How to Maximize Space in an Apartment

Apartments are often a bit short on space, especially in critical locations such as kitchens and bathrooms. Maximizing this space can be an exercise in patience or simply a task for someone ready to use their creativity to earn extra space and a bit of extra organization as well.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Closet

Apartment closets are often too small for all of your clothes. If this is the case in your closet, take the clothes that are currently out of season and store them in large storage bags or totes. You may be able to fit the totes on the top shelf of the closet or you can buy specialty totes that slide under the bed. When the seasons change, simply switch out the clothes you are currently storing.

You can also maximize apartment closet space by investing in a closet organization system. Find one that hangs on an existing closet bar so that you can take the system with you when you move on rather than being forced to leave it behind for the new tenants.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Kitchen

Maximize space in your apartment kitchen by eliminating waste such as a junk drawer. The items usually kept in a junk drawer can be organized into other areas by using gadgets such as a battery organizer, desk organizer, and a series of small containers to keep rubber bands, tie-tabs and other small items.

Store large kitchen items on top of the refrigerator or in a hall closet to leave the cabinets free for dishes and glasses. If you buy kitchen items or groceries in bulk, use the space under the table or above a washing machine to keep large boxes out of the way.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Bedroom and Bath

You can save space in an apartment bedroom by using shelves to store items up rather than along walls. You can also buy platforms for your bed to give yourself additional space for storage underneath. If you have a large bed, consider moving your dresser into the closet if it will fit to give yourself extra wall and traffic space in the bedroom.

In an apartment bathroom, maximize cabinet space, buy placing shelves inside the cabinet. You can buy shelves that don’t require installation so you can use them in other apartments down the road. You may also consider a series of stacking baskets for towel storage or a system of shelves or cabinets that can be arranged over the toilet. Again, look for ways to store up the walls rather than across them to maximize the height of the room as the width will be severely limited.

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How to Evict a Tenant

If you didn’t manage to prevent problems through tenant screening and are now stuck with a bad tenant, you need to be rid of the burden as quickly as possible. There are certain rules and regulations you need to follow, but here’s how to evict a tenant.

Determine the Exact Legal Problem

To legally evict (or kick out) a tenant, you have to have a legitimate legal reason to do so. Your reason can be something like “failure to pay rent” or “repeated failure to abide by the terms of the lease contract.” Usually, you give a warning the first time or two, but you must absolutely be sure to document every warning or conversation about problems. You need a paper trail to prove your tenant is bad, so be sure to send every notice in writing with a copy for yourself. If possible, have the tenant sign to verify the warning.

Serve the Tenant with a Notice

When the tenant has been warned at least once (or twice for good measure) and you’re ready to move forward, check the regulations in your city and state. Then, following those regulations to the letter, properly serve your tenant with an eviction notice. Your state may require this be done by a licensed police officer. If you fail to serve the notice correctly, your eviction notice may not be valid or even legal.

Use the Legal System

Following the notice, hopefully your tenant will agreeably move out, and you can both move on with your lives. If this is not the case, however, you must use the legal system to get your freeloader on his way.

File an eviction lawsuit against the tenant and be prepared to show every scrap of your documentation about how terrible a boarder he was. It’s very possible he will counter sue which is why you must follow the letter of the law. Do not give him a reason to sue you – you can’t “help” him move out, change the locks, or doing anything in retaliation other than filing the lawsuit following failure to leave.

The lawsuit may go smoothly, or it may get nasty. A knowledgeable real estate attorney can help keep the process moving and help you be sure you are staying well within the rules and regulations of your state.

Eventually, assuming you are in the right and have the documents to prove it, you will win your suit and your tenant will be moved along with the assistance of local law enforcement. If you’re very lucky, he might even be required to pay back rent and legal fees, but don’t hold your breath.

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