford the rent and other expenses associated with living in the apartment.

During this process, it’s important to be honest with your application and only give the information you know is accurate. Falsifying any information on an apartment application can result in being turned down for the unit or possibly even criminal charges. It’s also important to not a…

One of the best ways to make your apartment feel like home is by hanging up decor and art. But if your lease strictly forbids drilling into walls, what do you do?

Thankfully, there are many options for decorating your apartment without drilling holes into the wall. From simple tape to poster putty and removable adhesive strips, here are a few different ways to hang stuff in your apartment without losing your security deposit.

Despite the limitations of an apartment, there are many ways to hang pictures and other decorations without hammering nails. Some require a little creativity, but all can be used to make an apartment feel more like home.

Depending on the kind of decoration you want to hang and the weight of it, different anchoring methods may be needed. DNAinfo talked to a hardware expert at Garber Hardware in the West Village for tried-and-true tips on hanging things without damaging walls. The first thing to do is figur…

Owning a dog can be an amazing experience, but it’s important to choose the right breed for your lifestyle. Ideal apartment dogs are small in size and have laid-back personalities. They also require structured daily exercise.

Pomeranians are small dogs that can live well in even the smallest apartments. They don’t need much space or yard and get enough exercise with a few walks a day and play time.

Pomeranians are perfect for apartment living, as they only need a little space to run around. They are also a good choice for smaller homes, including those without a fenced yard. These little dogs can easily get enough exercise with a couple of short daily walks and playtime. They also do well with indoor activity, as long as their home is well-heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.

Poms are highly active dogs and do not need a lot of space, although they enjoy several short daily walks and playtime. Despite their small …