Category: Resident Relations

20 Designer Ways to Upgrade Your Rental

20 Designer Ways to Upgrade Your Rental

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Dying to upgrade your rental and still get your deposit back? Our expert tips will give you the style (and storage!) you’re craving!

Renter-Friendly Wallpaper


For some people, the thought of being surrounded by four off-white walls is simply unbearable. And for others, it’s just plain boring. As removable wallpaper becomes more popular, the designs become more stylish and more affordable. It might just be time to pick out your perfect pattern!

Decor Disguise

You’re certainly not going to change the electrical work in your rental, so you may be forced to live with some oddly-placed lights, light switches or power outlets. Carmel from Our Fifth House solved this problem by camouflaging a light switch within a tasteful gallery wall.

Glitz and Glam

Washi tape is great, but it certainly isn’t the only tape out there that can make a big impact in your home. It only took Dina from Honey & Fitz two rolls of gold duct tape to turn a basic white fridge into a glitzy showstopper.

Love Your Lighting

One of the worst things about rental units has got to be the outdated light fixtures. Luckily, this is also one of the easiest switches. Simply swap out that light fixture for something more your style. Just be sure to reattach the original fixture before moving out.

Camo and Custom Shelving

Radiators are not attractive; it’s as simple as that. But covering a radiator is not always so simple. Luckily, Marian from Miss Mustard Seed shares her beautiful solution. Her custom radiator cover not only disguises the unit, but it even adds extra storage in an often tight space.

Not Your Daughter’s Washi Tape

Did you think washi tape was just for the kiddos? Think again. With so many attractive styles to choose from, you’re bound to find a roll that suits your taste. These washi tape frames add a colorful touch to any space. Opt for cool geometric shapes to give your home even more personality.

Washi Accent Wall

A washi tape wall can be as colorful or as subdued as you like. Emily from Everything Emily created this stunning accent wall with just two rolls of black washi tape. The best part? She completed the project for less than $10.

Sneaky Stainless Makeover

Older appliances might work just fine, but that doesn’t mean you should have to live with a dated design in your cooking space. Julie Blanner found an ideal solution in the form of stainless steel contact paper. For around $5, this change has the power to totally transform your kitchen. In fact, the landlord may even ask you to leave it up.

Living Decor

If you’re hoping to add a homey feel to your rented space, simply adding a few plants around the house might do the trick. This fiddle leaf fig tree adds life and texture to the living room. And for an added bonus, plants help purify indoor air. (No more mystery smell from renters past.)

Gallery Wall Paper

If you can’t wallpaper your rental, then why not try framing your favorite wallpaper instead? Marianne Canada from HGTV Crafternoon recommends getting a sample of your favorite print and displaying it in a gorgeous frame. Now you can have your wallpaper and your rental deposit, too!

Minimal Shelving

Do you secretly long for a wall of custom built-ins, knowing that your landlord would recoil at the thought? These industrial shelves from Fixer Upper offer plenty of shelf space and can be attached with just a few screws.

Shower in Luxury

One change that makes a huge difference, but is often overlooked, is the showerhead. This is one of those upgrades that is worth spending some extra dough. After all, when you’re ready to move, simply reattach the old fixture and take yours to your new abode. Make barely-drizzling showerheads a thing of the past!

Boring Blinds Be Gone

Bland blinds have the power to make any room feel like a cheap motel. Even if you have to leave them up, patterned drapes layered on top can take your window treatments to a whole new level.

Separate in Style

If you can’t paint the walls, changing the basic structure of the room is obviously out of the question. That’s where room dividers come in handy. Create a home office or give the kids their own play space in a single bedroom.

An Easy Switch

A great way to add some personality to your rented space is to simply switch out those basic door knobs with some that suit your taste. Just make sure you switch back to the originals before you move out.

Rugs on Rugs on Rugs


Let’s talk floors. Scratched hardwood and stained carpet are just the beginning. Before moving in, it never hurts to have the floors professionally cleaned. But if they still look like a mess, area rugs will be your new best friend. Place them over hardwood and even over carpet for a clean, updated look that is all you.

Electric Style

If you like the duct tape idea, you’ll love this stylish door by Stacie from Stars for Street Lights. Some quick measuring, a steady hand and a bit of electrical tape totally transformed these contractor-grade doors. The result is nothing short of fabulous!

Fabric Feature Wall


While you’ve probably heard of removable wallpaper, removable fabric wallpaper is another great option for renters. It peels right off, and has the potential to add a ton of color, pattern and even texture to your home. Learn how to install it here.

 Practical Pantry Additions


Another excellent idea for extra space is an over-the-door pantry unit. You can maximize the space on the back of the pantry door with only a few screws. Warning: Some landlords are more than fine with storage additions like this one, but you may be asked to leave it behind when you move.

Magic Mirror

Want more space instantly? Add a large mirror to any room, and the visual effect is bound to make your space feel bigger and brighter, all without knocking down a single wall.

Let Rental Management One find your next rental home. Visit us at http://www.rentalmanagementone.com!
Written By: Keri Sanders | click here for original article

10 Best Tips for Documenting Posessions for Renters Insurance

10 Best Tips for Documenting Posessions for Renters Insurance

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Renters have a lot of stuff, but they seem to not know exactly how much for insurance purposes.


The National Association of Insurance Commissioners notes that 59 percent of consumers have not made a list or inventory of their prized possessions and valuables. Of those who have done their preliminary paperwork, 48 percent have no receipts and 28 percent have no back-up copy of the inventory outside the home. Additionally, most don’t regularly update their inventories.

Many insured residents don’t document their belongings.

That, says insurance providers, is a sobering indication of how unprepared people are when it comes to proving what they have in a claim resulting in a loss from fire, storms, accidents and disasters.

“The average resident never makes the effort to fully understand what they’ve got,” says Ed Wolff, President for LeasingDesk Insurance. “And, many times they don’t have enough coverage because they’ve never taken an inventory to understand what they have. They usually underestimate the cost in a loss.”

Obtaining renters insurance is only half the battle for apartment residents, Wolff says. The other is thoroughly documenting possessions and keeping the records in a safe place.


Personal Inventory Insurance

In a claim process, the insurance company will want to know beyond a general description what items have been lost. The claim representative is unlikely to accept and pay based on a claim of “everything in the living room” without some proof of the contents.

And, during a time of crisis, it’s extremely difficult for a resident to fully remember the various pieces and items that were lost in that living. Documenting via an inventory and keeping records like sales receipts and copies of important legal papers is the only way to prove to an insurance company the extent of the loss.

Making a list, checking it twice, even with an app

While creating an inventory sounds daunting, the process is easier than it looks. In many cases, the task can be done simply by walking through the apartment and making a list on a personal device or notepad. Some even recommend documenting online so the inventory can be accessed from anywhere.

A number of applications are available to inventory possessions. Included are options for descriptions, prices, warranty status, photographs and where they are located in the residence. Some are designed to inventory multiple properties. Many are compatible with iPhones and Android devices. Some can provide access via desktops and allow users to upload various file types.

Inventory Possessions Insurance

The idea is to make a note of each item with a short description and a picture or two, Wolff says. Some items – like expensive jewelry or firearms – may require more detailed descriptions and additional coverage on the policy. An appraisal may be required to get adequate coverage.

Knowing the scope and value of possessions, Wolff says, will help renters insurance policyholders better determine the amount of coverage they need. Following are best practices for accounting for possessions and valuables, as provided by LeasingDesk:

1. Inventory personal property.

Walk through the apartment and make a list of valuable items, such as jewelry, art, collectibles, tablets, laptops, computers, televisions, and guns. An accurate value should be placed on each item. A checklist can be grouped by category, value, rooms in the home, etc.

2. Keep good records.

Anytime a new purchase is made, add to the inventory. And anytime an item wears out or is discarded, cross it off the list.

3. Itemize valuables and get appraisals.

Jewelry, art, and collectibles should be listed and described separately, and include appraisals.

4. Note make and model.

Include the manufacturer and model of big-ticket items like computers and televisions. Include the serial number if possible.

5. Take photographs or videos.

Pictures are worth more than a thousand words. Photographing and/or videoing possessions are especially helpful in assessing value during the claim process. Typically, such documentation can be done on a cell phone.

Inventory Personal Insurance

6. Save receipts.

It’s especially important to have receipts if the insurance policy covers replacement cost value.

7. Don’t forget the storage areas.

Items in out-of-the-way places like closets, attics and garages shouldn’t be forgotten. Make sure they are included on the inventory list.

8. Generalize clothing.

Unless the closet contains an expensive fur, most clothing can be listed by type and number (pants, shirts, shoes, etc.). Items don’t necessarily need to be individually documented.

9. Safely store inventory list.

Place the inventory in a fire-proof safe or protected area. Make a copy and store it in another location, even electronically so it can be accessed from anywhere.

10. Update, update, update.

Annually update the household inventory in addition to periodic updates when new items are purchased and others are discarded. It’s good to walk through the house again and account for new items that may not have been added throughout the year. Also, values change and should be so noted.

“Creating a physical inventory of your possessions is a good habit to get into,” Wolff said. “Keeping it updated and storing it in a safe place that can be easily accessed is the way to go.”
By Tim Blackwell | May 27, 2016

http://www.propertymanagementinsider.com/10-best-practices-for-residents-to-properly-inventory-possessions?hootPostID=bba839d6f345e50dc773da96831b619d

Our Top 8 Swimming Holes in Michigan

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With temps heating up, many people are planning their weekend trips to their favorite summer spots. There’s no need for pricey flights or a passport, here in our beautiful state, we have some of the most beautiful, biggest swimming holes in the world. Here is a list of our Top 8 Spots to Swim. 

1. Bay Mills

Situated at Waiska Bay on Lake Superior, this resort community is ripe for swimming.

2. Cheboygan State Park


This Lake Huron state park is great for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing (during the winter, and of course swimming in the crisp, blue waters.

3. North Bar Lake


Popular for its shallow, clear water, this spot is also idyllic for small children – so long as they’re supervised of course.

4. Silver Lake State Park


Mile upon mile of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline will give you that splendid for a dip at the beach on Lake Michigan.

5. Platte River


This shallow, slow moving river at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore empties out into Lake Michigan. Perfect for kayaking, tubing, and swimming.

6. Sable River


Float on down this sleepy, peaceful river.

7. Holland State Park

Walk the sugar sand beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan and then cool off in the refreshing waves.

8. Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore in Traverse City 

Gaze upon the spectacular views of Lake Michigan atop these gorgeous dunes or race to the crystal clear waters down below.

Ready to pack your swimsuits yet? Want to find a vacation home to take the whole family to a new swimming hole? Click here to find a home to rent this summer or next.  Then tell us, what spot do you think should of made the list for best swimming holes in the Mitten?
Are you looking for a company to manage your property. Click here to get a free property evaluation from RMO. 

New Fair Housing Guidelines

New Fair Housing Guidelines

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indexHUD Releases Guidance on Fair Housing and Criminal Screening in Private Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidance on April 4, 2016, on the use of criminal conviction records by housing providers in screening applicants. The guidance advises housing providers that blanket policies of refusing to rent to or otherwise taking adverse housing actions against any individual with a prior criminal conviction violates the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Instead, housing providers must have a policy that looks at individuals on a case-by-case basis to distinguish between “criminal conduct that indicates a demonstrable risk to resident safety and/or property and criminal conduct that does not.” This guidance applies to all housing covered by the FHA, including housing owned by private or nonprofit landlords.

Although the Fair Housing Act does not expressly protect individuals with criminal convictions, the recent Supreme Court decision in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. held that FHA claims could be brought against housing providers whose policies have an unjustified “disparate impact” on protected groups, such as racial minorities. The HUD guidance points to disproportionate incarceration rates for African-Americans and Hispanics in support of the FHA’s applicability to individuals with criminal convictions.

In the new guidance, HUD cites its own 2013 regulations on burden shifting under disparate impact (also called discriminatory effect) theory. Under these regulations, a housing provider could defend its use of criminal conviction screening by demonstrating that such a practice serves a “substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest of the provider.”

The guidance provides that a policy sufficiently tailored to legitimate interests will assess factors such as the nature and severity of the underlying crime and the amount of time that has passed since the criminal conduct occurred. Reviewing applicants on an individualized basis using these factors will properly allow a housing provider to determine whether that individual poses a safety risk to residents or property. If the housing provider successfully proves that its criminal conviction screening is necessary to further a legitimate interest, the applicant then has the burden of proving such interest could still be achieved through a less discriminatory policy.

This HUD publication comes at a time of heightened publicity about the issue of screening criminal records for tenant applicants, spurred by the pending federal court case The Fortune Society v. Sandcastle Towers Housing Development Fund. According to court documents, Sandcastle Towers had a blanket exclusion policy for any individuals with a criminal conviction. Whether intentionally or not, the new HUD guidance will likely have an impact on the outcome of the case as the parties prepare for dispositive motions.

Under the disparate impact theory for housing discrimination, housing providers must be aware that even seemingly race-neutral policies, like prohibiting rental to applicants with any prior criminal conviction, can nevertheless violate the FHA. Instead, housing providers must craft policies that look at criminal convictions on an individualized basis with a focus on the nature, severity, and recency of the conviction as it relates to the legitimate and substantial interests of the housing provider. To see the full guidance as issued by HUD click here.

 

written by Amy Glassman, Michael Skojec| Ballard Spahr LLC 4/6/2016