In a perfect world, neighbors would be friendly and helpful whenever you’d need them to be and otherwise out of the way. But this isn’t Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood; it’s real life, and in real life sometimes neighbors can be less than what society expects them to be. One of the most common annoyances among neighbors is noise pollution, but there are constructive ways to deal with the problem no matter how extreme it may be.
It’s important to consider how serious the problem is before taking action. If the issue is minor and one that may come with living in an apartment complex, it might not be appropriate to report. Considering that the New Orleans festival season is underway and that Jazz Fest is just around the corner, neighbors might be a little louder than normal, especially if they have guests in town. That’s not to say that if it is indeed a violation, it should be ignored, but make sure that it’s not just due to an out of character one-time occurrence, or due to a low tolerance or abnormal sensitivity to noise.
Giving your neighbor the benefit of the doubt at first is always the best approach. After all, this is someone you live in close quarters with, especially if you share a wall or ceiling. Begin with addressing the issue from a non-accusatory stance, as the neighbor may not even be aware of their noise level. Ask if they realize how audible they are and make sure they aren’t having the same problem as you. The first step is establishing an understanding of the shared living conditions.
If after calmly addressing the problem in person, it occurs again, a second verbal request is necessary, unless the neighbor was unreceptive or hostile the first time. If that is the case, a typed or written letter may be in order outlining the date(s) and nature of the disruption. If your apartment complex or association has policies regarding noise, you should include that in the letter. Make a copy of any written request sent so you have a record in case you need to prove correspondence on the matter transpired.
If the problem persists after a verbal and a written request to cease and desist, this is the time to take more aggressive steps. Contact the landlord, apartment board or property manager to intervene. If you ever feel threatened by the offending neighbor, do not hesitate to contact the authorities, but this is the worst-case scenario.
A small kitchen inside a one bedroom, studio or even a bigger unit that’s lacking proportion can pose a challenge. Making meals for one can also present a predicament. But don’t let a modest-sized kitchen, single occupancy or both deter you from cooking delicious and healthy meals. It can be done! Here are a few tips to guide you through cooking in your apartment.
Even the tiniest kitchens can be optimized!
Restrictions are always a drag, but they also allow for creative solutions. One of the most useful tips to follow is to utilize your wall space. Instead of crowding your counters with appliances, install metal shelves and stock them with all your spices, kettles, cookbooks and small appliances. For additional organization, stack dividers like wooden or plastic boxes on the shelves filled with all your kitchen wares.
With all the space that an oven and refrigerator can take up, there can be little left for the rest of your equipment. Keep in mind smaller, nifty items that can replace more heavy duty commercial machinery. Some of these brilliant culinary creations include a slow cooker that can replace giant pots of soup or stewed meats, a mini-food processor and a hand-held mixer.
There are a few rules of thumb to follow if you plan on just cooking for yourself. First, if you plan on purchasing produce, make sure that you get seasonal vegetables that won’t rot in 24-48 hours and store them properly. For produce that isn’t seasonal, there’s nothing wrong with getting it in canned form, like canned tomatoes or canned beans.
Use small cooking dishes for portion control. If you’re roasting something or making a casserole, use a small pan or dish to cook it in. That way you’re not left with a ton of leftovers that will just end up in the trash can. If you do want meals to stretch throughout the week, cook dishes that easily reheat, like soup or pasta.
Breakfast for dinner! An eggcellent option for cooking for one is to make a scramble of eggs, roasted veggies and goat cheese with a side of wheat toast, or any other dish involving eggs. Organic, farm fresh eggs will keep for a decent amount of time in the fridge, and can turn into a hearty, tasty meal.
Spring is most certainly in the air, and for some that means blooming flowers and buzzing bees, and for others it means deep, detailed cleaning and taking inventory of one’s abode. Yes, it’s that time again for spring cleaning.
The spring cleaning tradition, whether or not you’re on the messy or neat-freak side of the spectrum is always a good annual practice. Spring is all about fresh starts and rebirth, so your apartment should mirror that. Besides regular chores like putting clothes or dishes away, sweeping and cleaning the bathroom; this is your chance to pay attention to detail and store, sort or get rid of extraneous clutter.
Use this guide as a checklist for items that aren’t usually on the cleaning to-do list:
If you accomplish all these tasks, you’ll be well on your way to being completely spring cleansed! Other than looking shiny and new, your living space will be rid of dirt and dust that you may have not even been aware of that can make you and your guests sick. So tie your hair back, put on those yellow gloves and spring into action!
For some, roommates are a source of happiness and comfort, and for others they can be a pain in the neck – it all depends on good or bad roommate relations. In order to avoid having – or gulp – becoming a nightmare roommate, these seemingly obvious yet continually violated fundamental codes of conduct must be adhered to.
This should be a no-brainer, but paying rent and utilities not only on time but in full is the most essential key to sharing a living space with someone. Apartment Therapy recommends, rather than attempting to divvy up bills based on who watches more TV or uses more Internet, just splitting utilities straight down the middle. When it comes down to it, everything should even out in the end, more or less – so it’s best to split apartment bills 50/50. As far as rent goes, it should be common knowledge to pay rent when it is due in its entirety. 1st Lake Properties offer residents the convenient option to pay rent online. If there is ever a problem, both the other roommate(s) and landlord/property manager should be notified well in advance.
Paying rent and utilities is the bare minimum of maintaining good roommate relations. Just like parents teach their kids growing up, making sure chores aren’t left undone is pretty crucial to keeping the peace around the house. At the very least, any mess caused – whether it’s dirty dishes or clutter in common spaces – should promptly be cleaned up, but it’s also helpful and considerate to do things like take out the trash, change light bulbs, sweep, mop, and help with areas that benefit everyone.
If anyone ever has a problem, big or small, with their roommate, it’s best to address it from the start so that it doesn’t escalate to an even bigger, recurring issue. Besides communicating problems, just keeping roommates in the loop on anything that might also affect or concern them is good practice. Some people have to work really early or really late, so letting roommates know about guests coming over or any potential disturbance is a nice and important gesture.
There are other subtle behaviors that can make or break a good roommate relationship, that often are discovered through experience, but these three basic tenants will make all the difference.
All 1st Lake Properties are pet friendly and welcome tenants who adhere to the pet policy. Having a pet is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Caring for a pet is more than just adding another sentient being to your family. It means taking the animal into your home, with a commitment to providing all the necessities for its well-being. This can be achieved by being extra-sensitive to all of an animal’s needs so they are happy. This includes exercise. It’s important that dogs get regular exercise to work the stress and stiffness out of their muscles, as well as to promote an over-all healthy and happy attitude.
Dogs rely heavily on daily routines to maintain structure in their own lives. Without it, disruptive behaviors manifest in the form of howling, whining, barking, chewing, and aggression.
To deter this kind of destructive behavior, be sure to follow these simple tips:
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
