Living Situation

[orangina]

So my landlady gave me an info sheet that tells me my lease is up on January 31, 2007.
New rates are: $560 for 6month or 1 year lease
$590 for month to month...........

I pay $540 now.
I am concerned because I notice smoke smell from other people's apartments.......
I don't know if i want to stay........but in Alberta - renting and housing is crazy right now.........

advice?

[project15]

$560 is still cheap compared to what I'm paying in Chicago. It can never hurt to shop around though. Look for something comparably priced and check it out, see if the environment seems to be what you're in right now. If it's not, I would think about moving there.

[piggybank4]

Yes, it is hard to judge unless we know what other apartments are charging (both large apartment complexes, duplexes, houses for rent, etc.)

Things like rent vary quite a bit from region to region.

[PRICEPLUS]

What size apartment? Is it just a room like a boarding house. Do you have a kitchen. The increase comes ot about 3.8% of your present rent. What is the housing market like? What can you afford? What is the smoke you are talking about? Fill us in a bit more!

[orangina]

My apartment is pretty large. I have a large bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining area.
The housing market right now is crazy. It is a sellers market and Alberta's economy is booming.
Rents are going up and vacancy is going down. I live close enough to walk to work if I want to.
My apartment is affordable for me. I think it is nice and I get a good deal.
Other people in the building smoke and it wafts into my apartment.
I have to decide by November 15th.

[geojen]

The smoke thing would be a big deal breaker for me. No way would I put up with breathing other people's noxious fumes (no offense to smokers ). It doesn't hurt to do some looking around!

[PRICEPLUS]

Invest in an air purifier. Open windows. I know smoke stinks but the price given the market and it's proximity to work...well...I would go for it. In the end it comes down to what you can live with!

[orangina]

true enough. Do air purifiers really work??

[aurielle]

Also consider that it takes alot of time and energy to move, unless you're one of those people who 'travel light' You also need money, you have to pay up front (usually) first months rent, last months rent and one or more deposits, plus miscellaneous moving expenses.

[Snoopy2645]

Could you check into smoke free apts dont know if they exsist but this day in age you would think they would. The move might be a pain but think of your health 2nd hand smoke could ruin yours!!

[orangina]

Now the smoke isn't as often it seems....I don't notice it tonight.......hmmm

[LuxLiving]

Could you negotiate with your landlord?

"I'd like to stay and I know it's more convenient for you if you don't have to find another tenant but this smoking that 3B does bothers me - Or, do you think you could provide me with an air purifier that I can leave when I move out but would let me stay? I'll provide all my own filters if you can handle the purchase - then I think maybe I could manage the rent increase. If not, maybe you could come down on the rent because of all this second-hand smoke??"

Actually I'd rework this and ask for the second-hand smoke decrease in rent first and if that didn't work I'd ask for them to purchase a purifier. I'd write out my request carefully and then I'd practice in the mirror. But at least I'd try. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal here. You might try visiting with the landlord to figure out why they are increasing the rents just now. Perhaps it's the utilities going up and you and other tenants could cut back some on your useage...or maybe the rent rolls of other bldgs. seem to be collecting bigger dollars and you can POLITELY list out why they get those bigger rents - maybe laundry facilities are better, parking lot lighting in place there, security gates, etc. "We don't have any of those things, so could we just split the difference and call it even?"

Worth a shot.

[orangina]

Thanks for the options. I do know why the rent is going up. Alberta's economy is booming and people are coming to work here so vacancies are going down. There is not a lot of affordable housing at this time so people are scrambling to find places to live. I do know of other places that are going up way more in rent. So for be $20 isn't that much I guess. But I will talk to my landlady about possible rent reduction.

Thanks

[PRICEPLUS]

Sorry I am late getting back to you. The air purifier I bought was rated by Consumer Reports several years back. It does a fairly good job with taking crap out of the air. Do your homework though when you go to buy. I always recommend Consumers Report as a place to start!

[Elgin526]

Ask your landlord (or lady) if they can check the seals on your door, they could be loose or rotting and could be allowing more air (and thus smoke) into your apartment than it should. If you get those tightened up it could help to reduce the smoke.

Good luck!

[budgetmom]

I just wanted to say that I wish I could get a month -to -month lease as sweet as yours. I am in a 2 br. (just short of 900 sq. ft.) paying $650 right now and would like to move out for more space...and other reasons. Our lease is up at the end of next month. Our rent is increasing then, due to a fire at our complex (burned down a whole building-16 apts.) buy a mear $30 a month, but $30 is $30, and I would have to pay $875 for a month-to-month.
Are these people smoking inside or outside the apt.? If it is inside I think there are some serious problems with the apts. duct work or something. I can't imagine smelling moke from inside a neighbors house. They may need to look at that also. If they are outside maybe you could bring up an issue of loitering of some sort, I don't know just a thought.