Tag: Renters

Three Reasons You Can’t Afford NOT to Have Renters Insurance

Think renter’s insurance is too expensive or not worthwhile? Think again! Too many renters neglect to get renters insurance because they think it’s too expensive or their stuff is not valuable enough to protect. Is this really the case?

According to a Rent.com survey several years ago, 60% of renters they interviewed did not have renters insurance. Many felt that it’s too expensive even though the average premium is under $20 a month. THat is less than what you’d spend on coffee or a night out at the movies!

Infographic: Renters' insurance, room-by-room

Here are 3 Reasons You Can’t Afford NOT to Have Renters Insurance.

#1 Your Belongings Are Worth More Than You Think

According to the USAA, new renters typically have about $20,000 worth of belongings. Look around at the possessions in your apartment: computer, bike, clothes, television, iPhone, clothes, kitchen appliances, etc. Start adding up the value of how much it would cost to replace all these items if they suddently disappeared and you will probably be surprised.

#2 Coverage doesn’t just extend to your home

Depending on your policy, renters insurance can also be extended outside of your home. If someone breaks into your car and steals your bag from inside, it is possible that your renters insurance would cover that too.

#3 It covers your neighbor’s or your roommate’s property

Most Renters insurance policies protect you from being responsible for replacing property of your roommate or neighbors in caser any damage incurred as a result of your mistake. Some policies will cover you against a lawsuit should someone hurt themselves in your apartment. This is not just limited to guests, service providers and repair individuals would be covered too in case of injury in your property.

Even the Score with UO $CORE

UO$CORE

 

How much do you spend on electricity a month? What about water? Is it higher than you’d like to be spending? What if we told you that you could be helped with your bills and do your part to help the greater good in the process? That’s exactly the case with UO $CORE, a student run program to help students save money on their utility bills for environmentally-responsible practices.

$CORE stands for “Student and Community Outreach for Renter efficiency” and was started in 2012 by James Walton, a senior business major who secured a grant from Eugene Water and Electric Board to create the program. Through $CORE, student staff perform free audits and install upgrades in older, off-campus student rental housing while also helping student tenants by providing information, materials, and skills to help lower their carbon footprint and utility bills.

If you’re interested in hearing more about how $CORE can help you save money then you should register for a free energy assessment!

Energy Assessment

What does this assessment include? Simply put, two Energy Evaluators will come to your house and assess your energy needs. Over the course of an hour they will install low use devices such as CFL lightbulbs and weather stripping, while also give you some information on how to lower your energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Not only will your bills be lower and your house better for the environment, you’ll even get a free pizza from TrackTown Pizza if more than half the household is present!

CFLBulbs
Say hello to your new best friend.

Tips for Reducing Energy Use

$CORE’s Facebook page is constantly updated with handy tips to reduce your utility bills and carbon footprint. We’ve selected a few here to share.

  • Wrap your water tank with jacket insulation to save up to 10% on water heating costs.
  • Install low-flow showerheads.
  • When cooking on a stovetop, match the pan size to the heating surface to prevent heat loss to the surrounding air.
  • Put your computer and monitor to sleep mode (or off) when you’re not using them.
  • Replace your bulbs with Energy Star® efficient light bulbs.
  • Keep your freezer full to minimize energy used. For maximum savings fill the freezer with gallons of water.

A quick session with UO $CORE and you’ll have lower bills, a diminished carbon footprint, and free pizza!!! That’s what we call a win-win!

photo credit: CFL bulbs via photopin (license)

Make Moving Out A Breeze With These 10 Handy Tips

MovingBoxes

 

Moving on is so hard to do… but moving out doesn’t have to be! Stick to these tips to save yourself a headache come moving time.

#1 – Have Lots of Packing Supplies

Moving out requires boxes, packing tapes, bubble wrap, labels, pens, and more. Plan ahead for the move and stock up with more supplies than you need, or you’ll find yourself running back and forth constantly to stock up. 

#2 – Make a List

Did you remember to pack that special item that means so much to you? Which box did you put that cable in? By keeping an organized list as you’re packing you’ll be doing Future You a huge favor come unpacking time.

#3 – Keep Things Together

Resist the urge to toss random items into one box! Keep kitchen item together, bathroom items together, and so forth. This extends to moving day, see if you friends or movers can move the boxes that belong together at the same time.

#4 – Color Coordinate

Having a color system will make aforementioned organization much easier for packing, moving, and unpacking. Separate the rooms 

#5 – Use Wardrobe Boxes

Moving companies will often bring vertical moving boxes for you to transfer your clothes and clothes-hangers too. 

#6 – Valuable? Keep it with you

Avoid putting valuable jewelry in moving boxes if you can’t afford to lose it. This tip also extends to important papers, be sure to keep them close at hand. Don’t tempt fate!

#7 – Clean What You Can Ahead of Time

You’re going to need to clean before returning your apartment/home, but you can get started with cleaning now!

#8 – Pack an Overnight Bag

Chances are at the end of moving day you’ll be too tired to unpack boxes and find your toiletries and supplies. Pack an overnight bag with some toiletries and a change of clothes to give yourself a little breathing room before you need to unpack.

 #9 – Change Your Address Before Moving

Don’t wait until the last minute! It’s recommended you do this at least two weeks before moving.

#10 – Don’t Shop For Groceries On Your Last Week

Ideally you’ll be able to eat all the food in your fridge right in time for moving day and avoid having to throw anything out.

 

photo credit: moving house via photopin (license)

Why You Definitely Need Renters Insurance

Tornado
(That can’t be good…)

 

No matter how prepared you are, life comes with unexpected risks. Be it by theft or a flood or a malfunctioning clothes dryer, in a moment you could face the loss of your personal belongings or your home. Can you afford to bet against these risks by not having renters insurance?

Too many people decide against renters insurance because they simply think their stuff is just not valuable enough to protect. Is this really the case?

Your stuff is worth more than you think

Look around at the possessions in your home: computer, bike, clothes, television, iPhone, that strange Angolan scarf your mom gave you. Start adding up the value of how much it would cost to replace all these items. It’s pretty high, right?

According to the USAA, new renters typically have about $20,000 worth of belongs. Not only is that a ton of money but it’s the last thing you’d want to worry about in a time of crisis.

That’s where renter’s insurance comes in.

Replacement Cost Coverage

The ideal policy is one that has replacement cost coverage over cash value.

A replacement cost coverage policy would pay out the cost of buying a new item to replace the ones you lost. A cash value policy would instead pay the cash value of the item lost at the time of its loss.

These policies mean the difference between a payment for a brand new computer and a payment based on the current cash value of your five year old computer.

Renters Insurance Computer
So, about the replacement cost coverage…

Protection against severe natural events

Did you know that the United States has more tornados than anywhere else in the world?  Ensure that your policy not only covers you for fire but also covers you in case of flooding, earthquakes, tornados, and any other nature disaster.

Coverage doesn’t just extend to your home

Renters insurance can also be extended outside of your home. If someone breaks into your car and steals your bag from inside, your renters insurance would cover that too.

It covers your neighbor’s property

Renters Insurance
Oh great, the dishwasher in 3B is acting up again.

(What would happen if your washing machine goes haywire floods into your neighbor’s apartment? Renters insurance would include a liability to cover you in these instances for any damage incurred.

Liability Insurance

This policy should also cover you against a lawsuit should someone hurt themselves in your apartment. This is not just limited to guests, service providers and repair individuals would be covered too in case of injury in your property.

Landlord insurance is not enough

Your landlord’s insurance may cover damage to the carpet or to the walls but it will not cover your personal belongings.

It’s Affordable

Renters Insurance can start as low as $12 to $15 dollars a month. A small price to pay when you consider the coverage it affords.

 

Handy Info For New Von Klein Property Management Tenants!

Larry & Carmon von Klein
Larry & Carmon von Klein have owned and operated Von Klein Property Management for 25+ years!

It’s the beginning of a new school year and September is going to a very busy month for the Von Klein staff- “Move In Days” are finally here!  We are here to help all of our residents have a smooth move in process so read through these tips and bookmark this post, you never know when this info will come in handy:

  • If your move in date and lease signing date are the same, your security deposit is due with your first month’s rent. Please note that you will not receive keys until you have a zero balance.
  • If you are moving in this month, your security deposit was due on August 1st. This policy is in place because it ensures that you have a zero balance on your account and causes less confusion at move in time.
  • To get a parking space you must come to our office (or see your onsite manager, if applicable) for a parking permit when we post a notice on your door for your complex that they are ready. Please bring your driver’s license and registration- and not your insurance. The car must be registered under your name or under your parents name. Each unit comes with ONE parking spot at no extra cost to you. If you lose or misplace your first parking permit, you may purchase a second parking permit for $5.00.
  • Plug the following numbers into your phone (if applicable)
    von Klein office – 541-485-7776
    von Klein Emergency – 541- 686-0743
    EWEB Electric Company – 541-484-6016
    Northwest Natural Gas – 541-351-3661
    Century Link Phone Company – 1-800-244-1111
    Comcast Cable Company – 541-484-3000
    University Police Station – 541-682-8350
    Diamond Parking – 541-343-3733
    UO Conflict Resolution Services: 541-346-0617
    Community Mediation Services 541-344-5366
    ASUO Legal Services 541-346-4273

Bookmark these University of Oregon Resources (in case you ever need them)

City of Eugene

  • City of Eugene
    Information about the City of Eugene including services and city events.
  • Eugene Police Department
    Safety and police enforcement information for students and community members.

City of Eugene Parking

Download these Off-Campus Resources

If you need any assistance, we are here to help!  Please contact our office during business hours at (541) 485-7776. Our office is located at 1301 Ferry St., Eugene, OR 97401. We are here to help you! Happy move in!

Decorating Your Rental Property on a Budget (Part One)

Apartment Decorating

Ever wonder how you can personalize your apartment without spending a fortune or ruining your chances to get your deposit back?

Lots of our tenants have!  That’s why we have put together a list of simple decorating tips to help you make your apartment feel more like home.  Whether your taste is traditional, eclectic, minimalist or kitschy it is possible to create a desirable living space on without spending a fortune when you use a little bit of
creativity. Here are some ideas on how to decorate your rental property on a budget.

Bring in area rugs to add more color. If you are decorating on a budget, an area rug  is a big purchase. Look for bargains online and at discount stores like IKEA, thrift stores or resale sites like Ebay or CraigsList. Once you find the right rug that fits in with your color scheme, place the rug in the middle of the room to frame your space.

Brighten up standard walls and ceiling lights with DIY artwork ideas!

  • Add soft lighting throughout the apartment with inexpensive lamps with lamp shades rimmed with ribbon for a personalized designer look.
  • Tack a scarf or square of neat fabric to the ceiling over a drab boring light fixture. The fabric hangs far enough down that it won’t heat up or scorch, and the pretty colored light shines through below.
  • Staple fabric over a bulletin board. Hang on the wall and pin your favorite pictures on it.

Choose light and functional furniture (if possible). Chances are, you probably do not have a budget to buy all new furniture. For many of us apartment dwellers, our furniture chooses us when we inherit pieces from our family members. Despite popular belief, you don’t need as much furniture as you think.

  • Remember- what you move in, you will eventually need to move out. So go light and stick with the essential pieces- a few living room pieces for seating and storage, a dining room table, a bed and a dresser is really all you need to get started.
  • You can find great deals on used furniture at thrift stores or resale sites like CraigsList.
  • If you get a thrift store sofa, consider covering it with an inexpensive slip cover in a soft or muted color that blends with your accent colors.
  • Repurposing furniture from a thrift store is also great way to go green.
  • If you must buy new furniture, find some that you can assemble yourself (IKEA is a great place to find this). This will make moving in and moving out easier.
  • Make your own throw pillows in the same color scheme as your curtains to pull together the look in your living room and bedroom.
  • Go to the local discount store or dollar store for more basic items like kitchen utensils, trash cans and more.

Going Somewhere for Winter Break? Follow These Safety Tips

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Reposted from The Pond & Beyond

The holiday break brings relaxation from the day-to-day demands of college life and for many, an opportunity to leave the area to enjoy time with family and friends. However, students are not the only ones who look forward to this time of year!

Here are some tips to keep your things safe while you’re away.
These simple and effective tips to protect your property can make the difference between coming home relaxed and ready to take on the new challenges of winter term and becoming a statistic for future students to learn from.

BURGLARY PREVENTION

Lock doors and windows
Take valuables like small electronics with you
Cose your blinds and leave a radio or TV and a light on

THEFT FROM VEHICLE PREVENTION

Don’t leave ANYTHING in your vehicle
Lock all doors and windows
Park in well-lit areas

THEFT OF VEHICLE PREVENTION

Use a steering wheel locking device
Use a vehicle security system that disables the ignition

Not Leaving for the Break?
For those who will be in the area for winter break, help protector your neighbor’s stuff by reporting suspicious activity to the Eugene Police non-emergency number at 541-682-5111!

Be sure to click here to download our Winter Break Safety Tips!

photo credit: UC Irvine via photopin cc

Nine Signs You Are a Bad Roommate

9 Signs You are a Bad Roommate

Are you a bad roommate? Hopefully, you are in a situation where there is mutual respect for boundaries and everyone feels comfortable with each other. But, as we all know, that is not always the case.

After a long day of working or studying, there is nothing worse than coming home to a terrible roommate. Here are 9 signs that you are a less-than-ideal roommate.

1. Your Motto is “My Way or the Highway”. 

Good luck with that! Sharing your space with another person can be challenging, even a close friend. For your living arrangement work, it’s important that both parties compromise and adapt to each others lifestyle and habits. You can help mitigate awkward situations by determining if you are a good match BEFORE you move in.   Click here for tips on finding a the right roommate for you.

2. You are Miss or Mr. Passive Aggressive.

Whether you live with a stranger or a close friend, accept that at some point there is probably going to be conflict. Open communication is absolutely necessary when living in such close living quarters. Even if you avoid conflict at all costs, it will only cause anger an resentment to build up inside you until you are completely unbearable to live with. There is a good chance your roommate has no idea what they did to anger you, so talk about it, come to a agreement and move on!

3.  You honestly believe your roommate doesn’t care if you take or borrow without asking.

So you have a roommate who keeps the fridge stocked, the dishes clean, and plenty of clean laundry around for you to borrow. Why should they mind a T-shirt here, a carton of milk there? It’s communal right? Trust us, they mind. Nobody wants to be stuck with a roommate who takes food without replacing it or who borrows your favorite shoes or shirt without asking!

4. You are consistently late paying your bills or rent.

This is the worst!!! Pay your bills on time. Pay them early if that is an option. If you can’t afford your bills you may need to make different living arrangements or work an extra job. Do not ask your roommate(s) (who are probably also strapped for cash) to cover you! It’s not fair to them, and word will get around that you are a loser.  Who wants that?

5. You act as if your Mom will clean up after you.

Unless you have maid service, which you probably don’t, clean up your own messes! Think it’s ok to clean the dishes in the next couple of days or even next week? It’s not! Nobody wants to live with a messy or disorganized person! Who wants to come home to someones clutter and filth? You don’t have to be a super clean neat freak, but it’s important to be on the same page with your roommate about what’s acceptable and what’s not when it comes to cleanliness. Clean up your own messes, nobody else will.

6.  You ask lots of personal questions.

Your roommate has physical and emotional boundaries. Respect them. Just because you are living in the same space, you do not have the right to pry into their personal business! If your roommate wants to volunteer the information to you, fine. But give your roommate the space they need and respect their privacy.

7.  You frequently bring the party into your living room during the wee hours of the morning.

It’s one thing to be social, but it’s another thing to disregard your roommate(s) need for sleep or quiet study time. You must agree on acceptable noise levels in advance. Besides, you don’t want your neighbor to have report you, you just might receive a noise ordinance!

8. You are addicted to cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking stinks. It’s disgusting. It makes everything else, including your roommate’s stuff, smell like cigarettes. Yuck. Don’t smoke. If you must smoke, do it in a designated area and do your laundry often.

9. You contribute NOTHING.

You need stuff in your apartment: furniture, cookware, dishes, electronics, etc. Don’t be the roommate that contributes nothing. Suddenly you are the guy (or gal) that takes advantage of your roommate’s stuff.

Bottom Line: Be considerate!  Be considerate! Be considerate! And figure out in advance if you are a good match! 

photo credit: foshydog via photopin cc

Your Stuff is Worth More than You Think! Get Renters Insurance!

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It doesn’t matter where you live, your personal belongings are important and losing them could be devastating. The responsibility for protecting all your belongings is yours — along with the cost of replacing them if disaster strikes.

If you don’t have renters insurance, you are betting against an unforeseen circumstance happening to you: a fire, theft, vandalism, water damage, a natural disaster, or worse. Is that a wager you can afford to lose?

Too many people forgo renters insurance because they think their stuff isn’t worth much. This is not the wisest choice because

a) renters insurance is usually very affordable
b) you stuff is worth a lot more than you might think

According to USAA.com, “the average renter has more than $20,000 in personal belongings. Just think about how much it would cost to replace your clothing, books, furniture, laptop computer, flat-screen TV, bicycle, smartphone and everything else you’ve accumulated over the years.”

Renters insurance differs from company to company, so make sure you compare benefits before buying.  If you already have insurance for your vehicle, start with that company and request information.

Some key features to look for (source: USAA.com):

Replacement cost coverage. This provides enough money to buy a new item to replace the one you’ve lost. That’s better than a policy that only covers an item’s actual cash value. For example, if your 10-year-old TV is destroyed, a replacement cost policy would cover the price of a brand-new set. An actual cash value plan would only give you what the TV was worth at the time it was destroyed.

Protection against severe weather and other events. Make sure your policy not only covers property damaged or destroyed by fire but also by flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Coverage of items in your car. The policy should pay for personal items if they are stolen from your vehicle.

Living expenses if forced to move. If damage to your apartment or rental property requires you to temporarily live elsewhere, renters insurance will reimburse your living expenses.

Medical expense coverage. This helps reimburse guests for medical expenses related to injuries that happen at your place.

Liability insurance. If an injured guest sues you, liability coverage can help with legal bills and will pay damages if you’re found liable for them.

Visit the U of O’s Off-Campus Student Resources and Programs page for more resources.

photo credit: Sakurako Kitsa via photopin cc

How to Get Your Security Deposit Back (And Other Things You Should Do When Moving In and Moving Out)

medium_3290560161As a new year approaches, some of our tenant’s leases will be up and will be moving on, and others will be moving in!

One of the most common questions we hear is “How do I get my Security Deposit back?”

Whether your lease is up next month or next year, there are steps you can take to help ensure that you get your deposit back in full.

1. Document EVERYTHING When You Move In and Move Out.

We cannot stress how important it is to document the condition of your rental when moving in and moving out.  WE WILL NOT BE OFFENDED if you photograph or videotape and bring to our attention any issues that are going on inside the house either before moving in or during your lease period.

In fact, we much prefer for our tenants to be proactive and take steps to ensure we are on the same page!

  • We recommend taking 15 minutes to walk from room to room to photograph and make note of anything that is cause for concern right after you get your keys.  If you have the option of dating the photos digitally, it doesn’t hurt!  You can include these images with any move-in paperwork, but at least notate that you took them and keep them for your own reference. 
  • We give our tenants two full weeks from the time they move in to notify us of any issues with the rental. We can decide together whether it is something that needs to be fixed or just noted on the agreement so that you are not responsible.
  • If anything breaks, “goes bad” or happens to the rental while you’re living there, fully document it for your own records.
  • At the end of the lease, do another walk-through and document your cleaning and repair work.  We will discuss problem areas and give the renter the opportunity to correct any issues, or quote a price for a third party to do so. We can tell you approximately how long we think it will take, and work with you to find the best solution for everyone. 
  • We highly recommend scheduling this walk through a week in advance of the end of the lease to ensure a time that works best for your schedule.
Document everything.

2. Engage in Open Communication

We understand that problems arise, and it is better to be on the same page from beginning to end.  We want to develop a mutual understanding with our tenants and clearly communicate what of they are responsible for in the lessee/lessor relationship

  • We encourage you to ask questions or disclose any concerns you are having about your rental to our staff right away.  You can do this by calling (541) 485-7776 to speak with a staff member Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can also come to our Ferry Street office to meet with one of our staff in person (though we advise calling first). Address: 1301 Ferry St. Eugene, OR 97401
  • If you are having an After Hours Emergency please call (541) 686-0743. Obviously please call 911 if this is a medical emergency or if the local authorities need to get involved.
  • Know your renter’s rights and the housing laws! Click here to see Landlord and Tenant laws in Oregon. Bookmark this site in your browser in case you ever need it for reference! Knowing and understand your rights as a tenant here (or anywhere) can make a huge difference!
  • If you have been charged you for something that you think is unfair, request more information. Remember, landlords are not out to “get” you. 
  • Provide accurate forwarding address information. This may seem basic,  but you would be surprised how many tenants neglect to leave us a forwarding address which makes it difficult to send your deposit back in a timely manner.
  • Talk to our staff to make sure you understand clearly what is expected of our tenants when they move out. 

3. Keep it Clean

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Make sure you understand what kind of condition we expect the rental to be in when moving out so you don’t end up under-cleaning or over-cleaning.  It doesn’t hurt to make it a goal to leave the rental in better condition than when you moved in.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you will need to clean thoroughly and fix any damage you, your guests, or pets have caused.

  • When you leave, return all keys and remove everything, including garbage, food, and cleaning supplies.
  • Clean or repair dirty or broken light fixtures, dirty window tracks, and broken towel bars (there are some of the most frequent issues that we come across).
  • Do not wait until the last minute to fix everything that may be broken in the rental.  
  • If you wish to hire an outside company to help, the typical rate for cleaning from our cleaners is around $30/hour.

Ultimately, we want our renters to be happy with their home. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly, or that the rental is not up to par, we want to know about it. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

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