Renter's Insurance
Renter's Insurance is peace of mind worth the small investment. Your landlord's property insurance probably does not cover your personal property. If you can not afford to replace your belongings if they are damaged, lost or stolen, then you should look into buying a policy. The least expensive policies are those that can be added to your car insurance or your parents' insurance. If these alternatives are not available to you, you can purchase personal property insurance from many insurance agencies. A listing of some local agencies is provided here.

Consult your insurance agent, this Web site or the Off-Campus Housing Office for more information.

Does Your Relationship With Your Landlord Need a Tune-Up?
Most leases for student rentals end in August. If you aren’t renewing your lease for another year, then you have less than three months before you and your belongings vacate. But three months can feel like much longer if your relationship with your landlord is strained to the point where you don’t even want to notify him/her of problems you may be having with your rental. Here are our suggestions for calming the waters between you and your landlord:.

Communicate with your landlord face-to-face to address any lingering issues that have hampered your working relationship. Email may limit the quality of a conversation and can’t replace the benefits of simple interaction for re-establishing a positive tone.

Pay the remaining rent on time.

Keep the part of the premises that you occupy clean and safe, disposing of trash according to the City’s trash pick-up schedule.

Allow your landlord to enter and make repairs, or show the unit to prospective renters if he/she gives you prior notice.

Avoid giving the neighbors reasons to complain.

Repair any damages you’ve caused to the property that you don’t want to pay for out of your security deposit. If it’s a big job, get input from the landlord about preferred repair methods.

If you fulfill the terms of your lease and your landlord does the same, you should find that your lease comes to a smooth close. If you have questions about the end of your lease or your relationship with your landlord, you can speak with the Off-Campus Housing Advisor by calling 763-4105.

Have a great summer!!

Planting Makes Your Rental Feel More Like Home
It’s planting season and the Spring rain makes it easy to get into the soil. Most landlords don’t mind tenants planting around the property or in pots, as long as you stay clear of lawn mower routes. It’s a good idea to check with your landlord to find out if there are limits to your “planting perimeter” or on the type of planting you undertake.

You don’t have to know the jargon (e.g., “perennials” vs. “annuals”) or have a green thumb. Just buy a few plants that you’d like to look at or eat, put them in the soil, water them when it’s not raining and watch the growth start to happen. The mental benefits of gardening have been said to be as great as the benefits of meditation. You can pick up small starter plants for a few dollars at the Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown any Wednesday or Saturday morning. You can also find them at the Produce Station on S. State or at any garden shop.

Another consideration to make before you start out is your water source. If you pay for your own water bill, then you will also be paying for the water you give your flowers and vegetables. Depending on the volume of gardening you undertake, the added water use might not be noticeable on your bill or could add a small chunk. Ask a neighbor who gardens about their water bill so you can estimate your costs.